“Yes, my loving cup. You had it in that bundle, and you took it out to pawn it, in order to get money to go to that show.” “That’s not true!” cried Jack indignantly. “All I had in that bundle was my catching glove, which I sold to Tom Berwick.” “I don’t believe you,” said the professor stiffly. “I say you stole my loving cup and pawned it. The cup is gone from its accustomed place on my dresser. I did not miss it until this afternoon, and, when I asked my sister about it, she said she had not seen it. Then she recalled your sneaking away from the house with a bundle, and I at once knew what had become of it.” [Illustration: “I say you took my cup!” _Page 41_] “You couldn’t know, for there is absolutely no truth in this accusation,” replied Jack hotly. “Do you mean to say that I am telling an untruth?” asked the professor sharply. “I say that you took my cup.” “And I say that I didn’t! I never touched your cup! If it’s gone some one else took it!” Jack spoke in loud and excited tones. “Don’t you dare contradict me, young man!” thundered the former teacher. “I will not permit it. I say you took that cup! I know you did!” “I didn’t!” cried Jack. The professor was so angry that he took a step toward the lad. He raised his hand, probably unconsciously, as though to deal Jack a box on the ear, for this was the old teacher’s favorite method of correcting a refractory student. Jack, with the instinct of a lad who will assume a defensive attitude on the first sign of an attack, doubled up his fists. “What! You dare attempt to strike me?” cried the professor. “You dare?” “I’m not going to have you hit me,” murmured Jack. “You are making an unjust charge. I never took that cup. I can prove what I had in that package by Tom Berwick.” “I do not believe you,” went on the professor. “I know you pawned that cup to get spending money, because I refused to give you any to waste. I will give you a chance to confess, and tell me where you disposed of it, before I take harsh measures.” Jack started. What did the professor mean by harsh measures? “I can’t confess what I did not do,” he said, more quietly. “I never took the loving cup.” “And I say you did!” cried the old teacher, seeming to lose control of himself. “I say you stole it, and I’ll have you arrested, you young rascal! Go to your room at once, and remain there until I get an officer. We’ll see then whether you’ll confess or not. I’ll call in a policeman at once. See that he does not leave the house,” he added to his sister, as he hurried from the room. Jack started from the library. “Where are you going?” asked Miss Klopper, placing herself in his path. She was a large woman, and strong. “I am going to my room,” replied Jack, sore at heart and very miserable over the unjust accusation. CHAPTER VI JACK RUNS AWAY