"It is alleged that four boys, who are often seen in each others' company, and who have, before this, taken part in more or less harmless tricks, are suspected of blowing down the tower. One of them, it can be asserted on the highest authority, had the clock dial. An investigation has been started by the school authorities, and the four boys in question, including the one who took the dial from the wreckage, will be called on to tell what they know. If the evidence, after a thorough sifting, points to them, it is understood that criminal action will be taken." "Did you ever hear the like?" cried Fenn. "Wait, here's something more," said Bart. He pointed to a few lines of type at the bottom of the article. They read: "Just as we are going to press we learn that one of the four suspected lads has hurriedly left town." "Come on!" cried Bart. "I'm going to make him take that back." "Make who take what back?" asked Frank. "Why the editor of this paper. Can't you see who he's referring to in that last line? He means Ned! He means that Ned's run away for fear he'll be arrested! He means us when he says 'four boys often seen in each others' company!' He's accusing the Darewell Chums of blowing up the tower! Come on, we'll make him deny this if he has to get out an extra!" "Go slow," advised Frank. "Go slow! Yes, that's always your way! Wait and let him say all he wants to about us! I guess not!" "I say we'd better wait," Frank went on quietly. "Of course you know, and I know, none of us had anything to do with the blowing up of the tower. I don't believe it was blown up. I believe the wind did it, and some one has imagined all this and given the reporter a story of what he thinks is the truth. At the same time the school authorities may be going to have an investigation. It's their privilege. Now if we go to the editor's office and raise a row folks at once will jump to the conclusion that we had some hand in the explosion. Besides, it doesn't say we are suspected." "It as good as says so," Bart exclaimed. "Everyone will know they mean us." "At the same time the article doesn't say so. That editor is cute enough for that. He doesn't want a libel suit on his hands." "It might as well call us by the names," Bart insisted. "Besides, that refers to Ned as plain as can be, and he isn't here to defend himself. It's our duty to go." "I tell you you'll only make things worse if you go to the office of the paper," Frank insisted. "The editor will ask you if you think the article refers to you. You'll say it does, and he'll say, in effect, 'if the shoe fits put it on.' These newspaper men are no fools. They have some basis for what they write. Besides, you know I did take the dial." "So you did," said Fenn. "Did you give it back to Mr. Williamson?" asked Bart. "Yes, I took it to the store as he asked me to." "But you didn't make any admissions, did you?"