"In such a manner as to convince everyone that you were the conscience-stricken culprit yourself," finished off Miss St. Leger. "That was it, was it not?" "Yes," admitted Duane. "Afterwards I knew I had made an ass of myself. Still, in a way I was glad, for if the girls had gone on believing Kitty guilty, it would have put me in an awful hole, knowing all the time that she wasn't. So I consoled myself with the reflection that it was all for the best." "And were content to shield someone else at your own expense," said Miss St. Leger bluntly. "Easiest way," returned Duane with a shrug. "I'm in the habit of choosing it." "Sometimes, perhaps," said Miss St. Leger cautiously. "Then what did you mean by saying you were sorry you had wronged me?" asked Kitty eagerly. "Oh, I was merely referring to my wrongly believing that you were the culprit, the day before." "And, of course, everybody took it in rather a different way." "There isn't much more to be told," Duane continued. "I must admit it bothered me sometimes last term when I saw that Erica still worried over the affair, but I thought she'd get over it in time. But she didn't, and what happened yesterday was the result." Miss St. Leger nodded gravely. "I gather from this note that it was the hockey match that decided her." She glanced again at the note in her hand, and read it out: "DEAR BERTHA, "I can't stand it any longer, having people think Duane did it and knowing all the time it was me. But I'm not brave enough to confess to everyone, and so I'm going to run away home this afternoon. I'm going to try and slip away from the others and get a train at Frattenton. Gracie Morris whose home is at Frattenton told me the way. I am sorry. I hate myself for being such a coward. But after yesterday afternoon I felt I just couldn't go on being such a little pig, though Duane says it's all right and I mustn't worry my head about her. Please will you tell them all about everything after I have gone. "Your loving sister, "ERICA." There was a short silence. Then Duane said slowly: "I'm glad she tried to own up at last. You know, I think she would have done so long ago if it hadn't been for Bertha. She's got heaps of physical courage." There was a very kind look in the Principal's eyes as she turned towards Duane, and laying her hand on the girl's shoulder, said gently: "So am I. But I don't think it was altogether by herself that she decided to own up. I think someone helped her, if unconsciously." Duane looked puzzled. "How do you mean, Miss St. Leger?" "Why, I think in the end it was your influence and not Bertha's, that proved the stronger." "I should jolly well think so," added Kitty emphatically.