"’Twill be jolly hard, I know," he said to himself; "but I’ll live it down." And his heart grew lighter as he registered the resolve. "By the way, Hartland," remarked his employer later in the evening, "I have been thinking we might make a fresh arrangement. I should like you to stay all day, and you might start on Monday." "I’d rather not begin till the holidays, sir," said Jim, with an effort. "Why not?" "Because, because—well, they might say I was afraid to go back to school." "Well, it won’t be particularly pleasant," replied Mr. Broad, "and that is partly why I made the offer. But yours is the better plan, and I wish you luck, my boy." "Thank you, sir," returned Jim, brightly, though in his heart he could not help wishing that the next day was safely over. *CHAPTER XVI.* *A FRESH START.* The police-court proceedings created a great sensation at the Deanery, and were canvassed with characteristic schoolboy freedom. Dick, of course, received much praise; and on his arrival, just before opening time, he was surrounded by an admiring group. However, he bore his blushing honours meekly, remarking that he had done nothing in particular. "Your being there was a lucky thing for Jim Hartland, though," observed Alec Macdonald. "A good many people think there’s more in it than came out!" sneered Simpson. "_I_ shouldn’t like to be caught with a marked sixpence in my pocket!" "You’re just a cad!" cried Dick hotly, "and no one cares a brass button what you say. As to Hartland, he showed more grit in five minutes than you’d show in five centuries." "How’s that?" cried several boys eagerly. "That’s part of what Simpson says didn’t come out. Of course you know old Broad found the sixpence on him. Well, he’s a good sort, though at first he did think Jim guilty. ’Look here, Hartland,’ said he; ’you’d better own up. You’re certain to be sent to prison, because, even if you’re innocent, you can’t prove it.’ Well, what did Jim answer?" "He wasn’t likely to give the show away, anyhow!" said Simpson. "Broad didn’t ask him to. ’Just admit you stole the money, and you’ll hear no more of it,’ said he. ’I’ll hush it up, and no one will be any the wiser.’" "That was handsome," remarked several of the boys. "Yes," agreed Dick, "but Jim wasn’t taking any ’Send me to prison for life if you like,’ said Jim; ’I shan’t confess to what I didn’t do!’" "Good old Jim!" cried Alec Macdonald. "He always was a plucky beggar." And the others echoed his cry. Few of them believed he was mixed up in the robbery, and Dick’s story was received with acclamation. A sudden revulsion of feeling took place, and those who had looked rather coldly on Jim since the fatal accident to Braithwaite now spoke loudly in his defence. Just as the bell rang he was seen coming in at the gate, and quite a number of boys ran across to meet him. Once more Alec Macdonald voiced the general sentiment.