The news of Purt's trouble was not long in getting to Short and Long in the hospital. Chet and Lance really thought the smaller boy would express some satisfaction over Purt's trouble. But to their surprise Billy took up cudgels for the dandy as soon as he was told that the police suspected him of the offense. "What's the matter with you, Short?" demanded the big fellow. "You've been sure Purt was guilty all the time." "I don't care!" declared Billy. "He's one of us fellows, isn't he?" "Admitted he goes to Central High," Chet said. "But he isn't one of our gang," Lance added. "I don't care! The police are always too fresh," said Billy, who had reason for believing that the Centerport police sometimes made serious mistakes. Billy had had his own experience, as related in "The Girls of Central High on Lake Luna." "Then you don't believe Purt did it?" demanded Lance. "No, I don't. I was mistaken," declared Short and Long. "Purt's all right" "Wow! Wow!" murmured Chet. "See how he brought me here in his car when I was hurt. And look at the stuff Purt's given me while I've been here," said Billy excitedly. "He'd never have hurt that man and run away without seeing what he'd done. No, sir!" "Crackey, Billy!" said Chet, "you've turned square around." "I know I have. And I ought to be ashamed of myself for ever distrusting Purt," said the invalid vigorously. "Then why won't Purt tell where he was?" demanded Lance doubtfully. "I don't care where he was," said Billy. "If he says he didn't hit the man, he didn't. That's all. And we've got to prove it, boys." "Some job you suggest," said Chet slowly. "It looks to me as though Pretty Sweet was in a bad hole, and no mistake." Even the most charitable of his schoolmates took this view of Purt Sweet's trouble. His denial of guilt did not establish the fact of his innocence. His inability, or refusal, to explain where he was at the time of the accident on Market Street in front of Mr. Belding's jewelry store made the situation very difficult indeed. "If he could only put forward an alibi," Lance Darby said, when the Hill crowd of Central High boys and girls discussed the matter. "But he won't say a word!" cried Nellie. "I believe he is innocent." "Then why doesn't he tell where he was at the time?" demanded Laura sternly. "Is he scared to tell the truth?" asked Jess. "I don't think he is," Chet observed thoughtfully. "Somehow he acts differently from usual." "You're right," Bobby declared, with frank approval of one of whom she had never approved before. "I believe there's a big change in old Purt." "Well, it's strange," Laura remarked. "He never showed such obstinacy before." "He's never shown any particular courage before, either," said her brother. "That's what gets me!" "Where does the courage come in?" demanded Lance. "I believe Chet is right," Jess said. "Purt is trying to shield somebody." "From what?" and "Who?" were the chorused demands.