“I’m the boy,” he said, “who took the marble image away from your fountain last night, and it got broke, and I carried it back there this morning.” Mr. Barriscale’s frown deepened, his heavy, clipped moustache bristled perceptibly, and a slight flush overspread his face. Evidently the subject was not an agreeable one to him. “Who told you to come here?” he asked abruptly. “My father,” replied Hal. “Who is your father?” “Captain Lawrence McCormack; and my name is Halpert McCormack.” “Your father is a respectable citizen. How comes it that he has a night-prowler for a son?” “I don’t know, sir.” “Who was with you on this job?” “Some boy friends. I’d rather not tell their names. I want to be responsible for the whole thing myself.” “I see. Shielding your accomplices in crime. A very mistaken idea of magnanimity. But if you want to bear the brunt of this thing I’ll accommodate you.” The flush in the big man’s face grew deeper, and there was a perceptible note of anger in his voice. The outlook was indeed menacing. “I want to bear the brunt of it,” replied Hal. “Very well!” Mr. Barriscale picked up a paper-knife and tapped on the table with it as he spoke, apparently for the purpose of emphasizing his words. “You admit that you entered my lawn under cover of darkness, without permission, for the purpose of removing my property?” “Yes, sir!” “And that you did take the marble figure from my fountain and carry it away and break it?” “Yes, sir!” “Are you aware that you have committed a crime?” “I didn’t know it was a crime, sir. I knew it was wrong, but we just did it for fun.” “Then let me enlighten you, young man. In trespassing on my lawn with evil intent you committed a misdemeanor, punishable by fine and imprisonment. In breaking my statuary you are guilty of malicious mischief, also punishable by fine and imprisonment. In taking my property and carrying it away you are guilty of the crime of larceny and can be sent to state’s prison for a term of years. What do you think of the situation?” “I had not thought of it that way, sir.” Hal’s voice began to show weakness, his face paled a little, and his knees began to tremble at this recital of his offenses against the law, and the possible punishment for them. “Well,” responded the big man in a voice plainly indicative of increasing anger, “you can think of it that way now. And perhaps you will also be willing to tell me now who your confederates in crime were.” Mr. Barriscale tapped the table more vigorously with his paper-knife, straightened up in his chair, and became peremptory in his anger. “I will find out,” he continued. “They shall all be treated as they deserve to be, every one of them. You say the statue was broken. Who broke it?” “I don’t know, sir.” Mr. Barriscale half rose from his chair, his face purple with passion. “Don’t evade my question, sir,” he cried. “I’ll have none of it! Answer me! Who broke the marble?” “I did.”