I don't want any more valuable articles to be missing." Principal and student went quietly to the floor below.

Dr.Thornton thrust his head into the physics laboratory and quietly called Dick out, explaining what was wanted.
"You'll come, too, won't you, doctor ?" asked Ripley.
The principal nodded without speaking.

As the three reached the barred door, Dick inserted the key, then threw open the door.
Fred marched over to his coat, thrusting his hand into a pocket.
"By thunder, it's gone!" gasped Fred.
In an instant Dr.Thornton bounded into the locker room.

He himself explored every pocket in the boy's coat.
"Strange! strange!" muttered the bewildered principal.
"All the other thefts happened in this locker, didn't they ?" inquired Ripley, suspiciously.
"Yes---if thefts they were," admitted Dr.Thornton.
"Nothing missing from the other locker room ?" "Nothing." "Doctor," went on Ripley, as though loath to utter the words, I hate to suggest anything of the sort.

But---er---but---has the monitor of this locker been searched after any of the---er---disappearances ?" "Ripley, you forget yourself!" cried the principal.
"What do you mean!" flared Dick, in the same breath, turning crimson, next going very white.
"Doctor, I'm sorry," spoke Ripley, with great seeming reluctance, "but that pin is a costly one.