CHAPTER V.
THAD BRINGS SOME STARTLING NEWS "Hugh, have you heard the news this Sunday morning ?" With these abrupt words Thad Stevens burst upon his chum who was feeding some long-eared, handsome Belgian hares, which of late he had taken to keeping, as it had become quite a fad among the Scranton boys.
Hugh turned to look at his friend.

It was plain to be seen that Thad was laboring under considerable excitement.

His face was flushed as if with running, while his eyes glowed much more than was their wont under ordinary conditions.
"Why, no, I haven't heard a thing except the church bells ringing, and people going past our house early this morning for mass.

You know we live on a street that is largely used by those who have to get out shortly after daybreak Sunday mornings in winter.

What's happened during the night?
There couldn't have been a fire, because I'd have heard the bell, and been out with the rest of the boys." "Oh! you couldn't guess it in a dozen trials, Hugh.