"Then, all at once, my uncle began sending money again, but he didn't state where he was. After that I had it a little easier, until some one stole quite a sum from Mr. Gabel. He's a regular miser, and he loves money more than anything else. He accused me of robbing him, and declared he wouldn't have me around his house any longer.
"So he sent me off to this school, but he doesn't give me a cent of spending money, and pays all the bills himself. He still thinks I stole his money, and he says he will hold back my spending cash, which my uncle forwards, until he has made up the amount that was stolen.
"I tried to prove to him that I was innocent, but he won't believe me. He is always writing me mean letters, reminding me that I am a thief, and not fit for decent people to associate with. I'm miserable, and I wish I was dead. I got a mean, accusing letter from him to-day, and it made me feel so bad that I didn't care what became of me. I wandered off, and I thought if I fell down and died under the snow it would be a good thing."
"Say, you certainly are up against it," murmured Jack. "I'd like to get hold of that rascally guardian of yours. But why don't you tell your uncle?"
"But he sends money for your schooling and board to Mr. Gabel, doesn't he?"
"Yes, but he sends cash in a letter, and he doesn't even register it. I wrote to the postal authorities of the Western city where his letters were mailed, but they said they could give me no information."
"He is engaged in some secret mission. I never could find out what it is, and I don't believe Mr. Gabel knows, either. Oh, but Gabel is a mean man! He seems to take delight in making me miserable. Now you know why I act so queerly. I like a good time, and I like to be with the fellows, but I haven't a cent to spend to treat them with, and I'm not going to accept favors that I can't return. Why, I haven't had a cent to spend for myself in six months!"
"That's tough," he said. "But say, Will, you're mistaken if you think our crowd cares anything for money. Why didn't you say something about this before?"
"Why, we thought you didn't like us," went on Jack. "Now I see that we were mistaken. I wish we had Mr. Gabel here. We'd haze him first, and throw him into the lake afterward. Now, Will, I'll tell you what you're going to do?"