at the question now," said the doctor, when the allotted time had
run--"Was any boy here concerned in the outrage on Mr Bickers? or does
any boy know who was? If so, let him stand up."

The silence which followed was broken to some by the thumping of their
own hearts. But no one rose; and a sense of relief came to all but
Railsford, who felt his spirits sink as the prospect of a near end to
his trouble receded.

"Every boy here," said the doctor, slowly, "denies all knowledge of the
affair?"

Silence gave consent.

"Then," continued the head-master, more severely, putting up his
eyeglass, and handing the list to Ainger, "I shall put the question to
each boy separately. Call over the list, and let each boy come up and
answer."

Ainger began by calling out his own name, and forthwith walked up to the
master's desk.

"Do you know anything whatever of this affair?" asked the doctor,
looking him full in the face.

"No, sir," said Ainger, returning the look, after his fashion, half
defiantly.

The next name was called, and its owner marched up to the desk and
uttered his denial. Railsford, as he stood scanning keenly the face of
each boy in turn, felt that he was watching the action of some strange
machine. First Ainger's clear voice. Then the short "Adsum," and the
footsteps up to the desk. Then the doctor's stern question. Then the
quick look-up and the half-defiant "No, sir," (for they all caught up
the captain's tone). And, finally, the retreating footsteps, and the
silence preceding the next name.

There was no sign of faltering; and, wherever the secret lurked,
Railsford saw little chance of it leaking out. A few boys, indeed, as
was natural, gave their replies after their own fashion. Barnworth
looked bored, and answered as though the whole performance was a waste
of time. Arthur Herapath was particularly knowing in his tone, and
accompanied his disclaimer with an embarrassing half-wink at his future
kinsman. Felgate said "No" without the "sir," and swaggered back to his
place with an ostentatious indifference which did not go unnoted. The
baronet, who was nothing if not original, said nothing, but shook his
head.

"Reply to the question, sir!" thundered the doctor, ominously.

Whereat Sir Digby, losing his head, said, "No, thank you, sir," and
retired, amid some confusion.

Simson, when interrogated, mildly added to his "No, sir" the explanatory
sentence, "except finding him there when I