please recollect that I am master
here."

"But--"

"Silence, sir! Now come with me and Mr Severn up into your dormitory;
and, until I give you leave, neither you nor Mr Severn will say a word
to a soul."

"But--"

"Did you hear me tell you, sir, to be silent?" cried the Doctor, in his
deepest and most commanding tones. "If there has been a theft
committed, which I greatly doubt, this jewel or jewels must be
recovered. Such an ornament, if taken by a thief, could not easily be
disposed of, and we must first have a calm and quiet investigation of
what will in all probability prove to be a mistake.--What do you think,
Mr Severn?"

"I think it is a mistake, sir."

"Then come with me up into your room, and I desire that you both treat
the matter in a calm and thoughtful way. I cannot have a matter of this
kind made into a piece of gossiping scandal.--Mr Severn, will you be
kind enough to open the door?"

Glyn sprang to the handle, and the Doctor walked slowly out, followed by
the boys, while Glyn gripped his companion by the wrist and said
hastily. "Come quietly, and if we meet anybody don't make them see that
something is wrong by wearing a face like that."

Singh looked at him fiercely, and then followed in silence, passing
nobody, as they made for the corridor and entered the door of their
dormitory, which Singh in his haste had left open.

The Doctor stepped in and made way for the two boys to pass, himself
closing the door after them, and then turning, raising his eyebrows a
little as he saw the state of the floor, where the carpet was scattered
with different garments and odds and ends, while the bullock-trunk lay
upside down.

The Doctor glanced at Glyn, who read his wish in his eyes.

"Where are your keys, Singh?" he cried.

"I don't know. What do you want with them?"

"Why, to search your drawers, of course."

"I can do that myself," said the boy haughtily.

"I know that; but I am going to do it," said Glyn firmly. And brushing
by his companion, he went to the overturned trunk, turned it back into
position, and drew the keys from the lock.

Singh made no attempt to check him, but drew himself up and stood with
folded arms, scowling angrily as Glyn unlocked and carefully emptied
drawer after drawer in turn, replacing the contents as he went on.

"Was the belt or girdle lying loose, Mr Singh?" said the Doctor calmly,
as the search went on.

"No, sir," and the boy, more himself now, desc