.
As only a few of you have seen it, it becomes my deeply painful duty to
inform you of its purport; the words are these--`Gordon is a surly
devil.'" A _very_ slight titter followed this statement, which was
instantly succeeded by a sort of thrilling excitement; but Eric, when he
heard the words, started perceptibly, and coloured as he caught
Montagu's eye fixed on him.

Dr Rowlands continued--

"I suppose this dastardly impertinence has been perpetrated by some boy
out of a spirit of revenge. I am perfectly amazed at the audacity and
meanness of the attempt, and it may be very difficult to discover the
author of it. But, depend upon it, discover him _we will_ at whatever
cost. Whoever the offender may be, and he must be listening to me at
this moment, let him be assured that he shall _not_ be unpunished. His
guilty secret shall be torn from him. His punishment can only be
mitigated by his instantly yielding himself up."

No one stirred, but during the latter part of this address Eric was so
uneasy, and his cheek burned with such hot crimson, that several eyes
were upon him, and the suspicions of more than one boy were awakened.

"Very well," said the head-master, "the guilty boy is not inclined to
confess. Mark, then; if his name has not been given up to me by to-day
week, every indulgence to the school will be forfeited, the next whole
holiday stopped, and the coming cricket-match prohibited."

"The handwriting may be some clue," suggested Mr Ready. "Would you
have any objection to my examining the note-books of the Shell?"

"None at all. The Shell boys are to show their books to Mr Ready
immediately."

The head-boy of the Shell collected the books, and took them to the
desk; the three masters glanced casually at about a dozen, and suddenly
stopped at one. Eric's heart beat loud, as he saw Mr Rose point
towards him.

"We have discovered a handwriting which remarkably resembles that on the
board. I give the offender one more chance of substituting confession
for detection."

No one stirred; but Montagu felt that his friend was trembling
violently.

"Eric Williams, stand out in the room!"

Blushing scarlet, and deeply agitated, the boy obeyed.

"The writing on the notice is exactly like yours. Do you know anything
of this shameful proceeding?"

"Nothing, sir," he murmured in a low tone.

"Nothing whatever?"

"Nothing whatever, sir."

Dr Rowlands's look searched him through and through,