t emphasis, and Eric felt greatly
relieved by it.

One or two other boys were then called on as witnesses to the great
agitation which Eric had shown during the investigation in the
schoolroom, and then Gibson, who was a sensible self-contained fellow,
said, "I have now done my part. I have shown that the accused had a
grudge against Mr Gordon at the time the thing was done, and had
threatened to be revenged on him; that he was the last boy in the room
during the time when the offence must have been committed; that the
handwriting is known to be like his, and that the ink and wafers
employed were such as he, and he only, was known to possess. In
addition to all this, his behaviour, when the matter was first publicly
noticed, was exactly such as coincides with the supposition of his
guilt. I think you will all agree in considering these grounds of
suspicion very strong; and leaving them to carry their full weight with
you, I close the case for the prosecution."

The school listened to Gibson's quiet unmoved formality with a kind of
grim and gloomy satisfaction, and when he had concluded, there were
probably few but Eric's own immediate friends who were not fully
convinced of his guilt, however sorry they might be to admit so
unfavourable an opinion of a companion whom they all admired.

After a minute or two Russell rose for the defence, and asked, "Has
Williams any objection to his desk being brought, and any of its
contents put in as evidence?"

"Not the least; there is the key, and you will find it in my place in
school."

The desk was brought, but it was found to be already unlocked, and
Russell looked at some of the note-paper which it contained. He then
rose--nervously at first, and with a deep blush lighting up his face,
but soon showing a warmth and sarcasm, which few expected from his
gentle nature.

"In spite of the evidence adduced," he began, "I think I can show that
Williams is not guilty. It is quite true that he dislikes Mr Gordon,
and would not object to any open way of showing it; it is quite true
that he used the expressions attributed to him, and that the ink and
wafers are such as may be found in his desk, and that the handwriting is
not unlike his. But is it probable that a boy intending to post up an
insult such as this, would do so in a manner and at a time so likely to
involve him in immediate detection and certain punishment? At any rate,
he would surely disguise his usual handwrit