right again?

Next morning, before he could decide what to do, a message came from Mr
Forder, requesting him and his fellow-prefects to come across to the
master's room.

In no amiable frame of mind they obeyed. As they expected, Clapperton,
Brinkman, Dangle, and Fullerton were also present.

"This is a most serious case," said Mr Forder. "Yorke, I understand
you know more about it than any one. Will you kindly say all you know?"

"I know nothing," said the captain, "except that I believe the story is
groundless."

"That is unsatisfactory. In a matter like this, there must be nothing
like sheltering the wrong-doer."

"It's because we were afraid of that, sir," said Clapperton, "that we
thought it right to tell you about it."

"Of course. Fisher major, perhaps you will tell us about the missing
money."

Fisher major briefly related his loss and the efforts he had made to
discover it.

"And what are your grounds for suspecting Rollitt?"

"I don't suspect him, sir; or rather I should not if it were not for
what Dangle has said about him."

Thereupon Dangle was called upon to repeat his accusation.

"It seems to me," said the master, "we require two important witnesses
to make the case clear. I believe Mrs Wisdom is in the house at
present. Will you inquire, Fullerton, and if so, tell her to come here?
And will you, Fisher major, fetch your brother?"

After a painful delay, in which the rival seniors sat glaring at one
another, and the master made notes of the evidence so far, the two
witnesses were forthcoming.

Widow Wisdom had nothing to say except in praise of Master Rollitt, and
was glad enough in support of it to relate the incident of the boat, and
even produce the receipt, which she carried about like a talisman in her
pocket. She had no idea that her glowing testimony was to be used
against her favourite, or she would have bitten off her tongue sooner
than give it:

As for Fisher minor, confused and abashed in the presence of so many
seniors, he blundered out his story of the eventful half-holiday,
looking in vain towards his brother to ascertain if he was doing well or
ill. He blabbed all he knew about Rollitt; the condition of his study,
the nature of his solitary walks, the poverty of his possessions--
everything that could possibly confirm the suspicions against him; and
forgot to mention anything which might in the least avail on the other
side.

At the close of the court-martia