for, Dangle?"

"They had cheated at Elections."

"What was your object, then?"

"To punish them."

"Are you not aware that the captain of the School is the only prefect
who is allowed to punish?"

"Yes, sir, but--"

"Well?"

"We were not sure that their own prefects were going to take any notice
of it."

"I caned all four of them for it, and you saw me do it," said Yorke.

"Humph. And as to Rollitt, how came he to be present?" asked the
doctor.

"He came in."

"What were you doing when he came in?"

"There was a scuffle."

"You were striking those boys? What did Rollitt do? Did he strike
you?"

"No, sir."

"What then?"

"He--he," said Dangle, flushing up to be obliged to record the fact in
the presence of the other seniors, "he dragged me across the Green."

"Then you say he attacked you on another occasion on the football
field?"

And Dangle had to stand an uncomfortable cross-examination on this
incident too.

"What had it all got to do with Rollitt?" asked every one of himself.

"I ask you all these questions, Dangle," said the doctor, when he had
brought this chapter of history up to date, "because it seems to me you
are Rollitt's chief accuser in this matter. I wish I were able to feel
that you were not personally interested in your charges proving to be
true. That, of course, does not affect the case, as far as Rollitt is
concerned. The evidence against him is merely conjecture, so far."

"But I met him at Fisher's door that afternoon," said Dangle, determined
to make the most of his strong points.

"Why," said Fisher, "you told me you didn't know which my door was, when
you first spoke about it."

"I found out since, and it was the same door."

"Was he coming out of the room or going in!"

"Coming out."

"You are sure of that?"

"Yes, I remember because the door nearly struck me as he opened it."

"However could it do that!" exclaimed Fisher. "My door opens inwards!"

Dangle coloured up with confusion and stammered--

"I--I thought it--I suppose I was wrong."

"I think so," said the doctor frigidly. "Thank you, boys, I needn't
keep you longer at present."

"You idiot!" said Clapperton, as he and the discomfited Dangle walked
back to Forder's. "You've made a precious mess of it, and made the
whole house ridiculous. Why couldn't you let it alone? You've mulled
everything you've put your finger into this term."

"Look here, Clapperton," said Dangle, in a whi