said Tempest jauntily, who was evidently recovering his
presence of mind, "he thought it was a lucifer match."

"You'll laugh on the wrong side of your face, young gentleman," said the
policeman wrathfully; "this here matter will have to be gone into.
There's been a party injured, and it'll be a matter for the magistrate.
You'll have to come along with me."

"I tell you," said Tempest, becoming grave once more, "I've had no more
to do with it than you have."

"And yet," said Mr Jarman, speaking for the first time, "the explosion
took place immediately after you were there, and when it was impossible
for any one else to be there."

"I say I know nothing at all about it," said Tempest shortly, "and I
don't care what you think."

"Come, Tempest," said Dr England, "no good will be gained by losing
temper. It is very necessary to get to the bottom of this business,
especially as some one has been injured. It seems almost impossible the
explosion could have happened by accident; at the same time, knowing
what I do of you, I do not myself believe that you are the boy who would
commit an outrage of this sort. As the policeman intends to report the
affair to the magistrate, you had better go with him and let him
investigate the matter. Don't do yourself injustice by losing your
temper. Mr Jarman, your attendance will probably be necessary; and
Jones had better go too, although so far he has not thrown very much
light on the matter. Constable, if you will take my compliments to
Captain Rymer and ask him when he can see us--"

"Beg pardon, sir," said the constable, evidently sore about the blazer,
"the young gent must come along with me now. That's my duty, and I
can't take no instructions contrary."

"Very well," said the doctor stiffly; "we will go to Captain Rymer at
once."

"Hadn't you better handcuff me?" said Tempest, who appeared to be seized
with a wild desire to exasperate the man of the law.

The policeman glared as if he was disposed to take him at his word.

"None of your imperence, I can tell you, my beauty!" said he. "I ain't
a-going to stand it--straight. Come, stir yourself."

"It is not necessary," said the head master, "for you to come with us.
I give my word that we shall be at the police court immediately. But I
wish to avoid the public scandal of one of my boys going through the
streets in charge."

"I ain't a-going to let him out of my sight," said the ruffled
constable. "I know his