ll man came striding across to us from the
right; a short way ahead of two others, one round and pursy and of
clerical aspect, the other an official in the Silversmiths' uniform.
The tall man I guessed at once to be the Principal, returning from a
survey of the damage done: and I waited while he approached. He wore
an angry frown, and his eyes interrogated us pretty sharply.

"Sir Elkin Travers?" I asked.

"At your service, sir, if you are sent to help in this business?"
Sir Elkin's eyes passed on this question to the Police Sergeant and
reverted to me. "From Whitehall?" he asked.

"No, sir," I answered. "My name is Otway--Sir Roderick Otway; and
our only excuse for being here is that two of us are close friends of
Professor Foe. Indeed, sir, for myself, let me say that I have for
many years been his closest friend, and I am anxious about him."

"You have need to be, I fear," said Sir Elkin, speaking slowly.
"I was going back to him at this moment. Will you come with
me. . . . This, by the way, is Mr. Michelmore, our College Bursar."

"With your leave, gentleman," put in the Sergeant, "I'll be going
back now. They've collared most of the ringleaders; but by the sound
of it they're beating the shrubberies for the stray birds . . ."

"Certainly, Sergeant--certainly. . . . Your men have been most
prompt." Sir Elkin dismissed him, and again bent his attention on
us. "You are all friends of the Professor's?" he asked.

"Two of us," said I. "This third is Mr. Farrell, who has come to
express his sincere regret."

The Principal's eyes, which had been softening, hardened again
suddenly with anger and suspicion. What must that ass Farrell do but
hold out his hand effusively? "Pleased to make your acquaintance,
Sir Elkin," he began. "Assure you--innocent--slightest intention--
quite without my approval--outrage--deplorable--last thing in the
world--"

He stammered, wagging a hand at vacancy; for the hand it reached to
grasp had swiftly withdrawn itself behind Sir Elkin's back, and
remained there.

"We will discuss your innocence later on, sir. Be very sure you will
be given occasion to establish it, if you can." Sir Elkin's glare,
under his iron-grey eyebrows, promised No Quarter. "Since you have
pushed your way in with these gentlemen, it may interest you to
follow us and see the results of your ignorant incitement."

He shook Farrell off--as it were--with a hunching movement of the
shoulder, and turn