ody, and, if
so, whom?"

At this unlooked-for question a hubbub immediately arose. Several
schoolhouse fellows protested against the proceedings being interrupted
in this way, and even Bloomfield exclaimed across the table, "For
goodness' sake, Wibberly, don't bring up that wretched subject again."

But those who had watched Riddell had seen him turn suddenly pale at the
question, and for a moment make as though he would rush from the room.
But he stopped himself, and turned like a hunted deer on the questioner.

A dead silence fell on the assembly, as Wibberly coolly said, "I will
repeat the questions. Has Mr Riddell found out who cut the rudder-
lines? or does he suspect any one? and, if so, who is it?"

Every eye turned on Riddell. The brief pause had given him time to
collect himself and fight out the inward battle; and now he answered
steadily, "I do suspect some one. But until I am perfectly sure I shall
not say who it is."

So saying, he quietly left the room.

CHAPTER TWENTY SEVEN.

EVERYTHING GONE WRONG.

Riddell was fairly committed to his task now. Like the good old general
who burned his ships when he landed on the enemy's shores, he had cut
off from himself the slightest possibility of a retreat, and must now
either go right through with the matter or confess himself a miserable
failure.

The consciousness of this nerved him with unlooked-for courage, and he
walked from the Parliament that afternoon a very different being from
the boy who had entered it. He had entered it cowed, irresolute,
wretched; he left it indeed still wretched, but with his spirit roused
and his mind made up. His duty lay clear before him, and whatever it
cost he must do it.

Whether Wibberly was himself the writer of the mysterious letter, or
whether some one had prompted him to ask the question, or whether his
asking it just at this time was a mere coincidence, he did not trouble
to decide.

He felt rather grateful to him than otherwise for having asked it, just
as one is occasionally grateful to the thunder-clap for clearing the
air.

The first thing without doubt was to find Wyndham, and come to a clear
understanding as to whether or not he was the culprit; and the captain
lost no time in attempting to put this resolve into practice.

It would not do, he knew, immediately after the scene in the Parliament,
when everybody would be on the tip-toe of curiosity, to be seen holding
a secret interview with a