collected, and said respectfully to Dr Palmer:

"William said I was wanted, sir."

"Campbell tells me he saw you using this book,"--holding out the
delectus-crib--"in yesterday-morning school. The conclusion, therefore
is, that it is yours, and that you put it into his desk. What have you
to say to this, Egerton?"

"No, sir, I declare the book isn't mine," answered Egerton, positively,
and still quite coolly. "I suppose Campbell's tried to put it off on
me, because I'm next him in class."

"Oh, Egerton, how can you say so!" ejaculated Harry. "You know you
were using it."

"Ask Evans, sir; he sat on the other side of me," said Egerton.

Evans was sent for.

"No, he never saw Egerton using the book. He sat close to him, and
couldn't have helped seeing if he was cribbing."

Egerton again positively and solemnly declaring he knew nothing
whatever of the matter, and Evans' evidence so far bearing him out, Dr
Palmer dismissed them both, and then turned to Harry.

"Campbell, you have now had every chance. You have been detected in a
most dishonourable act, and you have added to your fault by telling a
lie. Bend down," he concluded, taking his cane.

In vain Harry protested his innocence. In vain he begged Dr Palmer to
believe him. Twenty times the strong arm rose, twenty times the cane
whished through the air, and twenty times Harry felt the sting. By the
time it was all over, he was perfectly numbed and stiff with pain. But
the bodily suffering was nothing when compared with the mental agony he
felt at thus being punished when innocent. His whole frame was
convulsed with sobs, and Dr Palmer was giving him a few words of
concluding rebuke, when a hasty knock came at the door; and William,
without waiting for the customary "Come in," hurried into the room, and
said in his blunt way:

"Campbell's wanted home. His mother's bad."

Doctor Palmer's sternness and severity vanished in a moment. So it was
always with him. Strict as he was, severe as he was, directly the
punishment had been duly administered, he was kind-hearted and genial
to the culprit long before _he_ had recovered the effects of his
punishment.

"Campbell, your mother is ill." He knew nothing more than that Mrs
Campbell was a confirmed invalid. "Go and get your cap; I will come
with you. Perhaps I can be of some use."

But Harry's heart was too stricken to accept those well-meant words;
and the sudden change in the Doctor made Ha