f his mother's
death." And his voice trembled; "On reaching home a few minutes after
nine I find he has disappeared. The dormitory, in which he slept, is
discovered in a disgraceful state of disorder and confusion. The boys
who sleep there must have an explanation to give. On another matter
with regard to Campbell, I shall have to speak presently." And again
the dignified voice was broken with ill-concealed emotion. "Sit down,
all of you, except those who sleep in No. 7 dormitory."

The order was obeyed, and the sixteen stood in their places, the
observed of all eyes.

"Egerton, you are eldest in the dormitory. Did you do anything, or see
anything done, that might provoke Campbell to this rash act?"

"No, sir; nothing at all," answered Egerton, fearlessly.

"You did not interfere with him in any way?"

Egerton hesitated. "No, sir, I didn't. I didn't even speak to him.
It wasn't likely after what he said of me to you."

"That will do," said Doctor Palmer, in a strange tone. "You may sit
down. Warburton!"

"Yes, sir!"

"Did you interfere with Campbell in any way last night?"

"No, sir, not at all," answered Warburton.

"Sit down!" again said the Doctor.

Two deliberate liars out of sixteen is a large proportion, and it is
not to be supposed that there would be more such. The rest would
either maintain a frightened silence or tell the truth. Fortunately,
the boy next questioned was one of the latter class. And his fearless
answer gave courage to the rest.

"Yes, sir, I did. I pulled his bed out into the room and upset it,"
answered Williams, when the same question was put to him. And before
the Doctor could say a word, the remaining three implicated with
Egerton, Warburton, and Williams, confessed their share in the matter.
The rest denied, with truth, having done anything to Campbell, and were
told to sit down.

Those who had confessed were then called into the centre of the room
and further questioned as to who commenced the attack on Campbell, and
what was the cause of it.

Williams looked at the other three who stood with him, and the three
looked at Williams; and all got very red, and said nothing.

The Doctor repeated his question.

The boys hesitated, and looked doubtfully towards Egerton and
Warburton, to see if they would come forward; but no! the two preserved
the same stolid demeanour. So at length Williams told the whole story,
not exculpating himself in the least degree, b