record was the incident of Lyle's
tampering with one of the so-called suspicious SmurFFs by stapling a
note written by Diana to it. Now there was testimony that he had
falsified a comment by one of the senior faculty which appeared on an
appraisal form. One more example of evidence-tampering was still to
come.

When the hearing reconvened, Jane interrupted. "One moment before we
go on to the next witness. A point of clarification. From what I
heard a little while ago, I think Diana believes that we send the
president the recommendation of this committee. Now, my understanding
was that we do not make a recommendation, we make a report of our
findings."

"That is correct. We are only going to write a report. We don't make
recommendations. We only make a report of the hearing. That's all we
are looking at," Henry said frantically. Damn and blast, how did she
get on to that and why didn't I pick up on it. I shudder to think what
those dingy women would do if they knew that when my report for this
committee comes out, it will find the entire panel has made a
recommendation that is unanimous and it is for termination.

The hearing was about completed. Henry could feel the relief flooding
through him like a torrent. Full of great expectations, he announced
that Lyle would be the next witness and "all these little
misunderstandings will be cleared up." True to form, like a well
rehearsed circus act, the performance that followed went off like
greased lightning. Henry allowed neither the other members of the
panel nor Diana to clutter it up.

First the clarification of number of 'suspicious' SmurFFs found, when
they were found and who found them. This time, Lyle looking confident
and well coached, consulted his crib sheet and gave the answer without
circumlocution.

Looking both eager and willing to help out as best he could, Lyle
earnestly spoke his piece. "After checking with Mark who had the date
in the files, we found that the material was sent to the analyst in the
fall of last year. There were originally three that Randy and Ian had
given him, not two as he had said in his previous testimony. I can't
think why I said two, of course, I meant three."

"Jimbo had found and sent him the two 'suspicious' nursing nutrition
SmurFFs." To prove this, he conveniently produced a covering letter,
which the chair put into evidence, that expressly said that.
"....and, it is dated and signed by Jimbo.

"Mo