there any truth
in the statement that you know who the culprit or culprits are? Mr
Bickers, have I stated your questions correctly?"

"Yes," growled Mr Bickers. "Let him answer them if he can."

Every one now turned to Railsford, who rose slowly to his feet and fixed
his eyes full on the chairman. His friends thought they had rarely seen
a finer-looking man than he appeared at that moment, and looked forward
with pleasure to applauding his denial, and greeting him as finally
clear of the odious suspicions under which he had laboured for so long.

His reply was brief and clear:--

"Mr Roe and gentlemen,--The first question I answer with an emphatic
negative. The second question I do not answer at all."

A bombshell exploding in the hall could not have caused greater
consternation and astonishment than this avowal.

Grover, monsieur, and his other friends turned pale, and wondered if
they were dreaming; others frowned; Mr Bickers smiled.

"I knew it!" said he. "I knew it!"

Mr Roe said,--

"You can hardly have heard the question properly, Mr Railsford; may I
repeat it?"

"I heard it perfectly well," said Railsford.

"You are aware of the very serious nature of your reply? Do you give
any reasons for your refusal?"

"None at all."

"I think," said Mr Grover, rising gallantly to protect his friend, "it
would be well if this meeting adjourned. I submit there is no further
business before us."

"I oppose that," said Mr Bickers, who had recovered his calmness
rapidly. "I propose, Mr Chairman, that this meeting adjourn for five
minutes, while the head-master is invited to come and assist our
decisions."

This was seconded.

"If I may be allowed," said Railsford, "I should like to support that
proposal."

After that, of course, it was agreed to; and for five minutes the
meeting stood suspended.

Railsford's friends utilised the interval by begging him to reconsider
his position, and if possible put himself right by stating all he knew.
He thanked them, but said it was impossible, and finally withdrew again
to his own seat, and waited anxiously for the doctor's arrival.

In due time the head-master arrived, with a tolerable notion of the
object of this unusual summons.

Mr Roe briefly explained what had taken place, and reported the
circumstances under which the head-master's authority was now invited.

For once the doctor looked genuinely distressed. Despite all his
rebuffs, he had for some