deal too much of this rowdy element showing lately, and it's high time
it was put a stop to.

"Some of you, I know, have lately taken a dislike to me, and think I
don't act rightly." ("No, no!") "If I'm to blame, I'm sorry for it,
for I've always tried to do my best. I ask you not to look upon this
matter as a personal affair, either of mine or of any of the other
prefects, but to consider only the welfare of the school. I say again
that if Ronleigh is to retain its reputation, and be kept from going to
the dogs, it's high time these underhanded bits of foul play like the
reading-room row and this attack on Browse were put a stop to; and I beg
you all to join in taking measures to prevent anything of the kind
occurring again in the future."

The speaker concluded his remarks amid a general outburst of applause.

"So we will," cried several voices; "three cheers for old Ally!"

"In my opinion," began Oaks, as soon as order was restored, "the first
thing is to try to find out who did it; surely a fellow can't be set on
by three or four others without somebody knowing something about it.--
Haven't you yourself any idea who it was, Browse?"

"Well, I can't swear," answered Browse readily. "I couldn't see,
because it was dark, and my spectacles were knocked off; but I'm pretty
certain it was some of Thurston's lot--Gull, or Hawley, or some of those
fellows. They did it because I complained when they kicked up a row and
interfered with my work."

This reply created a great sensation, and the air was rent with a storm
of groans, cheers, and hisses.

Oaks, who seemed to have taken upon himself the duties of counsel for
the prosecution, held up his hand to procure silence.

"Shut up!" he exclaimed; "every one will be heard in time. Browse
thinks it might have been Gull, Thurston, or Hawley.--Now, Gull, what
have you got to say? Where were you last night?"

"In bed, asleep," answered Gull promptly.

There was a laugh.

"I don't mean that. What we want to know is, what were you doing after
'prep'?"

"Well, I was about some private business of my own."

"What was it?"

"I don't see why I should tell you all my private affairs."

"Well, in this instance we mean to know; so out with it. What were you
doing directly after 'prep' last night?"

There was a hush of expectation. Every one thought an important
disclosure was about to be made.

"All right," answered Gull calmly; "if you must know, I'll tell y