."

"Of course it's no proof in itself," answered the other; "but what I
mean to say is, that if the doctor, or any other sensible chap, knew all
we do about the cipher, and what they said at their last meeting, he
wouldn't doubt for a moment but that it was one of them who screwed up
Grice's door. Travers says the doctor has sent for Oaks and old Ally;
it'll be an awful shame if they get into a row."

"I don't see how they are going to get out of it," sighed Mugford.

"Then I do," answered Diggory stoutly, with a sudden flash in his bright
eyes: "the Triple Alliance can get them out!"

"How?"

"Why, we must tell all we know, and show Dr. Denson the note."

"When?"

"Now."

"Won't it be sneaking?"

"I should consider we were beastly sneaks if we didn't."

"So we should be!" exclaimed Jack Vance. "They've always been jolly
decent to us, and it was on our account they had this row with Grice."

"If Noaks finds we've split, he'll send that knife to the police," said
Mugford.

"I don't care a straw what Noaks does," answered Diggory boldly.
"You fellows needn't have anything to do with it; I'll go and tell Dr.
Denson myself."

"No; I'll come too," said Jack.

"So'll I," added Mugford; and off they started. It was always a great
ordeal to enter the doctor's study, even in what might be termed times
of peace; and now, as Diggory turned the handle of the door, in answer
to the muffled "Come in" which had followed his knock, the three friends
experienced a sudden shortness of breath, and an unpleasant sinking
sensation at the pit of the stomach.

The two prefects were standing at the front of the writing-table.
Allingford's face was very white, and Oaks's very red, "for all the
world like the Wars of the Roses," as Jack Vance afterwards remarked,
though it would be difficult to clearly understand the simile.

The head-master glanced round for a moment to see who had entered the
room, and, without taking any further notice of the three juveniles,
continued the speech he was in the act of making when they entered the
apartment.

"I am not going to defend the action of Mr. Grice," he was saying.
"We are all apt to make mistakes, and I will tell you candidly that on
this occasion I think Mr. Grice was unwise; but it is absolutely
necessary that I should uphold the authority of my masters. If boys
consider they are not justly dealt with, they have me to appeal to; but
the idea that disputes between the tw