n will you tell me the meaning of this?" continued the head-master,
holding up the cipher note.

"I--I don't know what it means," began the prefect.

"Don't lie to me, sir," interrupted the doctor sternly. "You know very
well what it means; it's of your own invention."

Thurston saw clearly that the game was up, and with the recklessness of
despair decided at once to accept the inevitable.

"I screwed up Mr. Grice's door," he said sullenly.

"And who assisted you?"

To this inquiry Thurston would give no reply, but maintained a dogged
silence. Gull and Hawley, however, anxious at all costs to save their
own skins, practically answered the question by saying, "We didn't," and
casting significant glances at Noaks and Fletcher.

What followed it is hardly necessary to describe in detail. The five
culprits were subjected to a merciless cross-examination, during which a
confession, not only of their various transgressions, but also of the
motives which had prompted them to adopt such a line of conduct, was
dragged from their unwilling lips. The cloak was torn off, and the
cowardice and meanness of their actions appeared plainly revealed, and
were forced home even to their own hearts.

"Thurston and Fletcher," said the doctor, when at length, long after the
bell had rung for "interval," the inquiry concluded, "go to your
studies, and remain there till you hear from me--Noaks, go in like
manner to the housekeeper's room.--Gull and Hawley, as you seem to have
taken no active part in this last misdemeanour, you may go. As regards
your previous misconduct, I shall speak to you on that subject when I
have decided what is to be done with your companions."

For the Triple Alliance the remainder of the day passed in a whirl of
conflicting emotions. In a very short time the whole school knew
exactly what had taken place in the doctor's study, and every boy was
incensed at the underhanded meanness of this attempted attack on Oaks
and Allingford. It was a good thing for Thurston and Fletcher that they
had their studies, and Noaks the housekeeper's room, in which to find
shelter, or they would have been compelled to run the gauntlet. Hawley
and Gull, though not found guilty on this particular count, were hustled
and abused for their former misdeeds, which it was perfectly evident
would be remembered against them during the remainder of their life at
Ronleigh.

As for Diggory and his two chums, never were three small boy