ation to the purpose for
which he had come to that room, "you recollect that letter I gave you to
post a few weeks back?"

"Yes."

"You're quite certain you posted it?"

"Quite certain. I think that I said so at the time."

Paul noticed that though Hibbert was quite certain that he had posted
the letter he spoke with some hesitation.

"Yes, yes; you said so at the time--that's quite right. But I was
wondering whether by any chance you might have given it to some other
boy to post."

"No; I put it in the letter-box with my own hands." Hibbert again
hesitated for a moment, then added; "Something did happen, but I did not
think it worth while to worry you about it."

"What was it?" Paul asked eagerly.

"I was blockhead enough to run full tilt against Mr. Weevil when I got
outside, and--and he caught sight of your letter."

"Caught sight of my letter! And what did he do?"

"Made me go to his room. He asked me who sent me with the letter, and I
was obliged to tell him. It didn't matter, did it?"

"It didn't matter," repeated Paul, his throat suddenly becoming parched.
"Well, well, what happened then?"

"He took the letter to his room, but came back with it in a minute or so
and handed it back to me. He said that you had broken the rules of the
school in sending off a letter without the knowledge of the masters, but
he would overlook the offence, for--for my sake. That's the reason I
didn't make a fuss about it to you."

"He said that--Mr. Weevil said that? And he gave you back my letter?
You're quite certain it was the same?"

"Oh, quite certain! I thought perhaps he might have opened it, as he
said he had a right to, so I looked at it to make sure it was the same.
It was the same--in your handwriting. I could tell that anywhere. But
what makes you ask? Has it miscarried?"

"I hope not. I haven't had an answer yet--that's all. I dare say I shall
get one presently, so don't you worry about it."

To prevent him doing so, Paul turned the conversation again to other
matters, and then went out. The information Paul had given him about the
letter set him thinking. What had the master done with his letter in the
few brief moments he had had it in his possession away from Hibbert? Had
he opened it and read it? If so, was the letter he had handed back to
Hibbert to post the same letter that he--Paul--had written? to Mr.
Moncrief? Hibbert was sure that it was--sure that it was in his
handwriting. In any case, a le