hat I
came at all," replied Saurin, who could not for the life of him help
stammering. "It's all lies; though appearances might be got up against
me."

"They certainly are so already," said Crawley, "or I should not have
accused you. Of course, if you can prove your innocence, or even if you
are convinced that no one can prove your guilt, you will prefer to stand
a trial. Otherwise you might prefer to pay back the money and leave
Weston quietly. What do you say?" he added, turning to the others.
"Would it not be best for the credit of the school?"

"Yes, yes," said Robarts; "let us wash our dirty linen at home."

"But how am I to leave?" asked Saurin with a groan.

"I don't know; tell your guardian the truth if you like, you must manage
that. Only, if you come back next term I shall lay the whole matter
before the head-master. And if you leave, and the money does not come,
I shall give information to the police."

"That's fair enough," said Buller; "take the chance, Saurin, if you are
not a fool." And the others assented.

Not one of them had any doubt as to Saurin's guilt: his confusion and
equivocation condemned him.

"What a cool fish you were to suggest that Crawley might have spent the
money himself!" said Gould. "You regularly humbugged me."

"You are assuming a good deal, I think," said Saurin bitterly; "making
yourselves accusers, juries, judges, executioners, and all. And I am
very much in your power, for if this came to a trial, though I should
certainly be found innocent of robbery, yet I cannot deny the gambling
and having gone to Slam's yard, and I should be expelled for that. So I
suppose I had better agree to your terms. I will not come back, and--
what sum did you say you demand as the price of your silence? Four
pounds ten, or twelve, I think; you shall have it." And turning on his
heel with an attempt at swagger which was not very successful, Saurin
went out, kicking the mat aside, and banging the door after him.

Of course Edwards had betrayed him, he said to himself; it was not for
nothing that Crawley had been constantly with him since his accident.
He longed to go to Edwards' room and upbraid him with his treachery, but
he durst not trust himself. He was not out of the wood yet; the other
three could be trusted, but Gould _must_ tattle, and if the story got
abroad and reached one of the master's ears, it would no longer be in
Crawley's power to hush it up. And then Edwards