or, add what you told me this afternoon;
but bear in mind, sir, that it is your duty to be very careful, for this
is a charge of theft--of a crime sufficient almost to ruin a
school-fellow's career."

Burr major spoke out quickly and eagerly, while I stood with my head
down, feeling as if I were being involved in a tangle, out of which it
seemed impossible to extricate myself.

"On the day I lost my watch, sir, Burr junior and Mercer were a good
deal about near the tent. Burr junior would not play, because he said
he had a bad headache, and Tom Mercer wouldn't play either."

"Well, sir?"

"I am very sorry to say it, sir," continued Burr major hesitatingly.
"It's a very painful charge to make, and I never said anything before
to-day, but I always suspected Burr junior of taking the watch."

"Oh!" I ejaculated indignantly, as I faced round, but he did not meet
my eye.

"And, pray, why?" said the Doctor.

"Because, please, sir, he seemed to be hanging about so near the tent."

I began to feel more confused, especially as the Doctor said then,--

"Then now we will adjourn--to the loft." I made a gesture as if to
speak, but the Doctor raised his hand.

"After a while, Burr," he said, "after a while. Your turn will come."

I felt in a whirl of emotion, for I was half stunned at the turn matters
had taken, and I tried again to catch Mercer's eye, but he did not even
glance at me, but stood opening and shutting his hands as he glared at
Dicksee, who looked horribly alarmed, and as if he would like to run
away.

The Doctor signed to us to go, and we were taken through the house and
servants' offices, so as not to attract the attention of the boys,
reaching the yard at last, and entering the stable.

My ears seemed to have bells ringing in them as we stood there, and I
heard the Doctor say,--

"Rather an awkward place for me to get up, Mr Rebble; but I suppose I
must try."

He made the effort after we had all gone before, and reached the top no
worse off than by the addition of a little dust upon his glossy black
coat. Then, clearing his voice, as we all stood near the bin, in much
the same positions as in the library, he began,--

"Ah, that is the straw, I suppose. Burr junior and Mercer have used
this place a good deal, I believe, as a kind of atelier or workshop?"

"Yes, sir," said Burr major promptly.

"Then that is the bin, is it, Dicksee?"

"Yes, sir."

"And you say you saw Burr junior lock i