ive.
At length the door opened, and Mullins poked his head inside.

"Mr. Westford wants to see all those gentlemen who are in charge of the
different dormitories--now, at once, in his study."

A murmur of surprise followed the announcement, as the boys indicated
rose to their feet and prepared to obey the summons. On entering the
study they found a shabby-looking man standing just inside the door,
who eyed them all narrowly as they came in. The headmaster sat at his
writing-table looking stern and troubled. The twelve prefects arranged
themselves in a semicircle, and stood silently waiting and wondering
what could have happened.

"You say this took place about a quarter past ten?"

"Yes, sir," answered the man, twirling his hat with his fingers. "As
near as I can say, it must have been about a quarter a'ter ten."

"I have sent for you," continued Mr. Westford, turning to the group of
senior scholars, "to know if any of the boys were absent from any of
the dormitories at the usual bed-time."

"One was absent from Number Five, sir," said Walker.

"Who?"

"Fenleigh J., sir."

"Why didn't you report him? What time did he return?"

"I don't know, sir. I was asleep when he came back. He said he'd had
leave to go out to tea."

"Was any one else absent from any of the rooms? Very well. You may
go. Redbrook, send Fenleigh J. to me at once."

A minute or so later the culprit entered the room.

"That's the young feller I want!" exclaimed the stranger. "I could
tell him anywheres in a moment."

"Fenleigh, were you at the fair last night?"

"Yes, sir."

"What were you doing there? You know my orders?"

The boy was silent.

"I can tell you what he was doing," interrupted the man. "He knocked
over one of my lamps and set my screen afire; and a'ter that he started
fightin', and I was obliged to fetch a p'liceman. But there was two of
'em, this one and another."

"Did this really happen, Fenleigh?"

"Yes, sir."

"Who else was with you?"

"My cousin, Raymond Fosberton. It was he who knocked over the lamp."

"That's a lie!" interrupted the man. "It was you done it. I seed you
with my own eyes."

"I don't think I need detain you any longer," said Mr. Westford,
turning to the owner of the cocoa-nuts. "I need hardly say I regret
that one of my scholars should be capable of such conduct. I shall
make some further inquiries, and if you will call again this evening,
whatever damage has been do