The King of the School, or, Who will Win? — page 100: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

94 THE KING OF THE SCHOOL; OR, WHO WILL WIN? ‘«‘ But you decline to give the writer’s name, and to say what it is all about ?” | “‘ Certainly, sir. The thief, whoever he may be”—here he looked full at Egerton, who met his gaze so un- flinchingly that the bully was com- pelled to turn away—‘“ knows very well that the letter belongs tome. If he will not return it, I hope he will have a sufficient sense of honour to keep the secret he has discovered.” “It is a strange affair. However, I can only promise you that if the cul- prit is detected he shall be expelled. Boys,” he continued, addressing the whole school, * I appeal to all to put a stop to this disgraceful state of affairs.” “I beg pardon for interrupting, sir,” said a strange voice near the door. Every head was turned. A man, who had frequently been seen lounging about near the school, was standing there. “That young gentleman has lost a letter, I believe?” continued the in truder. : “Yes,” said Baynes, rising hastily and changing colour. “JT took it from your pocket, and I beg pardon of the other young gentle- men whose clothes I disturbed.” “Give it me instantly!” exclaimed Baynes, as he made a step forward. “Sit down, sir!” replied the man, sternly, in tones so authoritative that Baynes immediately slunk back to his seat like a whipped cur. “T should like to have a few words with you in private, if you please, sir,” continued the man, | “Yes,” replied the doctor. “And while we are together let none of them get away.” | “The heads of forms will see that no boy leaves the school-room under any pretext,” said the doctor, who then gathered his robes round him and stalked out. Let us follow them. On entering his private study, the doctor threw himself into an easy chair and motioned his visitor to a seat. 2 rp A i A = a SPS I hi ee That visitor, it is hardly necessary to explain, was the detective. “You have discovered something of importance,” said Doctor Whackley. “TI have sir.” “Pray Heaven it is not as I suspect. Well, let me know all about it!” “The thief who stole your bank- notes, the forger whoforged your cheque, is Baynes!” “Thank Heaven! I almost feared it might be my pet pupil, the King of the School.” ‘¢ This letter, which I took from his pocket while he was playing foot-ball, is from a billiard swindler who formerly haunted the rooms you have since pro hibited your pupils from going to.” “ But this is no proof. The writer only accuses Baynes of certain mis- deeds.” “True; but as soon as I had read the letter I went to this Captain Robin- son. I knew were to find him, and extorted from him a confession which gave me full proof of Baynes’s guilt.” “Can it be possible?—A pupilof mine a common thief!” ‘“‘ Yes; and a dangerous one, for he steals in such a way that the first ap- pearances of guilt fall on others.” ‘“‘ What is to be done?” ‘You must prosecute.” “What !” “I say you must prosecute the of- fender.” | “T cannot.” The detective merely smiled. After a long silence the doctor again spoke. “You, being a member of the police force, of course know the rontine of the law in such cases. I do not; but I certainly shall not appear either as prosecutor or witness against one of my pupils.” ‘Then, sir, my mission is fulfilled. _I have pointed out the offender; and if you refuse the remedy offered by the’ law I can only wash my hands of the case,” “Very good.” “And, of course, I shall be compelled , GOnnlGaoe A) (S(O) mn