The King of the School, or, Who will Win? — page 68: what you’re looking at

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62 THE KING OF THE SCHOOL: OR, WHO WILL WIN? i ened CHAPTER XVII. A SERIOUS PIECE OF NEWS, YHE next morning Doctor Whackley came into school with a very serious look upon his face. ‘“He’s been bitten by a member of the Norfolk Howard tribe,” observed Webber. “Take care he doesn’t bite you, Freddy,” replied Frank Egerton. ““ Silence ;” exclaimed the doctor, sharply. ‘“* As soon as they were all seated, he began thus— ‘“‘ I little thought that ever I should be called upon to address my pupils on such a subject! In fact, so deeply do I feel the disgrace that hasbeen brought upon the place, that I hardly know how to begin. It must be said, however, and I blush to say it, these walls enclose a thief!” There was a general start at this an- nouncement. ‘““ There is a thief in the house! Last night three ten-pound notes were stolen from the table-drawer in my library! Of course it would be absurd for me to ask the thief to come forward and acknowledge his sin; but I publicly state that if the missing notes are re- stored within the next forty-eight hours nothing more will be said on the sub- ject, though I most sincerely hope the culprit will take an early opportunity of leaving the school he has disgraced!” Frank Egerton, Marsham, Pembridge and Fitzgerald, who had been whisper- ing together during the latter part of this harangue, now sent a note to Pro- fessor Moeritz. “It has been suggested by the senior boys, sir, that the notesshould bestopped at the bank, and their numbers sent to the tradesmen of the town, Your pu- pils fear that the innocent may come under suspicion, as many of us have bank-notes of our own; for instance, { have several,” said the earl. ‘So have J,” said Marsham. “ And I, and I, and I.” The speakers were Baynes, Fitzgerald, and Seaton, all of whose parents were known to be very rich and propor- tionately indulgent. “Unfortunately I do not know them.” “You might get the information from the person who paid them to you, sir.” “ Right. I will send at once, and, if the information can be gained, I will forward it to all the tradesmen with whom I think it likely you are in the habit of dealing.” The doctor then left the school-room. An hour passed away, then came the -} DeWS. The numbers were known, but the three notes had been changed at differ- ent shops in the town by— An elderly man, who was accom- panied by two respectably-dressed girls, apparently about fifteen years of age. “The notes are gone; but let the thief beware, for if I find him now I shall certainly prosecute him,” said the doctor, in announcing the news to his scholars. Deep was the gloom cast over the school by this event. Boys looked at each other distrust- fully, and never before was known such a locking of desks, boxes, and drawers. A week passed away, during which time Frank Egerton had several very pleasing interviews with Kate Conway. In one of these he told the artless tale of his love. | “Do you love me, Kate?” he then asked. “ Will you be my wife in two or three years’ time ?” No verbal response was given, but a pair of loving arms were thrown rovnd EO DOC EO mn