“Because I thought you’d just whack me, and there wouldn’t be any more bother!” he said. Maddox again looked sympathetic. “Just to save Blaize a whacking?” he asked. Bags suddenly took courage. Maddox was such a ripper, he would understand. “No, not altogether,” he said. “But I felt I’d sooner let you think it was mine than his. He’s so awfully proud of you. I didn’t want you to know that . . . oh, blast it all,” he added desperately. Maddox kicked the door shut. “You didn’t want me to know he cribbed,” he said, “because then I shouldn’t think him such an awfully decent chap?” “About that,” said Bags. Maddox nodded. “You’re a good chap, Bags,” he said; “but I’ve found out that David cribs in spite of you, and I shall whack him for it. ’Tisn’t your fault. You did your very best, and a rather good one too, to prevent it. But cribbing is all rot. I hadn’t an idea David cribbed. Do other fellows in Remove A crib much?” Then Bags saw his opportunity made for him from beginning to end. Here was Maddox, who mattered so much more than Adams, or any one else, asking for information, instead of being reluctantly saddled with it. For a moment he hesitated, since David had been so horrified at the thought of Maddox being told; but then Maddox said: “’Tain’t sneaking, Bags. I’m not going to make visitations ’cept on David. In fact, I want to clear things up.” Bags’s hesitation vanished. “Yes, they all crib in Remove A,” he said. “It’s—it’s just the fashion. Blazes doesn’t crib much, only enough to avoid impots. Other fellows crib to get marks; that’s why he’s so low.” “Never thought of that,” said Maddox. “No, why should you? But there it is.” “And do the fellows at the top of the form crib?” asked Maddox. “Remember you’re not giving anybody away in the sneaking sense.” “Rather; that’s why they’re there.” Maddox had sat down on a pile of books and golf-balls, and there was a rolling-about and spilling as he got up. “Thanks,” he said. “I’ll think what can be done, and remember you know nothing about it all. But the fact that I’ve found a crib of David’s is another matter. Send him to me when he comes in.” There was a piercing and cheerful whistle outside at this moment, quite unmistakable, and David burst gaily in. “Hullo, Maddox!” he said. “Hullo! I say, I’ve got a Thucydides crib of yours here, with your name written in it, you silly ass. Collect all the cribs you’ve got, and bring them to my study. I’m going to whack you!” He waited a moment, just to make sure that David was not going to say that everybody cribbed in Remove A. Of course David said nothing of the kind, and he went back to his study. “Bags, you ass!” said David, innocent of all that Bags had attempted to do. “Why didn’t you sit on it or something, when he came in?” “Couldn’t. There simply wasn’t time.” David searched his shelves, swearing softly to himself, and the result was a rather voluminous load.