He had quite recovered his firm, manly bearing. A quiet conversation with his dearly loved friend and master had assured him in the confidence of innocence, and though the color on his cheek had through excitement sunk into two bright red spots, he looked wonderfully noble and winning as he stood before the boys in the centre of the room. His appearance caused a little reaction in his favor, and a murmur of applause followed his answer. “Good,” said Avonley; “who will prosecute on the part of the school?” There was a pause. Nobody seemed to covet the office. “Very well; if no one is willing to prosecute, the charge drops.” “I will do it,” said Gibson, a Rowlandite, one of the study boys at the top of the fifth form. He was a clever fellow, and Eric liked the little he had seen of him. “Have you any objection, Williams, to the jury being composed of the sixth form? or are there any names among them which you wish to challenge?” “No,” said Eric, glancing round with confidence. “Well, now, who will defend the accused?” Another pause, and Upton got up. “No,” said Eric, at once. “You were inclined to distrust me, Upton, and I will only be defended by somebody who never doubted my innocence.” Another pause followed, and then, blushing crimson, Russell got up. “I am only a Shell-boy,” he said, “but if Eric doesn’t mind trusting his cause to me, I will defend him, since no other fifth-form fellow stirs.” “Thank you, Russell, _I wanted_ you to offer, I could wish no better defender.” “Will Owen, Duncan, and Montagu help me, if they can?” asked Russell. “Very willingly,” they all three said, and went to take their seats by him. They conversed eagerly for a few minutes, and then declared themselves ready. “All I have got to do,” said Gibson, rising, “is to bring before the school the grounds for suspecting Williams, and all the evidence which makes it probable that he is the offender. Now, first of all, the thing must have been done between Friday evening and Saturday morning; and since the school-room door is generally locked soon after school, it was probably done in the short interval between six and a quarter past. I shall now examine some witnesses.” The first boy called upon was Pietrie, who deposed, that on Friday evening, when he left the room, having been detained a few minutes, the only boy remaining in it was Williams. Carter, the school-servant, was then sent for, and deposed, that he had met Master Williams hastily running out of the room, when he went at a quarter past six to lock the door. Examined by Gibson.--“Was any boy in the room when you did lock the door?” “No one.” “Did you meet any one else in the passage?” “No.” Cross-examined by Russell.--“Do boys ever get into the room after the door is locked?” “Yes.” “By what means?” “Through the side windows.” “That will do.”