"Often." "Of what kind?" "Dislike and contempt," said Upton, amidst general laughter. "Have you ever heard him say anything which implied a desire to injure him?" "The other day Mr Gordon gave him a Georgic as an imposition, and I heard Williams say that he would like to pay him out." This last fact was new to the school, and excited a great sensation. "When did he say this?" "On Friday afternoon." Upton had given his evidence with great reluctance, although, being simply desirous that the truth should come out, he concealed nothing that he knew. He brightened up a little when Russell rose to cross-examine him. "Have you ever known Williams do any mean act?" "Never." "Do you consider him a boy _likely_ to have been guilty on this occasion?" "Distinctly the reverse. I am convinced of his innocence." The answer was given with vehement emphasis, and Eric felt greatly relieved by it. One or two other boys were then called on as witnesses to the great agitation which Eric had shown during the investigation in the schoolroom, and then Gibson, who was a sensible self-contained fellow, said, "I have now done my part. I have shown that the accused had a grudge against Mr Gordon at the time the thing was done, and had threatened to be revenged on him; that he was the last boy in the room during the time when the offence must have been committed; that the handwriting is known to be like his, and that the ink and wafers employed were such as he, and he only, was known to possess. In addition to all this, his behaviour, when the matter was first publicly noticed, was exactly such as coincides with the supposition of his guilt. I think you will all agree in considering these grounds of suspicion very strong; and leaving them to carry their full weight with you, I close the case for the prosecution." The school listened to Gibson's quiet unmoved formality with a kind of grim and gloomy satisfaction, and when he had concluded, there were probably few but Eric's own immediate friends who were not fully convinced of his guilt, however sorry they might be to admit so unfavourable an opinion of a companion whom they all admired. After a minute or two Russell rose for the defence, and asked, "Has Williams any objection to his desk being brought, and any of its contents put in as evidence?" "Not the least; there is the key, and you will find it in my place in school." The desk was brought, but it was found to be already unlocked, and Russell looked at some of the note-paper which it contained. He then rose--nervously at first, and with a deep blush lighting up his face, but soon showing a warmth and sarcasm, which few expected from his gentle nature.