“This morning I received a singular communication from an unknown party, who claims that he dares not sign his name, because it would make him enemies; but he affirms that he saw a certain student coming out of the office during yesterday afternoon, and that following him up, he discovered him looking at a piece of paper which seemed to him to be a set of questions used in our yearly examinations. “As a rule, I seldom take any notice of anonymous communications, but in this case I feel it a duty I owe the entire junior class to do everything in my power to discover the guilty one. The name mentioned in this communication was one that stunned me; but since it has been brought before my attention, there seems to be nothing for me to do but request the person in question to plead guilty or innocent.” Then he swept his eyes around, while many a lad shivered in mortal fear, until finally, they came to a pause, and the professor exclaimed: “Frank Allen, come forward, please!” CHAPTER VI THE VINDICATION “Oh!” It seemed as though a score of voices framed that one word. A few of the students looked pleased because suspicion seemed to have alighted upon a shining mark, but the vast majority were shocked and stunned. Helen turned as white as a little ghost, while Minnie Cuthbert half rose from her seat, and stared at the principal as though she thought he had surely taken leave of his senses. Frank stood up quickly. He could not help it if his face burned just then, for any one would naturally be confused at so sudden an accusation. Almost as quickly the color left his face, and he flashed a defiant look around, as if to discover who it was chuckled, for it appeared that Lef could not wholly contain himself. Frank walked directly in front of the professor, and looked him straight in the face. He bore himself proudly, as might an innocent lad upon whom unjust suspicion had been cast. If some enemy had done this, Frank did not intend to let him have the satisfaction of seeing how it hurt. [Illustration: FRANK WALKED DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF THE PROFESSOR, AND LOOKED HIM STRAIGHT IN THE FACE. _Columbia High on the Diamond._ _Page 54._] “Frank, were you in my office alone at any time yesterday afternoon?” asked Professor Parke steadily, as he gazed at the lad before him, and those who knew anything about reading expression would have seen readily enough that it was more like a look of sincere affection that he gave the boy than one of accusation or doubt. “I was not, sir,” came the immediate response, clear-cut and ringing. “This communication, which, as I said before, has no name attached to it, states that you probably have that examination paper in your pocket at this moment. Is there any truth in that assertion, Frank?” went on the principal. “So far as I know, sir, there is not. I am perfectly willing to have any one search me over. In fact, sir, after what has been said I _demand_ that it be done,” said the student, indignantly.