"Dear Rollitt," he wrote, "I hope you will not resent my writing to tell you of a rumour which is afloat very injurious to you, and one which I feel quite sure you can dispose of at once. I would not write about it, only I am very anxious for the sake of everybody you should deny it, and so shut up others who would be glad enough if it were true. A sum of money, about £4 10 shillings, belonging to the Club funds has been lost from Fisher major's room. The rumour is that you have taken it, and those who accuse you make much of the coincidence that about the time when the money was said to be lost, you spent a similar sum in the purchase of a new boat for Widow Wisdom. If I didn't feel quite sure you would be able to deny the charge and explain anything about it that seems suspicious, I should not have cared to write this. "Yours truly,-- "C. Yorke." Dangle's letter was less ingenuous. "The secretary of the Fellsgarth clubs has been requested to ask Rollitt the following questions in reference to a sum of about £4 10 shillings missing from the funds in the treasurer's hands. "1. Is it true that Rollitt was seen at the door of Fisher major's room on Saturday afternoon, September 21, at a time when everybody else was absent from the house? "2. Is it true that immediately afterwards Rollitt paid five pounds for a new boat for Widow Wisdom? "3. Where did that money come from? "4. Does Rollitt know that he is suspected by every boy in Fellsgarth of having stolen it; and that now that the clubs are dissolved the treasurer will be called upon to refund the money? "5. What is Rollitt going to do? Does he deny it? If not, will he take the consequences? "Signed for the Club Committee,-- "T. Dangle, Sec." Fisher minor, the only boy to whom a missive to the School hermit might safely be entrusted, was on his way to Rollitt's study with the captain's note in his hand, when he was met on the stairs by Cash. "What cheer, kid?" said the latter. "Where are you off to?" "Taking a letter to Rollitt," said Fisher minor. "That's just what I am, from Dangle. I say, you may as well give him the two. No answer. Ta-ta." And he thrust his missive into Fisher's hands. It was just as easy to hand Rollitt two letters as one. So Fisher proceeded on his errand. Rollitt was writing a letter, which he hurriedly put aside when the messenger entered. "Get out!" he said, looking up. But when he saw who the intruder was his tone relaxed a little. "Fisher minor? Better?" "Yes, thanks. I had a cold, but that was all. I say, Rollitt, you were an awful brick helping us down that night." "Nonsense!" said Rollitt, pulling out his paper and going on writing. "Here are two letters for you," said the boy. Rollitt motioned him gruffly to lay them down on the table and depart-- which he did gladly. Rollitt went on writing. It may be no breach of confidence if we allow the reader to glance over his shoulder.