"That is not an answer, Loman. Why?" "Because, for one thing," said Loman, sullenly, "he was seen coming out of your study that evening." "And why else?" "Because he came out so high in the exam." "And for these reasons you suspected Greenfield of taking the paper? Why did you not mention the matter to me?" Loman did his best to look virtuous. "I did not wish to get any one into trouble." "And you preferred to let an affair like this go on without taking any steps to have it cleared up? Did Greenfield deny the charge?" "No." "Did he admit it?" "Very nearly. He wouldn't speak to any one for months." "And you really believe that Greenfield took the paper?" Loman looked up at the Doctor for a moment and answered, "Yes." "Did you lend him your Juvenal at any time?" "Not that I remember." "Do you suppose he put the paper in the book?" "I couldn't say; but I don't see who else could." "That will do, Loman; you can go. Kindly leave the paper and the Juvenal with me." Loman turned to go, but the Doctor stopped him with one more question. "You know, I suppose, that the questions which you actually had set for the Nightingale examination were quite different from those on the paper?" "Yes," said Loman. "I mean--that is," he added, stammering, and taking up the paper in question. "I see by this paper they were quite different." "Yes; you can go now, Loman." There was something so solemn and hard in the head master's voice as he dismissed the boy that Loman felt very uncomfortable as he slowly departed to his own study. _He_, at any rate, was in no humour for enjoying the big football match which was just beginning. And it must be confessed the event of the morning had had the effect of disconcerting a good many more than himself. Stansfield had quite hard work going round among his troops and rousing them once more to the proper pitch of enthusiasm. "What--whatever does it matter," he said, "if the fellow did take it? _You_ didn't take it, Winter, or you, Wren; and what on earth's the use of getting down in the mouth, and perhaps losing the match, because of it? We're always having our football spoiled by something or other," he added with a groan. "I'll tell you what it is, let's only lick these fellows this afternoon, and then I'll howl and groan and do anything you like, for a week." There was no resisting such a generous offer. The fellows made up their minds to forget everything else that afternoon but the County, and so to play that the County should have some difficulty in soon forgetting them. "Fire away, you fellows, and peel!" cried Stansfield, as Oliver and Wraysford sauntered past. They fired away. But while dressing they exchanged a few words on the forbidden subject. "Did you ever expect it would be brought home to Loman like this, Noll?" asked Wray. "No, I didn't. And yet in a way--" "Eh? What do you say?"