"I have no idea," replied the boy, wondering whatever that had to do with Loman's disappearance now. "You wonder why I ask this question," said the Doctor, apparently reading the boy's thoughts. "This letter will explain. I will read it to you, as you may be able to throw some light on it. I received it just now. It is from Cripps." "Hon. Sir,--I take the liberty of informing you that one of your young gents, which his name is Mister Loman, is a prig. He's been a regular down at my shop this twelve month, and never paid a farthing for his liquor. More than that, he's been a-drawing money from me up to thirty-five pounds, which I've got his promissory note due last Micklemas. He said he was a-going to get a Nightingale or something then that would pay it all off, and I was flat enough to believe him. If that ain't enough, he's a-been and played me nicely over a rod I sold him. I might have persecuted him over that job but I didn't. He cracked it to rights, and then tries to pass it back on me for same as when he got it, and if I hadn't a-been a bit sharper nor some folk I should have been clean done. This is to tell you I ain't a-going to stand it no longer, and if I don't get my money there'll be a rumpus up at the school which won't be pleasant for none of you. So the shortest cut is to send on the money sharp to your humble servant, Ben Cripps. "P.S.--I've wrote and told the young swell I've put you on the job." "It is evident," said Mr Rastle, "this letter has something to do with Loman's disappearance." "Yes," said Oliver, "he was awfully frightened of you or his father getting to know about it all, sir." "Foolish boy!" said the Doctor, with a half groan. What little could be done at that late hour was done. Strict inquiries were made on all hands as to when and where the missing boy was last seen, and it was ascertained that he must have left Saint Dominic's that morning during early class time, when every one supposed him ill in bed with a headache. But where had he gone, and with what object? A telegram was sent to his father, and the reply came back that the boy had not gone home, and that Mr Loman was on his way to Saint Dominic's. At the Maltby railway station no one had seen or heard anything of him. Meanwhile, Mr Rastle had gone down to the Cockchafer to see Cripps. The landlord was not at home, but, said the potboy, was most likely "up along with the old 'un at the lock-'us." From which Mr Rastle gathered there was a chance of seeing Mr Cripps junior at the residence of Mr Cripps senior, at Gusset Lock-house, and thither he accordingly went. Mr Cripps junior was there, sweetly smoking, and particularly amiable. In answer to Mr Rastle's inquiries, he made no secret of his belief that the boy had run away for fear of exposure.