"Really, it wasn't me," said I. "I didn't do it, and don't know who did. I only went to get a blazer, and left it there directly Mr Jarman told me to do so." "A blazer?" said the policeman, with the air of a man who has made a discovery. "What sort of a thing is that? A blazer? Was it alight?" Here Tempest laughed irreverently, much to the displeasure of the policeman. I was, however, thankful for the cue. "What," said I, "don't you know what a blazer is? Anybody knows that. It's what you have in the fields." "Come, young gentleman," said the officer, whom Tempest's laugh had put on his dignity, "no prevaricating. What were you doing with that there blazer?" "What was I doing with it? Fetching it." The policeman was evidently puzzled. He wished he knew what a blazer was, but in the present distinguished company did not like to show his ignorance. "That blazer must be produced," said he; "it'll be evidence." I looked at Tempest, as the person best able to deal with the matter, and said,-- "I left it in the gym. Mr Jarman made me." "How long was that before the explosion? Was it alight when you left it?" "The blazer? Oh no." "A blazer," explained the head master blandly, "is a flannel jacket. I don't see what use it can be as evidence." "I suppose," said Tempest jauntily, who was evidently recovering his presence of mind, "he thought it was a lucifer match." "You'll laugh on the wrong side of your face, young gentleman," said the policeman wrathfully; "this here matter will have to be gone into. There's been a party injured, and it'll be a matter for the magistrate. You'll have to come along with me." "I tell you," said Tempest, becoming grave once more, "I've had no more to do with it than you have." "And yet," said Mr Jarman, speaking for the first time, "the explosion took place immediately after you were there, and when it was impossible for any one else to be there." "I say I know nothing at all about it," said Tempest shortly, "and I don't care what you think." "Come, Tempest," said Dr England, "no good will be gained by losing temper. It is very necessary to get to the bottom of this business, especially as some one has been injured. It seems almost impossible the explosion could have happened by accident; at the same time, knowing what I do of you, I do not myself believe that you are the boy who would commit an outrage of this sort. As the policeman intends to report the affair to the magistrate, you had better go with him and let him investigate the matter. Don't do yourself injustice by losing your temper. Mr Jarman, your attendance will probably be necessary; and Jones had better go too, although so far he has not thrown very much light on the matter. Constable, if you will take my compliments to Captain Rymer and ask him when he can see us--"