"I trust, Tempest, it means that you regret your action?" It was an awkward question. Tempest had gone further than any one expected, and his silence now reminded the doctor what the cost had been. "I think," said he, not waiting for a reply to his own question, "Tempest has fulfilled his pledged--not cordially, I am sorry to say, but sufficiently." "Very well, sir," said Mr Jarman, "I accept his apology for what it is worth, which seems very little." "Now, I regret to say," continued the head master, producing a letter which made my heart jump to my mouth, "I have a more serious matter to speak about. I wish heartily what we have just heard had been the end of this painful interview. But it is necessary to refer to something different--a very serious offence against rules. It concerns you, Tempest. Is it a fact that you are in debt to some of the tradesmen?" Tempest changed colour again and replied,-- "Yes, sir, I am sorry to say I am." I held on tight to my desk. This was a finishing touch surely, and I, if any one, felt myself the criminal. "This letter, addressed to me, but containing a bill for more than two pounds owing by you, part of it since last term, has been left at my house--I presume by the tradesman to whom it is due. Come here and look at it, Tempest." Tempest obeyed. "Is it a fact that you are in debt to this extent?" "Yes, sir--more." "You are aware--" Here I could stand it no longer, but sprang to my feet and shouted,-- "Please, sir, it's my fault!" Everybody turned to me in amazement, as well they might. "Your fault, Jones iv.?--come forward and explain." "I mean," said or rather shouted I, speaking while I walked up the room, "it's my fault you got that bill, sir. I don't know how you got it, but it wasn't meant to get to you, really. I must have dropped it. I--I-- was going--to try--to get it paid for him, sir. Really--" Tempest gave me a glare that knocked all the spirit out of me. What business had I, it seemed to demand, to meddle in his private affairs? I felt I had done him a real bad turn by my clumsiness, but had not the wit to avoid making bad worse. "Yes, sir, I told Marple--" "I purposely refrained from mentioning names, Jones iv.; why can you not do so too?" "I told him to keep it dark, and got him to give it to me. I--I knew Tempest hadn't enough money to pay it--and--and--" An exclamation of anger from Tempest cut me short, and I was sent ignominiously back to my place. "Tempest," said the head master very sternly, "send me in a list of all you owe before you go to bed to-night, and understand that, unless all is paid by Friday when we break up, you will not be allowed to return to Low Heath after the holidays. You must cease in any case to retain the headship of the house, even for the few days of the term that remain. You, I understand. Crofter, come next in form order; you will act as head boy in the meantime."