"Charlton, you were found in my class-room the other night, with Rexworth's examination papers in your hand. Tell the school your reason for being there!" The Head spoke shortly, but kindly, as if inviting the boy to be at ease; and Charlton told his story, and explained how he had seen Dobson and Elgert break open the desk. "The desk was unlocked. There was no need to break it open," the Head said; and then he turned to the other two boys, and asked them what they had to say. What they had to say indeed! Such indignant denials, and such plain statements that it was all up between Rexworth and Charlton. "Rexworth is detained, and cannot be here yet," said the Head quietly. "But we can proceed with this inquiry in his absence. Elgert and Dobson, stand out!" And the two obeyed, ill at ease, wondering what was coming next, and casting suspicious looks at each other, as if each thought the other had turned informer. "Horace Elgert, did you ever see this before?" asked the Head. And Elgert turned white, for the doctor held out that wretched crib which he had thrown into the river. "No, sir," he answered, averting his eyes. And the same answer was asked of Dobson, who gave the same answer. "James Green! Henry Tinkle!" cried Kesterway. And the two small chums jumped up eagerly. "Explain how you became possessed of this crib," said the Head. Green spoke first, and Tinkle backed him up, and then a low angry hiss rang through the school, and Horace Elgert turned a pair of anxious, frightened eyes towards his companions. "Do you deny this story, Elgert?" asked the Head sternly. And the boy was silent. If those two juniors had picked up his book, had they picked up anything else? "There was a banknote missing some time ago," the Head went on. "You may remember that a note was found in Rexworth's pocket-book, and I showed how he had been the victim of a plot. The banknote that was stolen was never discovered; but I now know that it was changed by you, Dobson, at a low cake shop in the town, and that afterwards it was bought back by you and Elgert from that man for far more than it was worth. That note, Elgert, you destroyed yesterday by burning it, and here are the ashes." And the Head produced the filmy ash still lying in _Tom Brown's Schooldays_. "But that note had been photographed, and you purchased the negative by giving to the person who held it a pocket-book which you had previously taken from him. The negative you also threw into the river, and the person you were with threw in the book which you had just restored to him. Do you deny these statements?" Still Elgert did not answer. He felt hot and cold by turns. He did not know where to turn his eyes. It was no use denying in the face of such proof. "You cannot answer!" the Head went on. "You, Dobson, what do you know of this?"