"Rexworth, the Head wants you in his study at once!" the monitor said; and Ralph, wondering what could be the matter, turned and went to the doctor's room forthwith. And when he entered, he found both Dr. Beverly and Mr. Delermain there; and both looked very grave he thought. "You sent for me, sir?" he asked, looking towards the doctor, and the master nodded. "I did, Rexworth. Come in and shut the door. Now sit down and listen to me. You know that neither I nor Mr. Delermain would willingly say anything to hurt your feelings--I am sure that you realize that?" "Of course I do, sir," replied Ralph, wondering greatly. "You have both always been kind to me." "Well, now, I am going to say something that may seem hurtful," the master went on. But then he stopped as he encountered those calm, brave eyes, and he motioned to Mr. Delermain. "Suppose you speak?" he said, and Ralph's own master complied. "Rexworth," he said quietly, "it is not pleasant to say anything that could be interpreted into the faintest suspicion of doubting your honesty----" "I hope that you do not doubt it, sir," replied Ralph quickly. "It would be a very great trouble to me if you did! But I see that something is wrong; and if that is so, it is best to know it at once in plain language. If you have to say anything to hurt me, it must be something grave indeed!" he added. "It is grave," acknowledged the master. "You remember, last evening, knocking a banknote from my desk, and picking it up for me?" "Perfectly well, sir." "I replaced that note on my desk, and, having some letters to write, I forgot to take it up again; and when I went to post my correspondence, I left it there on the desk. When I returned, the note was gone, and the only person who was near my room, so far as we know, was yourself. Dr. Beverly saw you there." "And you think that I have stolen your banknote, sir?" cried Ralph, regretfully. But Mr. Delermain shook his head. "No, no, Ralph! You must not go so far as that. I only tell you the facts, as far as we know them. The note was there, the note has gone, you are the only one who was seen near the spot!" "There was some one else, sir!" cried Ralph; and he narrated how some one had pushed against him and run down the dark corridor. Both masters listened gravely as he did so. "And you have no idea who this was? Did not recognize either voice or figure?" "No, sir. He did not speak, and it was so dark, and the thing so sudden, that I was taken quite by surprise!" "You can think of no one? Know of no lad you saw in that part of the house?" "No, sir," answered Ralph; but even as he spoke one thought flashed into his mind. "Charlton, his chum! Charlton was in need of money! Could it have been Charlton?" "I can think of no one, sir," he replied. "I can quite see how it looks against me; but Mr. Delermain has proved so good a friend to me, that it seems hard that I should be thought capable of robbing him."