"Silence, there!" he cried. "Is it the custom to call a man guilty before even the whole evidence is heard? What Rexworth says is very true. The facts do seem to unite to condemn him, and yet it is possible that those facts are unworthy of credence." "Whatever does the Head favour that fellow for?" muttered Elgert, to one of his own friends. But he received a look of disgust and an impatient-- "Oh, shut up! Didn't he pull you out of the river?" That was the second time that morning Horace Elgert had been so rebuked. "This," the Head continued, "demands the most careful, searching investigation. If Rexworth is guilty, I shall be the last to screen him; if he is innocent, it is but my duty to strive to establish that innocence. If any boy has been wicked enough to deliberately do this for the very purpose of getting this lad into trouble, I most earnestly entreat that boy to think of what he has done, and to confess his fault before this goes farther, and----" The Head paused and looked round, the door was opened, and Lord Elgert had entered, just in time to overhear his last words. CHAPTER XVII THE PLOT THAT FAILED The entrance of Lord Elgert interrupted the serious business being carried on; and somewhat impatient, even if curious, glances were directed towards him as he walked up to Dr. Beverly. "I evidently come at an inopportune moment," the nobleman said, as he surveyed the scene before him; "and yet, perhaps, it is a fortunate interruption, if this lad is in trouble, as he seems to be"--and he nodded towards Ralph, who met his gaze with some coldness. "If my interruption is untimely I will withdraw." And he looked round inquiringly. "We certainly are in the midst of a painful inquiry," replied the headmaster gravely. "I do not suppose that your visit is connected with it in any way." "My visit is wholly and solely to thank Ralph Rexworth and Tom Warren for their bravery in rescuing my son last Saturday," was the reply. And these words also caused something of a sensation, for, to the school at large the adventure at the river side was still unknown. The Head himself had evidently not heard of it, for he looked surprised, and Lord Elgert continued-- "The two boys risked their lives to save that of my son, and I cannot be slow in coming to express my thanks and admiration. If Rexworth is in any trouble, I sincerely trust that any influence which I may have will be allowed to weigh in his favour." "Perhaps we had better finish the business in hand first," suggested the Head. "It is connected with something of which I understand you have already been informed. A banknote which was missing some time ago has been recovered, and it was found in Ralph Rexworth's pocket-book." "Dear, dear," said Lord Elgert, in grieved tones; "I am truly sorry--very sorry. But the temptations to which youth are exposed are great. It may be possible to overlook this unhappy matter for once----"