Tom, Dick and Harry | Page 7

justice; "about Hector."
Ah! that fatal name again! It administered a nervous shock all round,
and the dead silence which ensued showed that every boy present was
alive to the critical nature of the situation.
"I have already told you what has occurred, and have asked if any one
here knows anything about the matter," said the doctor. "I repeat the
question. If any of you know anything, let there be no hesitation in
speaking up."
No reply. Boys looked straight in front of them and held their breaths.
"Very well," said the doctor, his voice becoming harder and sterner, "I
am to understand no boy here is able to throw any light on the mystery.
Is that so?"
If silence gives consent, no question was ever more emphatically
answered in the affirmative.
"I hoped it would be unnecessary to ask the question twice," said Dr
Plummer. "I decline to accept silence as an answer. Let the head boy
come forward."
Tempest left his place and advanced to the desk.

"Tempest, do you know anything of this matter?"
"No, sir," said Tempest.
I felt the skin on the top of my head grow tight, and my breath catch in
my throat. Never had I known the Dux to tell a he to any one. What
was I to do when my turn came?
"Go to your seat. The next boy come forward."
Parkin obeyed, and answered the question with a clear negative.
"The next boy."
The next boy was Faulkner, who I suspected would fain have been able
to say he knew anything. But for once he was at fault, and had to reply
with an apologetic "No."
In due time it was Dicky's turn.
"Do you know anything of the matter, Brown?"
"No, sir," said Brown, almost noisily.
The doctor looked at him keenly, and then ordered him to his place.
"Jones, come forward."
I felt the blood fly out of my cheeks and my heart jump to my mouth as
I obeyed. As I passed up the room I glanced nervously at the Dux
where he sat listlessly regarding the scene. But he took no notice of me.
"Jones," said the doctor, "do you known anything of this matter?"
The words would not come; and I glanced around again for succour.
"Turn your face to me, sir," thundered the doctor, "and answer my
question."

What could I say? Where could I look? The question was repeated once
more.
"I only know I fancy I heard a shot in the night." I stammered at last.
A flutter of interest went round the room. Failing all other clues it
evidently seemed to be something to most of those present to elicit
even this.
"Why did you not say so when you were asked this morning?"
No answer.
"Do you hear me, sir?"
"Please, sir, I couldn't be sure I had not been dreaming."
"When did you hear this sound?"
"I don't know what time, sir; I had been asleep."
"Was it light or dark?"
"Dark."
"Is that all you heard?"
"I thought I heard a yell, too."
"Did you get up or wake any of the others?"
"No, sir."
"Did you do nothing at all?"
"I was frightened, sir, and hid under the clothes."
"Is that all?"

Wasn't it about enough? I thought.
"Yes, sir."
I staggered back to my seat like a wounded man after a fray. I knew I
had lost caste with the fellows; I had seriously compromised myself
with the head master. At least, I told myself, I had escaped the
desperate fate of saying anything against the Dux. For the sake of that, I
could afford to put up with the other two consequences.
The grand inquest came to an end. One candid youth admitted that all
he knew of the matter was that he was very glad Hector was dead, and
for this impious irrelevance he was ordered to write an appalling
imposition and forfeit several half-holidays. But that, for the time being,
was the worst thunderbolt that fell from the doctor's armoury.
The Dux was kindly waiting for me outside. If he was grateful to me he
concealed his feelings wonderfully; for he seized me by the coat collar
and invited me to step with him to a quiet retreat where he administered
the soundest thrashing I had had that term without interruption.
Explanation, I knew, would be of no avail. Tempest made a point of
always postponing an explanation till after the deed was done.
When at length I gathered myself together, and inquired as pleasantly
as I could to what special circumstances I was indebted for this painful
incident, he replied--
"For being an idiot and a sneak. Get away, or I'll kick you."
Brown, whom I presently encountered, put the matter rather more