CHAPTER XI
FLANAHAN STRIKES OUT
Mr. Graham was at home again, to the relief of both school authorities and boys. He, of course, heard the tale of the robbery of the safe immediately after his arrival, and went over the matter exhaustively with Miss Devon, whose troubled mind was definitely comforted by the Principal’s emphatic assurance that she was wholly beyond suspicion. Later he was given Mr. Moore’s version.
“I am sure we are making too much of the matter,” said the teacher in conclusion. “We have been a little careless, and are paying a moderate fine for our offence.”
“The loss is to me the most unimportant consideration,” said Mr. Graham. “I would gladly sacrifice the money to learn how it disappeared. If a professional burglar took it, we are simply chance sufferers. If a boy took it, the act was probably due to some desperate distress and sudden temptation. That would mean, according to my experience, either gambling or a bad case of extravagance and debt. These are not pleasant conditions to surmise, but if they exist, I should like to know definitely about them.”
“Oh dear!” exclaimed Mr. Moore, to whom such a possibility had never occurred.
“Mind, I don’t say that a boy did it,” Mr. Graham hastened to add. “I am merely explaining why I want to know that he did not. Eddy seemed to be very nervous when I questioned him this morning.”
“He was probably frightened at being examined twice,” said Mr. Moore. “I saw nothing of it when I talked with him. Have you considered the possibility that Miss Devon—”
“What?” asked the Principal, as the other hesitated.
“May know more than she has told?”
“No, indeed!” replied the Principal. “Miss Devon is as honest as the day and as methodical as a machine. I have known her for years. It seems to me an act of injustice even to discuss the question.”