The Principal’s manner was not as sharp as his words, but Mr. Moore, whose life experiences had developed in him a goodly portion of caution, if not many other mental possessions of a practical character, felt no encouragement to continue the argument.
“And to me an act of treachery to suspect the boys,” he said good-humoredly, “and so we are thrown back again on the hypothesis of burglary; but I leave the problem with you. It is a relief to drop the burden of it from my shoulders.”
The Principal watched him as he trudged down the walk to the street, a stout, square figure marching sturdily and complacently, substantial behind, benevolent of aspect before. Mr. Graham was also cautious, and his thoughts, as he stood at the window, he would never have uttered; but they ran something like this: “Poor gullible old Moore! The years go by and leave with him more text-book knowledge and more satisfaction in his attainments, but not an additional jot of practical sense. Burglars indeed! Miss Devon may not be sure that she locked the window, but I am, and that to me, at least, is of more consequence. When a person of her systematic habits has done the same thing daily for the last five years, it is highly improbable that she forgot it on that particular day. Therefore the open fastening was a blind to make appearances indicate that the thief entered through the window. Therefore he did not enter by the window, but by one of the doors. So far I have fairly satisfactory reasoning behind me, but here I begin to jump at conclusions. The thief came in by the passage door, and was a student.
“Why a student? Because it was an enterprise which a desperate student might very possibly conceive, but the servants never. And if a student,—then there certainly exists somewhere in the school a plague-spot which must be discovered and cleansed. What a delightful prospect for a half-sick, nerve-worn man to come home to!”
Up the path from the street came a youthful figure of medium height, planting foot after foot with an air of business and determination.
“Sands!” said Mr. Graham to himself. “Another unpleasant task, but this at least will soon be over.”
“You sent for me, Mr. Graham.”
“Yes, to talk with you about Flanahan. Are you likely to want him on the nine?”
“Yes, sir,” answered the boy with a wondering face. “He’s our best pitcher.”
“Then I am glad that I can give you such early notice. He will probably not be allowed to play.”