"I bet it's someone in Christy's," said Bradford.
Christy believed in leaving his house entirely to his prefects. It was a good way of avoiding responsibility; but his choice of prefects was not altogether wise.
"Do you think the men will own up?" said Gordon.
"Not unless they're most abandoned fools," replied Lovelace.
There was only one topic of conversation at tea, and afterwards Lovelace, Hobson and Gordon discussed the affair keenly in No. 1. They all agreed that the men would not own up, and the general opinion was that someone in Christy's was responsible. Discussion raged fiercely as to who it was. Gordon was all for it being Isaacs, Lovelace for Everington, Hunter for Mead. The point was being debated, when Tester and Bradford came in.
"Hullo, come in," shouted Gordon, "we are having a great fight about this. I say Isaacs is the most likely man. What do you think?"
Tester looked round carefully, and then began anxiously:
"Look here, you men; swear you won't tell a soul if we tell you something."
The oath was taken.
"Well, it's us!"