“We will pass over this part of the lesson,” went on the professor. “I now want you to print out for me—print out, mind, the following sentences in Latin. You will not write them, but you will print them!”
A gasp of surprise ran around the room.
[CHAPTER XVI]
TOM’S DARING PROPOSAL
“Silence!” proclaimed Professor Skeel, as he heard the indrawn breathing. “Not a word!”
No one seemed likely to utter it under the circumstances, but the lads were doing some hard thinking.
“As I stated, you will print this lesson,” went on the instructor. “I want to see if you can print as well as you write,” he added with a mocking smile.
In a flash it came to Tom and the others what the object of the queer task was. It was to gain some evidence, or clew, to the printing in the threatening letter. All eyes were turned on Tom, and then, as if aware that this might implicate him, the lads looked in various directions.
Fortunately Professor Skeel was at the board setting down the sentences he wished copied, or he might have noticed the glances turned toward our hero, and have guessed the secret. Then he would have been at no pains to try his little trick. As it was he proceeded with it, chuckling to himself as he thought that it would give him the information he desired.