Raymonde started, and faced the Principal with flaming eyes.
“I didn’t! I didn’t!” she protested.
“Then where is it?”
“That I don’t know.”
“Perhaps you will explain,” continued Miss Beasley, watching her searchingly, “how it is that you were seen at Marlowe post office on Friday afternoon, and that you bought a postal order for twelve and sixpence. Oh, Raymonde, you may well blush! Mrs. West was calling only an hour ago, and told me that she had seen you in the shop. She asked if I knew about it, or if you had been there without leave. Why did you get a postal order?”
Raymonde was silent for a moment. Then:
“To send for a fountain pen,” she stammered.
“You admit that you visited the post office? Now, I know that you had finished all your pocket-money. You drew the last of your allowance from me on the day of your concert.”
“I had a pound-note of my own, put away in my handkerchief case. My uncle gave it to me last holidays.” 276
“If that is so, then where is the money for which you were treasurer?”