"Presently," was all the answer he got. "Now, then, let us see what you have been up to."
He glanced round at the books tumbled on the floor, at a desk upset, at an ink-bottle on its side, and then turned to his chum.
But Charlton was standing, looking very white, and staring at a picture on the wall—the picture of a lady, and beneath it some one had written—
"This is Charlton's mammy. But where is his daddy? Puzzle—Find daddy, and tell the police."
Ralph felt his nerves tingle. He felt sure that Elgert had done that, and he remembered the words of Lord Elgert respecting his own father.
"Who did that?" he said, and no one answered. He went up to Elgert. "Did you do it?"
"Well, if I did, what is it to do with you? Mind your own business!"
"Take that scrawl down. Quick, or I shall lose my temper, and then I fancy some one will get hurt! Down with it! That is right"—as the other, considerably startled, pulled the writing down. "Give it to me."
It was remarkable how the daring of the one lad held the half dozen in check. Elgert handed him the paper, and Ralph tore it up and threw the fragments into his face.