On the Headmaster’s desk Jeff noticed his Cæsar. He smiled then and reached for it.
“I guess I was a little careless, Dr. Livingston, I must have left it on the gym. steps.”
“Is that where you left it, Thatcher?” asked the Headmaster, almost wearily, as he laid his hand on the book to prevent Jeff from picking it up.
“Why, I must have. That’s where it was found, wasn’t it, sir?” asked Jeff in a puzzled tone.
“Yes, that is where it was found. I—I—rather hoped—” The Headmaster stopped talking. It was evident to Jeff that there was something unpleasant on his mind,—something that discouraged him,—made him feel that all his efforts to train his boys had gone for naught. Jeff thought that his carelessness at leaving the book around could not be responsible for all of the Master’s apparent emotion and he wondered what on earth could have happened. He was presently to know.
“Thatcher,” said Dr. Livingston, clearing his throat and looking at Jeff searchingly, “a really terrible thing has happened,—a terrible crime has been committed here in school and circumstances point to you as the criminal!”
The last was snapped out with such startling emphasis that Jeff grew weak and nervous. He felt as if his stomach had suddenly melted away, and that he was nothing but head and legs with no connection between.
For a moment he could not find voice to speak. When he did his voice was nervous and apprehensive.
“But—but—Dr. Livingston, I don’t understand. I—er—what is it?”
“Room 44 has evidently been entered, for an examination paper has disappeared,” snapped out the Headmaster, watching Jeff’s face carefully to see the effect of his words.