"None at all. The Shell-boys are to show their books to Mr. Ready immediately."
The head-boy of the Shell collected the books, and took them to the desk; the three masters glanced casually at about a dozen, and suddenly stopped at one. Eric's heart beat loud, as his saw Mr. Rose point towards him.
"We have discovered a handwriting which remarkably resembles that on the board. I give the offender one more chance of substituting confession for detection."
No one stirred; but Montagu felt that his friend was trembling violently.
"Eric Williams, stand out in the room."
Blushing scarlet, and deeply agitated, the boy obeyed
"The writing on the notice is exactly like yours. Do you know anything of this shameful proceeding?"
"Nothing, sir," he murmured in a low tone.
"Nothing whatever?"
"Nothing whatever, sir."