Notwithstanding the very polite invitation extended to him, Lester reluctantly walked to the desk. Every eye but two, those of Alexander, was fixed upon Gray-beard and Lester. Aleck had taken out his writing-book and was carefully copying the example given at the head of the page, "Honesty is the best policy." He took particular pains with the capital H, finishing the last part with concentric circles.
"What were you doing last night," asked Gray-beard of Lester, "when I caught you outside of my window?"
"I was going down to the ground."
"Were you running away?"
"No, sir."
"Where were you going?"
"I was going to the village."
"What were you going to the village for?"
No answer.
"Who was letting you down; some one must have held the rope in the dormitory, who was it?"