Jack came in whistling a jolly tune; he was in full bloom, for had he not now left all his cares behind him?
"You can cut, Hinton; and, Jack, take a chair and give me an explanation of this letter."
Jack read Raffles' letter through to the bitter end, and wished he had never been born. Phil eyed his young brother, who had turned deathly white, with the horrible certainty that Jack had gone up to London.
"Then it's true?" he said.
No answer.
"Jack, I know you could speak the truth once. Look at me. Did you go to London on Thursday night?"
"Yes," said Jack, faintly.
"Did Acton take you?"
"Yes."
"You know that if Dr. Moore hears of it he will expel you."