“When I had made sure that one of the papers was gone, my pleasure over the fine showing of Columbia in the week just passed fled. I knew that unless that stolen paper were found, the entire batch would have to be destroyed, for fear lest it be passed around, and make our examination a mockery.
“This morning I received a singular communication from an unknown party, who claims that he dares not sign his name, because it would make him enemies; but he affirms that he saw a certain student coming out of the office during yesterday afternoon, and that following him up, he discovered him looking at a piece of paper which seemed to him to be a set of questions used in our yearly examinations.
“As a rule, I seldom take any notice of anonymous communications, but in this case I feel it a duty I owe the entire junior class to do everything in my power to discover the guilty one. The name mentioned in this communication was one that stunned me; but since it has been brought before my attention, there seems to be nothing for me to do but request the person in question to plead guilty or innocent.”
Then he swept his eyes around, while many a lad shivered in mortal fear, until finally, they came to a pause, and the professor exclaimed:
“Frank Allen, come forward, please!”
CHAPTER VI
THE VINDICATION
“Oh!”
It seemed as though a score of voices framed that one word. A few of the students looked pleased because suspicion seemed to have alighted upon a shining mark, but the vast majority were shocked and stunned. Helen turned as white as a little ghost, while Minnie Cuthbert half rose from her seat, and stared at the principal as though she thought he had surely taken leave of his senses.
Frank stood up quickly. He could not help it if his face burned just then, for any one would naturally be confused at so sudden an accusation.
Almost as quickly the color left his face, and he flashed a defiant look around, as if to discover who it was chuckled, for it appeared that Lef could not wholly contain himself.