When they reached the school, they found most of the company already there, and Clark and Freeman appeared a few minutes later.
The professor told Clark, Crawford and Freeman to remain in his office, while he led Henderson and his company to one of the class-rooms.
Closing the door, he stood for a moment in silence, looking from one to another of the faces before him, and some of the boys felt plainly uncomfortable beneath that searching glance. It seemed an endless time to these before the professor said, “Boys, I was intensely mortified over some of the occurrences at the drill, yesterday. I can make allowances for excitement and high spirits and thoughtlessness; but that any of my boys should have been guilty of such meanness and rowdyism, such shameless and reckless efforts to prevent others from winning the prizes, has pained and shamed me more than I have words to express.
“In the four years that these competitive drills have been held, there has never before been anything like the outrageous affair of yesterday—the throwing of that cracker.”
He paused for a moment, then went on slowly, “When I think what the results might have been had that cracker exploded towards the boys, I feel as if no punishment could be too severe for those who would risk the destruction of eyesight, or even life itself, to keep others from winning a well-deserved prize. It was only God’s mercy that prevented such awful consequences.
“Think, for one moment, boys, how some of you would be feeling to-day, if that deed of yesterday had blinded or killed some of your schoolmates!
“A thorough investigation has been ordered, and no effort will be spared to find out and to punish the guilty persons, unless they confess their guilt. If any boy will confess his share in the matter, I will do my best to lighten his punishment, but anyone who will not confess and who shall be proven guilty need look for no mercy.”
While the professor spoke, some of the boys shifted uneasily from one foot to the other, and some cast furtive glances at Henderson, who stood leaning against a desk, with a hard look in his eyes and his lips close shut.
Suddenly, Professor Keene turned towards him. “Henderson, what do you know about this affair?” he asked.
Henderson looked full into the professor’s searching eyes, and answered calmly, “Nothing whatever, sir.”