"Doing?"
"Yes. Half-holiday, wasn't it? I still keep count of holidays, you see."
Hibbert smiled.
"Oh, I went for a walk!"
"By yourself?"
"By myself." Paul could see that the boy's eyes were scanning his face curiously, so he added quickly: "I'm rather fond of walking by myself."
"Have you heard anything about the flag?"
"How did you come to know that it was gone?" Paul asked, astonished, for he had thought it better not to trouble him with the information.
"Oh, Mrs. Trounce told me. I get her to tell me any special news. I like to know what's going on in the school. Matron's a good sort. It was a beastly shame to take the flag, whoever did it. Have they got any clue?"
"Not yet."