"Who says I helped Poodles?"
"I say so, for one," added the judge, sharply.
"Can you prove it?"
"I will answer that question after you have confessed or refused to confess. You shall have fair play, as well as Poodles. If you wish to put yourself right on the record, you can do so; if not, you shall leave, or we will."
Pearl looked troubled. He was under very great obligations to Mr. Parasyte. If he denied that he had helped Poodles, and it was then proved against him, the boys would insist that he should be expelled. If he stood out, he must either be expelled or the Institute be broken up. He did not appear willing to take such a responsibility.
"You can do as you please, Pearl; but tell the truth, if you say anything," continued Vallington.
"I did help Poodles," said he, looking down at the floor.
"How much did you help him?"
"I lent him my examination paper, and he copied all the solutions upon his own."
"And after that you were willing to declare that you had not assisted any one?" demanded the judge, with a look of supreme contempt on his fine features.