"Do you mean to say that you didn't know this letter was to be written?" demanded Mr. Hamblin, sharply.
"Yes, sir."
"When I asked you to give me a translation of it, were you not aware that it was a forgery?"
"I supposed it was."
"You knew it was!"
"No, sir; I did not. I had no knowledge whatever in regard to the writer. It did not occur to me, after what had passed between Linggold and me, that he wrote the letter. I believed it was done by some fellow on board. When the captain was arrested, all the fellows tried to find out who had sent the letter, but no one would acknowledge it."
"Did you write any letters of this description, Duncan?" asked the principal.
"No, sir. I had two conversations with the captain; and when he asked me to do what I could to prevent any tricks being played upon the professor, I determined not to have anything to do with the letters, or any practical jokes of any kind. I can bring a dozen fellows to prove that I said all I could to keep them from playing any tricks."
"What does your friend say in his letter?"
"He says the joke was so good he couldn't resist the temptation to send the first letter to the professor himself, and wants to know why I didn't send the letters to him that I promised?"