“Yes, sir, Sid Creel told me this morning.”
“I see. Well, I’ve sent for you, Tucker, because Frick tells a strange story of the event. At least, I find it strange. Perhaps you can throw some light on it. According to Frick, he was returning from the village last evening at about nine o’clock, perhaps a little after nine, and just inside the main gate at the foot of the Prospect two boys jumped out from the trees and seized him. That is to say, one boy seized him and the other—ah—administered punishment. It appears to have been rather a brutal affair, brutal and cowardly. You agree with me?”
“Yes, sir,” answered Toby troubledly. He had made up his mind by now that no matter what happened he would not tell on Tubb.
“Yes. Now here is the strange—ah—feature of the story. Frick tells us that the boy who punched and otherwise maltreated him was you, Tucker.”
There was a moment of silence. Then: “Me?” gasped Toby.
The Principal nodded. “Yes, he says so. He declares that he saw you well enough to recognize you, although the spot is a fairly dark one. However, there is the possibility that he was mistaken. Doubtless you can account for your time at that hour, Tucker.”
“Why, yes, sir! Of course I can! I wasn’t anywhere near the gate! I wasn’t even outside Whitson! Besides, I’d have no reason to do it, Doctor!”
“No? I gathered from Frick that there was a sort of feud existing between you. However, that isn’t of consequence now. I’m very glad indeed that you are in a position to disprove his accusation. Where were you at that time, Tucker, and with whom?”
“Between nine and——”
“Well, between nine and half-past, let us say. Frick thinks the time was perhaps nine-ten or nine-fifteen.”