Toby was prepared for that question. If he owned to having gone back to Tubb’s room the Principal would probably suggest that Tubb be called on to verify the statement, in which case it was more than likely that Tubb’s absence from his room at the time when Frick was set upon would become known. Perhaps, since Tubb was evidently not thought of in connection with the affair, that was not dangerous, but to Toby it seemed to offer a clew that any one would seize on. Toby’s reply came without hesitation.
“I never left Whitson all the evening, sir, not for a moment,” he said earnestly. “I was in the building from the time I came back from practice until I went to chapel this morning.”
“I see. Well, I wish you had some one who could vouch for that, Tucker. I think you are truthful, my boy, and that Frick made a mistake, but I have no right to accept your word above his. We’ll let the matter rest overnight. Perhaps you will think of some one who can testify as to your whereabouts between nine and nine-thirty. Can you come to me again at——” the Doctor referred to a memorandum pad on the desk—“eleven-thirty to-morrow?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Very well, do so. I’ve no doubt we can find a solution of the mystery between us. Good afternoon, Tucker.”
Toby returned to Number 12 uneasy but not seriously troubled. It was nonsense to suppose that Frick would persist in his silly story in the face of his, Toby’s, denial, or that, even if he did, the Doctor would hold the accused guilty on such slim evidence. Just the same, he felt none too kindly toward George Tubb. Suppose the Principal did believe Frick finally and—Toby frowned. “Gee, I’d get bounced maybe!” he muttered. “Anyhow, they wouldn’t let me play. Oh, well, Tubb will just have to ’fess up in that case and take his medicine!”
The thought that Tubb might refuse to do anything of the sort occurred to him, but Toby put it resolutely aside. Tubb wasn’t that sort, he assured himself. Whatever faults Tubb might have, at least he was square.
Toby said nothing to Arnold or any one else that evening of what was on his mind most of the time. He considered going up and telling Tubb how matters stood, but he couldn’t see that anything was to be gained by that and so he didn’t. At half-past eleven the next forenoon he went back to the Office. Roy Frick, still bearing unmistakable signs of his beating, was there before him. Doctor Collins got to business at once.