CHAPTER XXIII
THE BLOW FALLS
The next day, after school hours, Professor Raymond opened his desk to get a paper that he wanted. He was about to close it again, when something in the tumbled condition of its contents, attracted his attention. He reached sharply over to the lower right-hand corner, and felt for a package that he knew had been there the day before.
A startled look came into his face, and he felt again more carefully. Then he hastily took out everything that the desk contained.
He sat down in his chair with a jolt, and a grim expression came into his eyes. Then he made a painstaking examination of the lock.
It had not been broken, nor was there any other evidence that violence had been used.
He took out his penknife and scraped the lock. A tiny shaving of something soft was brought out by the blade, and close examination showed that it was wax.
He rang the bell for the janitor, and when Big Sluper came in, he motioned him to a chair.
“Sluper,” he said abruptly, “my desk was robbed last night.”
“What!” cried Sluper, starting up. “How could that be? Are you sure, sir?”