“That is unsatisfactory. In a matter like this, there must be nothing like sheltering the wrong-doer.”
“It’s because we were afraid of that, sir,” said Clapperton, “that we thought it right to tell you about it.”
“Of course. Fisher major, perhaps you will tell us about the missing money.”
Fisher major briefly related his loss and the efforts he had made to discover it.
“And what are your grounds for suspecting Rollitt?”
“I don’t suspect him, sir; or rather I should not if it were not for what Dangle has said about him.”
Thereupon Dangle was called upon to repeat his accusation.
“It seems to me,” said the master, “we require two important witnesses to make the case clear. I believe Mrs Wisdom is in the house at present. Will you inquire, Fullerton, and if so, tell her to come here? And will you, Fisher major, fetch your brother?”
After a painful delay, in which the rival seniors sat glaring at one another, and the master made notes of the evidence so far, the two witnesses were forthcoming.
Widow Wisdom had nothing to say except in praise of Master Rollitt, and was glad enough in support of it to relate the incident of the boat, and even produce the receipt, which she carried about like a talisman in her pocket. She had no idea that her glowing testimony was to be used against her favourite, or she would have bitten off her tongue sooner than give it: