“To report a boy.”
“Which one, and for what? Is it a bad case?”
“It’s Munger, sir, for being one of the party who assaulted Bickers last term.”
Railsford started. And it was an odd thing that the gentleman, although his back was turned, did so too.
“How did you discover that?” said the master.
Ainger briefly explained, and the gentleman, evidently disturbed in his mind, walked to the window.
When the conference between the other two had ended the latter turned abruptly and said,—
“Excuse me, but I accidentally overheard you just now mention a matter in which I am very much interested. In fact, it is about it that I am here to see Dr Ponsford at present.”
At that moment the doctor entered the room. The other two naturally gave way to the visitor, who accordingly advanced and greeted the head-master.
“Allow me to introduce myself, Dr Ponsford; I dare say you do not remember me. My name is Branscombe. You know, of course, the painful business on which I have come.”