"And didn't he go over on purpose to have it out with Jarman?" said c.o.xhead.

"And hadn't he got his blazer with him when he came back?--so he must have been in the gym.," said Warminster.

"Who else was likely to do it?" said Langrish. "I suppose you'll try to make out Jarman tried to blow himself up?"

"I never said so. All I said was that I'm positive Tempest never did it."

"And all we say is that you're about as big an a.s.s as you look, and that's saving a good deal," chimed in the Philosophers.

How long the wrangle might have gone on I cannot say. For just then the school messenger appeared on the scene once more--this time in quest of me.

"Young Master Jones iv., you're to go to the head master at once."

"What for?" said I, feeling a cold shudder go down my spine.

"Ask a policeman," replied the ribald official. "You've had a short time and a merry one, my young gentleman; but it's over at last."

"But I never--"

"Sharp's the word!" interrupted he.

"You'd better cut," said the Philosophers. "We'll give you a lift if we can."

It was poor consolation, but such as it was I valued it. Never criminal walked to the gallows with as heavy a heart as I followed the school messenger across the quadrangle and past the fated gymnasium to the head master's study.

There I found four people waiting to see me. Tempest looking very sullen, the head master looking very grave, Mr Jarman looking very vicious, and a policeman looking very cheerful.

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN.

BEFORE THE "BEAK."

At the sight of the policeman I gave myself up for lost. The sins and errors of my youth all rose in a hideous procession before me. I recalled vividly the occasion when, years ago, I had borrowed d.i.c.ky Brown's "nicker" without acknowledgment, and lost it. I recalled a dismal series of a.s.saults and libels in my guardian's office. I recollected with horror once travelling on a half-ticket two days after my twelfth birthday. Above all, the vision of that ill-favoured effigy under the grating rose gibbering and mocking me to my face, and claiming me for penal servitude, if not for the gallows itself.

How well I remember every detail of that scene as I entered the doctor's study! The bust of Minerva looking askance at me from above the book- case; the quill in the doctor's hand with its fringe all on end; Tempest's necktie crooked and showing the collar stud above; Mr Jarman's eye coldly fixed on me; and the policeman, helmet in hand, standing with his large boots on the hearthrug, the picture of content and prosperity.

"Jones," said the doctor, "we have sent for you to tell us what you did at the gymnasium last night. You were there, I understand, after dark?"

I looked first at the doctor, then at Tempest. I would have given worlds to be able to have two minutes' conversation with him, and ascertain what he wished me to say, if indeed he wished me to say anything at all. The memory of a similar dilemma at Dangerfield only served to confuse me more, and make it impossible to decide how I should act now; while the presence of the policeman drove from my head any ideas that were ever there. Would Tempest like me to say that I went there at his bidding, and if not, how could I explain the matter? I wished I only knew what had been said already, so that at least I might put my evidence on the right side.

"Yes, sir," said I, "I saw Mr Jarman there."

"What were you doing there, eh, young master?" said the policeman.

This was an unexpected attack from the flank of the battle for which I was wholly unprepared. I could have told the doctor, or even Mr Jarman. But to be questioned thus by a representative of the law was too much for my delicate nerves.

"Really, it wasn't me," said I. "I didn't do it, and don't know who did. I only went to get a blazer, and left it there directly Mr Jarman told me to do so."

"A blazer?" said the policeman, with the air of a man who has made a discovery. "What sort of a thing is that? A blazer? Was it alight?"

Here Tempest laughed irreverently, much to the displeasure of the policeman. I was, however, thankful for the cue.

"What," said I, "don't you know what a blazer is? Anybody knows that.

It's what you have in the fields."

"Come, young gentleman," said the officer, whom Tempest's laugh had put on his dignity, "no prevaricating. What were you doing with that there blazer?"

"What was I doing with it? Fetching it."

The policeman was evidently puzzled. He wished he knew what a blazer was, but in the present distinguished company did not like to show his ignorance.

"That blazer must be produced," said he; "it'll be evidence."

I looked at Tempest, as the person best able to deal with the matter, and said,--

"I left it in the gym. Mr Jarman made me."

"How long was that before the explosion? Was it alight when you left it?"

"The blazer? Oh no."

"A blazer," explained the head master blandly, "is a flannel jacket. I don't see what use it can be as evidence."

"I suppose," said Tempest jauntily, who was evidently recovering his presence of mind, "he thought it was a lucifer match."

"You'll laugh on the wrong side of your face, young gentleman," said the policeman wrathfully; "this here matter will have to be gone into.

There's been a party injured, and it'll be a matter for the magistrate.

You'll have to come along with me."

"I tell you," said Tempest, becoming grave once more, "I've had no more to do with it than you have."

"And yet," said Mr Jarman, speaking for the first time, "the explosion took place immediately after you were there, and when it was impossible for any one else to be there."

"I say I know nothing at all about it," said Tempest shortly, "and I don't care what you think."

"Come, Tempest," said Dr England, "no good will be gained by losing temper. It is very necessary to get to the bottom of this business, especially as some one has been injured. It seems almost impossible the explosion could have happened by accident; at the same time, knowing what I do of you, I do not myself believe that you are the boy who would commit an outrage of this sort. As the policeman intends to report the affair to the magistrate, you had better go with him and let him investigate the matter. Don't do yourself injustice by losing your temper. Mr Jarman, your attendance will probably be necessary; and Jones had better go too, although so far he has not thrown very much light on the matter. Constable, if you will take my compliments to Captain Rymer and ask him when he can see us--"

"Beg pardon, sir," said the constable, evidently sore about the blazer, "the young gent must come along with me now. That's my duty, and I can't take no instructions contrary."

"Very well," said the doctor stiffly; "we will go to Captain Rymer at once."

"Hadn't you better handcuff me?" said Tempest, who appeared to be seized with a wild desire to exasperate the man of the law.

The policeman glared as if he was disposed to take him at his word.

"None of your imperence, I can tell you, my beauty!" said he. "I ain't a-going to stand it--straight. Come, stir yourself."