Page:Dave Porter at Oak Hall.djvu/158

140 what's at the bottom of it all. Who put you here?"

"Why—er—some of the students."

"What students?"

"Oh, sir, I—I really don't dare to tell," whined the sneak.

"And I demand an answer to my question!" thundered Job Haskers.

"Well, you see, some of them were having a spread—a blow-out, you know——"

"A blow-out?"

"Yes, sir—something to eat and to drink, in their dormitory. I stopped at the door to find out what was up, and they captured me and put me down here."

"What dormitory was that?"

"Oh, sir—I—I——"

"If you do not answer, I shall have you punished severely, Macklin. Come, answer, and no more nonsense!" And the assistant teacher shook his long finger menacingly at the sneak.

"If I tell you, sir—you won't—won't let them know, will you?"

"I shall not mention your name."

"They were the boys in dormitory No. 12—— and some from No. 11, too."

"Are they having their feast yet?"

"I suppose so. But, oh, Mr. Haskers——"

"I shall look into this, and without delay."