Page:Dave Porter at Oak Hall.djvu/276

254 didn't expect to expose anybody, but I suppose it can't be helped—now."

"Go ahead, but don't take too long," was the brief reply.

In as few words as possible Dave told him how he had missed the composition and seen Macklin coming from the dormitory. Then he told of finding the bits of half-burned paper, and he brought them forth. He also told of how the bully and the sneak had treated him in general.

"I didn't intend to fight when I went after Macklin," he continued. "I wanted him to know that I had found him out, and I was going to make him promise to do better in the future. But Plum stood up for the sneak, and pitched into me, and I had to defend myself. Then I—well, I guess I lost my temper, and I knocked Plum over the bed."

After this the bully and the sneak were closely questioned, and the doctor looked over the bits of burnt paper which Dave had in his pocket.

"Macklin, I want you to answer me truthfully," said Dr. Clay, looking the youngest boy closely in the eyes. "Did you, or did you not, take that composition?"

The sneak tried to evade that gaze, but could not. He started to speak several times, but the words would not come.

"Answer me!"