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 I am, therefore, going to ask you to reconsider, Edward. It will be better for every one if you answer 'yes' or 'no' to my question."

Ned returned the principal's gaze straightly. "I'd rather not, sir," he replied.

"Very well, but I warn you that your offense is a very serious one and that it calls for a drastic penalty. Were you alone in the—ah—escapade?"

Ned looked puzzled. "Sir?" he asked.

"I asked you—But you need not answer that. I'll put it another way. There were two of you in the car according to an eye-witness. Who was the other boy?"

"Car?" faltered Ned. "What car, sir?"

The Doctor frowned disapprovingly. "It is so futile, my boy," he said, "to act this way." He turned to Laurie. "What do you know about this, Laurence? You have said that you did not enter your room last night by the window. At what time did you return to your room? Where were you, for instance, at, say, a quarter to twelve?"

"I was in bed, sir."

"What time did you go to bed?"

"About ten minutes past ten."