Part 5 (1/2)
The doctor received this rather more meekly than most of us expected, and proceeded with his next question.
”Have you the slightest reason to suspect any one of having done it, or of knowing anything about it?”
Tempest remained silent, with flushed and angry face.
”Do you hear me, sir?” asked the doctor, now thoroughly roused.
”Yes, sir.”
”Then why don't you answer at once?”
”I would not answer the question if I could,” said the Dux defiantly.
Dr Plummer stared at the boy as if he had been a wild beast.
”How dare you say such a thing to me?” he demanded. ”You heard my question. Have you the slightest grounds for suspecting any one?”
The Dux bit his lips and remained silent.
”Do you hear, Tempest?”
No reply.
”Go to your seat, sir. I will speak to you presently.”
Tempest obeyed, with head erect and a red spot on either cheek.
We gazed at him in amazement. We had always given him credit for hardihood, but we had never believed him capable of mutiny of this kind; especially--
”Seems to me,” whispered d.i.c.ky, ”he might as well tell right away.
He'll get expelled either way. Anyhow--”
”Brown, come forward.”
d.i.c.ky started as if he had been detected in the act of holding a pistol to Hector's head. He was not in the least prepared to be summoned thus out of his turn; and morally he went to pieces as he rose to obey.
”Mum's the word!” whispered I, encouragingly, as he started for the front.
The doctor was on the alert with a vengeance to-day!
”Jones, come forward too,” said he.
It was my turn to jump now.
”Now, sir, what was that you said to Brown just now?”
My back went up instinctively at his tone.
”I said, 'Mum's the word,'” I replied as doggedly as I could.
The doctor changed colour. This was getting serious. He had no precedents for such a case at Dangerfield, and for a moment was evidently at a loss how to proceed.