"Loman, are you sure you are telling me the truth? You know nothing
whatever about the paper--never saw it before this moment?"
"No."
"You knew the paper had been missed off my desk?"
"Yes."
"Had you the least reason for believing any boy took it?"
Loman hesitated.
"I would rather not say," he said at last.
"You must please answer me frankly, Loman. Had you any reason, I ask,
for believing any boy took the paper?"
"Must I say?" asked Loman.
"Yes--you must."
"Well, then, I did fancy some one had taken it."
"Who?"
"Greenfield senior," said Loman, flushing quickly as he said the name.
"And what made you suspect Greenfield senior?"
"All the boys suspected him."
"That is not an answer, Loman. Why?"
"Because, for one thing," said Loman, sullenly, "he was seen coming out
of your study that evening."
"And why else?"
"Because he came out so high in the exam."
"And for these reasons you suspected Greenfield of taking the paper?
Why did you not mention the matter to me?"
Loman did his best to look virtuous.
"I did not wish to get any one into trouble."
"And you preferred to let an affair like this go on without taking any
steps to have it cleared up? Did Greenfield deny the charge?"
"No."
"Did he admit it?"
"Very nearly. He wouldn't speak to any one for months."
"And you really believe that Greenfield took the paper?"