"Sir,--I have been expecting to return to Grandcourt all this term, but
I am sorry to say I have been ill again, and the doctor says I shall
have to go abroad for some months. Before I go, I feel I must make a
confession which will surprise you as much to read as it pains me to
write it. I was the ringleader in the attack upon you last term at the
door of Mr Railsford's house. I was very angry at the time at having
been punished by you before all my house. But I am very sorry now for
what happened, and hope you will in time forgive me. I know what
trouble my conduct has caused, not only to you, but to Mr Railsford,
whose house has been unjustly punished for what was my offence. There
were three of us in it. One was another boy of your house, and the
other was in Mr Railsford's house, only all he did was to show us the
cupboard in which we put you. I should be glad to think, before I go
away, that things are put right at Grandcourt by this confession.
Please forgive me for my revengeful act, and, believe me, sir, yours
truly,--
"S. Branscombe.
"P.S.--Please show this letter to Dr Ponsford and Mr Railsford."
This startling letter Mr Bickers read over several times, with great
amazement and no less vexation. He was angry, not at the injury which
had been done to himself, but because this letter had come just when it
did.
To-morrow, in all probability, his enemy would have left Grandcourt, and
then it would be less matter. For even if the truth were then made
known, Railsford's offence in shielding the evil-doer would remain the
same. But now this letter might spoil everything. It would, at any
rate, postpone Railsford's departure, and might give him an opportunity
of reinstating himself for good at Grandcourt.
Mr Bickers was in a quandary. He was by nature a vindictive, jealous,
and fussy man, with a low opinion of everybody, and an extreme obstinacy
in his own opinion. But he was not naturally a dishonest man. It was
only when his other passions rushed out strongly in one direction, and
his integrity stood on the other side, that his honour suffered
shipwreck and went by the board.
It did so now, for Mr Bickers, having thought over the situation,
deliberately put the letter into his pocket, and went about his usual
avocations as if nothing had happened.
Any amount of excuses rushed in to his assistance. After all, there had
been three culprits, and one of them belonged to the accused house.
Railsford, no doubt, was shielding his own boy, and Branscombe's
confession affected in no way his offence or the penalty attached to it.
On the whole, there was nothing to make Mr Bickers uncomfortable, and
it was observed in the masters' hall that evening that he made himself
quite agreeable, and even nodded in a half-friendly way to Railsford on
the occasion of his last appearance at school-dinner.
After the Master of the Shell had retired to his house the doctor asked
his other lieutenants to remain a few moments, as he had a statement to
make to them.
Every one knew what that statement was to be.
"It is only right that I should inform you," said Dr Ponsford, "that I
have considered it my duty to accept Mr Railsford's resignation, and
that he leaves Grandcourt to-morrow. I confess that I do this with
great pain and regret, for I have the highest opinion of Mr Railsford's
abilities and character. But discipline must be maintained in a school
like ours. I have no doubt that in acting as he has done Mr Railsford
considers that he is acting honourably. I do not wish to impugn his
motives, mistaken as I suppose them. But the fact remains that he
virtually admits his knowledge of the offender last term, and at the
same time refuses to give him up to justice. Under those circumstances
I had no choice but to accept his resignation."
For a moment Branscombe's letter burned uncomfortably in Mr Bickers's
pocket while the doctor was speaking. But it cooled again, and when Mr
Grover said,--
"I am sure, sir, you will not misunderstand me when I say that your
statement has caused some of us the deepest pain," he felt himself able
to join in the universal "Hear, hear," with quiet fervour.
"We fully recognise," continued Mr Grover, "that under the
circumstances you had only this one course left open to you. At the
same time, we who know and esteem our colleague, feel that his removal
will be a distinct loss to Grandcourt, and would like to add our own
opinion to yours, that in the course he has considered it right to take,
he has been actuated by conscientious and honourable motives."
Mr Bickers having said, "Hear, hear" once, did not feel called upon to
repeat it at the end of this short speech, and was, indeed, rather glad
to hurry back to his own house.
He had an idea that this time to-morrow he should feel considerably more
comfortable.