A plot, a plot, a plot, to ruin all.
_Tennyson, The Princess_.
On the Monday evening the head-boy reported to Dr Rowlands that the
perpetrator of the offence had not been discovered, but that one boy was
very generally suspected, and on grounds that seemed plausible. "I
admit," he added, "that from the little I know of him, he seems to me a
very unlikely sort of boy to do it."
"I think," suggested the Doctor, "that the best way would be for you to
have a regular trial on the subject and hear the evidence. Do you think
that you can be trusted to carry on the investigation publicly, with
good order and fairness?"
"I think so, sir," said Avonley.
"Very well. Put up a notice, asking all the school to meet by
themselves in the boarders' room to-morrow afternoon at three, and see
what you can do among you."
Avonley did as the Doctor suggested. At first, when the boys assembled,
they seemed inclined to treat the matter as a joke, and were rather
disorderly; but Avonley briefly begged them, if they determined to have
a trial, to see that it was conducted sensibly; and by general consent
he was himself voted into the desk as president. He then got up and
said--
"There must be no sham or nonsense about this affair. Let all the boys
take their seats quietly down the room."