The Pothunters

divided into the athletic and non-athletic, and it was for the former class that the matter possessed most interest. If it had been that apple of the College Library's eye, the original MS. of

ngeness of such an occurrence, the theft of a cou

member of his form not only to be earnest--which very few members of a Sixth Form are--but also to communicate his innermost thoughts to him. His aim was to be their confidant, the wise friend to whom they were to bring their troubles and come for advice. He was, in fact, poor man, the good young master. Now, it is generally the case at school that troubles

per Fourth. 'If it hadn't been for the fact of the money having been stol

ins,' expostu

ave taken the cups for a joke, or just for the excitement of the thing, meaning to return them in

a very unsafe place in which to keep

, Thompson,' replied Perki

' said Merevale. 'You must bring your powers to

h scope for the practice of the detective art, but Mr Thompson had once detected a piece of cribbing, when correcting some Latin proses for the master of the Lower Third, solely by the exercise of his powers of observation, and he had never forgotten it

r, and Mr Thompson was consequently off duty. He took advantage of this to stroll down to the Pavilion and make a pers

view to obtaining the keys, when he noticed that the door was already open, and on goi

erms with most of the masters and all the boys. Then, to

erts, Scotland Yard. But I think we're in for rain soon. Yes. 'Fraid s

ted in this kind of thing--whether yo

htfully, as if he were hunti

et. Nothin

granted it was the work o

one way or other great mistake. But, I think, yes, I think it

k at this. It shook his confid

but a practised burglar would have ta

lace where the glass had been. Then he withdrew it, and sh

ing peculiar about t

d not. Nor did

y ragged. Now if a professional had cut that pane out he wouldn't have left

on's premises. He had taken it for

e not cut by a diamond; what

mooth as a razor edge. This is like a saw. Amateurish work

hisel? Su

l the glass so as to make it look like the work of an old hand. Very good idea, but amateurish. I

pson co

ember exactly, but I think they were placed there

ace yesterday in the early m

es

sual place to keep the

in the main buildings of the School, happened to be needed until the next day. Most of us were very much against

aid Mr Roberts, chuckling at his mild joke. 'I see. Then I suppose n

agine

held so much silver for one night. No regular would look twice at a cricket pavilion under ordinary circumsta

not think th

excitement. That, perhaps, is the least possible explanation. But you get boy kleptomaniacs just as much in proportion as grown-up kleptomaniac

of him? He did not co

ccess. Stole some money. Got flogged, instead of expelled. Did it again with same result. Gradually got tire

ly round the room. He came to the window through which Jim

first, before going round to t

t the windows of the boarding Houses might see him, so left his

vent to an excited exclamation, and picked up a piece of caked mu

as he climbed in. Got out in a hurry, startled by something--you can see he was startled and left in a hurry from the different va

imprint of the palm of a hand. He could see the larger of the lines quite clear

breath of satisfac

and if it fits your man, it convicts him as much as a snap-shot photograph would. Morning, sir. I must be going.' And he retired, carryi

the Great Hall. During the course of the meal he exercised his brains without pause in the effort to discover a fitting suspect. Did he know of any victim of klep

ompson's Christian name was John. He did not notice the omission of the _p_ until he had opened the envelope and caught a glimpse of the contents. The letter

as the

t two pounds directly you come back? Beg, borrow,

le