The two boys indignantly denied the accusation when it was first brought against them, but the very vehemence with which they protested their innocence was regarded as "put on," and accepted as an additional proof of their guilt.

The evidence, however, was not thought sufficient to warrant bringing a charge against them before the head-master, and accordingly it was decided to send them both to Coventry until some fresh light should be brought to bear upon the case.
To do full justice to the memory of Diggory Trevanock, he alone stood out against this decision, and incurred the wrath both of Acton and Jack Vance in so doing.

He continued to affirm that it must be the man he had seen in the playground on the occasion of the first meeting of the supper club; and that the footprint in the dust had been a man's, and much larger than Kennedy's boot could have produced.
This outlawing of the "Main-top" and difference of opinion with Diggory spoiled all chance of games and good fellowship.

Even the association of the Triple Alliance seemed likely to end in an open rupture, and very possibly might have done so if it had not been for an event which caused the members to reunite against the common enemy.
One half-holiday afternoon Mugford and Diggory had gone down to Chatford.

It was nearly dark when they started to come back, and the latter proposed the short cut by Locker's Lane.
"I'm not afraid of the Philistines; besides, they won't see us now." As they drew near to Horace House, a solitary figure was discovered standing in the shadow of the brick wall.
"It's young Noaks," whispered Diggory.