Would you mind requesting Rose not to come in for five minutes?
Tell him there's a row." He ran down stairs hastily and entered the tea-room, where the boys were talking in high spirits about the match, and liberally praising Eric's play.
"I've got something unpleasant to say," he announced, raising his voice.
"Hush! hush! hush! what's the row ?" asked half a dozen at once.
"The whole of the cricket money, some six pounds at least, has vanished from the box in my study!" For an instant the whole room was silent; Wildney and Graham interchanged anxious glances.
"Does any fellow know anything about this ?" All, or most, had a vague suspicion, but no one spoke.
"Where is Williams ?" asked one of the sixth form casually.
"He's taking tea with the Doctor," said Wildney.
Mr.Rose came in, and there was no opportunity for more to be said, except in confidential whispers.
Duncan went up with Owen and Montagu to their study.

"What's to be done ?" was the general question.
"I think we've all had a lesson once before not to suspect too hastily.
Still, in a matter like this," said Montagu, "one _must_ take notice of apparent cues." "I know what you're thinking of, Monty," said Duncan.
"Well, then, did you hear anything when you and I surprised Eric suddenly two days ago ?" "I heard some one moving about in your study, as I thought." "I heard more--though at the time it didn't strike me particularly.

I distinctly heard the jingle of money." "Well, it's no good counting up suspicious circumstances; we must _ask_ him about it, and act accordingly.' "Will he come up to the studies again to-night ?" "I think not," said Owen; "I notice he generally goes straight to bed after he has been out to tea; that's to say, directly after prayers." The three sat there till prayer-time taciturn and thoughtful.

Their books were open, but they did little work, and it was evident that Montagu was filled with the most touching grief.

During the evening he drew out a little likeness which Eric had given him, and looked at it long and earnestly.