As he sat half abstracted on his bed doing nothing Montagu and Duncan entered, and he started to see them, for they were evidently the bearers of some serious intelligence.
"Eric," said Duncan, "do you know that some one has stolen all the cricket money ?" "Stolen--what--_all_ ?" he cried, leaping up as if he had been shot.

"Oh, what new retribution is this ?" and he hid his face, which had turned ashy pale, in his hands.
"To cut matters short, Eric, do you know anything about it ?" "If it is all gone, it is not I who stole it," he said, not lifting his head.
"Do you know anything about it ?" "No!" he sobbed convulsively.

"No, no, no! Yet stop; don't let me add a lie....

Let me think.

No, Duncan!" he said, looking up, "I do _not_ know who stole it." They stood silent, and the tears were stealing down Montagu's averted face.
"O Duncan, Monty, be merciful, be merciful," said Eric.