He lowered his voice.
"There has been contemptible work here," he whispered--"spite and a mean spirit of reprisal.

I have been making a secret investigation, and I find that this blow at your son and you, and at the good name of our college was struck by one man, a man with a grievance--Doctor Gilman.
Doctor Gilman has repeatedly desired me to raise his salary." This did not happen to be true, but in such a crisis Doctor Black could not afford to be too particular.
"I have seen no reason for raising his salary--and there you have the explanation.

In revenge he has made this attack.

But he overshot his mark.

In causing us temporary embarrassment he has brought about his own downfall.