That the disappearance of Charles is in
some measure connected with it, we cannot do otherwise than believe. I
have brought Ketch with me that he may tell his own tale."
Ketch was marshalled forward and ordered to tell his tale, and the
business of the school was suspended. Ketch told it distinctly enough;
but he could not forbear enlarging upon his cruel disappointment over
the tripe and onions, and it sent the school into convulsions. In the
midst of it, Tom Channing breathed freely; Ketch's preferring the
complaint, did away with the unpleasantness he had feared might arise,
through having been forced to disclose it to the master.
"I should be sorry to have displeasure visited upon the boys," resumed
Hamish. "Indeed, I should esteem it a favour, sir, if you will not
punish them for any disclosure that may arise through this step which I
have taken. I dare say," he added, turning his laughing gaze upon them,
"that I should have been one of the ringleaders myself, in my school
days, therefore it would not be fair for me to bring punishment upon
them. I only wish to know which of the school were in it, that I may
make inquiries of them whether Charles was one of them or not; and, if
he was, what they know of his movements afterwards."
The address was fair and candid; so was Hamish's face; and some of the
conspirators, in their good feeling, might have freely confessed, but
for the something just whispered to them by Simms.
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