It certainly was not there when it was on the rack, but it was there when I rowed back to the boathouse, and it could only have got there by being put on as the boat was being lowered into the water.
There were three or four men helping to lower her down--two of them friends of mine, two of them fellows employed at the boathouse.
While it lay in the water, before I got in and took my place, anyone stooping over it might unobserved have passed his hand under it and have pushed the nail through.
"I never said anything about it.

I had been beaten; there was no use making a row and a scandal over it, especially as I had not a shadow of proof against anyone; but I was certain that he was not so fast as I was, for during practice my time had been as nearly as possible the same as that of the man who beat him with the greatest ease, and I am convinced that for once I should have got the better of him had it not been for foul play." "That was shameful, Captain Mallett," Bertha said, indignantly.

"I wonder you did not take some steps to expose him." "I had nothing to go upon, Bertha.

It was a case of suspicion only, and you have no idea what a horrible row there would have been if I had said anything about it.

Committees would have sat upon it, and the thing would have got into the papers.