That was why the keen eyes of the professor were so constantly turned toward that part of the room.

He hoped to discover some evidence of Agnew's guilt, if, indeed, Agnew was guilty, as was believed.
When his eyes fell on the piece of paper which Morton had tossed so cleverly beneath Badger's desk, he knew in an instant that it had not been there a moment before.

The natural conclusion was, therefore, that the Kansan had dropped it.
Its discovery was very suggestive.

He began to watch Badger as well as Agnew.

In a little while Badger saw the paper also, and stooped to pick it up.
"I will take that piece of paper!" came in the calm, even voice of the professor, as the Westerner's fingers closed on the crumpled slip.
Badger, who had intended to open it, wondering what it contained, and vaguely thinking it might be a note which some member of the class had tried to get to him, flushed in a manner to arouse the professor's suspicions.