It was nearly an hour past the time, and impatient eyes were directed to the clock over the folding-doors, which steadily marked the flying minutes.
"Where can the doctor be ?" had been asked many times already, but no one could answer.
"We shall have no time--we shall not get done before night," muttered several malcontents.

"What can keep the doctor ?" At this moment the folding-doors were quickly flung open, and Dr.Wilkinson entered, and rapidly made his way towards the upper end of the school-room, but in such a state of unwonted agitation that the boys were by common consent hushed into silence, and every occupation was suspended to watch their master's movements.

"How strange he looks!" whispered one; "something's the matter." Dr.Wilkinson took no notice of the open eyes and mouths of his awe-struck pupils--all his aim seemed to be to reach his seat with the greatest speed.
"What's the row ?" muttered Salisbury, in an under-tone to Hamilton, having some idea that the latter could afford a clue to the clearing up of the mystery.

"Do you know of any thing, Hamilton ?" Hamilton shook his head, and fairly stood up to see what was going on.
Dr.Wilkinson at length reached his place, and there stood a few minutes to collect himself.

He then looked around, and asked, in a quick, low tone, for Louis Mortimer.