He hated tale- bearers; but this seemed a case in which he was bound to listen and inquire further.
"Scarfe and Farfield," said he, after a long pause, "you know of course as well as I do the nature of the charge you are bringing against your schoolfellow--the most awful charge one human being can bring against another.

Are you prepared to repeat all you have said to me in Jeffreys' presence to-morrow, and before the whole school ?" "Certainly, sir," said both boys.
"It was our duty to tell you, sir," said Scarfe; "and only fair to poor young Forrester." "Nothing less than a sense of duty could justify the bringing of such a terrible accusation," said the head-master, "and I am relieved that you are prepared to repeat it publicly--to-morrow.

For to-day, let us thank God for the hope He gives us of the poor sufferer.

Good-bye." Much as he could have wished it, it was impossible for Mr Frampton, wearied out as he was with his night's watching, to dismiss from his mind the serious statement which his two senior boys had made.

The responsibility which rested on him in consequence was terrible, and it required all his courage to face it.
That afternoon he sent for Mr Freshfield, and repeated to him the substance of the accusation against Jeffreys, asking him if he had noticed anything calculated to confirm the suspicion expressed by the boys.
Mr Freshfield was naturally very much startled.
"If you had not mentioned it," he said, "I should never have dreamed of such a thing.