As his eyes fell on the form of his victim his face turned an ashy hue.

Those who watched him saw that he was struggling to speak, but no words came.

He stood like one turned suddenly to stone.
But not for long.
With a cry something resembling a howl, the school by a sudden simultaneous movement turned upon him.
He put up his hand instinctively, half-deprecatingly, half in self- defence.

Then as his eyes dropped once more on the motionless form over which Mr Freshfield was bending, he took half a step forward and gasped, "I did not--" Whatever he had intended to say was drowned by another howl of execration.

The sound of his voice seemed to have opened the floodgates and let loose the pent-up feelings of the onlookers.