"I didn't say anything," murmured several in an undertone.
"Silence, I say!" repeated the master, and then all became so quiet that the ticking of the clock could be heard distinctly.
The teacher gazed around at the scores of faces and looked more stern than ever.
"I am going to question all of you separately, and I trust each of you will tell the truth. The question is, Do you know what has become of Samuel Rover and William Tubbs? or, Do you know what they have done? I shall start with the first boy. Hickley, what have you to say?"
"I don't know anything about them," answered the boy named Hickley.
"Brainard, do you know?"
"No, sir."
"Parkham?"
"I know they had a little set-to in the gymnasium, but that's all. The whole thing was a friendly bout, I guess."
"I am the best judge of that. It was a disgraceful fight. What have you to say, Griggs?"
"If you say it was disgraceful I suppose it was, sir. I thought it was only a friendly dispute"
"Stop! I want you to answer the original questions, yes, or no."
"No."
