The denial had been as instinctive as an arm raised to ward off a blow and had sounded unconvincing even to his own ears His whole action had been one of guilt The first cold horror draining his face was succeeded by a hot flush bringing back shameful memories of his headmasters study of the terror of the inevitable punishment He had made himself look into her eyes and had seen the look of contemptuous disbelief If only hed had some warning He knew now what he should have said Cartwright told me after the trial but I didnt believe him I dont believe him now That man will say anything to make himself important