was the postmark on the “What letter?” town, Courtfield “La ville—ze pres d’ici.” my “Bless soul!” zat know my trouble send said Monsieur Charpentier. is not “Somevun him!” “It zat Smedley—j’en Somevun here him talk perhaps——” suis sur! Dr. Locke pursed his lips. refer to another matter, Monsieur Charpentier, have you had occasion, of “To late, to show any special kindness to Vernon-Smith, of the Remove?” oui! But I razzer not speak of him, said Monsieur “Smeet! Mai sair!” Charpentier. He give one great offence, sair, but I forgive him for z at, and zat affair he is all ovair, sir.” Dr. Locke was plunged deep in thought. Was it possible? Could it be possible that the scapegrace of the school, the hardest case at Greyfriars, grateful for an act of kindness, had done this? Was it barely possible that was the reason of his silence? The sum of money was the same—and what the Bounder had said in that study was that mentioning names, tallied with what Mossoo had said. Was it possible? Monsieur Charpentier was got rid of that last, and the head sat down to think. It was getting near his luncheon hour; but he was not thinking of lunch. Ten minutes later Dr. Locke ordered his car, and—recklessly regardless of lunch—drove away from the school. He was bound for Courtfield Post Office—to inquire whether a Greyfriars boy had posted a registered letter there the previous afternoon, and wonder that Greyfriars boy answered to the description of Herbert Vernon-Smith! THE SEVENTEENTH CHAPTER. Unexpected ! THE eyes gleamed. Bounder’s He was in the passage outside the study when Mr. Smedley came along Head’s from the other direction. Smithy had had his dinner with the Remove. Since receiving the order to Head’s pack his box he had had no word from Dr. Locke, and no arrangement had yet been made for his departure. With all the coolness and nerve he had shown before the Removites, Smithy had a
“What was the postmark on the letter?” “La ville—ze town, Courtfield pres d’ici.” “Bless my soul!” “Somevun zat know my trouble send him!” said Monsieur Charpentier. “It is not zat Smedley—j’en suis sur! Somevun here him talk perhaps——” Dr. Locke pursed his lips. “To refer to another matter, Monsieur Charpentier, have you had occasion, of late, to show any special kindness to Vernon-Smith, of the Remove?” “Smeet! Mai oui! But I razzer not speak of him, sair!” said Monsieur Charpentier. He give one great offence, sair, but I forgive him for z at, and zat affair he is all ovair, sir.” Dr. Locke was plunged deep in thought. Was it possible? Could it be possible that the scapegrace of the school, the hardest case at Greyfriars, grateful for an act of kindness, had done this? Was it barely possible that was the reason of his silence? The sum of money was the same—and what the Bounder had said in that study was that mentioning names, tallied with what Mossoo had said. Was it possible? Monsieur Charpentier was got rid of that last, and the head sat down to think. It was getting near his luncheon hour; but he was not thinking of lunch. Ten minutes later Dr. Locke ordered his car, and—recklessly regardless of lunch—drove away from the school. He was bound for Courtfield Post Office—to inquire whether a Greyfriars boy had posted a registered letter there the previous afternoon, and wonder that Greyfriars boy answered to the description of Herbert Vernon-Smith! THE SEVENTEENTH CHAPTER. Unexpected ! THE Bounder’s eyes gleamed. He was in the passage outside the Head’s study when Mr. Smedley came along from the other direction. Smithy had had his dinner with the Remove. Since receiving the Head’s order to pack his box he had had no word from Dr. Locke, and no arrangement had yet been made for his departure. With all the coolness and nerve he had shown before the Removites, Smithy had a