"Do you think the men will own up?" said Gordon.
"Not unless they're most abandoned fools," replied Lovelace.
There was only one topic of conversation at tea, and afterwards Lovelace, Hobson and Gordon discussed the affair keenly in No. 1. They all agreed that the men would not own up, and the general opinion was that someone in Christy's was responsible. Discussion raged fiercely as to who it was. Gordon was all for it being Isaacs, Lovelace for Everington, Hunter for Mead. The point was being debated, when Tester and Bradford came in.
"Hullo, come in," shouted Gordon, "we are having a great fight about this. I say Isaacs is the most likely man. What do you think?"
Tester looked round carefully, and then began anxiously:
"Look here, you men; swear you won't tell a soul if we tell you something."
There was a hush. "Good Gawd!" said Hunter. Silence ensued; but curiosity soon overcame surprise.
"What did you say, by the by?" asked Gordon.
Tester repeated as far as he could remember the exact words.
"Yes, you know; it was a bit hot, wasn't it? I expect you opened the blighter's eyes a bit. He wasn't used to that sort of literature."
In spite of themselves Tester and Bradford laughed. They had been vaguely aware of a tired-looking figure in a Sam Browne as they left the canteen. He had looked "some ass." But Gordon soon became serious again.
"What are you men going to do? Of course you won't own up."
"We can't very well. I am in the Sixth and Bradford's had one row this term, and of course, I was the criminal. I am supposed to be a responsible personage."
"Of course, owning up's out of the question."
"But do you think anything will happen?" Bradford was a little frightened. "I mean will there be a sort of general inspection?"
"You bet there won't. When a master begs men to own up, it means that he's up the spout. It's much more fun catching a fellow red-handed. And, after all, you two are the last people anyone would think of."
"Of course, it's all right," said Lovelace; "there's only one thing to do. You talk of nothing else but this rotten affair; talk about it in the Toe, in the changing-room, in form, in chapel, if you like. Ask people you meet if they've owned up. Treat the whole thing as a glorious rag."