“I have something to say to the students of the school this morning,” began Dr. Thornton, in a low but steady voice.  “It is something which, I am happy to state, I have never before been called upon to say.

“One of the most valuable qualities in any man or woman is loyalty.  All of us know, from our studies in history and literature, many conspicuous and noble examples of loyalty.  We have also, in our mind’s eye, some examples of the opposite qualities, disloyalty and treachery.  Outside of sacred history one of the most conspicuous examples of betrayal was that of Benedict Arnold.”

Every boy and girl now had his eyes turned fixedly on the old principal.  Outside of the football squad no student had any idea what was coming.  Phin tried to look wholly unconscious.

Dr. Thornton spoke a little more on the meanness of treachery and betrayal.  Then, looking straight over at the middle of the third aisle on the boys’ side of the room, the principal commanded: 

“Mr. Drayne, stand by your desk!”

Phin was up, hardly knowing how he accomplished the move.  Every pair of eyes in the room was focused on him.

“Mr. Drayne,” continued the principal, and now there was a steely glitter of contempt in the old man’s eyes, “you were displeased because you did not attain to as high honors on the football eleven as you had hoped.  In revenge you made copies of the code signals of the team, and mailed a copy to the captain of nearly every team against which Gridley High School is to play this year.”

There came, from all parts of the room, a gasp of incredulous amazement.

“Your infamy, your treachery and betrayal, Mr. Drayne, were traced back to you,” continued the principal.  “You were forced to admit it, last night, before the Board of Education.  That Board has passed sentence in your case.  Mr. Drayne, you are found utterly unfit to associate with the decent manhood and womanhood to be found in the student body of this High School.  By the decision of the Board you are now expelled from this school.  You will take your books and belongings and leave instantly.  You will never presume to enter through the doors of this school again.  Go, sir!”

From Phin came an angry snarl of defiance.  He tried to shout out, to tell the principal and his late fellow students how little, or less than little, he cared about their opinions.

But the words stuck in his throat.  Ere he could try again, a hiss arose from one quarter of the room.  The hiss grew and swelled.  Phin realized, though he dared not look about him any longer, that the hissing came as much from the girls as from the boys.

Drayne did not attempt to bend over his desk.  Instead, he marched swiftly down the half of the aisle, then past the platform toward the door.

“Mr. Drayne,” called Dr. Thornton, “you have not taken your books, or paper or other desk materials.”