“Father, I am willing and anxious to explain, and my explanation in itself will be my very best apology; but, before I can go on, I wish to beg the favor of a sight of the thesis that was first read,” said Walter, coming up to the table of the examiners.

The paper was put in his hands.  He cast his eyes over it and smiled.

“Well, my young friend, what do you mean by that?” inquired Professor Adams.

“Why, sir, I mean that it is just as I surmised; that this paper which I hold in my hand is not the paper that was prepared for the examining committee; this, sir, must be the original draft of the thesis, and not the fair copy which was intended to compete for the gold watch,” said Walter firmly.

“But why do you say this, sir?  What grounds have you for entertaining such an opinion?” inquired Professor Adams.  Young Middleton smiled confidently as he replied: 

“I have seen and read the fair copy; there was not a mistake in it; and it was in every other respect greatly superior to my own.”

“If this is true, and of course I know it must be so, since you say it, my son, why was not the fair copy put in our hands?  By what strange inadvertence has this rough draft found its way to us?” inquired Mr. Middleton.

“Father,” replied Walter, in a low voice, “by no inadvertence at all!  Ishmael has done this on purpose that your son might receive the gold watch.  I am sure of it; but I cannot accept his noble sacrifice!  Father, you would not have me do it.”

“No, Walter; no, my boy; not if a kingdom instead of a gold watch were at stake.  You must not profit by his renunciation, if there has been any renunciation.  But are you sure that there has been?”

“I will prove it to your satisfaction, sir.  Yesterday, in my great anxiety to know how my chances stood for the first prize, I asked Ishmael for a sight of his thesis, and I tendered him a sight of mine.  Ishmael did not refuse me.  We exchanged papers and read each other’s compositions.  Ishmael’s was fairly written, accurate, logical, and very eloquent.  Mine was very inferior in every respect except literal accuracy.  Ishmael must have seen, after comparing the two, that he must gain the prize.  I certainly knew he would; I expressed my conviction strongly to that effect; and I congratulated him in anticipation of a certain triumph.  But, though I wished him joy, I must have betrayed the mortification that was in my own heart; for Ishmael insisted that I should be sure to get the medal myself.  And this is the way in which he has secured the fulfillment of his own prediction:  by suppressing his fair copy that must have taken the prize, and sending up that rough draft on purpose to lose it in my favor.”

“Can this be true?” mused Mr. Middleton.

“You can test its truth for yourself, sir.  Call up Ishmael Worth.  You know that he will not speak falsely.  Ask him if he has not suppressed the fair copy and exhibited the rough draft.  You have authority over him, sir.  Order him to produce the suppressed copy, that his abilities may be justly tested,” said Walter.