“What in the world does he mean?” thought more than one puzzled boy.  “What is all this leading to?”

Among those to whom this thought occurred, was Hector Roscoe, who was very far from conjecturing that all this long preamble was to introduce an attack upon him.

“But,” proceeded Socrates, after a pause, “I have this afternoon been painfully undeceived.  I have learned, with inexpressible pain, that Smith Institute has received an ineffaceable stigma.”

“Old Sock is getting eloquent!” whispered Ben Platt.

“I have learned,” continued Socrates, with tragic intensity, “that I have nourished a viper in my bosom!  I have learned that we have a thief among us!”

This declaration was greeted with a buzz of astonishment.  Each boy looked at his next door neighbor as if to inquire, “Is it you?”

Each one, except the three who were behind the scenes.  Of these, Jim Smith, with an air of supreme satisfaction, looked in a sidelong way at Hector, unconscious the while that two pairs of eyes—­those of Wilkins and Ben Platt—­were fixed upon him.

“I thought you would be surprised,” said the principal, “except, of course, the miserable criminal.  But I will not keep you in suspense.  To-day, by inadvertence, I left my wallet, containing a considerable sum of money, on the bureau in my chamber.  An hour later, discovering my loss, I went upstairs, but the wallet was gone.  It had mysteriously disappeared.  I was at a loss to understand this at first, but I soon found a clew.  I ascertained that a boy—­a boy who is presently one of the pupils of Smith Institute—­had entered my chamber, had appropriated the wallet, had carried it to his dormitory, and there had slyly concealed it in the pocket of a pair of pants.  Doubtless, he thought his theft would not be discovered, but it was, and I myself discovered the missing wallet in its place of concealment.”

Here Mr. Smith paused, and it is needless to say that the schoolroom was a scene of great excitement.  His tone was so impressive, and his statement so detailed, that no one could doubt that he had most convincing evidence of the absolute accuracy of what he said.

“Who was it?” every boy had it on his lips to inquire.

“Three hours have elapsed since my discovery,” continued Mr. Smith.  “During that time I have felt unnerved.  I have, however, written and posted an account of this terrible discovery to the friends of the pupil who has so disgraced himself and the school.”

Ben Platt and Wilkins exchanged glances of indignation.  They felt that Mr. Smith had been guilty of a piece of outrageous injustice in acting thus before he had apprised the supposed offender of the charge against him, and heard his defense.  Both boys decided that they would not spare Jim Smith, but at all hazards expose the contemptible plot which he had contrived against his schoolfellow.

“I waited, however, till I was somewhat more calm before laying the matter before you.  I know you will all be anxious to know the name of the boy who has brought disgrace upon the school to which you belong, and I am prepared to reveal it to you.  Hector Roscoe, stand up!”