Part 31 (2/2)
”Has anyone taken it for a joke?”
”I expect so, but I'll reckon with whoever has!”
”It's probably one of those intermediates,” suggested Stuart.
”Anybody who's got it must just turn it up at once!” said Geraldine grimly. ”We can't allow this sort of thing to happen. I'll ask who's taken it.”
The head prefect made an instant tour of the school, proclaiming the loss, and demanding instant restoration. The school, as one girl, utterly denied the accusation.
”But look here!” persisted Geraldine. ”_Some__body_ must have taken it.
It couldn't walk out of Hilary's desk by itself! She _knows_ she left it there yesterday. If anybody's hiding it for a joke, please give it back at once. If it's not brought back by nine o'clock I shall tell Miss Todd. Yes, I'm in earnest! Dead earnest!”
Seniors, intermediates, and juniors, very much astonished, retired to their form rooms and talked the matter over; but n.o.body produced the missing ma.n.u.script. During the course of the morning Miss Todd entered the intermediate room.
”A disagreeable thing has happened, girls,” she said. ”Somebody has taken Hilary's essay from her desk. If it was done as a joke, I consider it a very sorry joke! Does anyone in this room know anything about the matter? If so, she must speak out at once and tell me.”
Miss Todd looked searchingly at the faces before her, and waited for an answer; but n.o.body spoke. There was a flush of annoyance on her cheeks, and that firm set about the mouth which generally indicated a danger signal.
”I intend to get to the bottom of it. It can't possibly be overlooked,”
she remarked, as she left the room to go and catechize the juniors.
For the rest of the morning lessons went on as usual. Immediately after dinner, however, Diana received a message to report herself in the study. She went slowly. She was still thinking; she had been doing nothing else but think since that midnight excursion down the stairs. It was rather a white-faced, anxious-eyed little Diana who entered the study. Miss Todd was sitting at her desk, and Hilary and Geraldine stood near her. They looked half resentful and half nervous.
”Diana,” began Miss Todd, ”I've sent for you because I believe you're the only girl who can throw any light on this most distressing business.
I'm going to ask you a straight question. Have you taken Hilary's ma.n.u.script? I expect a straight answer.”
”No,” breathed Diana, looking down on the floor.
”Look me in the face, Diana. Do you know where it is? Or anything at all about it?”
Diana's eyes raised themselves to the level of the Princ.i.p.al's knee, and then fell to the floor. She did not answer.
”Geraldine tells me that she saw you at Hilary's desk yesterday evening.”
No answer.
”You are known to have threatened to play a trick on Hilary!”
Still no answer.
”Very well, Diana. Until you condescend to explain, I can't allow you to mix with the rest of the school. We have rules here, and I intend they shall be obeyed. I make no exception for any pupil. You're inclined to think you have licence to do as you like, and play any pranks you choose here. I'm going to teach you a lesson for once. You'll stay in the attic until you choose to answer my question. I've dealt with obstinate girls before. Come along with me!”
Miss Todd rose, and, taking a key from her desk, led the way to the attic at the top of the little narrow staircase. The room was very simply furnished, and was always kept in readiness as a hospital in case any girl should be suddenly taken ill. It was not a particularly cheerful apartment; it had a skylight window, there were no pictures on the walls, and the floor was of scrubbed boards. It looked, as it was intended to be, arranged with the main object of being easily disinfected if necessary. Miss Todd ushered in Diana, and pointed to a chair.
”You may sit there and think it over,” she remarked. Then she shut the door, and locked it on the outside.
Left alone, Diana took a seat on one of the small iron bedsteads. Her face was a mixture of bewilderment and consternation.
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