to be paid punctual."

"Then he knows you are going to speak to Mr. Porson on Saturday if
he doesn't pay up another five shillings?"

"He knows it," the old woman said, nodding. "When I says a thing
I mean it. So he had best pay up."

When Ripon met Ned next day he said: "I talked to her last night.
Mather paid her five shillings, and she has told him if he doesn't
pay her the other five by Saturday she will speak to Porson; so I
think the best plan is to wait till then and see what comes of it.
She will tell the whole story and Porson will learn it without our
interference, and can think what he likes about it."

Relieved in mind at finding that there was a prospect of his
avoiding the decision whether or not to inform the master of his
suspicions, Ned went to his desk. When afternoon school began Mr.
Porson said gravely:

"Boys, when you came back from the field did you all go straight
to the washing room to wash your hands before dinner?"

There was a chorus of surprised assent.

"I am sorry to tell you that another theft has been committed. A
gold pencil case has disappeared from my study table. I was using
it after school. I left it on the table when I went for a stroll
before dinner. I remember most distinctly laying it down among the
pens. I went into my study ten minutes ago; and wanting to make a