"I can't account for it, excepting by thinking it was part of a plot against us."
"Hum!" The doctor turned to Stanley. "Have you anything to add to Rover's story?"
"Nothing, sir, excepting that it is absolutely true, Doctor Wallington."
After this the boys were questioned for the best part of an hour, but without shaking their testimony in the least. Then Songbird was called in, and he told what he knew.
"If your story is true, it is a most extraordinary occurrence," said the head of Brill at last. "But I must confess that I can scarcely credit such a tale. However, I will, for the time being, give you the benefit of the doubt, and in the meantime make some investigations on my own account. If I find you have not told the truth I shall dismiss you from the college. Do you understand that?"
To this the students bowed.
"One thing more. All of you may return to your classes but Thomas Rover. He has an extra charge against him, that of assaulting Professor Sharp. Thomas Rover, you will remain here. The rest of you can go."
With strange feelings in their hearts Dick, Sam and Stanley, accompanied by Songbird, left
