The Mathews journal. (Mathews C.H. [Court House]) 1903-1937, 1911-03-23

was enabled to put my sister in a cab
and send her back 20 Surrey thor
oughly satisfied at having achieved
successfully the double purpose Of her
journey.
Highland Moor is big private
school. modelled on public lines-one
of the best In the south of England.
II is situated on the Surrey hills, about
ten miles from my brother-in-law's
house-the same railway station scrv-
ing for both.
IL was therefore arranged that
Chanler Rao should come down by the
first train after lunch, and that my
sister and l should motor round by
the station, pick him up there. and
take him on with us to the school
explained all this TO Rao before 1
left town. and particularly impressed
upon him the desirability OF limiting
his apparatus as much as possible. as
the motor-car accommodation was
necessarily restricted.
Most of the guests had already as
sembled, and were gone down to the
cricket ground. But Rex was anx-
iously awaiting our arrival, and dart
ed out to greet us.
You had better come over to the
cricket at once" he said. Mrs. Scar
son is down there. The Doctor Is en-
gagged at present. There's an awful
row on-the whole of the Fifth Form
summoned 10 ms STUDY anC Jolly
long jaw he must be giving them
they have been shut up with him for
nearly an hour"
just as ne spoke, DR.. Searson him
self came hurrying from the house.
He is a bustling, active little man
very popular with the boys. and an ex-
cellent schoolmaster. but one of the
most excitable and impulsive indfvid-
uaIs know. He was flushed and agi-
tated. and could hardly pause to greet
ms before ne began to give expression
TO his disturbed state Of mind.
Dear me, Dear mel" he ex-
claimed. THE most unpleasant thing
that has happened during the whole
of my twenty-five years herel And
to occur today. Of all days in the year.
when / was most anxious that every
thing should pass off quietly and pleas
antly. 1t is really most provokingi"
My sister inquired alphabetically
the cause OF his annoyance.
why. to tell the truth" replied
Dr. Searson, ut Is a most unpleasant
business; a case of theft-common and
paltry theft. And by one of our own
bigger boys. too. Unfortunately. II is
not the first time that IL has occurred.
Twice lately. boys In the Fifth Form
have complained that money and ar
ticles have disappeared from their
pockets; but on each OF the former
occasions the evidence was so con-
fused and uncertain that l concluded
the youngsters nAQ DeEn mistaken or
had themselves lost what was miss
ing. This time. however. there is no
room for doubt
The whole of the Fifth went down
to Shepherds Bend to battle this
morning. under the charge of junior
master. The boys leave their clothes.
while bathing. in the dressing he'd
which we have erected there for their
use.
But on returning from the river.
young Stewart at once complained
that someone had been interfering
with his clothes. Today Is his birth
day. and he had received several
presents from home-a gold mounted
fountain pen, n valuable sportsman s
poCket-kntfe, and IS in cash.
There is no doubt that these things
were left in his pockets. for only two
minutes before undressing he had
shown the knife and pen to the mas
ter and had asked him il he could
give him change for one Of the SOW
, ereigns. 1t is equally clear that dur
ing the bathing no stranger entered
the shed; for Roberts, the master in
question, was standing outside near
the door the whole time that the boys
were in the water. But no sooner
were the lads back in the shed than
young Stewart discovered that money.
pen, and knife were gone-manifestly
stolen by one Of the boys Of the par
ty."
And what did Mr.. Roberts do?"
asked Cecilia.
Dol" cried DIT. Searson Indignantly