No one could find out the
culprit, so the investigation was postponed until morning. Classes were
suspended next day. Every student, including the invalid, was present in
the study-hall. The entire faculty sat in judgment. The president
opened the meeting with a severe lecture, during which he quoted
that it "was better that ten guilty ones should escape rather than that
one innocent person should suffer." He called urgently upon the guilty
ones to stand up and declare themselves. His invitation was not
accepted.
"Now boys, you know that it is a strict dormitory rule that no one there
shall speak above a whisper. The noise you made last night was heard
distinctly in the village a mile away. All of you who did not break the
rule last night put up your hands."
Every boy's hand in the study hall was at once raised. The president
looked perplexed, and said: "Perhaps you misunderstood me. To make
it plain to you, I want every boy who did not raise his voice above a
whisper after retiring last night to stand up."
The first on their feet were Paul and Stockie, whose good example was
followed without any exception by every boy in the school. The president
was dumbfounded. He shook his head sadly. After a brief consultation
with the professors he remarked.
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