The party seemed to be astonished that their return created no sensation. No restraint was placed upon them, and when they landed each went where he chose, but most of them found their way to the warm rooms of the Institute.
"Have you had a pleasant time, Nevers?" asked the colonel, when he met the chief of the Regulators.
"Not very, sir," replied Nevers, with a ghastly smile.
This was all the allusion that was made to the affair. Provisions disappeared with astonishing rapidity at the supper table that night.
The Regulators looked very tame and "chapfallen" for a day or two; and Nevers condescended to inform Richard that the whole thing was a bad failure.
Colonel Brockridge had requested Mr. Gault and Richard to be entirely silent in regard to what had transpired while they were upon the island. He did not explain his purpose to Richard, but his injunction was faithfully observed.
The Regulators, even to Nevers and Redman, were very cordial and considerate towards their intended victim, and Richard believed they had abandoned their wicked purpose, till, on Saturday morning, he missed his French exercise book. Without it, he could not recite his lesson, and he was checked for the failure, and reported to Colonel Brockridge. The principal sent for him, and every boy in school supposed he was under censure for the deficiency.
On Sunday night, when the boys were permitted to walk, Masters told Richard that Bailey wished to see him on particular business near the Grove shed, as the building was called. Richard promised to meet him at the place assigned. He waited there some time, but as Bailey did not come, he returned to the parlor of the Institute. He met Bailey there, and asked if he wished to see him.
"Yes; I wanted to show you something in the shed, but it will do just as well in the morning," replied Bailey, somewhat to the astonishment of Richard, who, of course, understood what all these things were for.
"What was it?" asked the intended victim.
"It was a piece of your exercise book; and I didn't know but the piece might enable you to find the whole."
While they were talking the alarm of fire was given; but before they could reach the spot, some ready hands had extinguished the flames. In accordance with the programme laid down upon the island, pieces of Richard's exercise book, some of them half burned, were found in and near the shed. Several cards of matches, and half the printed paper that had enclosed the original bunch, were also picked up near the building which had been devoted to destruction.
An investigation was immediately commenced. The boys were ordered to the school room. The pieces of Richard's exercise book were examined. A dozen boys had seen its owner standing near the shed before the fire originated. The teachers were sent to examine the closets for further evidence. Not only were several cards of matches found in Richard's closet, but also part of the printed envelope that had enclosed them.
This piece of paper was a portion of the wrapper, of which the other part had been found in the shed.
These facts were duly announced to the boys, and it seemed as clear as noonday that Richard Grant was the incendiary. He was ordered to report forthwith at the office, and the boys were dismissed for the night.
"We have fixed him this time," said Nevers, in a whisper, as he and Redman left the room.
"He is under arrest, and to-morrow he will be sent home in disgrace,"
replied Redman, rubbing his hands. "Nevers, you will be the next captain of Company D."
"We have broken the fellows' idol, at any rate. Grant will spend the night in the guard house," added Nevers.
Nevers was slightly mistaken; for Richard, though he did not appear in Barrack B that night, occupied the guest chamber of Colonel Brockridge's private residence. His friends, especially Bailey, were gloomy and sad. The more lukewarm ones were sure, and always had been, that Grant was a bad boy.
On Monday morning, when the boys had assembled in the school room, Colonel Brockridge appeared, followed by Richard. The students understood that the incendiary case was to be settled, and a breathless silence pervaded the hall.
"Grant stands before you accused of a very grave offence," the principal began. "We cannot permit a boy who sets fire to a building to remain in the Institute. If guilty, he must be expelled. But Grant assures me this is a conspiracy to injure him. He declares that there is a secret organization in the Institute called the Regulators, who have determined to drive him away from the school. Some of us have heard of such an institution before, but its existence has never been clearly proved. Redman, do you know any thing of such an association."
"I never heard of it before, sir," replied Redman.
"Do you, Nevers?"
"No, sir."
"Grant charges you both with being connected with the Regulators."
"Let him prove it," said Nevers, in defiant tones.
"Who is Dobbin?" asked the principal.
"I never heard the name before," answered Nevers. "I think it is very hard to be accused without evidence. I hope you will make Grant prove what he says, sir."
"I will, my chief," said Richard, at a nod from the colonel; and, without giving the source of his information, he told all he knew about the Regulators.
"How many officers have the Regulators?" asked Mr. Gault, rising from his chair, at the farther end of the room.
"_One, whom all obey_," replied Richard, repeating what he had heard on the island.
"Who is he?"
"_Nevers._"
"Are there traitors among us?" continued Mr. Gault.
"_Not a traitor._"
"What shall be done to him who discloses the secrets of the Regulators?" asked the teacher.
"_He shall be pounded till he is black and blue, and, as man and boy, be despised till the end of his life_," replied Richard, repeating the words of the Regulators as nearly as he could remember them.
"What do you think of this, Nevers?" asked the colonel.
"I don't know what it all means, sir," answered he, with a well-counterfeited look of astonishment.
There were a great many pale faces, beating hearts, and quivering lips in the seats, for it was certain that the daylight had been shining in upon the dark doings of the Regulators. Who was the traitor? who had betrayed the secrets of the fraternity? Confusion and trembling overwhelmed the Regulators.
"Before we proceed any farther," continued the principal, "if there are any of this secret band present who wish to acknowledge their guilt, and are willing to be forgiven, they may stand."
The silence was intense and deep. Nevers and Redman did not move a muscle, but some of the mutineers glanced at each other, and seemed to be in doubt.
"Now is the only time for confession," added the colonel.
Half a dozen boys rose; then one after another followed their example, till it seemed as if the whole band intended to absolve themselves from their vows. Those who rose were ordered to the rear of the room. Only ten of the band decided to abide the issue. They were called out by name.
"Here are the rest of the Regulators," said the colonel, when the obdurate ones had taken their places upon the platform.
Mr. Gault told his story, and Richard told his. The evidence was complete and overwhelming. Two of the teachers had been concealed in the shed, and had seen Redman set it on fire, and scatter the pieces of the exercise book in the vicinity. Another had seen Masters place the matches in Richard's closet. The colonel, knowing the details of the plot beforehand, had arranged every thing so as to insure the conviction of the conspirators.
"Boys," said Colonel Brockridge, "I am happy to inform you that Grant is entirely innocent."
Those in their seats received this announcement with a storm of applause.
"I knew he was innocent from the beginning."
Another burst of applause.