Then the teacher came back, and recess was over. There was half an hour of practising on some school songs. After that Miss Williams gave out some writing exercises to be done at home.

She went to the little storeroom to fill an ink-well. Jed Burr threw a wad of paper at some girls as the teacher’s back was turned. He jumped on his seat and was getting ready to go through what he thought was some smart antics, when Miss Williams cried out sharply, and came back into the schoolroom.

“Who pushed the large bottle of ink off the table in the storeroom?” she asked, sternly.

No one replied. There was utter silence as she looked from face to face.

“Some one did,” went on Miss Williams. “It lies broken on the floor, and the ink is all over the room.” And necks were craned to notice her black footmarks from the storeroom.

[21]

[21]

Bob Held His Breath, for It Was a Startling Sight

[22]

[22]

[23]

[23]

Miss Williams waited a moment or two for some one to speak. Then she asked:

“Has any one of the scholars been in the storeroom this morning?”

“Yes, Bob Bouncer,” said a quick voice.

Bob knew that it was Jed Burr who had spoken. He flushed a little, and rose to his feet.

“I was in the storeroom, but it was only for a second, Miss Williams,” he said.

“Then you broke the bottle of ink?”

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