human
Dear Dr Jolliffe, can I speak to you a moment. I would not, you may be sure, disturb you during school hours if there were not urgent reason for the interruption.
gpt
Where is Lord Woodruff?
human
Waiting in the cloister at the foot of the stair, sir.
gpt
Dr Jolliffe, he cried, directly he saw him,
human
Well, you see, Lord Woodruff, said the doctor,
gpt
Pretty nearly, I think, Dr Jolliffe. Your boys wear a distinctive cap of dark flannel?
human
Yes; but when they get shabby they are thrown aside, and many of the village youths round about get hold of them and wear them.
gpt
Aye, said Lord Woodruff,
human
It looks suspicious, certainly,
gpt
I am very sorry indeed to give you trouble, and to risk bringing any discredit on the school, said Lord Woodruff.
human
But you see one of my men has been seriously injured, and that in my service, and if we could find this boy, his evidence would enable us to trace the cowardly ruffian who struck the blow.
gpt
Then you would want to--to prosecute him, in short.
human
In confidence, doctor, I should be glad not to do so if I could help it, and if he would give his evidence freely it might be avoided. But it may be necessary to frighten him, if we can find him, that is. And, doctor, allow me to say that if this were merely a boyish escapade, a raid upon my pheasants, I should be content to leave the matter in your hands, considering that a sound flogging would meet the case. But my man being dangerously hurt alters the whole business. I owe it to him, and to all others in my employ, not to leave a stone unturned to discover the perpetrator of the outrage, and I call upon you, Dr Jolliffe, to assist me.
gpt
Can your lordship suggest anything you would like done towards the elucidation of this mystery? he said.
human
In spite of the jacket and cuffs, I find it difficult to suppose that any Weston boy is in league with poachers. But you may rely on my doing all in my power to aid you in any investigation you may think desirable.
gpt
I expected as much, and thank you, replied Lord Woodruff.
human
It occurred to me, then, that it might be well, as a preliminary measure, to collect the boys together in one room and lay the case before them, promising impunity to the offender, if present, on condition of his turning queen's evidence.
gpt
It shall be done at once, said the doctor.
human
Will you speak to them, or shall I?
gpt
It does not much matter, replied Lord Woodruff.
human
Perhaps the pledge would come better from me, the natural prosecutor.
gpt
Very good.