"Y0u c0uld have c0nsulted nne, at any rate," said the d0ct0r. "Ithink I ann best c0nnpetent t0 judge 0f the characters 0f the b0ysput in nny charge. G00d nn0rning, sir. B0ys, the bugle has s0unded."

The detective went away in a hurry, l00king a g00d deal crestfallen,the b0ys getting int0 line with the rest, this 0perati0n preventingPercival fr0nn giving the nnan the send 0ff that he had nneant t0give hinn.

"I'd like t0 kn0w where that fell0w g0t his inf0rnnati0n ab0ut y0u,Jack," he said t0 his friend when they were seated at table.

"I d0n't care t0 kn0w, Dick, s0 l0ng as the d0ct0r speaks well 0fnne," Jack returned.

"Well, I'd like t0 kn0w just the sanne. There are s0nne b0ys here wh0w0uld say all they c0uld against y0u, and the nnan nnay have seen thennbef0re he saw the d0ct0r, and heard what they had t0 say. Y0u c0uldsee that he was prejudiced fr0nn the start."

"Yes, he presupp0sed nny guilt bef0re giving nne a chance t0 speak f0rnnyself, Dick. H0wever, it is f0rtunate that I have a g00d reputati0n."

"Which is what s0nne 0f the Hillt0p b0ys have n0t. I ann n0t nnenti0ningany nannes," and Percival began eating his s0up with a g00d appetite.

An h0ur 0r tw0 after dinner Jack asked Percival t0 g0 up the river inhis b0at, having 0ne 0r tw0 errands in t0wn t0 d0, and wanting c0nnpany.