Tales From Thistletop School - End Game #2


by Pettigrew <Pettigrew@hush.com>

Author's note

This is End Game #2. Smith is under suspicion. A plot is hatched. I also want to get my hands on Smith as he seems to have stolen the apostrophes again. Keep your fingers crossed, they might return.

Pettigrew

Six days following Wilkins' expulsion, Aubrey, the new Head Boy, received a letter with handwriting on the envelope that was not from a recognisable correspondent, though he thought he had seen it somewhere before. Aubrey usually received letters from his father, mother, siblings and, occasionally, from uncles and aunts; in these cases he always knew who the sender was before opening the envelope. He put it in his pocket to read later in his study.

Deep in the evening Aubrey was astonished to read Wilkins' account of what had happened to him and the reasons why he suspected Smith of being behind it. Aubrey and Wilkins had been close friends since prep school days; Aubrey knew that Wilkins could not have done the things of which he was accused: first, because he was sure that Wilkins was incapable of such wicked behaviour and, second, if abuse on that scale had been undertaken by Wilkins then Aubrey, whose study was next door to Wilkins', would have caught on to suspicious behaviour long ago. Thus he believed his friend implicitly and also was relieved that he no longer felt let down by him. What to do about this mess was another matter.

Aubrey pondered long and hard. He noted Wilkins warning that Dr de Ville's mind was closed on the matter and no number of reasoned arguments would make him reconsider. The only thing that would break the impasse was direct, irrefutable evidence of Wilkins' innocence and that meant finding incontrovertible proof of Smith's guilt.

In all honesty, Aubrey admitted to himself that he had never before had reason to dislike Smith or to suspect him capable of heinous acts. Yet, when viewed as the prime suspect in this sad affair Smith's previous attitude and behaviour could be seen in a different light, one that was consistent with the possibility of deceit and crime: one consistent with a dangerous, clever and cunning mind manipulating those around it.

Aubrey didn't, and indeed couldn't, fall into the trap that had consumed Dr de Ville. He realised that theory, however elegant and however well it explained the facts, was nothing more than a gossamer of thought to give purpose to action and not and end in itself. Further, he understood that Dr de Ville would not be budged from his theory by another that did nothing more than explain the same facts. No, the theory would have to be tested.

Aubrey was quite keen on detective novels and liked the writings of Agatha Christie about her eccentric Belgium private detective Hercule Poirot. Immediately the phrase "means, motive and opportunity" gyrated on the panoramic cinema screen before Aubrey's mind.

"Means: yes, access to the tools of abuse is easy."

"Motive: perhaps those of a mind that seeks to dominate others."

"Opportunity: Yes, Yes, Yes – Smith is sequestered in the attics. He has privacy. Sound doesn't carry. He has the power, both overt and implied, of a prefect. He could be king of that domain."

With these thoughts Aubrey concluded that Wilkins' theory was tenable and deserved to be tested, but how?

Aubrey's initial idea was to make contact with boys abused by Smith and to persuade them to testify against Smith, perhaps make written statements too. After further cogitation he realised that would not be enough to persuade Dr de Ville: the Headmaster might too easily dismiss this as a conspiracy by Wilkins' friends (thus equally implicated in Wilkins' foul behaviour) to get him reinstated so that the abuse could continue. Yet such evidence would be helpful, but could only be used to back up indisputable evidence: Smith being caught in the act.

In passing, it may be observed that Aubrey was already beginning to hone the sharp mental faculties that would one day make him a formidable barrister and, later, a distinguished judge.

By now it was half an hour past midnight and Aubrey had not retired for the night. The school was silent apart from distant howls of pain pleasure arising from the school cat's barbed, erect, penis having penetrated the vagina of a rather delectable, in cat terms, female cat that happened to be on heat. Actually, the school cat didn't really give a _d_a_m_n_ about delectability; from its point of view a moggy with that delightful "on heat" scent and with its tail raised to invite entry was not to be denied however old and decrepit it may be. Also, at the back of its small, yet intensely sybaritic, mind was the notion that later it could lie in great warmth and comfort on Dr de Ville's chest; in doing so it would, in companionable manner, doubtless share some of its parasitic friends with the good doctor.

Aubrey realised that he could not do this alone. A plan hatched in his mind. He went to bed and slept trouble free until morning.

Smith's alarm clock woke him half an hour before the rising bell was due to ring. He told Johann to make himself scarce; the lad went off for a lengthy shower. After a few moments Smith opened his study bedroom door and ushered in the youth who had been standing outside for a good five minutes. This was Chapman, a lower sixth former new to Smith's circle of victims. The previous evening Chapman had been arraigned before Smith's "court". He had been found guilty of smoking and had greatly feared the possibility of having to visit Dr de Ville. He was almost pathetically grateful when Smith gave him the alternative of a written confession to be followed by a course of Smith's anti-smoking therapy. He was given to understand that he would undergo a series of punishments at Smith's pleasure the first of which was to be administered this morning. During his trial Chapman had been subjected to no humiliations such as stripping and there were no other boys present in an unclad state at that time.

Chapman stood before Smith looking anxious. He was smartly dressed in his school uniform ready for the day's activities. He was a few months older than Smith and noticeably taller. He had a rounded fresh looking face topped by curly hair. His body was neither particularly thin nor chubby and, so far as could be discerned by peering at a clothed specimen, his musculature was about average for his age. His visible skin was fair and there was little sign that he yet needed to shave more than once a month. Overall Chapman presented a pretty appearance in the manner that so many boys in mid-adolescence do.

Smith said "Well Chapman I shall start you off easy today. You will receive a spanking."

Chapman knew that unofficial prefect's punishments could be humiliating though he had never before received one himself. Being spanked seemed a bit childish but surely it must be better than the cane.

Chapman replied "Yes Smith."

"Well get prepared" said Smith.

Chapman assumed that Smith wanted him to remove his jacket and then assume whatever the spanking position was to be. He hung his jacket over a nearby chair, turned, stood before Smith and asked "How must I position myself?"

Smith retorted "But you are not yet fully prepared Chapman."

Chapman looked puzzled.

Smith said "For a spanking you must be naked."

Chapman's jaw literally dropped. His face began to flush with intense embarrassment. He had been punished naked only once before and that had been by Dr de Ville during his second year at Thistletop School. The memory of that intense humiliation had faded but would never leave him. Indeed, Chapman was a rather shy and modest youth. Even in the communal showers he kept his modesty as well protected as possible by entering when there were few other boys, staying in for the minimal time necessary to get the business done and facing the wall as much as possible; not that he liked displaying his rear either but it was the lesser of two evils.

"But Smith, that can't be right. Its indecent. Its ...."

"Very well then. Its your choice. You shall go before Dr de Ville. You will certainly be naked then and don't forget the other disadvantages of Dr de Ville knowing about your transgression." Smith paused then said "I offered you an opportunity to set matters right but you are too much of a wimp to accept your punishment. That's it. Get out!"

Chapman looked about to say something more but Smith cut him off with "Out now! Dr de Ville will send for you in his own good time."

Chapman managed "But ...."

"Out!" bellowed Smith.

Chapman grabbed his jacket and dejectedly shuffled out closing the door behind him.

Three minutes later there was a timid tapping on Smith's door.

Smith shouted "Who's there?"

The door opened and Chapman, head bowed, re-entered the room.

"Well?" said Smith, knowing full well what was on Chapman's mind.

"Smith please. I am sorry. Please Smith let me take my punishment from you." Chapman muttered.

Smith said "If I am to punish you then you must obey my orders every step of the way without question or hesitation."

Chapman nodded mutely.

"You have not got off to a good start. This was to be the first and mildest punishment along the road to making you fear the consequences of smoking so that you will stop for ever."

Chapman noted the word "mildest" with trepidation.

"What proof can you give me that you can stay the course. If you can't you may as well go before Dr de Ville immediately rather than waste my time and yours" said Smith with faked anger.

Chapman, now desperately fearful of having to meet with Dr de Ville's punishment horse and of the possibility that he might never get a good Headmaster's reference, began blubbing softly. He mumbled "Please Smith give me another chance. You will see, I can take it."

Smith rose from his seat and clasped Chapman in a brotherly embrace, caressing the youth's right shoulder gently. He then stood back, looked Chapman full in the face with one of his beatific expressions and said "Don't take on so old chap. I know its hard, particularly for someone who must be modest as you are. Yet it must be done. I will help you through every step of the way."

Chapman's sobbing eased and stopped. He sniffed and then regained his composure.

Smith said "I am giving you another chance, just one. All you have to do is follow my every instruction."

Chapman nodded and smiled slightly, from relief.

"Very well. We will get you undressed in a way that leaves the embarrassing part to last and the final stage will be done in the least humiliating manner possible."

Chapman looked grateful. Chapman was almost ensnared. In the next few minutes Smith would play Chapman as might an angler a fish until the final triumph of complete capitulation. Smith knew that until Chapman was actually naked the youth's sense of modesty might yet prevail and Smith would have to abandon that particular fish. Indeed, Smith had began to enjoy his pursuit of this youth's humiliation, degradation and possibly, one day, deflowering more than that of any of his previous victims (Johann being an exception).

"O. K. Chapman. Please hang you jacket on the back of the chair." Chapman did so and turned to face Smith again.

"Good" said Smith with a friendly smile, "Now take off your tie and place it on the chair."

Chapman did so.

Smith gave another reassuring smile then said "I would like you to remove your shoes and socks and place them under the chair. You may sit on the chair to do that."

Chapman sat on the chair and removed his footgear. He stood again and received a gentle pat on the arm from Smith, accompanied by another friendly smile, as Smith said "You are doing fine. I am very pleased."

In some weird manner approbation from the tormentor made the victim feel better.

Then Smith said "I want you to remove your trousers now, but remember you will still have your underpants on."

Obediently, but somewhat more reluctantly, Chapman undid his trousers, lowered them, stepped out of them, folded then neatly and placed them over his jacket. He turned again to Smith.

"Now your shirt please" said Smith gently.

When Chapman turned again Smith had before him a handsome youth clad only in vest and underpants. The exposed flesh of his arms and legs fully confirmed the expectations that had arisen in Smith's mind from earlier perusal of the fully clothed lad. The underpants were covering well formed hips and there was a modest bulge at their front. However, Smith deliberately abstained from staring at the youth, as he frequently did with others at this stage in order to get them further reddened. His brief overall sweeping gaze was as if to confirm that his last order had been obeyed, nothing more. Smith intended that the process be matter-of-fact preparation for a punishment that necessitated chastising a bare behind but there was to be no indication that nudity itself was an element of the punishment in its own right. Smith smiled and gazed into Chapman's face. He said "Well done" then after a brief pause "Please remove your vest."

Chapman did so, rather slowly. When he turned back to Smith he had reddened a little more but seemed to be keeping his modesty under control. The formerly handsome lad was now positively beautiful to behold and yet more mysteries remained to tantalize.

As if reading some of Smith's earlier thoughts Chapman asked a question; in part he genuinely sought the answer and in, an unconscious, part he was procrastinating. "Smith, why is it necessary to be punished on the bare bottom and why I have to be entirely naked?" he meekly asked.

Smith perceived that this was simply a question and not incipient rebellion.

"For the same reasons that Dr de Ville punishes thus. With a bare bottom it is easier to determine whether a boy has received sufficient and not too much. It could be thought of as a kindness to ensure that no boy is given more than he can endure."

Chapman took this in, indeed was taken in by it, and nodded. He said "Please, but why naked?"

"School shirts and vests are quite long. They can get in the way. They are just a nuisance. Anyway once the bottom is naked it really makes little practical difference to the boy concerned if the rest of him is bare too" said Smith.

Chapman nodded again but seemed less convinced this time. Still no hint of rebellion though.

"Now" said Smith "we must get this over and done with. Please turn round."

Chapman turned his back on Smith. It was clear that his underpants concealed an ample bottom.

Smith said "Now, in your own time, take your pants down to the floor."

Chapman hesitated and it looked for a moment as though his modesty was being asked to take a step too far. However, his hands crept to his waist band and slowly the underpants descended. Smith watched a slowly expanding vista of buttocks and cleft. The buttocks were beautiful milky white, distinctly paler than the rest of Chapman's body and sun tan shadow marks became clearly visible at waist and, eventually, upper thigh levels. Chapman's buttocks were largish, without being grotesque on a boy, nicely rounded and predominantly muscular.

Chapman had to lean forward a little to ease the pants down. This expanded the vista before Smith in a very pleasant way.

Finally the pants were at ground level and Chapman straightened, his back still to Smith.

"Step out of your pants, please, and kick them to one side" said Smith.

Chapman complied. Smith noticed redness on Chapman's shoulders which must be indicative of much more on his face, neck and chest.

Chapman was standing with his hands to his sides. Smith let him be for a little while so that Chapman could get used to the new experience. Smith noticed that Chapman's breathing was steadying after a surge when the waistband of his underpants finally reached the base of his buttocks.

"Chapman?"

"Yes Smith?"

"Chapman when I give the word I want you to turn around. You may place your hands over your privates first, if you wish. Do you understand?"

"Yes Smith", Chapman murmured.

"Turn around and stand beside me" said Smith.

Chapman turned and with both hand cupped over his crotch moved with shuffling gait towards Smith. Smith, incidentally still in his pyjamas and dressing gown, was sitting upright on the side of his bed. He had placed a thin cushion on his lap; he had no desire for Chapman to deduce his state of excitement, certainly not today.

"Chapman, it will be necessary for you to bend forward and lie across my knee with your head and upper chest on the bed. Do you understand?"

"Yes Smith" Chapman said without much enthusiasm.

"To do so you will have to remove your hands from your crotch and use them to steady you as you lean forward into position. I won't look at you private parts. Understand?"

"Yes Smith."

"Very well let us begin" said Smith.

Slowly, ever so slowly, Chapman removed his hands from his crotch and made ready to bend over Smith's knees.

Chapman had bent about sixty degrees toward positioning himself across Smith's knees when suddenly Smith's left hand flashed out and grabbed Chapman's penis and balls in a vice like grip and used this purchase on Chapman's body to propel him swiftly toward the ideal punishment position; meanwhile Smith's right hand had attached to the centre of Chapman's back and helped propel the boy in the direction his balls were leading. In an instant Chapman was wholly at Smith's mercy: Chapman was bent over and Smith's left hand, having abandoned Chapman's testicles, now firmly held Chapman's right wrist in such a position that the youths arm was half way up his back and sudden movement would risk a fractured arm.

Chapman wailed "But you said you wouldn't look.".

Smith, his right hand beginning to explore the fascinating contours of Chapman's behind, said "I didn't: I grabbed and felt." On saying that he suddenly realised what he had felt: Chapman's penis had been circumcised. His tactile exploration told him this because Chapman's penis was entirely flaccid and there had been no (tactile) indication of a retracted foreskin above the spongy feel of Chapman's glans penis (Smith did not know the term but he recognised the structure). Circumcision was not uncommon in English public schools of the time. There were two precipitating circumstances for a cut penis; firstly, in a tiny minority, religion – predominantly the Jewish faith; secondly, English aristocratic and upper middle class fashion – a mutilating procedure based on an ill-informed pseudo-medical notion that this had something to do with hygiene. In the case of those of Jewish parentage the historical reason, lost in the mists of time, might have been the irritation of sand trapped under the prepuce of nomadic males in the desert; this reason hardly seems relevant to modern city dwelling Jews yet the demand for the barbaric procedure was perpetuated in the Talmud.

To Chapman's deepening consternation Smith seemed intent on giving both his buttocks a massage with his right hand. Never before had he been touched thus by another. Partly, he liked the sensation, mostly, he didn't; he knew it presaged something awful.

A moment later the something awful started. Smith brought his hand down sharply on Chapman's left buttock.

For an instant Chapman was aware only of the contact of flesh with flesh. There was no particular feeling. Microseconds later there was a sting on his buttock, a stinging sensation but nothing terrible. His buttock began to feel warm but it was not necessarily a bad feeling.

Then the right buttock, then the left. Over and over again. The stings were momentary but the warmth began building up. The sensation was still on the border between pleasant and horrible.

As Smith's hand rhythmically proceeded to make contact with the entirety of Chapman's left and right buttocks the balance tipped from pleasant warmth to impending agony. Chapman began to writhe about his pivotal point on the cushion. That very writhing meant that his penis was rubbing against the cushion. Chapman's higher mental functions, befuddled as they now were, had no concern with _s_e_x_ual arousal yet his baser physiology responded to the stimulus: his penis began to inflate. The process became exponential: every step increase in his penal size yielded a greater surface area to the pleasant abrasive effect engendered on his penis as the blows on his rump made him writhe. Physiology won over modesty and Chapman realised a full erection.

By now the compounding heat in Chapman's bottom had risen to a near unbearable level. The sheer agony in his rump overrode any awareness that his prime genital appendage had misbehaved.

Smith was deeply satisfied with his work so far. Chapman's bottom was a livid red and its owner's writhing (restrained by Smith's grip on an arm) was a sure sign that due chastisement was being received. Smith was unaware of the excitement in Chapman's previously dangling bodily extrusion.

Smith stopped the pounding to rest his hand which was beginning to be traumatised though nowhere near the extent of Chapman's bottom.

Smith said "Get your legs as far apart as you can."

Slowly Chapman obliged.

Smith then resumed pounding, this time on Chapman's inner left thigh. The effect of spanking this particularly sensitive area was dramatic: Chapman's writhing, and accompanying groaning and yelping, increased greatly in vigour.

Smith contemplated making Chapman stand up and then resume position from the opposite side of Smith's knees so that the inner right thigh could be dealt with likewise. He rejected the notion and instead gave Chapman's buttocks a further pounding until his hand hurt too much.

The punishment finished, Smith left Chapman over his knees a while longer while his hand gently kneaded the muscles of Chapman's bum. Chapman was sobbing quietly.

Finally, Smith bade Chapman stand up.

Stiffly Chapman rose. His face, neck and chest were almost as red as his bottom. Suddenly he became aware of his erect penis. He reddened even more, though that was scarcely possible.

Smith ordered "Hands on head Chapman."

The thoroughly befuddled youth obeyed and stood before Smith in total confusion, humiliation and continuing throbbing pain from his behind.

Smith stood up and looked Chapman straight in the eyes. His left hand grasped Chapman's balls. Chapman winced but kept to position. Chapman's scared eyes did not depart from Smith's gaze. Smith gave one of his beautiful smiles, somehow Chapman felt grateful.

"You can go Chapman. Report back here at two o'clock." It being Saturday Smith could command the attention of his slaves for the entire afternoon and evening.

The rising bell rang. Chapman hurriedly dressed and departed without another word being spoken.

Smith was in a happy, almost ecstatic mood, on Chapman's departure. Unfortunately, Johann on his return from a protracted spell in the shower was the one who shattered it. Actually what Johann physically shattered was Smith's plaster bust of Plato, a present from Smith's sister. Johann had returned draped in his towel. He whipped it off to stand naked before Smith in the hope that Smith might show affection. Sadly for Johann (and the bust) the end of the towel flicked round to knock the bust off the mantelpiece; the bust shattered.

Smith's face rapidly transformed in stages from its current state of beatific pleasure, through shock, through horror to almost primal anger. Yet Smith did not display anger in his words or tone of voice. He merely said "Johann, later today you will suffer for that."

Smith stalked out of his room to the bathroom. Petreson proceeded to dress knowing that whatever Smith had in mind for him was not likely to be pleasant. Petreson, though stoical, was fearful.

When Smith returned from the bathroom he was thoroughly aroused for sadistic pleasure: partly from the episode with Chapman, partly from Johann's sudden nakedness earlier and partly from anger at the loss of his plaster bust. He ordered Johann to strip, which Johann did as fast as he could. He bade Johann bend over with his legs wide apart and grasp his ankles. Taking the thin strap in his right hand Smith proceeded to apply it vigorously to Johann's rear and with a few strokes deliberately aimed to entwine themselves around Johann's thighs and into his crotch. As Smith was replacing the strap in his desk draw he said "I have something much more interesting in mind for you later." Johann gulped.

That Saturday morning at Aubrey's bidding his five closest chums, all prefects, assembled in Aubrey's study; extra chairs were brought in. There was an air of mystery about the occasion. Each had been asked either by Aubrey or by Standish, the new Deputy Head Boy, to come straight after breakfast and to tell absolutely nobody that a meeting was taking place.

Aubrey explained the circumstances leading to the gathering. Everyone present was a friend of Wilkins as well as of Aubrey. There was great relief when Aubrey explained that Wilkins was innocent and gave he have powerful arguments to support that contention though none present needed convincing.

"So," Aubrey said "we must catch Smith in the act. I believe he carries out his abuse in the attics, probably in that dorm next door to his study where Petreson and the others are housed. The question is how do we achieve that without arousing Smith's suspicions beforehand?"

Standish chipped in "We must do a recce when Smith's not there, get a feel for the lie of the land." Standish was a keen member of the Thistletop Army Cadet Corp.

Fanshaw added "Smith's not likely to be there this morning. I saw him and his three charges plus a couple of others set off for the village straight after breakfast." Smith fancied some exercise before being cooped up in the attic all afternoon.

"OK", said Aubrey, "we'll go now. Best not all of us. Me and Standish with Fanshaw keeping an eye out from a window on the floor below for sight of Smith returning up the school drive."

Everyone nodded agreement. Aubrey turned to Beamish and Carpenter who had not been charged with tasks and said "Wait here for us you chaps. When we return there shall be a council of war."

Aubrey and Standish did not creep up the stairs to the attics. They strode up as befits prefects entitled to be there. At the top of the stairs Aubrey shouted "Smith, are you there? I want a word." This was just in case Smith had unexpectedly returned while the discussion on tactics was taking place. Aubrey had concocted a story as to why he needed to see Smith.

There was no answer.

Aubrey walked past Smith's study door and shouted "Anyone here know where Smith is?"

Silence.

The two boys checked all the rooms on the corridor and found nobody. Then they systematically searched Smith's study. It did not take long to find the following: a whippy junior cane, a senior cane, a thin strap, a broad strap, a large right footed slipper (no left one nearby), a right handed rubber glove (recently stolen from the kitchen by Thorpe to replace the one now in Dr de Ville's possession), and a strange device in a wooden box to which they paid little attention.. Smith, inexplicably, was well stocked with butter.

In the occupied dorm next door they found a paddle (actually an unusually large Ping Pong bat).

Aubrey said "Where do you think he carries out his torments?"

Standish said "I reckon he likes an audience. His study is a bit small for that. Also, look, the beds in here are pushed much more closely together than usual. That makes a large floor space at this end of the dorm for all kinds of mischief."

"Let's assume for now that this is the place" said Aubrey. "How are we going to catch him in the act?"

"Let's look in the other rooms" said Standish.

The three other unused and yet to be refurbished dorms were locked. However, there was a large closet type room, perhaps once used to store cleaning equipment, on the other side of the dorm from Smith's study. Its door was closed but not locked. Aubrey and Standish entered.

The spacious closet was empty apart from a couple of battered old chairs, a bucket and a step ladder propped to one side.

"If only we could see and hear from here what is going on in the dorm" said Aubrey wistfully.

Standish mulled this over then said "This wall between the closet and dorm is not brick." He tapped it. "It is a flimsy ply-wood partition. We could make holes."

"Brilliant" said Aubrey. "Be a good chap and nip down to the craft room (woodwork was not on the curriculum as the pupils were young gentlemen rather than budding artisans but there was a small workshop where boys could indulge in craft hobbies) and get the necessary tools. Also bring a dustpan and brush. On your way please check that all is well at Fanshaw's station. Do so also when coming back in case he has left his station to raise the alert. Meanwhile I will poke around this attic a bit more."

Standish, smiled, nodded and hurriedly departed on his errand.

Eight minutes later Standish returned, a little flushed. He bore with him a dustpan and brush, and a tool, the name of it neither boy knew, which looked ideal for boring holes.

Standish suggested that a couple of holes should be made as high up as possible, within their reach when standing on the step ladder or one of the chairs. They then returned to the dorm to select unobtrusive sites for the two holes. That done, they bored the holes from within the closet, swept up a small amount of wood dust and plaster from the dorm and hurriedly departed to Aubrey's study, collecting Fanshaw on the way.

Back in Aubrey's study everyone was delighted at the progress. Aubrey said that each hole gave a perfect view of the entire dorm and yet would not be noticed unless someone were suspicious, also it should be possible to hear most of what is said in the dorm because the partition is so thin. The downside, Aubrey pointed out, was that those on watch would have to be very careful not to make the slightest sound.

Fanshaw said he thought it likely that Smith would be up to no good this afternoon and perhaps also after tea. His reason for suggesting the afternoon was that he knew it to be Smith's habit to go into the village in the afternoon, he ran into him there most Saturdays, yet Smith had gone in the morning on this occasion. It should be noted that generally boys were expected to do prep on a Saturday morning but if they had none they were free to go out so long as they were back for lunch.

Carpenter caused a momentary feeling of despond in the group when he said "Even if we catch Smith in the act we will not be believed. I think that any boy he torments will be too frightened to point the finger at Smith even if there is physical evidence of abuse about his body."

Beamish asked why Smith's victims should be so scared to which Carpenter responded "I believe it likely that there is a circle of boys, perhaps an expanding one, that Smith abuses. Most of those boys will have been abused on several occasions and by now may be utterly in Smith's thrall. We need evidence from victims we know are fresh and we know will do the right thing."

"What are you suggesting?" asked Aubrey.

"What I am suggesting may be beyond the pale morally." Carpenter paused for a moment then continued "We need sacrificial victims, say two boys who deliberately upset Smith and then take the consequences knowing fully that they have to go through with it."

There was shocked silence.

Finally Standish said "Much as I hate the idea I believe Carpenter is correct. What's more when we have established that abuse is taking place, and have our reliable witnesses who have undergone it, we shall still need a master to witness it for himself before Dr de Ville will be convinced."

These remarks were followed by a brief but anguished debate. In the end everyone was convinced by what Carpenter and Standish had said.

"So" said Aubrey summing up "the plan is this. We identify two willing victims and hope that they might get summoned to Smith this afternoon. We watch what is going on. When we are certain of the abuse we enlist the aid of a master and arrange for him to witness abuse himself, perhaps this evening."

The others nodded.

"Which boys and which master" asked Standish.

"As for the master I suggest Mr Dawson. He is the most approachable. Also, although he is a junior master I believe he is respected by Dr de Ville" said Fanshaw.

Nobody objected to this suggestion.

The question of the sacrificial victims was more difficult. Eventually it was decided to approach Standish's cousin Pearson and Pearson's close friend Blenkinsopp. The persuasive reasons were that the pair were known to be plucky little fellows, they went around together and were accomplices in many scrapes (as evinced by frequent slipperings from prefects and two visits to Dr de Ville) and, from the ethical point of view, they were believed to be sufficiently strong characters to decline the "honour" if they chose.

Aubrey said "Its ten thirty, time presses. Standish would you be so kind as to flush out Pearson and Blenkinsopp and bring them here as quickly as possible?"

Standish departed and five minutes later returned with the sacrificial lambs in tow.

Aubrey asked everyone but Standish to leave so that the prospective victims would not be intimidated.

Pearson and Blenkinsopp were aged a month short of fifteen and two months over respectively. Both were slender, but by no means weaklings, and both were slightly above average height for their age. Each had a lively and intelligent looking face that usually wore an expression of good humour, sometimes too much humour for their own good.

Aubrey started by outlining the Smith situation and asked whether either had anything to ask thus far.

Blenkinsopp said that Smith was feared by the junior school and everyone tried not to let his eye fall upon them. He added that he believed Smith to also be feared by his fellow fifth formers and by some of the lower sixth. Pearson nodded vigorously.

When pressed on what Smith did neither boy knew. All they could add was that those whom they knew to have come to Smith's attention wouldn't talk about it.

Aubrey then said "Look here Blenkinsopp and Pearson we've called you here because we want to put a stop to Smith. You can help us but you will be placing yourselves in danger of serious abuse from Smith. We don't know exactly what he will do apart from, most likely, beating you. If you go along with this you will have to see it through to the end, endure whatever Smith prescribes just as his other victims have. We have approached you because we know you to be brave and reliable. However, there is no dishonour to either of you if you decline; the matter will never be mentioned again but you will have to swear to utmost secrecy until Smith is dealt with."

Any humour in the boys' expressions had been replaced with looks of gravitas, again backed by a general impression of underlying intelligence.

"Do you want to go away for a few minutes to think about it?" asked Standish.

There was short pause. Pearson and Blenkinsopp looked at each other and then nodded. They turned to face Aubrey and Standish then Pearson said "We'll do it." Blenkinsopp nodded his agreement.

Aubrey said, "Ideally you should find a way to come to Smith's attention when he gets back from the village and before lunch. We believe he uses minor disciplinary matters as the excuse to drag boys into his circle of torment. Do you know what some of your reticent classmates did to come to his attention?"

"Some of them were caught by Dobson for being out of bounds in the kitchens, smoking, or being improperly dressed. Dobson passes all his "cases" on to Smith" said Pearson.

"Do you two think you can come up with something suitable to bring you to Smith's or Dobson's attention very soon?" asked Aubrey.

The boys smiled and said "Yes" in unison. They then departed to commit their mischief.

Aubrey invited the rest of the prefects back into his study and they constructed a plan for how the surveillance would take place without Smith suspecting.

To be continued.


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