Prologue Summary

The story begins with a bunch of schoolboys disobeying the rules and going for a swim at the quarry pool. While they are teasing and bullying each other, one of them, Peter Middleton, drowns. The official story told at the inquest differs from the true events, and the cover-up and treachery begin that is to continue for three decades as their schooldays follows the characters through their lives.

The boys at Windfield School were confined to their rooms because six gold coins have been stolen from the desk of the Latin master, Mr. Offerton. Micky Miranda and his roommate Edward Pilaster are in their room talking while they study. Micky wants to go swimming and Edward reminds him that he will incur the Striper, or ash cane flogging, of the schoolmaster if he is caught. He says they can go through the room...