We cannot, of course, profess to be able to suggest
the true explanation of the fires and their origin, but one thing strikes us in regard to them, and as we have not seen it noted in the controversy, it may be worth while to mention it. It is assumed by the authorities that no one from outside could possibly have started the fires. Such assumptions of impossibility are always dangerous, and in the present case there is one curious fact against that assumption. After the insubordination at the Camberley Fair the cadets were "confined to their quarters for a few days." During those days no fire occurred, though if a large number of cadets were in the conspiracy of arson or sympathised with it in any way they would have been just the days chosen for an outbreak of fire. The very day after leave was restored and the restrictions were cancelled a fire occurred, and o ccurred when there were very few cadets in their quarters, and when most of them were outside the building. Now if it were a person outside who kindled the fires, he clearly would not attempt to do so when all the cadets were confined to their quarters, and so, we presume, were swarming all over the build- ing. The risk would be too great. He would wait till the cancelling of the restrictions emptied the quarters and gave opportunities for slipping into the rooms.
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