Possible Clues:

• Reason for absence
• Supposed reason for failure
• Pardon? Just see about ten, see you
• Seek to justify (a fault)
• Cop-out
• Upstanding community members
• Apology from retired copper on case of sabotage
• It may be poor
• 'The dog ate my homework,' e.g.
• Tennyson's Lady Clara heard to turn away