THE TRIPLE ALLIANCE

ITS TRIALS AND TRIUMPHS

By HAROLD AVERY

CONTENTS. 

Chapter. 

 I. A NEW BOY, II. THE PHILISTINES, III. DISCOMFITURE OF THE PHILISTINES, IV. THE SUPPER CLUB, V. CATCHING A TARTAR, VI. GUNPOWDER PLOT, VII. RONLEIGH COLLEGE, VIII. THIRD FORM ORATORY, IX. A HOLIDAY ADVENTURE, X. A SCREW LOOSE IN THE SIXTH, XI. SHADOWS OF COMING EVENTS, XII. THE WRAXBY MATCH, XIII. THE ELECTIONS, XIV. A PASSAGE OF ARMS, XV. THE READING-ROOM RIOT, XVI. THE CIPHER LETTER, XVII. DIGGORY READS THE CIPHER, XVIII. A SECRET SOCIETY, XIX. A CHAPTER OF ACCIDENTS, XX. SOWING THE WIND, XXI. REAPING THE WHIRLWIND, XXII. WHEN SHALL WE THREE MEET AGAIN?

CHAPTER I. 

A NEW BOY. 

"What's your name?"

"Diggory Trevanock. "

The whole class exploded. 

"Now, then, " said Mr. Blake, looking up from his mark-book with a broadgrin on his own face--"now, then, there's nothing to laugh at. --Lookhere, " he added, turning to the new boy, "how d'you spell it?"

Instead of being at all annoyed or disconcerted at the mirth of hisclass-mates, the youngster seemed rather to enjoy the joke, andimmediately rattled out a semi-humorous reply to the master'squestion, --

"D I G, dig; G O R Y, gory--Diggory: T R E, tre; VAN, van; O C K, ock--Trevanock. " Then turning round, he smiled complacently at theoccupants of the desks behind, as much as to say: "There, I've doneall I can to amuse you, and I hope you're satisfied. "

This incident, one of the little pleasantries occasionally permitted bya class master, and which, like a judge's jokes in court, are alwayswelcomed as a momentary relief from the depressing monotony of theserious business in hand--this little incident, I say, happened in thesecond class of a small preparatory school, situated on the outskirts ofthe market town of Chatford, and intended, according to the wording of astanding advertisement in the _Denfordshire Chronicle_, "for the sons ofgentlemen. "

This establishment, which bore the somewhat suggestive name of "TheBirches, " was owned and presided over by Mr. Welsby, who, with anunmarried daughter, Miss Eleanor, acting as housekeeper, and hisnephew, Mr. Blake, performing the duties of assistant-master, undertookthe preliminary education of about a dozen juveniles whose ages rangedbetween ten and fourteen. 

On the previous evening, returning from the Christmas holidays, exactlytwelve had mustered round the big table in the dining-room; no newfaces had appeared, and Fred Acton, a big, strong youngster of fourteenand a half, was undisputed cock of the walk. 

The school was divided into two classes. The first, containing the fiveelder scholars, went to sit at the feet of Mr. Welsby himself; while thesecond remained behind in what was known as the schoolroom, and receivedinstruction from Mr. Blake. 

It was while thus occupied on the first morning of the term that thelower division were surprised by the sudden appearance of a new boy. Miss Eleanor brought him into the room, and after a few moments'whispered conversation with her cousin, smiled round the class and thenwithdrew. Every one worshipped Miss Eleanor; but that's neither herenor there. A moment later Mr. Blake put the question which standsat the commencement of this chapter. 

The new-comer's answer made a favourable impression on the minds of hiscompanions, and as soon as the morning's work was over, they set aboutthe task of mutual introduction in a far more friendly manner than wascustomary on these occasions. He was a wiry little chap, with brighteyes, for ever on the twinkle, and black hair pasted down upon his head, so as not to show the slightest vestige of curl, while the sharp, mischievous look on his face, and the quick, comical movements of hisbody, suggested something between a terrier and a monkey. 

There was never very much going on in the way of regular sports orpastimes at The Birches; the smallness of numbers made it difficult toattempt proper games of cricket or football, and the boys were forced tocontent themselves with such substitutes as prisoner's base, cross tag, etc. , or in carrying out the projects of Fred Acton, who was constantlymaking suggestions for the employment of their time, and compellingeverybody to conform to his wishes. 

Mr. Welsby had been a widower for many years; he was a grave, scholarlyman, who spent most of his spare time in his own library. Mr. Blake wassupposed to take charge out of school hours; he was, as every one said, "a jolly fellow, " and the fact that his popularity extended far and wideamong a large circle of friends and acquaintances, caused him to have agood many irons in the fire of one sort and another. During their hoursof leisure, therefore, the Birchites were left pretty much to their owndevices, or more often to those of Master Fred Acton, who liked, as hasalready been stated, to assume the office of bellwether to the littleflock. 

At the time when our story commences the ground was covered with snow;but Acton was equal to the occasion, and as soon as dinner was over, ordered all hands to come outside and make a slide. 

The garden was on a steep slope, along the bottom of which ran the brickwall bounding one side of the playground; a straight, steep path laybetween this and the house, and the youthful dux, with his usualdisregard of life and limb, insisted on choosing this as the scene ofoperations. 

"What!" he cried, in answer to a feeble protest on the part of Mugford, "make it on level ground? Of course not, when we've got this jolly hillto go down; not if I know it. We'll open the door at the bottom, and goright on into the playground. "

"But how if any one goes a bit crooked, and runs up against the bricks?"

"Well, they'll get pretty well smashed, or he will. You must gostraight; that's half the fun of the thing--it'll make it all the moreexciting. Come on and begin to tread down the snow. "

Without daring to show any outward signs of reluctance, but withfeelings very much akin to those of men digging their own graves beforebeing shot, the company set about putting this fearful project intoexecution. In about half an hour the slide was in good working order, and then the fun began. 

Mugford, and one or two others whose prudence exceeded their valour, made a point of sitting down before they had gone many yards, preferringto take the fall in a milder form than it would have assumed at a laterperiod in the journey. To the bolder spirits, however, every trip waslike leading a forlorn hope, none expecting to return from theenterprise unscathed. The pace was terrific: on nearing the playgroundwall, all the events of a lifetime might have flashed across the memoryas at the last gasp of a drowning man; and if fortunate enough to whizthrough the doorway, and pull up "all standing" on the level stretchbeyond, it was to draw a deep breath, and regard the successfulperformance of the feat as an escape from catastrophe which was nothingshort of miraculous. The unevenness of the ground made it almostimpossible to steer a straight course. A boy might be half-way down thepath, when suddenly he felt himself beginning to turn round; an agonizedlook spread over his face; he made one frantic attempt to keep, as itwere, "head to the sea;" there was an awful moment when house, garden, sky, and playground wall spun round and round; and then the little groupof onlookers, their hearts hardened by their own sufferings, burst intoa roar of laughter; while Acton slapped his leg, crying, "He's over!What a stunning lark! Who's next?"

At the end of an hour and a half most of the company were temporarilydisabled, and even their chief had not escaped scot free. 

"Now then for a regular spanker!" he cried, rushing at the slide. A "spanker" it certainly was: six yards from the commencement his legsflew from under him, he soared into the air like a bird, and did nottouch the ground again until he sat down heavily within twenty paces ofthe bottom of the slope. 

One might have supposed that this catastrophe would have somewhat dampedthe sufferer's ardour; but instead of that he only seemed fired with afresh desire to break his neck. 

He hobbled up the hill, and pausing for a moment at the top to takebreath, suddenly exclaimed, "Look here, I'm going down it on skates. "

Every one stood aghast at this rash determination; but Acton hurried offinto the house, and soon returned with the skates. He sat down on abank, and was proceeding to put them on, when he discovered that, by some oversight, he had brought out the wrong pair. "Bother it! thesearen't mine, they're too short; whose are they?"

"I think they're mine, " faltered Mugford. 

"Well, put 'em on. "

"But I don't want to. "

"But I say you must!"

"Oh! please, Acton, I really can't, I--"

"Shut up! Look here, some one's got to go down that slide on skates, sojust put 'em on. "

It was at this moment that Diggory Trevanock stepped forward, andremarked in a casual manner that if Mugford didn't wish to do it, butwould lend him the skates, he himself would go down the slide. 

His companions stared at him in astonishment, coupled with which was afeeling of regret: he was a nice little chap, and they had already begunto like him, and did not wish to see him dashed to pieces against theplayground wall before their very eyes. Acton, however, had decreedthat "some one had got to go down that slide on skates, " and it seemedonly meet and right that if a victim had to be sacrificed it should be anew boy rather than an old stager. 

"Bravo!" cried the dux; "here's one chap at least who's no funk. Put 'em on sharp; the bell 'll ring in a minute. "

Several willing hands were stretched out to assist in arming Diggory forthe enterprise, and in a few moments he was assisted to the top of theslide. 

"All right, " he said; "let go!"

The spectators held their breath, hardly daring to watch what wouldhappen. But fortune favours the brave. The adventurous juvenile rusheddown the path, shot like an arrow through the doorway, and the nextinstant was seen ploughing up the snow in the playground, and eventuallydisappearing head first into the middle of a big drift. 

His companions all rushed down in a body to haul him out of the snow. Acton smacked him on the back, and called him a trump; while Jack Vancepresented him on the spot with a mince-pie, which had been slightlydamaged in one of the donor's many tumbles, but was, as he remarked, "just as good as new for eating. "

From that moment until the day he left there was never a more popularboy at The Birches than Diggory Trevanock. 

"I say, " remarked Mugford, as they met a short time later in thecloak-room, "that was awfully good of you to go down the slide insteadof me; what ever made you do it?"

"Well, " answered the other calmly, "I thought it would save me a lot ofbother if I showed you fellows at once that I wasn't a muff. I don'tmind telling you I was in rather a funk when it came to the start; butI'd said I'd do it, and of course I couldn't draw back. "

The numerous stirring events which happened at The Birches during thenext three terms, and which it will be my pleasing duty to chronicle insubsequent chapters, gave the boys plenty of opportunity of testing thecharacter of their new companion, or, in plainer English, of finding outthe stuff he was made of; and whatever his other faults may have been, this at least is certain, that no one ever found occasion to chargeDiggory Trevanock with being either a muff or a coward. 

One might have thought that the slide episode would have affordedexcitement enough for a new boy's first day at school; yet before itclosed he was destined to be mixed up in an adventure of a stillmore thrilling character. 

The Birches was an old house, and though its outward appearance wasmodern enough, the interior impressed even youthful minds with a feelingof reverence for its age. The heavy timbers, the queer shape of some ofthe bedrooms and attics, the narrow, crooked passages, and the littleunexpected flights of stairs, were all things belonging to a bygone age, of which the pupils were secretly proud, and which caused them toremember the place, and think of it at the time, as being in some waydifferent from an ordinary school. 

"I say, Diggy, " exclaimed Jack Vance, addressing the new boy by thefriendly abbreviation, which seemed by mutual consent to have beenbestowed upon him in recognition of his daring exploit--"I say, Diggy, you're in my bedroom: there's you, and me, and Mugford. Mug's an awfulchump, but he's a good-natured old duffer, and you and I'll do thefighting. "

"What do you mean?"

"Why, sometimes when Blake is out spending the evening, and old Welsbyis shut up in his library, the different rooms make raids on oneanother. It began the term before last. Blake had been teaching us allabout how the Crusaders used to go out every now and then and make warin Palestine, and so the fellows on the west side of the house calledthemselves the Crusaders, and we were Infidels, and they'd come over andrag us, and we should drive them back. Miss Eleanor came up one night, and caught us in the middle of a battle. O Diggy, she is a trump!Blake asked her next day before us all which boys had been out on thelanding, because he meant to punish them; and she laughed, and said:'I'm sure I can't tell you. Why, when I saw they were all in theirnight-shirts, I shut my eyes at once!' Of course it was all an excusefor not giving us away. She doesn't mind seeing chaps in theirnight-shirts when they're ill, we all know that; and once or twicewhen for some reason or other she told us on the quiet that theremustn't be any disturbance that evening, no one ever went crusading--Acton would have licked them if they had. Acton's going to propose toMiss Eleanor some day, he told us so, and--"

"But what about the bedrooms?" interrupted Diggory; "have you given uphaving crusades?"

"Yes, but we have other things instead. We call our rooms by differentnames, and it's all against all; one lot come and make a raid on you, and then you go and pay them out. This term Kennedy and Jacobs sleep inthe room above ours, and next to the big attic. They're always readingsea stories, and they call their room the 'Main-top, ' because it's sohigh up. Then at the end of the passage are Acton, Shaw, and Morris, and they're the 'House of Lords;' and next to them is the 'Dogs' Home, 'where all the other fellows are put. "

A few hours later Diggory and his two room-mates were standing at thefoot of their beds and discussing the formation of a few simple rulesfor conducting a race in undressing, the last man to put the candle out. 

"You needn't bother to race, " said Mugford; "I'll do it--I'm sure to bethe last. "

"No, you aren't, " answered Vance. "We'll give you coat and waistcoatstart; it'll be good fun--"

At this moment the door was suddenly flung open, two half-dressedfigures sprang into the room, and discharged a couple of snowballspoint-blank at its occupants. One of the missiles struck Diggory on theshoulder, and the other struck Mugford fair and square on the side ofthe head, the fragments flying all over the floor. There was a subduedyell of triumph, the door was slammed to with a bang, and the muffledsound of stockinged feet thudding up the neighbouring staircase showedthat the enemy were in full retreat. 

"It's those confounded Main-top men!" cried Jack Vance; "I will pay themout. I wonder where the fellows got the snow from?"

"Oh, I expect they opened the window and took it off the ledge, "answered Diggory. "Look here--let's sweep it up into this piece ofpaper before it melts. "

This having been done, the three friends hastily threw off their clothesand scrambled into bed, forgetting all about the proposed race in theireagerness to form some plan for an immediate retaliation on theoccupants of the "Main-top. "

"I wonder if they'll hear anything of the ghost again this term?" saidMugford, "What ghost?" asked Diggory. 

"Oh, it's nothing really, " answered Vance; "only somebody said oncethat the house is haunted, and Kennedy and Jacobs say the ghost must bein the big attic next their room. They hear such queer noises sometimesthat they both go under the bed-clothes. "

"Do they always do that?"

"Yes, so they say, whenever there is a row. "

"Well, then, " said Diggory, "I'll tell you what we'll do: we'll go veryquietly up into that attic, and groan and knock on the wall until youthink they've both got their heads well under the clothes, and thenwe'll rush in and bag their pillows, or drag them out of bed, orsomething of that sort. You aren't afraid to go into the attic, areyou?" he continued, seeing that the others hesitated. "Why, of coursethere are no such things as ghosts. Or, look here, I'll go in, andyou can wait outside. "

"N--no, I don't mind, " answered Vance; "and it'll be an awful larkcatching them with their heads under the clothes. "

"All right, then, let's do it; though I suppose we'd better wait tillevery one's in bed. "

The last suggestion was agreed upon, and the three friends lay talkingin an undertone until the sound of footsteps and the gleam of a candleabove the door announced the fact that Mr. Blake was retiring to rest. 

"He's always last, " said Vance; "we must give him time to undress, andthen we'll start. "

A quarter of an hour later the three boys, in semi-undress, werecreeping in single file up the narrow staircase. 

"Be careful, " whispered Vance; "there are several loose boards, and theycrack like anything. "

The small landing was reached in safety, and the moon, shining faintlythrough a little skylight formed of a single pane of glass, enabled themto distinguish the outline of two doors. 

Now it was a very different matter, when lying warm and snug in bed, totalk about acting the ghost, from what it was, when standing shiveringin the cold and darkness, to put the project into execution. During theperiod of waiting the conversation had turned on haunted houses, and noone seemed particularly anxious to claim as it were the post of honour, and be the first to enter the big attic. 

"Go on!" whispered Mugford, nudging Vance. 

"Go on!" repeated the latter, giving Diggory's arm a gentle push. 

The new boy had certainly undertaken to play the part of the ghost, andthere was no excuse for his backing out of it at the last moment. 

"All right, " he muttered, "I'll go. "

Just then a terrible thing happened. Diggory clutched the door-knob asthough it were the handle of a galvanic battery, while Mugford and Vanceseized each other by the arm and literally gasped for breath. 

The stillness had been broken by a slight sound, as of something fallinginside the attic, and this was followed a moment later by a shrill, unearthly scream. 

For five seconds the three companions stood petrified with horror, notdaring to move; then followed another scream, if anything more horriblethan the last, and accompanied this time by the clanking rattle of achain being dragged across the floor. 

That was enough. Talk about a _sauve qui peut_! the wonder is that anyone survived the stampede which followed. The youngsters turned andflew down the stairs at break-neck speed, and hardly had they startedwhen the door of the "Main-top" was flung open, and its two occupantsrushed down after them. As though to ensure the retreat being nothingless than a regular rout, Mugford, who was leading, missed his footingon the last step, causing every one to fall over him in turn, until allfive boys were sprawling together in a mixed heap upon the floor. 

Freeing themselves with some little difficulty from the generalentanglement, they rose to their feet, and after surveying each otherfor a moment in silence, gave vent to a simultaneous ejaculation of"_The ghost_!"

"What were you fellows doing up there?" asked Kennedy. 

"Why, we came up to have a joke with you, " answered Vance; "but justwhen we got up to the landing, it--it made that noise!"

There was the sound of the key turning in the lock of Mr. Blake's door. 

"_Cave_!" whispered Mugford. 

"Tell him about it, " added Vance; and giving Diggory a push, they allthree darted into their room just as the master emerged from his, arrayed in dressing-gown and slippers. 

"Now, then, " exclaimed the latter, holding his candle above his head, and peering down the passage, "what's the meaning of this disturbance?I thought the whole house was falling down. --Come here, you two, andexplain yourselves!"

"Please, sir, " answered Kennedy and Jacobs in one breath, "it's theghost!"

"The ghost! What ghost? What d'you mean?"

The two "Main-top" men began a hasty account of the cause of theirsudden fright, taking care, however, to make no mention of the threehostile visitors who had shared in the surprise. 

Mr. Blake listened to their story in silence, then all at once he burstout laughing, and without a word turned on his heel and went quicklyupstairs. He entered the attic, and in about half a minute they heardhim coming back. 

"Ha, ha! I've got your ghost; I've been trying to lay him for some timepast. "

The jingle of a chain was distinctly audible; Mr. Blake was evidentlybringing the spectre down in his arms! Diggory and Vance could nolonger restrain their curiosity; they hopped out of bed and glancedround the corner of the door. The master held in his hand a rusty oldgin, the iron jaws of which were tightly closed upon the body of anenormous rat. 

"There's a monster for you!" he said; "I think it's the biggest I eversaw. He'd carried the trap, chain and all, right across the room, butthat finished him; he was as dead as a stone when I picked him up. Now get back to bed; I should think you're both nearly frozen. "

Diggory and Jack Vance followed the advice given to Kennedy and Jacobs, and did so rather sheepishly. They felt they had been making tools ofthemselves; yet it would never have done to own to such a thing. 

"What a lark!" said the new boy, after a few moments' silence. 

"Wasn't it!" returned Jack Vance; "it's the best joke I've had for along time. But we didn't pay those fellows out for throwing thosesnowballs; we must do it some other night. And now we three must swearto be friends, and stand by each other against all the world, andwhatever happens. What shall we call our room?"

"I know, " answered Diggory: "we'll call it 'The Triple Alliance!'"

CHAPTER II. 

THE PHILISTINES. 

The Triple Alliance, the formation of which has just been described, wasdestined to be no mere form of speech or empty display of friendship. The members had solemnly sworn to stand by one another whateverhappened, and the manner in which they carried out their resolve, andthe important consequences which resulted from their concerted actions, will be made known to the reader as our story progresses. 

Poor Mugford certainly seemed likely to be a heavy drag on theassociation; he was constantly tumbling into trouble, and needing to bepulled out again by those who had promised to be his friends. 

An instance of this occurred on the day following Diggory's arrival atThe Birches. He and Vance had gone down after morning school into whatwas called the playroom, to partake of two more of the latter'smince-pies, and on their return to the schoolroom found a crowdassembled round Acton, who, seated on the top of a small cupboard whichalways served as a judicial bench, was hearing a case in which Mugfordwas the defendant, while Jacobs and another boy named Cross appeared asplaintiffs. 

The charge was that the former was indebted to the latter for the sum ofhalf a crown, which he had borrowed towards the end of the previousterm, in separate amounts of one shilling and eighteen pence, promisingto repay them, with interest, immediately after the holidays. The moneyhad been expended in the purchase of a disreputable old canary bird, forwhich Noaks, the manservant, had agreed to find board and lodging duringthe Christmas vacation. Now, when the creditors reminded Mugford of hisobligations, they found him totally unable to meet their demands forpayment. 

"Now, look here, " said Acton, addressing the defendant with greatseverity, "no humbug--how much money did you bring back with you?"

"Well, I had to pay my brother before I came away for my share in atelescope we bought last summer, and then--"

"Bother your brother and the telescope! Why can't you answer myquestion? How much money did you bring back with you?"

"Only five bob. "

"Then why in the name of Fortune don't you pay up?"

"Because I had to pay all that to Noaks for bird-seed. "

"D'you mean to say that that bird ate five shillings' worth of seed infour weeks?"

"Well, so Noaks says; he told me he'd kept scores of birds in his time, but he'd 'never seen one so hearty at its grub before. ' Those were thevery words he used, and he said it was eating nearly all the day, andthat's one reason why it looks such a dowdy colour, and never sings. "

"Well, all I can say is, if you believe all Noaks tells you, you're afool. But that's no reason why these two chaps should be done out oftheir money; so now, how are you going to pay them?"

"If they only wait till pocket-money's given out--" began Mugford. 

"Oh no, we shan't!" interrupted Cross. "He only gets sixpence a week, and he's always breaking windows and other things, and having itstopped. "

There seemed only one way out of the difficulty, and that was to put asit were an execution into Mugford's desk, and realize a certain amountof his private property. 

"Look here, " said Acton, "he must sell something. --Now, then, " he added, turning to the defendant, "just shell out something and bring it here atonce, and we'll have an auction. "

The boy walked off to his desk, and after rummaging about in it for somelittle time, returned with a miscellaneous collection of small articlesin his arms, which he proceeded to hand up one by one for the judge'sinspection. 

"What's this?"

"Oh, its a book that was given me on my birthday, called 'Lofty Thoughtsfor Little Thinkers. '"

"Lofty grandmother!" said Acton impatiently. 

"What else have you got ?"

"Well, here's a wire puzzle, only I think a bit of it's lost, and theclasp of a cricket belt, and old Dick Rodman's chessboard and some ofthe men, and some stuff for chilblains, and--"

"Oh, dry up!" interrupted Acton; "what bosh! Who d'you expect would buyany of that rubbish? Look here, we'll give you till after dinner, andunless you find something sensible by then, we shall come and hunt forourselves. "

"That's just like Mug, " said Jack Vance to Diggory, as the group of boysslowly dispersed; "he's always doing something stupid. But I suppose aswe made that alliance, we ought to try to help the beggar somehow. "

They followed their unfortunate comrade to his desk, which when openeddisplayed a perfect chaos of ragged books, loose sheets of paper, brokenpen-holders, pieces of string, battered cardboard boxes, and otherrubbish. 

"Look here, Mug, what have you got to sell? you'll have to fork outsomething. "

"I don't know, " returned the other mournfully, stirring up the contentsof the desk as though he were making a Christmas pudding. "I've gotnothing, except--well, there's this book of Poe's, 'Tales of Adventure, Mystery, and Imagination, ' and my clasp-knife; and perhaps some onewould buy these fret-saw patterns or this dog-chain. "

He turned out two or three more small articles and laid them on theform. 

"Are there any of these things you particularly wish to keep?" askedDiggory; "because, if so, Vance and I'll bid for them, and then you canbuy them back from us again when you've got some more money. "

"That's awfully kind of you, " answered Mugford, brightening up. "I'lltell you what I should like to keep, and that's my clasp-knife and thebook; they're such jolly stories. 'The Pit and the Pendulum' alwaysgives me bad dreams, and 'The Premature Burial' makes you feel certainyou'll be buried alive. "

"All right; and did you bring a cake back with you?"

"Yes. "

"Well, then, sell that first, and you can share our grub. "

The auction was held directly after dinner. The cake fetched ashilling, and Diggory and Vance bid ninepence each for the book andpocket-knife; so Mugford came out of his difficulty without sufferingany further loss than what was afterwards made good again by thegenerosity of his two comrades. They, for their part, made no fuss overthis little act of kindness, but handed the book and clasp-knife overto Mugford without waiting for the money, and little thinking what animportant part these trifling possessions would play in the subsequenthistory of the Triple Alliance. 

The sale had not long been concluded, and the little community werepreparing to obey Acton's order to "Come outside, " when the latterrushed into the room finning with rage. 

"I say, " he exclaimed, "what do you think that beast of a Noaks hasdone? Why, he's gone and put ashes all over our slide!"

In their heart of hearts every one felt decidedly relieved at thisannouncement; still it was necessary, at all events, to simulate some oftheir leader's wrath, and accordingly there was a general outcry againstthe offender. 

"Oh, the cad!"--"What an awful shame!"--"Let's tell Blake!" etc. , etc. 

"Who is Noaks?" asked Diggory. "Is he that sour-looking man who bringsthe boots in every morning?"

"Yes, that's so, " answered Vance. "He hates us all--partly, I believe, because his son's a Philistine. I wonder old Welsby doesn't get anotherman. "

"His son's a _what?_" asked Diggory; but at that moment Acton camemarching round the room ordering every one out into the playground, andJack Vance hurried off to get his cap and muffler without replying tothe question. 

Sliding was out of the question, and the "House of Lords" having amusedthemselves for a time by capturing small boys and throwing them into thesnow-drift, some one remarked that it would be good fun to build a snowman; which proposition was received with acclamation, and all hands weresoon hard at work rolling the big balls which were to form the base ofthe statue. As the work progressed the interest in it increased, themore so when Diggory suggested that the figure should be supposed torepresent the obnoxious Noaks, and that the company could then relievetheir feelings by pelting his effigy as soon as it was completed. Every one was pleased with the project, and even Acton, who as a rulewould never follow up any plan which was not of his own making, tookspecial pains to cause the snow man to bear some likeness to theoriginal. He had just, by way of a finishing touch, expended nearlyhalf a penny bottle of red ink in a somewhat exaggerated reproduction ofthe fiery hue of Noaks's nose, when the bell rang for afternoon school, and the bombardment had to be postponed until the following day. 

It was no small trial of patience being thus obliged to wait nearlytwenty-four hours before wreaking their vengeance on the effigy; stillthere was no help for it. The boys bottled down their feelings, andwhen at last the classes were dismissed, and the dux cried, "Come on, you fellows!" every one obeyed the summons willingly enough. There hadbeen a slight thaw in the night, and the statue stood in need of sometrifling repairs. Acton suggested, therefore, that the half-hourbefore dinner should be devoted to putting things to rights, and tomaking some small additions in the shape of pebbles for waistcoatbuttons, and other trifling adornments. 

Mr. Welsby kept the boys at the table for nearly a quarter of an hourafter the meal was finished, talking over his plans for the coming term, and when at last he finished there was a regular stampede for theplayground. Acton was leading the rush; he dashed through the gardendoorway, and then stopped dead with an exclamation of dismay. All thosewho followed, as they arrived on the spot, did the same. Every vestigeof the snow man, which had been left barely an hour ago standing such awork of art, had disappeared. Certainly a portion of the pedestal stillremained, looking like the stump of an old, decayed tooth; but thefigure itself had been thrown down, trodden flat, and literally stampedout of existence!

The little crowd stood for a moment speechless, gazing with woebegoneexpressions on their faces at the wreck of their hopes and handiwork;then the silence was broken by a subdued chuckle coming from the otherside of the wall on their left, and every one, with a start and a suddenclinching of fists, cried simultaneously: "The Philistines!"

The words had hardly been uttered when above the brickwork appeared thehead and shoulders of a boy a size or so bigger than Acton;a dirty-looking brown bowler hat was stuck on the very back of his head, and rammed down until the brim rested on the top of his ears; and itwill be quite sufficient to remark that his face was in exact keepingwith the manner in which he wore his hat. Once more everybody gave ventto their feelings by another involuntary ejaculation--"Young Noaks!"

The stranger laughed, pulled a face which, as far as ugliness went, washardly an improvement on the one Nature had already bestowed upon him, and then pointed mockingly at the remains of the masterpiece. 

His triumph, however, was short-lived. Jack Vance, as he left thehouse, had caught up a double handful of snow, which he had beenpressing into a hard ball as he ran down the path, determining in hisown, mind to be the first to open fire on the snow man. Without amoment's hesitation he flung the missile at the intruder's head, and, tothe intense delight of his companions, it struck the latter fairly onthe mouth, causing him to lose his precarious foothold on the wall andfall back into the road. 

It needed no further warning to inform the Birchites that thePhilistines were upon them, and every one set to work to lay in a stockof snowballs as fast as hands could make them. "Look out!" criedKennedy. Young Noaks's face rose once more above the top of the wall, and the next moment a big stone, the size of hen's egg, whizzed pastDiggory's head, and struck the garden door with a sounding bang. 

"Oh, the cad!" cried Acton; "let's go for him. "

The whole garrison combined in making a vigorous sortie into the road;but it was only to find the enemy in full retreat, and a few droppingshots at long range ended the skirmish. 

"I say, Vance, " exclaimed Diggory, "who are they? Who are thesefellows?"

Now, as the aforesaid Philistines play rather an Important part in theopening chapters of our story, I propose to answer the question myself, in such a way that the reader may be enabled to take a more intelligentinterest in the chain of events which commenced with the destruction ofthe snow man; and in order that this may be done in a satisfactorymanner, I will in a few words map out the ground on which this memorablecampaign was afterwards conducted. 

Take the well-known drawing of two right angles In Euclid's definition, and imagine the horizontal line to be the main road to Chatford, whilethe perpendicular one standing on it is a by-way called Locker's lane. In the right angle stood The Birches; the house itself faced theChatford road, while behind it, in regular succession, came first thesloping garden, then the walled-in playground, and then the small fieldin which were attempted such games of cricket and football as thelimited number of pupils would permit. There were three doors in theplayground--one the entrance from the garden, another opening into thelane, and a third into the field, the two latter being usually keptlocked. 

Locker's Lane was a short cut to Chatford, yet Rule 21 in The BirchesStatute-Book ordained that no boy should either go or return by thisroute when visiting the town; the whole road was practically put out ofbounds, and the reason for this regulation was as follows:

At the corner of the playing field the lane took a sharp turn, and abouta quarter of a mile beyond this stood a large red-brick house, shut inon three sides by a high wall, whereon, close to the heavy double doorswhich formed the entrance, appeared a board bearing in big letters thelegend--

 HORACE HOUSE, Middle-Class School for Boys. A. PHILLIPS, B. A. , Head-master. 

The pupils of Mr. Phillips had been formerly called by Mr. Welsby's boysthe Phillipians, which title had in time given place to the presentnickname of the Philistines. 

I have no doubt that the average boy turned out by Horace House was asgood a fellow, taking him all round, as the average boy produced by TheBirches; and that, if they had been thrown together in one school, theywould, for the most part, have made very good friends and comrades. However, in fairness both to them and to their rivals, it must be saidthat at the period of our story Mr. Phillips seemed for some time pastto have been unusually unfortunate in his elder boys: they wereundoubtedly "cads, " and the character of the whole establishment, as faras the scholars were concerned, naturally yielded to the influence ofits leaders. 

It had been customary every term for the Birchites to play a matchagainst them either at cricket or football; but their conduct during avisit paid to the ground of the latter, back in the previous summer, hadbeen so very ungentlemanly and unsportsmanlike that, when the nextchallenge arrived for an encounter at football, Mr. Welsby wrote back apolite note expressing regret that he did not see his way clear topermit a continuation of the matches. This was the signal for anoutbreak of open hostilities between the two schools: the Philistinescharged the Birchites in the open street with being afraid to meet themin the field. These base insinuations led to frequent exchanges oftaunts and uncomplimentary remarks; and, last of all, matters werebrought to a climax by a stand-up fight between Tom Mason, Acton'spredecessor as dux, and young Noaks. The encounter took place justoutside the stronghold of the enemy, the Birchite so far getting thebest of it that at the end of a five minutes' engagement he proclaimedhis victory by dragging his adversary along by the collar and bumpinghis head a number of times against the very gates of Horace House. Unfortunately a rumour of what had happened got to the ears ofMr. Welsby. Mason was severely reprimanded, and his companions wereforbidden, under pain of heavy punishment, to walk in Locker's Lanefurther than the corner of their own playing field. 

"But who is young Noaks?" asked Diggory, as Jack Vance finished a hastyaccount of this warfare with the Philistines. 

"Why, that's just the funny part of it, " returned the other. "This SamNoaks is the son of our Noaks, but he's got an uncle, called Simpson, who lives at Todderton, where I come from. This man Simpson made a lotof money out in Australia, and when he came back to England he adoptedyoung Noaks, and sends him here to Phillips's school. "

By this time the home forces had all struggled back into the playground. In one corner stood a wooden shed containing a carpenter's bench, achest for bats and stumps, and various other things belonging todifferent boys. Acton, as head of the school, kept the key, and havingunfastened the door, summoned his followers inside to hold an impromptucouncil of war and discuss the situation. There was a grave expressionon each face, for every one felt that things were beginning to lookserious. Mason, the only one of their number who had been physicallyequal to the leaders of their opponents, was no longer among them, andthe enemy, evidently aware of their helpless condition, had dared forthe first time to actually come and beard them in their own den. 

"What I want to know first is this, " began Acton. "You can see by thefootmarks that they came in through that door; of course it's alwayskept locked, and here's the key hanging up inside the shed. Now whoopened it for them, and how was it done?"

"Perhaps it wasn't fastened, " suggested Morris. 

"Yes, it was, " answered Kennedy excitedly. "I noticed that thismorning, when we were picking up stones for the snow man's buttons. "

"Then I tell you what it is, " continued Acton solemnly: "some one here'splaying us false, and my belief is it's old Noaks. D'you remember lastterm when Mason and Jack Vance and I made a plot for going down andthrowing crackers into their yard? Well, they must have heard of itfrom some one; for they were all lying in wait for us behind the wall, and as soon as we got near to it they threw cans of water over us andpelted us with stones. "

There was a murmur of suppressed wrath at the memory of the fate of thisgallant expedition. 

"Yes, " added Shaw, "and I believe some one told them about this snowman. "

"Well, one thing's certain, " said Acton--"we must serve 'em out somehowfor knocking it down. They evidently think now Mason's gone they can dowhat they like, and that we shall be afraid of them. Now what can wedo?"

There was a silence; every one felt that a serious crisis had arrived inthe history of the Birchites, and that unless some immediate steps weretaken to avenge this insult they would no longer be free men, but livein constant terror of the Philistines;--every one, I say, felt that somebold action must be taken, yet nobody had a suggestion to make. 

"Well, look here, " said Acton, "something's got to be done. We must allthink it over, and we'll have another meeting in a week's time; then ifany one's made a plan, we'll talk it over and decide what's to be done. "

"Jack, " said Diggory two evenings later, "you know what Acton said aboutthe Philistines; well, I've got part of a plan in my head, but I shan'ttell you what it is till Wednesday. "

CHAPTER III. 

DISCOMFITURE OF THE PHILISTINES. 

On Wednesday afternoon, as soon as dinner was over, Acton summoned hisfollowers to attend the council of war which was to decide whatreprisals should be taken on the Philistines for the destruction of thesnow man. Every one felt the importance of a counter-attack, for unlesssomething of the kind were attempted, as Acton remarked in his openingspeech, "they'll think we're funky of them, and they'll simply come downhere as often as they like, and worry us to death. "

"Couldn't we tell Mr. Welsby?" suggested Butler, a timid small boybelonging to the "Dogs' Home. "

"Tell Mr. Welsby!" cried half a dozen voices in withering tones;"of course not!"

It was well known by both parties that whenever the real state ofaffairs became known to their respective head-masters, the war wouldcome to an abrupt termination; and the great reason why each sideforbore to make any open complaint against the other was undoubtedlybecause every one secretly enjoyed the excitement of the campaign, andfelt that a peace would make life rather dull and uninteresting. 

"The thing that licks us, " said Acton, "is what I was speaking aboutlast week: somehow or other, they always seem to know just what we're upto, and it's no use our doing anything, because they're always prepared. Some one's acting the spy. I can't think it's any of you fellows, but Ibelieve it's old Noaks. You see his son's there, and for some reason orother he seems to hate every one here like poison. Now, what are we todo?"

There was a silence, broken at length by Diggory Trevanock. 

"I don't know what you think, " he began, "but it seems to me it's no usemaking any plans until we find out who tells 'em to the Philistines. I should say that Noaks is the fellow who does it, but we ought tomake certain. "

"Yes, but how are we to do it?" asked Acton, laughing; "that's just whatI want to know. "

"Well, I've got a bit of a plan, " returned the other, "only I shouldlike to tell it you in private. "

"All right, " answered the dux; "come on outside. Now, then, what isit?"

"Why, " said Diggory, "it's this (I didn't want the other chaps to hear, because then it'll prove who's the spy). You say the last time you wentdown to throw some crackers over the wall they were all lying in waitfor you. Well, let you and me go into the boot-room when Noaks is atwork there, and pretend to make a plan as though we were going to do itagain to-morrow night; then two of us might go down and see if they'reprepared. If so, it must have been Noaks who told them, because no oneelse knows about it. I'll go for one, and Jack Vance'll go for another. I'll tell him to keep it dark, and you can let us in and out of thedoor. "

"Oh--ah!" said Acton, "that isn't a bad idea; at all events we'll tryit. "

The project was put into immediate execution. That same afternoon, justbefore tea, Acton and Diggory discussed the bogus plan in Noaks'shearing, while Jack Vance, having been admitted into their confidenceand sworn to secrecy, willingly agreed to go out with Diggory and formthe reconnoitering party which was to report on the movements of theenemy. 

"I knew you'd come, " said the latter; "and we'll show them what sort ofstuff the Triple Alliance is made of. "

On the following evening, as soon as tea was over, the two friendsslipped off down into the playground, where they were joined a minutelater by Acton, who, unlocking the shed, took down from the peg on whichit hung the key of the door in the outer wall. 

"You'll have plenty of time, " he said, glancing at his watch, "and withthis moonlight you'll soon be able to see if they're about. I'll keepthe door, and let you in when you come back. "

The next moment the two members of the Alliance were trotting downLocker's Lane. It was a bright, frosty night, and the hard ground rangbeneath their feet like stone. They turned off on to the grass, lestthe noise should give the enemy warning of their approach; and whenwithin about a hundred yards of Horace House, pulled up to consider fora moment what their plan of action should be, before proceeding anyfurther. 

"I don't see any one, " said Jack Vance. 

"Perhaps they are hiding, " answered Diggory. "Look here! let's get intothis field and run down on the other side of the hedge until we getopposite the gate. "

The stronghold of the Philistines was silent as the grave. The twochums crouched behind a thick bush, and peering through its leaflessbranches could see nothing but the closed double doors, and a stretch ofblank wall on either side. 

"There's no one about, " whispered Vance; "I don't believe old Noaks hastold them. "

"Wait a minute, " answered Diggory. "I'll see if I can stir any ofthem;" and so saying, he knelt up, and cried in an audible voice, "Now, then, are you all ready?"

Diggory and Jack Vance dropped flat on their stomachs, for the words hadhardly been uttered when the doors were flung open, and at least ten ofthe Philistines rushed out into the road with a yell of defiance. Many of them were bigger than Acton, and what would have been the fateof the two Birchites had they kept to the road instead of acting onDiggory's suggestion of advancing under cover of the hedge, one hardlydares to imagine. 

"Hullo!" cried young Noaks, who had headed the sortie. "There's nobodyhere, and yet I'll swear I heard them somewhere. "

"So did I, " answered another voice; "they must have cut and run. "

"There's no place for them to run to, " returned Noaks; "they must bebehind that hedge. --Come out of it, you skunks!"

A big stone came crashing through the twigs within a yard of Diggory'shead. The two boys crouched close to the low earth bank and held theirbreath. 

"They must be about somewhere, " cried Noaks. "I knew they were coming, and I'm sure I heard some one say, 'Are you ready?' They're behind thathedge. We can't get through, it's too thick; but you fellows stophere, and I and Hogson and Bernard'll run down to the gate and cut offtheir retreat. "

"What shall we do?" whispered Jack; "this field's so large they'll runus down before we get to the other hedge. Shall we make a bolt andchance it?"

Diggory was just about to reply in the affirmative, when help came froman unexpected quarter. 

"What are you boys doing out here at this time?" cried a loud, sternvoice. --"Noaks, what are you about down the road there?--Come in thismoment, every one of you!"

"Saved!" whispered Jack Vance, in an ecstasy of delight as thePhilistines trooped back through the double doors. "That was oldPhillips. I hope he gives Noaks a jolly good 'impot. ' That chap is acad, " continued the speaker, as they hurried back towards The Birches:"when he can't do anything else, he chucks stones like he did to-night. The wonder is he hasn't killed some one before now. I don't see howit's possible for the Philistines to show up well when they've got achap like him bossing the show. "

The bell for evening preparation was ringing as they reached TheBirches, and only a very few hasty replies could be given to Acton'seager inquiries as they rushed together up the garden path. In thelittle interval before supper, however, the subject was resumed in aquiet corner of the passage. 

"So it must have been old Noaks who told them, " said Acton; "that'sproved without a doubt. I vote we go and have a jolly row with himto-morrow morning. "

"No, I shouldn't do that, " answered Diggory; "don't let him know thatwe've found him out. "

"Well, look here, " answered Acton, thumping the wall with his fist andfrowning heavily, "what are we going to do to get even with thePhilistines? We can't go out and fight them in Locker's Lane; we're toosmall, and they know it. Young Noaks would never have dared to act ashe did after they'd knocked our snow man down if Mason had been here. They think now they're going to ride rough-shod over us; but theyaren't, and we must show them we aren't going to be trampled on. "

"So we will, " cried Jack Vance excitedly, "and that jolly quick!"

"But how?"

There was a moment's pause. "I'm sure I don't know, " answered Jacksadly, and so the meeting terminated. 

The fact of the insult, which had been put upon them by the destructionof their snow man, remaining unavenged, caused a sense of gloom to restupon the Birchites, as though they already felt themselves sufferingbeneath the yoke of the conquering Philistines. Even the bedroom feudswere forgotten: night after night the "House of Lords" left the"Dogs' Home" in undisturbed tranquillity, and the occupants of the"Main-top" retired to rest without even putting a washstand againsttheir door. One thought occupied the minds of all, and even Mugford, when asked on one occasion by Mr. Blake who were the conspirators in theGunpowder Plot, answered absent-mindedly, "The Philistines!"

"Look here, you two, " said Diggory one evening, as he scrambled intobed, "we three must think of some way of paying those fellows out forknocking down our snow man. It would be splendid if we could say thatthe Triple Alliance had done it, and without telling any onebeforehand. "

"So we will, " answered Jack Vance; "that is if you'll think of the plan. I'm not able to make one, and I'm jolly sure Mugford can't. "

The speaker turned over and went to sleep; but after what seemed halfthe night had passed, he was suddenly aroused by several violent tugs athis bed-clothes. Thinking it nothing less than a midnight raid, Jacksprang up and grasped his pillow. 

"No, no, it's not that, " said Diggory, "but I wanted to help you;I've got an idea. "

"W--what about?" asked the other, in a sleepy voice. 

"Why, how we can pay out the Philistines!"

"Oh, bother the Philistines!" grumbled Jack, and promptly returned tothe land of dreams. 

"I wonder where those fellows Vance and Trevanock are?" said Acton thefollowing afternoon, as the boys were picking up for a game atprisoner's base. "And there's that dummy of a Mugford--where's hesneaked off to? he never will play games if he can possibly help it. "

They set to work, and at the end of about twenty minutes were engaged ina most exciting rally. Acton had started out to rescue one of theprisoners, while Shaw had rushed forth to capture Acton. Morris leftthe base with similar designs on Shaw, and every one, with the exceptionof the den-keepers, seemed suddenly seized with an irresistible desireto do something. The playground was full of boys rushing and dodgingall over the place, when suddenly everybody stood still and listened. Some one was pounding with his clinched fist at the door opening intoLocker's Lane, and at the same time Jack Vance was heard shouting, "Let us in quick, or the Philistines'll have us!"

Acton ran to fetch the key, and the next moment the three members of theTriple Alliance dashed through the open door, which was hastily securedbehind them, while a shout of baffled rage some little distance down theroad showed that they had only narrowly escaped falling into the handsof the enemy. The pursuit, however, was evidently abandoned, andMorris, climbing on the roof of the shed, saw young Noaks and Hogsonslowly retreating round the corner of the road. 

The three friends certainly presented a striking appearance. Mugford'snose was bleeding, Jack Vance's collar seemed to have been nearly tornoff his neck, while Diggory's cap was in his hand, and his hair in astate of wild disorder. Their faces, flushed with running, were radiantwith a look of triumph, while all three, the unfortunate Mugfordincluded, leaned up against the wall, and laughed until the tears randown their cheeks. 

"What have you fellows been up to?" cried Acton; "why don't you tellus?"

"Oh my!" gasped Diggory, "we've taken a fine rise out of thePhilistines; they can't say we're not quits with them now!" and he wentoff into a fresh fit of merriment. 

Shaw and Morris seized hold of Jack Vance, and at length succeeded inshaking him into a sufficient state of sobriety to be able to answertheir questions. 

"Oh dear, " he said faintly, "I never laughed so much in my life before!Diggory ought to tell you, because he planned it all. We went veryquietly down to Horace House, and found the double doors were shut. You know just what they're like, how the wall curves in a bit, andthere's a scraper close to the gate-post, on either side, about a footfrom the ground. We'd got an old play-box cord with us, and we tied itto each of the scrapers. The doors have a sort of iron ring for ahandle, and through this we stuck a broken cricket-stump, and Mug and Iheld the two ends so that you couldn't possibly lift the latch on theinside. Then--but you go on, Diggy. "

"Well, then, " continued the other, "I scrambled oh to these two chaps'shoulders, and looked over the top of the door. We could hear some ofthe Philistines knocking about on the gravel, and I saw there wereabout half a dozen of them playing footer with a tennis-ball. I shoutedout, 'Hullo! Good-afternoon!' They all stood still in a moment, andyoung Noaks cried, 'Why, it's a Birchite!--What do you want here, youyoung dog?' I couldn't think of anything else to say, so I said, 'I want to know if this is the bear-pit or the monkey-house. ' My eye, you should have seen them! I dropped down in a trice, and they allrushed to the doors; but they couldn't lift the latch, because Mug andJack were holding fast to the stump. We waited a moment, and then letgo and ran for it. You may judge what happened next. It's a regularsea of mud outside those gates. They all came rushing out together, andI saw Noaks and Hogson go head first over the rope, and two or threeothers fall flat on the top of them. It was a sight, I can tell you!"

"Yes, but that wasn't all, " interrupted Jack Vance. "Bernard, one oftheir big chaps, hopped over the rest and came after us. We ran for allwe were worth, but he collared me. Mugford went for him, and hungon to his coat like a young bull-terrier, and got a smack on the nose;and just then Diggory turned, and came prancing back, and ran his headinto the beggar's stomach, and that doubled him up, and so we all gotaway. But, " concluded the speaker, turning towards his wounded comrade, "I never thought old Mug had so much grit in him before; he stuck to itlike a Briton!"

A demonstration of the most genuine enthusiasm followed this warlikespeech. Acton folded Diggory to his breast in a loving embrace, Shawand Morris stuffed the door-key down Mugford's back, while the remainderof the company executed a war-dance round Jack Vance. 

"My eye, " cried the dux, "won't the Philistines be wild!Fancy upsetting them in the mud, and knocking Bernard's wind out!They won't be in a hurry to meddle with us again. Well done, Diggy!"

"It wasn't I alone, " said the author of the enterprise; "we did itbetween us--the Triple Alliance. "

"Then three cheers for the Triple Alliance!" cried Acton. 

The company shouted themselves hoarse, for every one felt that thehonour of The Birches had been retrieved, and that the day was still fardistant when they would be crushed beneath the iron heel of young Noaks, or be exposed as an unresisting prey to the ravages of the wild hordesof Horace House. 

CHAPTER IV. 

THE SUPPER CLUB. 

As this story is to be a history of the Triple Alliance, and not of TheBirches, it will be necessary to pass over many things which happenedat the preparatory school, in order that full justice may be done to theimportant parts played by our three friends in an epoch of strange andstirring events at Ronleigh College. 

Diggory, by the daring exploit described in the previous chapter, wonall hearts; and instead of being looked upon as a new boy, was regardedquite as an old and trusty comrade. Acton displayed marked favourtowards the Triple Alliance, and was even more friendly with Diggory andJack Vance than with his room and class mates, Shaw and Morris. 

The Philistines seemed, for the time being, paralyzed by the humiliationof their mud bath, and for many months there was a complete cessationfrom hostilities. 

It was perhaps only natural that in time of peace a brave knight likeActon should turn his thoughts from war to love-making, and therefore Ishall make no excuse for relating a little experience of his whichmust be introduced as a prelude to the account of the formation of thefamous supper club. 

At the very commencement of the summer term it was plain to everybodythat something was wrong with the dux; he seemed to take no interest inthe doings of his companions in the playground, and only once rousedhimself sufficiently to bang Cross with a leg-guard for bowling awfulwides at cricket. 

At length, one afternoon, Diggory and Jack Vance on entering the shedfound him sitting on the carpenter's bench, with his chin resting in hishand, and a most ferocious expression on his face. 

"Hullo! what's up?"

Acton stared blankly at the new-comers until the question had beenrepeated; then he sat up and straightened his back with the air of onewho has made a great resolve. 

"I don't mind telling you two, " he said. "You know I've said before thatI meant some day to propose to Miss Eleanor. Well, " he added, stabbingthe bench with the gimlet, "I'm going to do it. "

"I've saved five and ninepence, " continued the speaker, "to buy a ringwith, but I can't make up my mind whether I'd better speak or write toher. What do you think?"

"I should say, " answered Diggory, after a moment's thought, "that thebest thing would be to toss up for it. "

"All right; have you got a coin?"

"No, but I think I've got a brass button. Yes, here it is. Now, then, front you speak, and back you write. There you are--it's a letter!"

"Well, now, " said Acton, getting off the bench and sticking his handsdeep in his trousers pockets, "what had I better say? I shall befifteen in August; I thought I'd tell her my age, and say I didn't mindwaiting. "

"I believe it's the girl who always says that, " answered Jack Vance, kicking a bit of wood into a corner. 

"Then, again, I don't know how to begin. Would you say 'Dear MissEleanor, ' or 'Dear Miss Welsby'? I think 'Dear Eleanor' sounds rathercheeky. "

"I'll tell you what I should do, " answered Diggory, who seemed to have agreat idea of letting the fates decide these matters: "I should write'em all three on slips of paper and then draw one. "

"Well, I'm going to write the letter in 'prep' this evening, and let herhave it to-morrow. Did you notice I gave her a flower this morning, andshe stuck it in her dress?"

"Yes; but fellows are often doing that, " answered Jack Vance, "and shealways wears them, either in her dress or stuck up somehow under herbrooch. "

"Oh, but this was a white rose, and a white rose means something, thoughI don't know what. At all events, she'll have the letter to-morrow, andI'll tell you fellows when I give it her, only of course you mustn'tbreathe a word to any one else. "

"All right: we won't, " answered Diggory, "except to old Mugford, becausehe's one of the Alliance, and we've sworn not to have any secrets fromeach other, and he won't split. "

That evening the Triple Alliance lay awake until a late hour discussingthe situation. Mugford's opening comment was certainly worthrecording, --

"I hope she'll accept him. "

"Why?"

"Why, because if she does, I should think old Welsby'll give us ahalf-holiday. "

It was evident at breakfast, to those who were in the know, that Actonwas prepared for the venture. He was wearing a clean collar and newnecktie, and ate only four pieces of bread and butter, besides hisbacon. 

"He's shown me the letter, " whispered Diggory to Jack Vance; "only Ipromised I wouldn't say what was in it, but it ends up with a piece ofpoetry as long as this table!"

After morning school was the time agreed upon for the dux to cast thedie which was to decide his future; and as soon as the classes weredismissed, Jack Vance and Diggory met him by appointment in one cornerof the garden. 

"I've done it, " he said, looking awfully solemn. "She was in the hall, and I gave it to her as I came out. I say, how many _t's_ are there in'attachment'?"

Jack Vance thought one, Diggory said two; and the company then relapsedinto silence, and stood with gloomy looks upon their faces, as thoughthey were waiting to take part in a funeral procession. 

At length a voice from the house was heard calling, "Fred--Fred Acton!"The dux turned a trifle pale, but pulling himself together, marched offwith a firm step to learn his fate. 

"She called him Fred, " murmured Diggory; "that sounds hopeful. "

"Oh, that's nothing, " answered Jack Vance; "Miss Eleanor always callsfellows by their Christian names. There's one thing, " he added, after afew moments' thought--"if she'd cut up rough over the letter, she mighthave called him Mr. Acton. Hullo, here he comes!" As he spoke Actonemerged from the house, and came down the path towards them; his strawhat was tilted forward over his eyes, and his cheeks were glowing likethe red glass of a dark-room lamp. He sauntered along, kicking up thegravel with the toe of his boot. 

"Well, what happened?" inquired Jack Vance. 

No answer. 

"What's the matter ?" cried Diggory; "what did she say?"

"Why, this!" answered the other, in a voice trembling with suppressedemotion: "she said I was a silly boy, and--and--_gave me a lump ofcake!_"

If any one else had done it, the probability is Acton would have slainthem on the spot. Diggory opened his eyes and mouth wide, and thenexploded with laughter. "Oh my!" he gasped, "I shall die, I know Ishall! Ha, ha, ha!"

Acton eyed him for a moment with a look of indignant astonishment; thenhe began to smile, Jack Vance commenced to chuckle, and very soon allthree were laughing in concert. 

"Well, I think it's rather unfeeling of you fellows, " said the rejectedsuitor; "I can tell you I'm jolly cut up about it. "

"I'm awfully sorry, " answered Diggory, "but I couldn't help laughing. Cheer up; why, think, you won't have to get the ring now, so you can dowhat you like with that five and ninepence you saved. Why, it's worthbeing refused to have five and ninepence to spend in grub!"

"Ah, Diggy !" said the other, shaking his head in a mournful manner, "wait till you're as old as I am: when you're close on fifteen you'llthink differently about love and all that sort of thing. "

As has already been hinted, it was the failure of this attempt on thepart of the dux to win the heart and hand of Miss Eleanor thatindirectly brought about the formation of the famous supper club. About a week after the events happened which have just been described, Acton invited the Triple Alliance to meet the "House of Lords" in thework-shed, to discuss an important scheme which he said had been in hismind for some days past; and the door having been locked to excludeoutsiders, he commenced to unfold his project as follows:--

"I've been thinking that during the summer term, and while the weather'swarm, our two rooms might form a supper club. We'd hold it, say, once aweek, when pocket-money is given out, and have a feed together; one timein your room, and the next in ours, after every one's gone to bed. You know I saved some money at the beginning of the term to buy anengagement ring with; but I don't want it now, so I'm going to spend thetin in grub, and if you like I'll stand the first feed. "

There was a murmur expressive of approbation at this generous offer, mingled with sympathy for the unhappy circumstance which gave rise toit, and which was now an open secret. 

"Oh, " said Shaw, "that's a grand idea! I know my brother Bob, who's ata big school at Lingmouth, told me that he and some other chaps formed asupper club and held it in his study. It's by the sea, and they used togo out and catch shrimps; and they only had one old coffee-pot, thatthey used to boil over the gas; so they cooked the shrimps in it first, and made the coffee after. One night they only had time to heat it uponce, and so they boiled the shrimps in the coffee; and Bob says theydidn't taste half bad, and that they always used to do it after, to savetime. "

"Well, I propose that we have one, " cried Morris. 

The resolution was carried unanimously. Acton was elected president, and by way of recognizing the mutual interest of the Triple Alliance, Jack Vance was appointed to act as secretary, and it was decided to holdthe first banquet on the following night. 

"We can buy the grub to-morrow, " said Acton; "but there's one thing weought to fetch to-day, and that is, I thought we might have, say, sixbottles of ginger-beer. Then each man must take his own up to bed withhim this evening, and hide it away in his box or in one of his drawers. "

This was accordingly done, and, as it happened, was the cause of theonly disaster which attended the formation of the club. For the firstweek in June the weather was unusually hot: a candle left all dayin the "Main-top" was found drooping out of the perpendicular, and whenthe Triple Alliance retired to rest their bedroom felt like an oven. They were just dozing off to sleep, when all three were suddenlystartled by a muffled bang somewhere close to them. In an instant theywere sitting up in bed, rubbing their eyes with one hand and graspingtheir pillows with the other. 

"Look out, they're coming!" whispered Jack Vance; "wasn't that somethinghit the door?"

"It sounded as if something fell on the floor, " answered Diggory. "I wonder if anything's rolled off either of the washstands. "

Jack Vance reconnoitred the passage, while Diggory and Mugford examinedthe room; but nothing could be found to account for the disturbance. 

"It must have been the fellows in the 'Main-top. ' I expect they droppeda book or upset a chair. Don't let's bother about it any more. "

The following morning, however, the mystery was explained. The boyswere hastily putting on their clothes, when Mugford, who had just thrownaside a dirty collar, gave vent to an exclamation of dismay, whichattracted the attention of his two companions. 

"Hullo! what's up?"

"Why, look here! If this beastly bottle of ginger-beer hasn't gone andburst in the middle of my box!"

The first meeting of the supper club was a great success. How everActon and his noble friends had managed to smuggle upstairs, under theirjackets, a pork-pie, a plum-cake, a bag of tarts, and a pound ofbiscuits, was a feat which, as Jack Vance remarked, "beat conjuring. "

Shortly after midnight the Triple Alliance wended their way to the"House of Lords, " where they found the three other members quite readyto commence operations. The good things were spread out on the top of achest of drawers, and the company ranged themselves round on theavailable chairs and two adjacent beds, and commenced to enjoy therepast. 

"Ah, well, " sighed Acton, with his mouth full of pork-pie, "I'm ratherglad for some things that I didn't get engaged. It must be rather abore having to spend all your money in rings and that sort of thing, instead of in grub; though I really think I'd have given up grub forMiss Eleanor. "

"I wonder, " said Morris, who was of a more prosaic disposition, "how itis that it's always much jollier having a feed when you ought not tothan at the proper time. For instance, eating this pork-pie at a table, with knife and fork and a plate, wouldn't be a quarter the fun it ishaving it like we're doing now--cutting it with a razor out of Acton'sdressing-case, and knowing that if we were cobbed we should get into ajolly row. "

"Talking about rows over feeds, " said Acton, "my brother John is atRonleigh College, and I remember, soon after he went there, he said theyhad a great spree in his dormitory. One of the chaps had had a hampersent him, and they smuggled the grub upstairs; and when they thought thecoast was clear, they spread a sheet on the floor, and laid out the grubas if it were on a table-cloth. The fellow who was standing treat wasrather a swell in his way, and among other things he'd got his jam putout in a flat glass dish. It was a fine feed, and they'd just begun, when they heard some one coming. They'd only just got time to turn outthe gas and jump into bed before the door opened, and in came one of themasters called Weston. Well, of course, they all pretended to beasleep. But the master had heard them scrambling about, and he walkedin the dark up the aisle between the beds, saying, 'Who's been out ofbed here?' Then all of a sudden he stuck his foot into the glassjam-dish, and it slid along the floor, and down he came bang in themiddle of all the spread. John said that when the gas was lit theycouldn't help laughing at old Weston: he'd rammed one elbow into a boxof sardines, and there was a cheese-cake stuck in the middle of hisback. But oh, there was a row, I can tell you!"

This yarn produced others, and the time passed pleasantly enough, untilfull justice had been done to the provisions, and hardly a crumbremained. 

"Phew! isn't it hot?" said Diggory; "let's open the window a bit. The moon must be full, " he continued, as he raised the sash; "it'snearly as light as day. I can see all down the garden, and--hullo!quick, put the candle out!"

Every one started to his feet, and the light was extinguished in amoment. 

"What is it--what's the matter?" they all asked. "There's some one inthe playground, " whispered Diggory, as the others crowded round him. "You see the door at the bottom of the garden; well, just when I spokesome one opened it and looked up at the house, and then shut it again. It must have been Blake, and he's seen our light. "

"It can't be Blake, " answered Acton; "he's gone to Fenley to play in acricket match, and isn't coming back till to-morrow morning. Old Welsbywent to bed hours ago; and, besides, what should either of them want tobe doing down there at this time of night? You must have been dreaming, Diggy. "

"No, I wasn't; I saw it distinctly. It must be old Blake. He's comehome sooner than he expected, and I shouldn't wonder if he's goinground by the road to take us by surprise. "

"He can't do that, " answered Acton, "because I've got the key of theshed, and the door-key's hung up inside. "

Acton remained watching at the window while the others hastily clearedaway all traces of the feast; the Triple Alliance retired to their ownroom, and nothing further was heard or seen of the mysterious visitor. 

The next morning it was discovered that Mr. Blake had not returned fromFenley, and the five other members of the supper club were inclined toregard Diggory's vision of the midnight intruder as a sort of wakingnightmare, resulting from an overdose of cake and pork-pie. Two dayslater Cross came into the schoolroom in a great state of excitement. 

"Look here, you fellows, " he exclaimed: "some one keeps taking away mythings out of the shed, and not putting them back. Last week I missed asaw and two chisels, and now that brace and nearly all the bits aregone. It's a jolly shame!"

Carpentering was Cross's great hobby, and his collection of tools was anexceptionally good one, both as regards quantity and quality. Everyone, however, denied having touched the things mentioned. A generalsearch was made; but the missing articles could not be found, and atlength the matter was reported to Mr. Welsby. 

The latter was evidently greatly displeased on hearing the facts of thecase. As soon as dinner was over he called the school together, andafter standing for some moments in silence, frowning at the book hecarried in his hand, said briefly, --

"With regard to these tools, there is a word which has never been usedbefore in connection with any pupil at The Birches, and which I hope Imay never have occasion to use again. I can hardly think it possiblethat we have a _thief_ in the house. I am rather inclined to imaginethat some one has removed the things and hidden them away in joke; ifso, let me tell him that the joke has been allowed to go too far, andthat, unless they are returned at once, a shadow of doubt will be castupon the honour and integrity of all here present. It is impossible forsuch large articles as a saw and a brace to be mislaid or lost on suchsmall premises as these, and I trust that before this evening you willreport to me that the things have been found. I have purposely allowedthe key of the shed to remain in your own possession, feeling certainthat your behaviour as regards each other's property would be inaccordance with the treatment which one gentleman expects to receivefrom another. You may go. "

There was little in the nature of a scolding in this address, and yetsomething in it caused every one to leave the room in a state of greatexcitement. Acton and Jack Vance especially fairly boiled with wrath. 

"What old Welsby says is quite right, " remarked the latter; "and untilthose things are found, we may all be looked upon as thieves. "

The search, however, proved fruitless; and, what was worse, in turningover the contents of the shed, Acton discovered that a bull's-eyelantern belonging to himself had disappeared from the shelf on which itusually stood; while Mugford declared that a box of compasses, which hehad brought down a few days before to draw a pattern on a piece ofboard, was also missing. 

Directly after tea Acton button-holed Diggory, and taking him asidesaid, "Look here, I'm in an awful rage about these thing's beingprigged, because, of course, I've got the key of the shed; and didn'tyou hear what old Welsby said about it? It looks uncommonly as if Iwere the thief. You remember what you said the other night when we hadthat feed, about seeing that man? D'you think there _is_ any one whocomes here at night and steals things?"

"Well, I'm certain I saw some one in the playground when I told you. It was a man; but whether he comes regularly and goes into the shed Idon't know, but I think we ought to be able to find out. "

"How?"

"Oh, some way or other; I'll tell you to-morrow. " That night, longafter the rest of the house were asleep, the Triple Alliance lay awakeengaged in earnest conversation; and in the morning, as the boys wereassembling for breakfast, Diggory touched Acton on the shoulder andwhispered, --

"I say, we've thought of a plan to find out if any one goes into theshed at night. "

"Who's 'we'?"

"Why, the Triple Alliance; we thought it out between us. Sneak out ofthe house directly after evening 'prep, ' and meet me in the playground, and I'll show you what it is. "

At the time appointed Acton ran down the path, and found Diggory waitingfor him by the shed. 

"Look, " said the latter, "I've cut a little tiny slit with my knife ineach door-post, about three feet from the ground, and I'm going tostretch this piece of black cotton between them. No one will see it, and if they go through the door, the thread will simply draw out of oneof the slits without their noticing it, and we shall see that it's beendisturbed. Jack Vance says that when he's been out shooting with hisguv'nor he's seen the keeper put them across the paths in a wood to findout if poachers have been up them. Now unlock the door, and let's goinside. "

In front of the bench, where the ground had been much trodden, there wasa great deal of loose dust. Diggory went down on his hands and knees, and producing an old clothes-brush from his pocket, swept about a squareyard of the ground until the dust lay in a perfectly smooth surface. 

"There, " he said, rising to his feet again; "we'll do this the lastthing every night, and any morning if we find the cotton gone we mustlook here for footprints, and then we ought to be able to tell if it'sa man or a boy. "

"Don't you think we ought to tell Blake about that man you saw?" askedActon, as they walked back to the schoolroom. 

"Well, I don't see how we can, " answered Diggory. "The first thinghe'll ask will be, ' Who saw him?' I shall say, 'I did;' and then he'llwant to know how I saw the playground door from my bedroom window, whichlooks out on the road; and then the fat'll be in the fire, and it'll allcome out about that supper. "

Regularly every evening, as soon as supper was over, the two boys stoledown into the playground to set their trap; but when morning came therewas no sign of the shed having been entered. This went on for nearly amonth, but still no result. 

"I don't think it's any good bothering about it any more, " said Acton;"the thief doesn't mean to come again. "

"Well, we'll set it to-night, " answered Diggory, "and that shall be thelast time. "

The following morning Acton was sauntering towards the playground, whenDiggory came running up the path in a state of great excitement. "I say, the cotton's gone!"

Acton rushed down, unlocked the door of the shed, and went inside. 

"Hullo!" he exclaimed, as Diggory followed; "_it is_ some man. Look atthese footprints, and hobnailed boots into the bargain!"

CHAPTER V. 

CATCHING A TARTAR. 

It was impossible for two boys to keep such an important discovery tothemselves, and the shed was soon filled with an eager crowd, allanxious to view the mysterious footprints. The Triple Alliancegained fresh renown as the originators of the scheme by which thedisclosure had been made, and it was unanimously decided that the mattershould be reported to Mr. Blake. 

The master cross-questioned Acton and Diggory, but seemed ratherinclined to doubt their story. 

"I think, " he said, "you must be mistaken. I expect the piece ofcotton blew away, and the foot-marks must have been there before. I don't see what there is in the shed that should make it worth anyone's while to break into it; besides, if the door was locked, the thiefmust have broken it open, and you'd have seen the marks. "

Certainly nothing seemed to have been touched, and as no boy complainedof any of his property having been stolen, the subject was allowed todrop, and the usual excitement connected with the end of term and thenear approach of the holidays soon caused it to be driven from everyone's thoughts and wellnigh forgotten. 

With the commencement of the winter term a fresh matter filled the mindsof the Triple Alliance, and gave them plenty of food for discussion andplan-making. On returning to Chatford after the summer holidays, theydiscovered that all three were destined to leave at Christmas andproceed to Ronleigh College, a large school in the neighbourhood, towhich a good number of Mr. Welsby's former pupils had been transferredafter undergoing a preliminary course of education at The Birches. Letters from these departed heroes, containing disjointed descriptionsof their new surroundings, awakened a feeling of interest in the doingsof the Ronleigh College boys. The records of their big scores atcricket, or their victories at football, which appeared in local papers, were always read with admiration; and the name of an old Birchiteappearing in either of the teams was a thing of which every one feltjustly proud. 

"I wish I was going too, " said Acton, addressing the three friends;"but my people are going to send me to a school in Germany. My brotherJohn is there; he's one of the big chaps, and is captain of the footballteam this season. I'm going to get the _Denfordshire Chronicle_ everyweek, to see how they get on in the matches. "

Early in October the goal-posts were put up in the field, and theBirchites commenced their football practice. Mr. Blake was a leadingmember of the Chatford Town Club, and although six a side wascomparatively a poor business, yet under his instruction they gained agood grounding in the rudiments of the "soccer" of the period. The oldsystem of dribbling and headlong rushes was being abandoned in favour ofthe passing game, and forwards were learning to keep their places, andto play as a whole instead of as individuals. 

"Come here, you fellows, " said the master, walking into the playgroundone morning, with a piece of paper in his hand; "I've got something tospeak about. "

The boys crowded round, wondering what was up. 

"I've got hero a challenge from Horace House to play a match againstthem, either on our ground or on theirs. I think it's a pity that youshouldn't have an opportunity of playing against strangers. Of coursethey are bigger and heavier than we are, and we should probably getlicked; but that isn't the question: any sportsman would sooner play alosing game than no game at all, and it'll be good practice. We alwaysused to have a match with them every term; but some little time agothere seemed to be a lack--well, I'll say of good sportsmen among them, and the meetings had to be abandoned. I've talked the matter over withMr. Welsby, and he seems willing to give the thing another trial. "

An excited murmur ran through the crowd. 

"Wait a minute, " interrupted the speaker, holding up his hand. "Mr. Welsby has left it with me to make arrangements for the match, andI shall only do so on one condition. I know that since the eventhappened to which I referred a moment ago a decidedly unfriendly spirithas existed between you and the boys at Mr. Phillips's. Now anexhibition of this feeling on a football field would be a disgrace tothe school. You must play like gentlemen, and there must be nowrangling or disputing. They are agreeable for a master to play on eachside, so I shall act as captain. Anything that has to be said must beleft to me, and I shall see you get fair play. Do you clearlyunderstand?"

"Yes, sir. "

"Very well, then, I'll write and say we shall be pleased to play themhere on Saturday week. "

The prospect of mooting the Philistines in the open field filled themind of every boy with one thought, and the whole establishment wentfootball mad. It was played in the schoolroom and passages with emptyink-pots and balls of paper, in the bedrooms with slippers and sponges, and even in their dreams fellows kicked the bed-clothes off, and woke upwith cries of "Goal!" on their lips. 

Mr. Blake arranged the order of the team, and remarking that they wouldneed a good defence, put himself and Shaw as full backs. Acton tookcentre forward, with Jack Vance on his right, while Diggory was told offto keep goal. 

At length the eventful morning arrived. Class 2 came utterly to griefin their work; but Mr. Blake understood the cause, and set the samelessons over again for Monday. 

It was the first real match most of the players had taken part in, andas they stood on the ground waiting for their opponents to arrive, everyone was trembling with excitement. The only exception was thegoal-keeper, who leaned with his back against the wall, cracking nuts, and remarking that he "wished they'd hurry up and not keep us waitingall day. " At length there was a sound of voices in the lane, andthe next moment the enemy entered the field, headed by theirunder-master, Mr. Fox. Young Noaks and Hogson pounced down at once uponthe practice ball, and began kicking it about with great energy, shouting at the top of their voices, and evidently wishing to make animpression on the spectators before the game began. 

"I say, " muttered Jacobs, "they're awfully big. "

"Well, what does that matter?" answered Diggory, cracking another nutand spitting out the shell. "They aren't going to eat us; and as forthat chap Noaks, he's all noise--look how he muffed that kick. "

Mr. Blake tossed up. "Now, you fellows, " he said, coming up to hisfollowers, "we play towards the road; get to your places, and rememberwhat I told you. "

With young Noaks as centre forward, Hogson and Bernard on his right andleft, and other big fellows to complete the line of hostile forwards, the home team seemed to stand no chance against their opponents. The visitors bowled them over like ninepins, and rushed through theirfirst line of defence as though it never existed. But Mr. Blake stoodfirm, and kept his ground like the English squares at Waterloo. Attack after attack swept down upon him only to break up like waves on arock, and the ball came flying back with a shout of "Now, then! Getaway, Birches!" Twice the Horace House wing men got round Shaw, and putin good shots; but Diggory saved them both, and was seen a moment latercalmly rewarding himself with another nut. Gradually, as the timeslipped away and no score was made, the Birchites began to realize thatbeing able to charge wasn't everything, and that their opponents coulddo more with their shoulders than with their feet, and soon lost controlof the ball when bothered by the "halves. " The play of the home elevenbecame bolder--the forwards managed a run or two; and though thePhilistines had certainly the upper hand, yet it soon became obvious tothem that it was no mere "walk over, " and that victory would have to bestruggled for. 

Noaks and the two inside forwards evidently did not relish this state ofthings; they had expected an easy win, and began to show theirdisappointment in the increased roughness of their play. 

At length, just before half-time, a thing happened which very nearlycaused Mr. Blake's followers to break their promise. 

Cross was badly kicked while attempting to take the ball from Hogson, and had to retire from the game. 

There were some black looks and a murmur of indignation among the hometeam, but Mr. Blake hushed it up in a moment. 

"I think, " he said pleasantly, "that the play is a trifle rough. Ourmen, " he added, laughing, "are rather under size. "

Noaks muttered something about not funking; but Mr. Fox said, --

"Yes, just so. Come, play the game, boys, and think less aboutcharging. "

The loss of their right half-back was distinctly felt by the Birchitesduring the commencement of the second half, and Diggory was called uponthree times in quick succession to save his charge. He acquittedhimself like a brick, and the last time did a thing which afforded hisside an immense amount of secret satisfaction. He caught the ball inhis hands, and at the same moment Noaks made a fierce rush, meaningto knock him through the goal. Diggory, with an engaging smile, hoppedon one side, and the Philistine flung himself against the post, andbumped his head with a violence which might have cracked any ordinaryskull. He came back scowling. A moment later Jack Vance ran into him, and took the ball from between his feet. Noaks charged viciously, andin a blind fit of temper deliberately raised his fist and struck theother player in the face. 

"_Stop!_"

It was Mr. Blake's voice, and he came striding up the ground looking asblack as thunder. 

"I protest against that deliberate piece of foul play. I have playedagainst all the chief clubs in the district, and in any of thosematches, if such a thing had happened, this man would have been orderedoff the ground. "

There was a buzz of approval, in which several of the Philistinesjoined. 

"You are quite right, Mr. Blake, " answered Mr. Fox. "I deeply regretthat the game should have been spoiled by a member of my team. --Noaks, "he added, turning to the culprit, "put on your coat and go home; youhave disgraced yourself and your Comrades. I shall see that you send awritten apology to the boy you struck. "

"Bravo!" whispered Acton; "old Fox is a good sort. "

"Oh, they're most of them all right, " answered Morris; "it's only two orthree that are such beasts. "

The game was continued. The loss of one man on each side made the teamsequal in numbers, but the sudden calamity which had overtaken theircentre forward seemed to have exerted a very demoralizing effect on thePhilistines. 

Their attacks were not nearly so spirited, and several times theBirchite forwards appeared in front of their goal. 

Neither side had scored, and it seemed as though the game would end in adraw--a result which the home team would have considered highlysatisfactory. 

The umpire looked at his watch, and in answer to a query from Mr. Foxsaid, "Five minutes more. "

"Look here, Acton, " said Mr. Blake: "let me take your place, and you goback. Do all you can to stop them if they come. "

The ball was thrown out of touch; Mr. Blake got it, and in a few secondsthe fight was raging in the very mouth of the enemy's goal. Morris putin a capital shot; but the ball glanced off one of the players, and wentbehind. 

"Corner!" cried Mr. Blake. "I'll take it. Now you fellows get itthrough somehow or other!"

"Mark your men, Horace House!" cried Mr. Fox. The next moment every onewas shoving and elbowing with their eyes fixed on the ball as it flewthrough the air. It dropped in exactly the right place, and Jack Vance, by some happy fluke, kicked it just as it touched the ground. Like abig round shot it whizzed through the posts, and there was a rapturousyell of "_Goal!_"

The delight of the Birchites at having beaten their opponents wasunbounded, and when, a short time later, the latter retired with a scoreagainst them of one to nil. Jack Vance was seized by a band ofapplauding comrades, who, with his head about a couple of feet lowerthan his heels, carried him in triumph across the playground, andstaggered half-way up the steep garden path, when Acton happening totread on a loose pebble brought the whole procession to grief, andcaused the noble band of conquering heroes to be seen all grovelling ina mixed heap upon the gravel. 

But it is not for the simple purpose of recording the victory overHorace House that a description of the match has been introduced intoour story; and although the important part played by Diggory ingoal and Jack Vance in the "fighting line" caused it to be an occasionwhen the Triple Alliance was decidedly in evidence and won freshlaurels, yet there are other reasons which make an account of itnecessary, as the reader will discover in following the course ofsubsequent events. If Jack Vance had kicked the ball a yard over thebar instead of under it, the probability is that the following chapterwould never have been written; while the public disgrace of young Noakswas destined to cause our three comrades more trouble than they everexpected to encounter, at all events on this side of their leavingschool. 

If the result of the match made such a great impression on the minds ofthe victors, it is only natural that it should have had a similar effecton the hearts of their opponents. Most of the Philistines would havebeen content to take their defeat as a sportsman should, but neitherNoaks nor his two cronies, Hogson and Bernard, had any of this manlyspirit about them; and smarting under the disappointment of not havingwon, and the knowledge that at least one of them had reaped shame andcontempt instead of glory, they determined to seek a speedy revenge. As the three biggest boys in the school, they had little difficulty ininducing their companions to join in the crusade which they preachedagainst The Birches, and the consequence was that the two schools weresoon exchanging open hostilities with greater vigour than ever. 

Now, although the Birchites had proved themselves equal to theiropponents at football, they would have stood no chance against them inanything like a personal encounter. The other party were, of course, perfectly well aware of this fact, and waxed bold in consequence. Again and again, when Mr. Welsby's pupils were at football practice, andMr. Blake happened not to be present, the enemy's sharp-shooter creptinto ambush behind the hedge and discharged stones from their catapultsat the legs of the players, while the latter replied by inquiring whenthey meant to "come over and take another licking. " At other timesthese Horace House Cossacks swooped down on single members of the rivalestablishment, harrying them in the very streets of Chatford, and on oneoccasion had the audacity to lay violent hands on Jacobs, beat hisbowler hat down over his eyes, and push him through the folding doors ofa drapery establishment, where he upset an umbrella-stand and threechairs, had his ears boxed by the shop-walker, and was threatened withthe police court if ever he did such a thing again! At length it becamepositively perilous for the weaker party to go beyond the precincts oftheir own citadel except in bodies of three or four together. All kindsof plans for retaliation were suggested, but still the Philistinescontinued to score heavily. At length, about the last week in October, a thing happened which raised the wrath of the Birchites toboiling-point. 

Cross having received five shillings from home on the morning of hisbirthday, determined to celebrate the occasion by the purchase of apork-pie, of which he had previously invited all his companions topartake. The latter were standing in the playground waiting for hisreturn from Chatford, when they became conscious of certain "alarmswithout;" whoops and war-cries sounded somewhere down Locker's Lane, and ceased as suddenly as they had begun. The boys stood for somemoments wondering what this could mean, and were just thinking ofstarting a fresh game of "catch smugglers, " when there came a banging atthe door. It was flung open, and Cross rushed into their midst, flushed, dishevelled, and empty-handed!

What words of mine can tell that tale of woe or describe the burst ofindignation which followed its recital? Cross had unwisely decided toshorten his return journey by risking the dangers of Locker'sLane. He had been captured by a party of Philistines, who, under theleadership of Hogson, had not only robbed him of his pie, but had heldhim prisoner while they devoured it before his very eyes!

What this terrible outrage would have excited those who had sufferedthis cruel wrong to do in return--whether they would have started offthere and then, burnt Horace House to the ground, and hung itsinhabitants on the surrounding trees--it would be hard to say; as itwas, at this very moment a counter-attraction was forced upon theirattention by Morris, who came shouldering his way into their midst, saying, --

"Look here, you fellows, some one's stolen my watch and chain!"

It seemed as if a perfect shower of thunderbolts had commenced todescend from a clear sky upon the devoted heads of Mr. Welsby's pupils. Every one stared at his neighbour in mute amazement, and only Fred Actonremained in sufficient possession of his faculties to gasp out, --

"_What?_"

"It's true, " continued Morris excitedly. "I didn't change for footballyesterday afternoon, but before going into the field I hung my watch upon a nail in the shed, and stupidly forgot all about it until I cameto wind it up last night. Then it was too late to fetch it, and nowit's gone!"

"Look here !" cried Acton, glaring round the group with an unusuallyferocious look, "who knows anything about this? speak up, can't you!We've had enough of this prigging business, and I'm sick of it!"

No one attempted to reply. 

"Well, " continued the dux, "I'm going straight off to old Welsby to tellhim, and I won't keep the key of that place. Of course it makes me lookas if I were the thief, and I won't stand it any longer. "

The speaker turned on his heel and strode off in the direction of thehouse. 

"Oh, I say, " muttered Jack Vance, "now there'll be a row!"

Jack's prophecy was soon fulfilled. The watch and chain could not befound, and there was but little doubt that they had been stolen. Mr. Welsby called the boys together, and though he spoke in a calm andcollected manner, with no trace of passion in his voice, yet his wordsmade them all tremble. Miss Eleanor sat silent at the tea-table, with ashocked expression on her face; and Mr. Blake, when told of theoccurrence, said sharply, "Well, we'd better have locks put oneverything, and the sooner the better. "

Acton produced his bunch of keys, and insisted that all his possessionsshould be searched, and every one else followed his example. The wholeof the next afternoon was spent in a careful examination of desks andboxes, but with no result beyond the discovery that Mugford owned a cordwaistcoat which he had 'never had the moral courage to wear. 

There is one feature in the administration of justice by an Englishcourt which is unhappily too often overlooked in the lynch law ofschoolboys, and that is the principle that a man shall be consideredinnocent until he has been clearly proved guilty. Smarting under asense of shame which was entirely unmerited, every boy sought eagerlyfor some object on which to vent his indignation; it became necessary, to use the words of the comic opera, that "a victim should be found, "and suspicion fell on Kennedy and Jacobs. The result of Diggory's trapseemed to show that the various thefts had been committed at night. It was agreed that the two occupants of the "Main-top" had specialopportunity for getting out of the house if so minded; every other roomhad one or more fellows in it who had suffered the loss of someproperty; and lastly, Kennedy was known to possess a pair of hob-nailedfishing-boots, which he usually kept under his bed. The two boysindignantly denied the accusation when it was first brought againstthem, but the very vehemence with which they protested their innocencewas regarded as "put on, " and accepted as an additional proof of theirguilt. The evidence, however, was not thought sufficient to warrantbringing a charge against them before the head-master, and accordinglyit was decided to send them both to Coventry until some fresh lightshould be brought to bear upon the case. 

To do full justice to the memory of Diggory Trevanock, he alone stoodout against this decision, and incurred the wrath both of Acton and JackVance in so doing. He continued to affirm that it must be the man hehad seen in the playground on the occasion of the first meeting of thesupper club; and that the footprint in the dust had been a man's, andmuch larger than Kennedy's boot could have produced. 

This outlawing of the "Main-top" and difference of opinion with Diggoryspoiled all chance of games and good fellowship. Even the associationof the Triple Alliance seemed likely to end in an open rupture, andvery possibly might have done so if it had not been for an event whichcaused the members to reunite against the common enemy. 

One half-holiday afternoon Mugford and Diggory had gone down toChatford. It was nearly dark when they started to come back, and thelatter proposed the short cut by Locker's Lane. 

"I'm not afraid of the Philistines; besides, they won't see us now. "

As they drew near to Horace House, a solitary figure was discoveredstanding in the shadow of the brick wall. 

"It's young Noaks, " whispered Diggory. "It's too late to turn back, butmost likely he won't notice us in this light if we walk straight on. "

They passed him successfully, and were just opposite the entrance, whenthree more boys sauntered through the doorway. A gleam of light fromthe house happened to fall on Diggory's cap and broad white collar, andimmediately the shout was raised, "_Birchites!_"

There was a rush of feet, a wild moment of grabbing and dodging, andMugford, who had managed somehow to shake himself free from the grasp ofhis assailants, dashed off at full speed down the road. After runningfor about two hundred yards, and finding he was not followed, he pulledup, waited and listened, and then began cautiously to retrace his steps. There was no sign either of his companion or the enemy; and though heventured back as far as the double doors, which were now closed, not asoul was to be seen. He knew in a moment that his class-mate had beencaptured, but all hope of attempting anything in the shape of a rescuewas out of the question. It was impossible for him single-handed tostorm the fortress, and so, after lingering about for some minutes inthe hope that his friend would reappear, he ran home as fast as hecould, and bursting into the schoolroom, where most of his schoolfellowssat reading round the fire, threw them into a great state ofconsternation and dismay by proclaiming in a loud voice the alarmingintelligence that Diggory had been taken prisoner, and was at thatmoment in the hands of the Philistines!

CHAPTER VI. 

GUNPOWDER PLOT. 

The news caused a profound sensation, the like of which had probablynever been witnessed at The Birches before--no, not even on thatmemorable occasion when the intelligence arrived that Scourer, one ofthe past seniors, had ridden his bicycle through the plate-glass windowof Brown's big crockery-shop, and was being brought home on a shutter. 

All the boys threw down their books, and started to their feet. Acton and Vance banished from their minds all thought of thedisagreement which had lately estranged them from their unfortunateschool-fellow, and joined heartily in the general outburst of wrath andconsternation. 

The thought that Diggory, their well-beloved, was at that very momentlanguishing, a prisoner of war, in the hands of the Philistines wasalmost unbearable. 

"What will they do with him?"--"Where have they put him?"--"How can werescue the fellow?" were questions which everybody was asking, but noone could answer. It seemed altogether beyond their power to doanything, and yet there was not a boy who would not have given hisdearest possession, were it a white rat or a stamp collection, if byparting with it he could have rendered some assistance to his ill-fatedcomrade. 

"There's only half an hour before tea, " said Vance, looking up at theclock; "if anything can be done, we must do it at once. "

The precious moments sped away, but in vain did the assembly rack theirbrains for some plan of action which might in any way be likely to servethe purpose they had in view. The first wild suggestion, that theyshould go in a body and carry Horace House by storm, was abandoned asimpracticable; in hopeless inactivity they stood watching the longhand of the clock creep up from six till twelve. 

The first tea-bell had just finished ringing, when there was a sound offootsteps hurrying along the passage, the door burst open, and in rushedno other person than Diggory himself!

"Hullo! how did you get away?"--"What have they been doing?"--"How didyou escape?"

"Oh, such a lark!" cried the boy. "They'll wish they'd never caught me!I'll tell you all about it after tea. "

As soon as the meal was over, Diggory was seized, hurried up into theschoolroom, and there forced to relate his adventures. 

"Well, " he began, "they collared me, and dragged me through the gatesand along into their playground. Noaks looked at me and said, 'Hullo, here's luck! This is the young beggar who tied that rope to thescrapers; I vote we give him a jolly good licking. ' I told them that myfather was a lawyer, and if any of them touched me he'd take a summonsout against them for assault. That frightened Noaks, for you can seehe's a regular coward, so he asked the others what they thought hadbetter be done with me. 

"'I know, ' said Hogson. 'There's an old cow-shed in the field next toours; let's shut him in and keep him there till after tea. He'll get ajolly row for being late when he gets back, and he won't dare to saywhere he's been; because I know it's against their rules to comeanywhere near us, and Locker's Lane is out of bounds. If he does tell, we'll swear he was in the road chucking stones at the windows. '

"Some one said there was only a staple on the door of the shed, butNoaks said he'd fetch the padlock off his play-box, and so he did. 

"Well, they took me across their playing field, and over the hedge intothe next, and shut me up in this beastly old hovel. 'It's no use yourmaking a row, ' said Hogson, 'because no one'll hear you; and if youdo, summons or no summons we'll come down and give you a licking. 'After that they left me, and went back to the house; and as soon asthey'd gone, I began to try to find some way of escape, but it was sodark inside the shed I couldn't see anything. Presently I heard aknocking on the boards. There was a wide crack between them in oneplace, and looking through it I could just make out that there was someboy standing there with what looked like a dirty apron over histrousers. I said, 'Hullo!' and he said, 'Hullo! what's up? who are you?and what have they been a-sticking of you in there for?'

"I told him, and asked him who he was, and it turned out his name wasJoe Crump, and he's the boy who cleans the knives at Philips's. He happened to be knocking about when they took me prisoner, and hecouldn't see who it was in the dark, and thought it might be his youngerbrother who comes on errands from the grocer's; the Philistines arealways playing tricks on him. 

"I said, 'Look here, Joe Crump, you let me out, there's a good chap. 'But he wouldn't; he was afraid of what young Noaks would do to him. At last I gave him a shilling through the crack of the boards, and vowedI wouldn't say who'd done it, and then he undid the door. I fastenedthe padlock again, and threw the key into the hedge, for Noaks had leftit in the keyhole; so now he won't be able to get his lock again unlesshe either breaks it or the staple, and they're both pretty tough. After that I got round through two other fields into the lane, and hereI am. "

The conclusion of Diggory's story was hailed with shouts of triumph. To imagine the disappointment of the Philistines when they discoveredthat the bird had flown, and the chagrin of young Noaks when he foundthat his play-box padlock was fastened to the door of the shed, wassimply delightful; and Acton was so carried away that he once more fellon Diggory's neck, and pretended to shed tears of joy upon the latter'sbroad turn-down collar. 

"But that's not all, " cried the youngster, shaking himself free from hisleader's embrace. "The best is this. I had a bit of a talk with JoeCrump before I came away, and he says that young Noaks is going to leaveat the end of this term, and he's been telling the Philistines thatbefore he goes he means to do something that'll pay us out for his beingsent off the field in that football match. Crump doesn't know what hemeans to do, but I made him promise, if he finds out, to come and tellme, and I'll give him another shilling. Then we shall be prepared. "

"I say, Diggy, " exclaimed Jack Vance, "you are a _corker!_" and the bellnow commencing to ring for evening preparation, the meeting terminated. 

It was an annual custom at The Birches for the boys to subscribe towardsgetting a display of fireworks, which were let off in the playgroundunder the superintendence of Mr. Blake. The head-master himself gave adonation towards the fund, and allowed the boys to prepare the nextday's work in the afternoon instead of in the evening. 

This year, however, when Acton went, as usual, to the library toformally ask permission that the celebration should take place, he metwith a terrible rebuff. 

"No, Acton, " answered Mr. Welsby; "as long as the school continues to bedisgraced by these repeated thefts--as, for example, this recentinstance of Morris's watch and chain--I do not feel inclined to allowthe same privileges as before. There will be no fireworks this term. "

As may be imagined, when the dux reported the result of his visit tohead-quarters, the news created great excitement. The unfortunateoccupants of the "Main-top, " who were still in the position ofscapegoats, were hunted round the place by an indignant mob, and fled, vainly protesting their innocence, from one shelter to another, untilthey finally escaped from the playing field into the open country, wherethey hid behind hedges for the remainder of the afternoon. 

"Look here, " exclaimed Jack Vance, as the Triple Alliance were wendingtheir way from the playground to the house, "there's only one thing tobe done, and that is, we must set Miss Eleanor on old Welsby's track. She'll make him alter his mind. Some one must go and ask her. --Acton, you're the man; you must do it!"

"I'm shot if I do!" answered the dux, turning round to face the trio, and walking backwards up the path; "why should I go more than any otherfellow?"

"Why, because you've got such a way with you, " returned Diggory. "She'd be sure to do it for you; why, the last time you spoke to her shegave you a lump of cake. "

Acton seized the speaker by the neck and shook him like a rat. "You're the cheekiest little imp I ever came across, " he said. "I've ajolly good mind to give you a good licking, only I don't believe you'dcare tu'pence if I did!"

"Well, anyhow you've got to go, " answered Diggory, calmly picking up hiscap, which had fallen to the ground; "and if you're afraid to go alonefor fear she should think it's another proposal, I'll come with you. "

After some further discussion it was agreed that the thing should beattempted. The two boys found Miss Eleanor making cake, and theconference began by Diggory's having his ears boxed for picking plumsout of the dough. But no one ever appealed to Miss Eleanor withoutbeing sure, at all events, of a patient hearing, and the followingmorning Mr. Welsby informed the school that he had been led toreconsider his decision regarding the fifth of November, and that theymight have their display as usual. 

Accordingly, the fireworks were ordered, and arrived soon afterbreakfast on the morning of the fourth. Miss Eleanor had a dread ofgunpowder, and Mr. Blake sent Jack Vance to tell Noaks to carry thebox as usual down into the shed. 

"Humph!" growled the man, as the boy gave him the message. "It's a nicething that I should have to fetch and carry all your fooling playthingsfor you; it's a pity you young gen'lemen can't do something foryourselves, instead of bothering me. "

"Well, it isn't my orders, " answered Jack; "it's Mr. Blake's. "

"Mr. Blake's, is it? All right, I'll do it when I can spare the time. "

When the boys came out at interval, the box was still lying about in theyard, although there were heavy clouds overhead threatening rain. Mr. Blake sent for Noaks, and a rather sharp passage of arms took placebetween them, which ended in the man's being told to leave what he wasdoing and carry the fireworks down to the shed. 

"I believe he left them on purpose, in the hope they'd get wet, " saidShaw. "He hates us all like poison, and I believe it's all because hisson's at the other school. D'you remember what a row he kicked up whenhe heard Acton say that the Philistines were cads for shooting at uswith catapults?"

"Yes, " answered Morris; "and if he hates us, he hates Blake a jollysight worse. He's been like it ever since that football match; andhe'll get sacked if he doesn't mind, for Blake won't stand his cheekmuch longer. "

The purchase of fireworks had this year been more extensive than on anyprevious occasion, and every one was looking forward with greatanticipation to the business of the following evening. 

"I say, Diggy, " cried Acton at the close of afternoon school, "I wishyou'd run down into the playground and bring up that football flagthat's got to be mended; I left it in the corner by the shed. I'd go myself, but I want to finish this letter before tea. "

Diggory trotted off to fetch the flag, and Jack Vance, who was loiteringabout one of the passages, accompanied him down into the playground. It was very dark, the stars being hidden by heavy clouds. 

"I say, " exclaimed Diggory, "it'll be a splendid night for the fireworksif it's like this to-morrow. We must get--Hark! what's that?"

"I didn't hear anything. "

"Yes, there was a sort of a rapping sound. Hush! there it is again. "

Jack heard it this time. "It's some one knocking very gently againstthat door leading into Locker's Lane, " he whispered. 

They groped their way across the playground until they reached the wall. There was no mistake about it--some one was gently tapping with hisknuckles on the other side of the door. 

"Who's there?" asked Jack Vance. 

"I want to speak to the young gen'leman who was locked up t'other day inthe cow-shed, " was the answer, given in a low voice which Diggoryinstantly recognized. 

"I know him, " he said; "it's Joe Crump. Here, give me a leg up, andI'll talk to him over the wall. --All right, Joe; I'm the chap. "

"Well, if you are, " answered the voice, "you'll remember you offered mea bob if I could find out and tell you when somebody was going to dosomething. "

"Well, what's the news?"

"Give me the money first, and then I'll tell you. "

Jack Vance fortunately had the required coin in his pocket, and Diggorydropped it into Joe Crump's cap. 

"Well, the news is this, " said the latter, speaking in the same lowtone--"that there Noaks and Hogson are coming up here to-night justafore nine o'clock, and they're a-going to drown your fireworks. "

"Drown our fireworks! why, what ever d'you mean? How do they know we'vegot any fireworks? and how can they get at them when they're all lockedup?"

"I can't say, " returned Crump, "so it's no use asking me. I only knowsthat Noaks is a-going to do it; 'drown 'em all in a bucket of water, 'was what he said. Remember you promised to tell nothink about me, that's all. Good-night, mister!"

The stranger vanished in the darkness, and Diggory dropped down from thewall. 

"Here's a pretty go!" he remarked. "What are we to do? there's no timeto lose. Come on, Jack, let's go and tell Acton. "

The latter was engaged on the closing sentence of his letter; but onhearing the intelligence which Diggory had to impart, he threw theunfinished epistle into his desk, and rose to his feet with anexclamation of astonishment. 

"D'you think it's really true? or is this fellow, Lump or Bump orwhatever you call him, trying to take a rise out of us, or telling liesto earn the shilling?"

"I don't think so, " answered Diggory, "and I'll tell you why. For somereason or other, he's at daggers drawn with young Noaks and Hogson. I think they've knocked him about, and he's doing it to pay them out. "

"But how did they get to know about our fireworks? and how do theyreckon they're going to get them out of the shed? Look here, hadn't webetter tell Blake?"

"We can't do that, " answered Jack Vance, "or it'll get Diggy in a row. If he says anything about Joe Crump, it'll all come out about his havingbeen in Locker's Lane when the Philistines caught him, and of coursethat's against rules. "

"What time did he say they meant to come?"

"About a quarter to nine. "

There was a silence which lasted for over a minute; then Diggory spoke. 

"This is what I think we'd better do. If they come at all, they arecertain to be here soon after half-past eight, because I heard Foxtelling Blake on the day of the match that they go to bed at nine. We won't tell any one, but as soon as 'prep' is over we'll cut down intothe playground, and when they come we'll kick up a row. They'll soonmake tracks if they find they're discovered, and it'll be better thansaying anything to Blake about it, and we shall have defeated themourselves. "

"All right, " answered Acton. "But it'll look queer if we all three stopout from supper; two's enough. I'll go for one, and you and Vance tossup. "

This suggestion was accepted with some reluctance, as both boys wereanxious to take part in the adventure. Acton's word, however, was law, and eventually Diggory was chosen by fate to be his companion. 

Directly after tea all the boys paid a visit to the shed; the door wassecurely locked, as also was the one leading into Locker's Lane, and itseemed impossible for the Philistines to carry out their evil designsupon the fireworks. 

"I believe it's all bunkum, " said Acton, as they strolled back towardsthe house. "However, we'll come down as we said, and just see ifanything happens. "

Three boys, at all events, did very little work that evening, for it wasimpossible to concentrate one's mind on Caesar or on French verbs withsuch an adventure looming in the near future. How would the Philistinesget at the fireworks? Would they change their minds, and instead ofdrowning them apply a slow match and blow up the shed? or would it, after all, turn out to be only a false alarm, raised by the boy Crumpfor the sake of the promised shilling?

These and other thoughts filled the minds of the trio as they satfrowning at the books in front of them. The clock seemed to go slowerand slower, until they really began to wonder whether it had stopped. At length the long hand reached the half-past. Mr. Blake yawned, putdown his paper, and said, "Put away your work, and pass on to supper. "

Acton and Diggory, both tingling with excitement, lingered behind untilthe rest had left the room; then, when the coast was clear, they slippedout into the garden, and hurried down the sloping path. It wasconsiderably lighter than it had been before tea; the clouds had clearedaway, and there were plenty of stars. 

"Locked, " muttered Acton, examining the shed. "Locked, " he repeated, trying the door leading into Locker's Lane. "I don't believe there'sanything in it. They might get over the wall if one gave the other aleg up, but then how's the last man to get back again?"

"Well, if there's nothing in it, " answered Diggory, "how should JoeCrump have got to know we had any fireworks in the place? There must--Hush! what's that?"

There was a sound of footsteps coming down the path from the house. "_Cave!_" cried Acton. "It's Blake; let's hide!"

Several shrubs growing in the garden and overhanging the boardedpartition threw one corner of the playground into deep shadow. The boysrushed into the angle, and, crouching down in the inky darkness, were atonce hidden from the view of any one who might advance even to within afew feet of their hiding-place. 

They had hardly time to conceal themselves, when a man, the outline ofwhose figure they could just make out in the gloom, came through thegarden door, and, advancing a few yards, stood still, turning his headfrom side to side as though looking to make sure that the quadrangle wasempty. 

"He heard us talking, " whispered Acton. 

The new-comer having apparently come to the conclusion that he wasalone, walked slowly across to the shed, halted in front of the door, and the next moment there was the sound of a key being fitted into thelock. At that instant Diggory, who had been craning his neck forward toget a better view of the intruder, suddenly gripped Acton's arm, and, putting his mouth close to the latter's ear, whispered, --

"_It isn't Blake; it's old Noaks!_ Now keep quiet, " he added, as hiscompanion made a movement as though he meant to rush out of theirhiding-place; "let's see what he does. "

"He's the thief who stole all those things!" answered Acton excitedly. "He must have another key, and he's going to bag something now. "

Noaks (for certainly it was he) disappeared inside the shed; but in afew seconds he was out again, and once more stood waiting as thoughundecided what to do next. 

Before the boys could have counted ten, there was a low whistle in thelane. 

"They've come, " whispered Diggory. "He's got the key of the door, andis going to let them in. "

His words were speedily verified, and the next moment two more figuresentered the playground, the object of their visit being at once madeevident by the fact that one of them was carrying a bucket. It was toodark to distinguish their faces, but the short conversation which tookplace on their entry soon made them known to the two watchers. 

"Now, then, " said old Noaks, "if you're going to do it, just looksharp. "

"Awful joke, isn't it, dad?" answered one of the new-comers. "Lend us ahand, and we'll dip 'em all in this bucket and put 'em back again. "

"No, I shan't, " returned the man. "I don't know nothink about it. It's your game, and all I promised was I'd open the door. "

"Well, show us where the box is. --Come on, Hogson; don't make more rowthan you can help. "

After a moment's hesitation and some muttered remarks about "that thereBlake" and "them uppish young dogs, " Noaks senior led the way across thegravel, and followed by the two Philistines entered the shed. Hardlyhad they crossed the threshold when Diggory started up, kicked off hisslippers, crept swiftly and noiselessly as a shadow across the ground, and before his companion had time to realize what was happening, thedoor of the shed was slammed to and locked on the outside. 

To describe exactly what followed would be well-nigh impossible, as eventhe principal actors themselves seemed to have but a confusedrecollection of the part they played. Those concerned, however, willprobably never forget Diggory's bursting into the room as they satfinishing supper, and striking every one dumb with amazement by sayingto Mr. Blake, "Please, sir, some fellows are stealing our fireworks, andI've locked them up in the shed. " And there will still remain in theirminds memories of a wild rush to the playground; of old Noaks beingperemptorily ordered to "clear out, " and on attempting to bandy wordswith Mr. Blake, being taken by the scruff of the neck and "chucked out;"of the two Philistines being conducted, under a strong escort, toMr. Welsby's study; of a polite note being dispatched by the latter toMr. Philips; and of the unmitigated delight of the Birchites when Hogsonand Noaks junior were delivered over into the hands of Mr. Fox, and marched off by that gentleman to take their trial at Horace House. Every one was in high spirits. Acton and Diggory were made to telltheir story over twenty times. Kennedy and Jacobs were at once declaredinnocent, and instead of being looked upon as outcasts, came to beregarded as martyrs who had suffered in a good cause. Old Noaks wasclearly the culprit. He volunteered no explanation as regarded hispossession of a duplicate key to the shed door, and though no attemptwas made to bring the charge home against him, there was little doubt asto his guilt, and he was dismissed the next morning. 

The firework display came off the following evening, and was a greatsuccess. Every rocket or Roman candle that shot into the air seemed toattest the final triumph of the Birchites over the Philistines, andwas cheered accordingly. I say final triumph, for the removal of youngNoaks and Hogson from the rival school caused a great change for thebetter among the ranks of Horace House. The old feud died out, givingplace to a far bettor spirit, which was manifested each term in thefriendly manner in which the teams met for matches at cricket andfootball. 

This sounds very much like the end of a story; but it is not, and for aconnecting-link to join this chapter to those that follow, we will goforward for one moment into the future. 

Nearly a year later Diggory and Jack Vance were sauntering arm in armacross one of the fives-courts at Ronleigh College. 

"D'you remember, " remarked the former, "how, that night we caught thePhilistines bagging our fireworks, you said, 'Well, I should think nowwe've just about finished with young Noaks'?"

"Did I?" answered Jack, shrugging his shoulders. "My eye, I ought tohave said we'd just begun!"

CHAPTER VII. 

RONLEIGH COLLEGE. 

The first two or three weeks of a new boy's life at a big school are, asa rule, a dull and uneventful period, which does not furnish manyincidents that are of sufficient interest to be worth recording. 

The Triple Alliance passed through the principal entrance to RonleighCollege one afternoon towards the end of January, with no flourish oftrumpets or beat of drums to announce the fact of their arrival to theirone hundred and eighty odd schoolfellows. They were simply "new kids. "But though, after the fame they had won at The Birches, it was ratherhumiliating at first to find themselves regarded as three nobodies, yetthere was some compensation in the thought that, just as the smallestdrummer-boy can point to a flag covered with "honours, " and say"My regiment, " so, in looking round at the many things of whichRonleians past and present had just reason to be proud, they could claimit as "our school, " and feel that they themselves formed a part, howeversmall and insignificant, of the institution. 

The crowd of boys, and the maze of passages, rooms, and staircases, werevery confusing after the quiet, old-fashioned house at Chatford; butthough in this world there is no lack either of lame dogs or of stiles, there is also a good supply of kindly-disposed persons who are everready to help the former over the latter, and our three friends werefortunate enough to fall in with one of these philanthropic individualssoon after their arrival. 

The stranger, who was a youngster of about their own age, with apleasant, good-natured-looking face, patted Diggory on the back in afatherly manner, and addressing the group said, --

"Well, my boys, we're a large family at Ronleigh, but fresh additionsare always welcome. How did you leave them all at home? Quite well, I hope? Um, ah! Just so. That's what Dr. Denson always says, "continued the speaker, without waiting for any reply to his numerousquestions. "You'll have to go and see him after tea. My name's Carton;what's yours?"

The three comrades introduced themselves. 

"What bedroom are you in?"

"Number 16. "

"Then you're in the same one as I and young Hart. Come for a stroll, and I'll show you round the place. "

With Carton acting as conductor, the party set out on a tour ofinspection. It was some time before the new-comers could find their wayabout alone without turning down wrong passages, or encroaching onforbidden ground, and getting shouted at by irate seniors, and orderedto "Come out of that!" But by the time they had finished their round, and the clanging of a big bell summoned them to assemble in thedining-hall for tea, they had been able to form a general idea as to thegeography of Ronleigh College, and a brief account of their discoverieswill be of interest to the reader. 

Passing through the central archway in the block of buildings whichfaced the road, the boys found themselves in a large gravelledquadrangle surrounded on all sides by high walls, broken by whatappeared at first sight to be an almost countless number of windows, while the red brick was relieved in many places by a thick growth ofivy. 

"That's the gymnasium on the left, " said Carton, "and above it arestudies; and that row of big windows on the right, with the colouredglass in the top, is the big schoolroom. "

Crossing the gravel they passed through another archway, in which weretwo folding-doors, and emerged upon an open space covered with asphalt, upon which stood a giant-stride and two double fives-courts. 

This formed but a small corner of a large level field, in which a numberof boys were to be seen wandering about arm in arm, or standing chattingtogether in small groups, pausing every now and then in theirconversation to give chase to a football which was being kicked about inan aimless fashion by a number of their more energetic companions. 

"The goal-posts aren't up yet, " said Carton, "and this is only what'scalled the junior field; the one beyond is where the big fellows play. The pavilion is over the hedge there, with the flagstaff by the sideof it. That's the match ground, and there's room for another gamebesides. "

"Where do all the fellows go when they aren't out of doors?" askedDiggory. 

"Well, the Sixth all have studies; then comes Remove, and those chapshave a room to themselves; all the rest have desks in the big school, and you hang about there, though of course, if you like, there's thegymnasium, or the box-room--that's where a lot of fellows spend most oftheir time. "

"What sort of a place is that?"

"Oh, it's where the play-boxes are kept. Come along; we'll go therenext. "

They passed once more through the double doors, and were crossing thequadrangle, when a certain incident attracted their notice, unimportantin itself, but indicating a strong contrast in the manner of life atRonleigh to what they had always been accustomed to at The Birches. A youngster was tearing up a piece of paper and scattering the fragmentsabout on the gravel. 

"Hi, you there!" cried a voice; "pick that up. What d'you mean bymaking that mess here?"

The small boy grabbed up the bits of paper, stuffed them in his pocket, and hurried away towards the schoolroom. 

"Is that one of the masters?" asked Mugford. 

"No, " answered Carton, "that's Oaks; he's one of the prefects. Don't you see he's got a blue tassel to his mortar-board?"

"But what's a prefect?"

"Whew!" laughed the other, "you'll soon find out if you play the fool, and don't mind what you're about. Why, there are fourteen of them, allfellows in the Sixth, and they keep order and give you lines, and allthat sort of thing. "

"Why, I thought it was only masters did that, " said Jack Vance. 

"Well, you'll find the prefects do it here, " answered Carton; "and whenthey tell you to do a thing, I'd advise you to look alive and do it, forthey don't reckon to speak twice. "

The evening passed quickly enough. After tea came an interview with thehead-master in his study, and then what was perhaps a still more tryingordeal--a long spell of sitting in the big schoolroom answering anincessant fire of questions such as, "What's your name?"--"Where d'youcome from?" etc. , etc. 

At length the signal was given for passing on to bed, and the TripleAlliance were not sorry to gain the shelter of No. 16 dormitory. 

The room contained seven other beds besides their own, two of which wereas yet still vacant, waiting the arrival of boys who had not turned upon the first day. The remainder were occupied by a couple of othernew-comers, and three oldsters, Carton, Hart, and Bayley. 

It was very different from the cosy little bedrooms at The Birches; butthe three friends were glad to be allowed to undress in peace and quiet, and had scrambled safely into bed some time before the prefect put in anappearance to turn out the light. 

"I tell you what, " said Hart, a few moments later: "you new kids maythink yourselves lucky that you're in a quiet room for a start. I knowwhen I came first there used to be christenings and all kinds ofhumbug. "

"What was that?" asked Diggory. 

"Why, fellows used always to christen you with a nickname: they stuckyour head in a basin and poured water over you, and if you struggled yougot it all down your back. "

"Yes, " continued Carton, "and they hid your clothes, and had bull-fightsand all sorts of foolery. That was in _Nineteen_: old 'Thirsty' was theprefect for that passage, and he doesn't care tu'pence what fellows do. But Allingford's put a stop to almost all that kind of thing: he'scaptain of the school, and he's always awfully down on anything of thatsort. "

By the time breakfast was over on the following morning, Diggory and histwo companions were beginning to recover a little from their first stateof bewilderment amid their strange surroundings. They donned the schoolcap of black flannel, with the crest worked in silk upon the front, andwent out to enjoy some fresh air and sunshine in the playground. 

It was a bright, frosty day, and the whole place seemed full of life andactivity. There was plenty to engage their attention, and much that wasnew and singular after their comparatively quiet playground at TheBirches. But whatever there was to awaken their interest out of doors, a thing was destined to happen during their first morning school whichwould be a still greater surprise than anything they had yet encounteredduring their short residence at Ronleigh. 

At nine o'clock the clanging of the big bell summoned them to thegeneral assembly in the big schoolroom. They took their places at aback desk pointed out to them by the master on duty, and sat watchingthe stream of boys that poured in through the open doors, wondering howlong it would take them to become acquainted with the names of such amultitude. 

The forms passed on in their usual order, and the new boys wereconducted to a vacant classroom, where they received a set ofexamination papers which were intended to test the amount of theirknowledge, and determine the position in which they were to start workon the following day. 

Jack Vance, Diggory, and Mugford sat together at the first desk, just infront of the master's table, and were soon busy in proving theirprevious acquaintance with the Latin grammar. Presently the dooropened, and a voice, which they at once recognized as Dr. Denson's, said, "Mr. Ellesby, may I trouble you to step here for a moment?"None of the trio raised their eyes from their work. There was amuttered conversation in the passage, and then the door was once moreclosed. 

The master returned to his desk, dipped his pen in the ink, andaddressing some one at the back of the room, inquired, --

"What did Dr. Denson say your name was?"

"Noaks, sir. "

The Triple Alliance gave a simultaneous start as though they hadreceived an electric shock, and their heads turned round like threeweathercocks. 

There, sure enough, at the back desk of all, sat the late leader of thePhilistines, with a rather sheepish expression on his face, somewhatsimilar to the one it had worn when the marauders from Horace House hadbeen ushered into Mr. Welsby's study. 

Jack Vance looked at Mugford, and Mugford looked at Diggory. "Well, I'mjiggered!" whispered the latter, and once more returned to hisexamination paper. 

At eleven o'clock there was a quarter of an hour's interval. Beingstill, as it were, strangers in a strange land, the three friends keptpretty close together. They were walking arm in arm about thequadrangle, giving expression to their astonishment at this latestarrival at Ronleigh, when Diggory suddenly exclaimed, "Look out! herehe comes!"

After so many encounters of a decidedly hostile nature, it was difficultto meet their old enemy on neutral ground without some feeling ofembarrassment. Young Noaks, however, walked up cool as a cucumber, andholding out his hand said, --

"Hullo, you fellows, who'd have thought of seeing you here! How areyou?"

The three boys returned the salutation in a manner which, to say theleast, was not very cordial, and made some attempt to pass on their way;but the new-comer refused to see that he was not wanted, and insisted ontaking Mugford's arm and accompanying them on their stroll. 

"I say, " he continued, addressing Jack Vance, "were you at Toddertonthese holidays? I don't think I saw you once. "

"The last time I saw you, " returned Jack, in rather a bitter tone, "waswhen you came to spoil our fireworks, and we collared you in the shed. "

Noaks clinched his fist, and for a moment his brow darkened; the nextinstant, however, he laughed as though the recollection of the incidentafforded him an immense amount of amusement. 

"Ha, ha! Yes, awful joke that, wasn't it? almost as good as the timewhen that fool of a master of yours, Lake, or Blake, or whatever youcall him, had me sent off the field so that you could win the match. "

"It was no such thing, " answered Jack. "You know very well why it wasBlake interfered; and he's not a fool, but a jolly good sort. "

"Oh, don't get angry, " returned the other. "I'm sure I shouldn't flyinto a wax if you called Fox or old Phillips a fool. I got sick of thatbeastly little school, as I expect you did of yours, and so I made myuncle send me here. --Hullo! I suppose that's the bell for going back towork; see you again later on. "

"I say, " whispered Diggory, as soon as they had regained their seat inthe examination-room, "I vote we give that chap the cold shoulder. "

The following morning the three friends heard their names read out asforming part of the Third Form, to which their friend Carton alreadybelonged. Young Noaks was placed in the Upper Fourth, and they werenot destined therefore to have him as a class-mate. 

The Third Form at Ronleigh had, for some reason or other, received thetitle of "The Happy Family. " They certainly were an amusing lot oflittle animals, and Diggory and his companions coming into the classroomrather late, and before the entrance of the master, saw them for thefirst time to full advantage. Out of the two-and-twenty juvenilespresent, only about six seemed to be in their proper places. 

One young gentleman sitting close to the blackboard cried, "Powder, sir!" and straightway scrubbed his neighbour's face with a very chalkyduster. The latter, by way of retaliation, smote the former's pileof books from the desk on to the ground--a little attention which wasimmediately returned by boy number one; while as they bent down to pickup their scattered possessions, a third party, sitting on the formbehind, made playful attempts to tread upon their fingers. Two rivalfactions in the rear of the room were waging war with paper darts; whilea small, sandy-haired boy, whose tangled hair and disordered attire gavehim the appearance, as the saying goes, of having been dragged through afurze-bush backwards, rapped vigorously with his knuckles upon themaster's table, and inquired loudly how many more times he was to say"Silence!"

The entrance of the three new-comers caused a false alarm, and in amoment every one was in his proper seat. 

"Bother it!" cried the small, sandy-haired boy, who had bumped his kneerushing from the table to his place; "why didn't you make more noisewhen you came in?"

"But I thought you were asking for silence, answered Diggory. 

"Shut up, and don't answer back when you are spoken to by a prefect, "retorted the small boy. "Look here, you haven't written your name onWatford's slate. --They must, mustn't they, Maxton?" he added, turning toa boy who sat at the end of one of the back seats. 

"Of course they must, " answered Maxton, who, with both elbows on thedesk, was blowing subdued railway whistles through his hands; "every newfellow has to write his name on that little slate on Mr. Watford'stable, and he enters them from there into his mark-book. I'm head boy, and I've got to see you do it. Look sharp, or he'll be here in aminute, and there'll be a row. "

Diggory, Vance, and Mugford hastily signed their names, one under theother, upon the slate. There was a good deal of tittering while theydid so; but as a new boy is laughed at for nearly everything he does, they took no notice of it, and had hardly got back to their places whenthe master entered the room, and the work began in earnest. 

About a quarter of an hour later the boys were busy with a Latinexercise, when silence was broken by a shuffle and an exclamation fromthe back desk. "You again, Maxton, " said the master, looking upwith a frown. "I suppose you are determined to idle away your time andremain bottom of the class this term as you were last. I shall put yourname down for some extra work. Let's see, " he continued, taking up theslate: "I appear to have three boys' names down already--'Vance, ''Mugford, ' and 'Trevanock. ' What's the meaning of this? This is notmy writing. How came these names here?"

"Please, sir, " faltered Mugford, "we put them there ourselves. "

"Put them there yourselves! What d'you want to put your names down onmy punishment slate for? I suppose some one told you to, didn't they?"

"Please, sir, " answered Diggory warily, "we thought we had to, so thatyou might have our names to enter in your mark-book. "

There was a burst of laughter, but that answer went a long way towardssetting the Alliance on a good footing with their class-mates. 

"That young Trevanock's the right sort, " said Maxton, "and so are theothers. I thought they'd sneak about that slate, but they didn't. "

Mr. Noaks, junior, on the other hand, was destined to find that he wasnot going to carry everything before him at Ronleigh as he had doneamong the small fry at Horace House, The Upper Fourth voted him a"bounder, " and nicknamed him "Moke. " After morning school he repeatedhis attempt to ally himself with his former foes, but the result wasdecidedly unsatisfactory. 

Down in the box-room, a good-sized apartment boarded off from thegymnasium, Jack Vance was serving out a ration of plum-cake to a selectparty, consisting of his two chums and Carton, when the ex-Philistinestrolled up and joined himself to the group. 

"Hullo!" he said, "are you chaps having a feed? D'you remember thatpork-pie we bagged from one of your kids at Chatford? Ha, ha! it was alark. "

"I don't see it's much of a lark to bag what doesn't belong to you, "muttered Diggory. 

"What's that you say?"

"Nothing for you to hear, " returned the other. "I don't know if you'rewaiting about here to get some cake, but I'm sure I never invited you tocome. "

"Look here, don't be cheeky, " answered Noaks. "If you think I want tomake friends with a lot of impudent young monkeys like you, all I cansay is you're jolly well mistaken, " and so saying he turned on his heeland walked away. 

"I say, Trevanock, " said Carton, two days later, "that fellow Noaks hasfound a friend at last: he's picked up with Mouler. They'll make a nicepair, I should say. Mouler was nearly expelled last term for tellinglies to Ellesby about some cribs. "

Noaks certainly seemed to have discovered a chum in the black sheep ofthe Upper Fourth, and the Triple Alliance began to congratulatethemselves that he would trouble them no further. In a big schoollike Ronleigh College there was plenty of room for everybody to go hisown way without fear of running his head into people whom he wished toavoid. Our three friends, however, seemed fated to find in the personof Noaks junior a perpetual stumbling-block and cause of disquietude andannoyance. They had no sooner succeeded in setting him at a distancewhen an incident occurred which brought them once more into violentcollision with the enemy. 

The pavilion, which has already been mentioned as standing on the matchground, was a handsome wooden structure, surrounded by some low palings, in front of which was a small oblong patch of gravel. On the secondSaturday morning of the term Noaks and Mouler were lounging across thisopen space, when Oaks, the prefect, emerged from the pavilion, carryingin his hand a pot of paint he had been mixing for the goal-posts, whichwere just being put up. On reaching the paling he suddenly ejaculated, "Bother! I've forgotten the brush;" and resting the can on the top ofthe little gate-post, hurried back up the short flight of steps, anddisappeared through the open door. 

"I say, there's a good cock-shy, " said Noaks, nodding his head in thedirection of the paint. 

"Umph! shouldn't like to try, " answered Mouler. 

"Why not?"

"Because Oaks would jolly well punch both our heads. "

"Well, here's a new kid coming; let's set him on to do it. You speak tohim; he knows me. His name's Mugford. "

The two cronies both picked up a handful of stones, and began throwingat the can, taking good care that their shots should fly wide of themark. 

Mugford, who, as we have already seen, was not blessed with the sharpestof wits, paused for a moment to watch the contest. The paint had beenmixed in an old fruit-tin, and at first sight it certainly seemed tohave been put on the post for the sole purpose of being knocked offagain. 

"Hullo, you new kid!" exclaimed Mouler. "Look here, we want a chap forthe third eleven next season--a fellow who can throw straight. Comealong, and let's see if you can hit that old can. "

It certainly looked easy enough, and Mugford, pleased at being takensome notice of by a boy in the Upper Fourth, picked up some pebbles, andjoined in the bombardment. The second shot brought the tin down with agreat clatter, and a flood of white paint spread all over the trimlittle pathway. At the same instant Oaks dashed down the steps boilingwith rage. 

"Confound you!" he cried; "who did that ?"

"I did, " answered Mugford, half crying; "I thought it was empty. "

"Thought it was empty! why didn't you look, you young blockhead?" criedthe prefect, catching the small boy by the arm, while Noaks and Moulerburst into a roar of laughter. 

Things would probably have gone hard with the unfortunate Mugford if atthat moment a fifth party had not arrived on the scene. The new-comer, who, from the show of whisker at the side of his face and the tone ofauthority in which he spoke, seemed to be one of the masters, was talland muscular, with the bronze of a season's cricketing still upon hischeeks and neck. 

"Stop a minute, Oaks, " he said. "I happened to see this little game;let's hear what the kid's got to say for himself. "

In faltering tones Mugford told his story. Without a word the strangerstepped up to Mouler and dealt him a sounding box on the ear. 

"There!" he said, "take that for your trouble; and now cut off down townand buy a fresh pot of paint out of your own pocket, and do it jollyquick, too. --As for you, " he added, turning to Noaks, "get a spade outof that place under the pavilion and clean up this path. If you weren'ta new fellow I'd serve you the same. Look out in future. "

"And you look out too, " muttered Noaks, glancing at Mugford with afierce expression on his face as the two seniors moved off, "you beastlyyoung sneak. The first chance I get I'll give you the best lickingyou ever had in your life. "

"Old Mug is rather a fool, " remarked Jack Vance to Diggory a few hourslater; "he ought to have seen through that. But we must stand by himbecause of the Triple Alliance. Noaks is sure to try to set on him thefirst chance he gets. "

"Yes, " answered Diggory; "look out for squalls. "

CHAPTER VIII. 

THIRD FORM ORATORY. 

At the end of the first fortnight our three friends had begun to findtheir feet at Ronleigh, and the sense of being "outsiders" in everythingwas gradually wearing off as they grew more intimate with theirschoolfellows. 

Jack Vance and Diggory soon became popular members of "The HappyFamily, " and their loyalty to Mugford caused the latter's path to bemuch smoother than it probably would have been had he been compelled totread it alone. 

Carton turned out a capital fellow; Rathson, the small, sandy-haired boymentioned in the previous chapter, and who generally went by the name of"Rats, " took a great fancy to Jack; while Maxton repeated his assertionthat young Trevanock was "the right sort, " and as a further mark of hisfavour presented the new-comer with a moleskin of his own curing, whichlooked very nice, but, as "Rats" put it, "smelt rather fruity. "

But it was not in the Third Form only that Diggory began to findfriends; for by a lucky chance he was fortunate enough to make a goodimpression on the minds of the great men, who, as a rule, took nofurther notice of the small fry than to exact from them a certain amountof obedience, or in default a certain number of lines or other "impots. "

One morning, soon after breakfast, a little group was gathered roundCarton's desk in the big school-room, discussing the value of someforeign stamps, when a small boy came up to them, saying, --

"Is Trevanock here? Well, Acton wants you now at once in his study. "

"Hullo, " said Carton, looking up from the sheet of specimens in front ofhim--"hullo, Diggy! What have you been up to?"

"I haven't been doing anything, " answered the other. "What do you thinkhe wants me for?"

"I don't know, but it sounds rather like getting a licking. At allevents, you'd better hurry up; prefects don't thank you for keeping themwaiting. His is the third door on the right as you go down thepassage. "

Diggory hastened to obey the summons, wondering what it could mean. He found the door, and in answer to the loud "Come in!" which greetedhis knock turned the handle, and found himself for the first time insideone of the Sixth Form studies. 

It was a small, square room, and looked very cosy and comfortable withits red window-curtains, well-filled bookshelf, and many littleknick-knacks that adorned the walls and mantelpiece. An array of silvercups, several photographs of cricket and football teams, and amiscellaneous pile of bats, fencing-sticks, Indian clubs, etc. , standingin one corner, all spoke of the athlete; while carelessly thrown downon the top of a cupboard was an article for the possession of which manya, boy would have bartered the whole of his worldly wealth--a bit ofworn blue velvet and the tarnished remnant of what had once been a goldtassel--the "footer cap" of Ronleigh College. 

But it was not so much the furniture as the occupants of the study thatattracted Diggory's attention. John Acton, a tall, wiry fellow, wholooked as though his whole body was as hard and tough as whip-cord, wasstanding leaning on the end of the mantelpiece talking to another of theseniors, who sat sprawling in a folding-chair on the other side of thefire; while seated at the table, turning over the leaves of whatappeared to be a big manuscript book, was no less a personage thanAllingford, the school captain. 

"I don't understand a bit what's coming to 'Thirsty, '" the footballleader was saying. "I was rather chummy with him when we were in theFifth, and he was all right then, but now he seems to be running to seedas fast as he can; and I believe it's a great deal that fellowFletcher. --Hullo, youngster! what d'you want?"

"I was told you wanted to see me, " said Diggory nervously. 

"Oh yes. You were at The Birches, that school near Chatford, weren'tyou? Well, I want to hear about that love affair my young brother hadwith the old chap's daughter. --It was an awful joke, " added the speaker, addressing his companions. "He was about fourteen, and she's a grown-upwoman; and he was awfully gone, I can tell you. --How did he pop thequestion?"

"He wrote, " answered Diggory. "We tossed up whether he should do thator speak. "

There was a burst of laughter. 

"Did you see the letter?"

"Yes. "

"What did he say?"

"I can't tell you. "

"Why not? don't you remember?"

"Yes; but he only showed me the letter on condition I wouldn't ever tellany one what was in it. "

"Oh, that's all rot! you can tell me; I'm his brother. Come, out withit. "

It was an awful thing to beard the lion in his den--for a new boy toface so great a personage as the football captain, and refusepoint-blank to do as he was told. Diggory shifted uneasily from onefoot to another, and then glancing up he became aware of the fact thatAllingford was gazing at him across the table with a curious expression, which somehow gave him fresh encouragement to persist in his refusal todisclose the contents of his former friend's love-letter. 

"I can't tell you, " he repeated; "it was a promise, you know. "

The Ronleigh captain laughed. "Well done, " he said. "I wish some otherfellows were a bit more careful to keep their promises. --Acton, youbeggar, you swore you'd keep up this register for me, and there'snothing entered for last term. "

"Oh, bother you, Ally!" exclaimed the other; "what a nigger-driver youare!--Hullo, there's the bell!--Here, kid, stick those two oranges inyour pocket; go 'long!"

Diggory left the room, having gained something else besides the twooranges; for as he closed the door Allingford laughed again, and risingfrom his chair said, "He's a stanch little beggar; I think I'll keepan eye on him. "

The subject of this remark hurried away, and had just joined the crowdof boys who were thronging into the big school for assembly, when someone took hold of his arm, and glancing round he was startled to see JackVance, looking very excited and dishevelled, and mopping his mouth witha blood-stained handkerchief. 

"I say, " exclaimed the latter, "have you seen Mugford?"

"No. What's the matter? what have you done to your mouth?"

"Why, I've had a beastly row with Noaks. I'll 'tell you after school. "

"No, tell me now, " cried Diggory, pulling his companion aside into acorner by the door. "Quick--what was it?"

"Why, he pounced down on Mugford, out there by the fives-court, andbegan twisting his arm and saying he'd pay him out for that paint-potbusiness. I went to the rescue, and the beast hit me with theback of his hand here on the mouth. I told him he was a cad, and saidsomething about his father being only a man-servant, and having stolenour things. I'm sorry now, for it was rather a low thing to do, but Iwas in such a wax I didn't think what I was saying. Mouler was standingby, and he heard it, and laughed; and Noaks looked as if he'd havekilled me. I believe he would have knocked me down, only Rowlands, theprefect, came up and stopped the row. "

There was no time for any further details, and the two boys had to rushaway to their seats in order to escape being marked as late. 

One thing was certain--that the Triple Alliance were once more embroiledin a quarrel with their ancient foe the former leader of thePhilistines, and they knew enough of their adversary's character tofeel sure that he would not pass over an event of this kind without someattempt at revenge. 

It is probable that, if this had happened at Horace House, Jack Vancewould have received a good licking as soon as the classes weredismissed; but a few very plain and forcible words spoken by Rowlandson the subject of knocking small boys about caused Noaks to postpone hisretaliation. 

"Look here, " he said, meeting Jack Vance in the quadrangle during theinterval: "just you keep your mouth shut about me and my father. I've got two or three accounts to settle with you chaps already; justmind what you're up to. " He clinched his fist as though about tostrike, then, with an ugly scowl, turned on his heel and walked away. 

It must have been about three days after this encounter with Noaks thatour three friends were called upon to attend a mass meeting of the ThirdForm, to consider the advisability of starting a periodical inopposition to the school magazine. Important events connected with alater period of their life at Ronleigh render it necessary that weshould not linger too long over the account of their first term; butsome mention, however brief, should certainly be made of the memorablegathering to which we have referred. A notice pinned on to theblack-board, and pulled down as soon as Mr. Watford entered theclassroom, announced the project in the following words:--

 "NOTICE. " "A meeting will be held in the 'old lab' directly after dinner to-day, to make plans for starting a magazine in opposition to _The Ronleian_. All members of the Third Form are specially requested to attend. "

 "FLETCHER II. " "J. A. BIBBS. "

"You must come, " said "Rats" to Diggory; "it'll be an awful lark. "

"But what's it all about?"

"Oh, you'll hear when you get there. It's Fletcher's idea; he wants tostart a new magazine. Eastfield, who edits _The Ronleian_, is Maxton'scousin; so Maxton's going to interrupt and get some other fellows to dothe same. I'm going to be part of the opposition, " added the youthful"Rats, " beaming with delight, "and I have got a whole heap of paper bagsI'm going to burst while Fletcher's speaking. "

The "old lab, " as it was called, was a small brick building which stoodon one side of the asphalt playground. A new laboratory having recentlybeen fitted up elsewhere, the former one was, for the time being, unused. It was not more than about fifteen feet long by seven or eightfeet wide; and as "The Happy Family" mustered in force, the place wascrowded to overflowing. The door having been closed, Fletcher Twomounted a low stone sink which ran along the end wall, and from thisready-made platform commenced to address the assembly :--

"Gentlemen, --We've met here, as you know, to talk over starting a freshmagazine. _The Ronleian_ is a beastly swindle, and it's high time wehad something different. " (A voice, "No, 'tisn't, " and the bursting ofa paper bag. ) "You shut up there! I say it is a swindle: they didn'tgive any account of that fourth eleven match against Robertson's second, and they made fun of us in the 'Quad Gossip, ' and said that in'The Happy Family' there was a preponderance of monkey. " ("So there is, and you're it!" Laughter and another explosion. )

"What I propose is that we start a manuscript magazine for the ThirdForm, and that every fellow promise to take that, and never to buy acopy of the other. We might pass it round, and charge a penny each tolook at it. Will you all subscribe?"

No one spoke, the silence only being broken by the sound of "Rats"blowing up another bag, which caused a fresh burst of laughter. 

"Will you all subscribe?" once more demanded the speaker. 

There were mingled cries of "Yes!" and "No!" and a stentorian yell of"No, you cuckoo! of course we won't, " from Maxton, and anotherexplosion. 

"Look here, young 'Rats, ' if you burst any more of those bags I'll comedown and burst your head. --I forgot to say, gentlemen, that Mr. Bibbshas promised to assist in editing the paper; and I will now call uponhim to give you an account of what it will contain. "

Bibbs, the Third Form genius, was regarded by every one as a huge joke, and the very mention of his name caused a fresh burst of merriment. He was a sad-faced, untidy-looking boy, quick and clever enough in somethings, and equally dull and stupid in others. The announcement that hewould address the meeting had no sooner been made than half a dozenwilling pairs of hands seized and hoisted him on to the platform; thoughno sooner had he attained this exalted position than two or three voicesordered him in a peremptory manner to "Come down!"

The greater part of the audience not caring the toss of a button whetherFletcher started his magazine or not, but thinking that it was rathergood fun to interrupt the proceedings, now joined the opposition, andthe unfortunate Bibbs was subjected to a brisk fire of chaff. One facetious class-mate, standing close to the sink, offered to sellhim by auction; and hammering on the stones with the fragment of a bathandle, knocked him down for threepence to another joker, who said he'ddo for a pen-wiper. 

"Sing a song, Bibbs!" cried one voice; "Where's your neck-tie?" askedanother; "What are you grinning at?" demanded a third; while the objectof these pleasantries stood, with a vacant smile upon his face, nervously fumbling with his watch-chain. 

"Go on!" cried Fletcher, who had descended from the platform to makeroom for his colleague; "say something, you fool!"

"The magazine is to be written on exercise-book paper, " began Bibbs, andhad only got thus far when he was interrupted by a perfect salvo ofpaper bags which little "Rats" discharged in quick succession. 

With an exclamation of wrath Fletcher made a dive in the direction ofthe offender, and in a moment the whole gathering was in a state ofconfusion. The majority of those present siding with "Rats, " began tohustle Fletcher, while two gentlemen having dragged Bibbs from hisperch, jumped up in his stead, and began to execute a clog-dance. 

In the midst of this commotion Maxton elbowed his way through the crush, and having pushed the two boys off the sink, mounted it himself, crying, --

"Look here, I'm going to speak; just you listen a minute. The reasonwhy Bibbs wants to start a new magazine is because he wrote a novelonce, and sent it to _The Ronleian_ to come out so much each month, and they wouldn't have it. "

"Shut up, Maxton!" cried Fletcher, rushing to the spot; "you've onlycome here on purpose to interrupt. Let's turn him out!"

"Yes, turn him out!" echoed the audience, who by this time were just inthe spirit for "ragging, " and would have ejected friend or foe alike forthe sport of the thing--"turn him out!"

The two clog-dancers being quite ready to avenge the interruption oftheir performance, formed themselves into a storming-party, and carriedthe platform by assault. Maxton, struggling all the way, was dragged tothe door, and cast out into the playground. Most of the restlessspirits in the audience requiring a short breathing-space to recovertheir wind after the tussle, there followed a few moments' quiet, whichFletcher immediately took advantage of to mount the sink and resume thebusiness of the meeting. 

"The magazine, " he began, "is going to be written on exercise-bookpaper. Any one who likes can contribute, and it's going to be moreespecially a paper for the Third Form. "

The speaker went on to show that the periodical was destined to supply along-felt want. _The Ronleian_ ignored the doings of boys in the lowerhalf of the school, and returned their contributions with insultingsuggestions, pencilled on the margins, that the authors should devotesome of their spare time and energy to the study of their Englishgrammars and spelling-books. _The Third Form Chronicle_, as it was tobe called, would recognize the fact that junior boys had as much rightto be heard as seniors, and would afford them the opportunity of airingtheir views on any subject they chose to bring forward. 

Fletcher had barely time to proceed thus far with his speech when analarming interruption occurred, which put an immediate stop to hisfurther utterance. Nearly at the top of the end wall there had formerlybeen a ventilator; this, for one reason or another, had been removed, and in the brickwork an open space about a foot square had been left. A hissing noise was suddenly heard outside, and the next moment a streamof water shot through the aperture, and descended in a perfect deluge onthe heads of the company. 

The fact was that Maxton, ever a reckless young villain, had discovereda hose fixed to one of the mains close to the building, and hadimmediately seized upon it as an instrument wherewith to wreak vengeanceon his companions for having turned him out of the meeting. 

Words cannot describe the uproar and confusion which followed. As oneman the whole assembly made for the door, but only to find it fastenedon the outside. The water flew all over the small building, drenchingevery one in turn. Some howled, some laughed, and only Bibbs hadsufficient presence of mind to creep under the sink, which afforded acertain amount of shelter from the falling flood. 

The deluge ceased as suddenly as it had begun, and an instant later thedoor was flung open, and the figure of a Sixth Form boy was seen barringthe exit. 

"Now, then, " he demanded, "what are you youngsters making this awfulrow for? I've a jolly good mind to take all your names. "

There was a moment's silence. Then Fletcher's voice was heardexclaiming, --

"Oh! it's only old 'Thirsty;' he's all right. "

"Here, not so fast, " answered the prefect, blocking up the doorway assome boys tried to escape; "what are you chaps doing in here? I thoughtyou'd been told to keep out. "

The originator of the meeting pushed his way through the crowd, andtaking hold of the big fellow's arm in a familiar manner, said, --

"Oh, it's all right, 'Thirsty, ' old chap. We just came inside, and someone squirted water all over us, and that's why we shouted. But we won'tdo it again. "

"Oh, but it isn't all right, " returned the other. "If I find any of youin here again, I'll help you out with the toe of my boot. Go on! I'lllet you off this once. "

The crowd rushed forth and quickly dispersed. 

"That Thurston seems an awful decent chap, " said Diggory; "I didn'tthink he'd let us off so easily. "

"He's all right as long as you don't cross him, " answered Carton. "He used to be pretty strict, but he doesn't seem to care now whatfellows do. He's very thick with Fletcher's brother--that's one reasonwhy he didn't do anything just now; but I can tell you he's a nasty chapto deal with when he's in a wax. "

The prefect locked the empty building, and turning on his heel caughtsight of our three friends, who were standing close by waiting for"Rats. "

"Hullo, you new kids! what are you called?"

The usual answer was given, and Thurston passed on, little thinking whatgood cause he would have before the end of the year for remembering thenames of the trio, and altogether unaware of the prominent part whichthe Triple Alliance was destined to play in his own private affairs aswell as in the fortunes of Ronleigh College. 

CHAPTER IX. 

A HOLIDAY ADVENTURE. 

The weeks slipped away, and the Triple Alliance soon got over theirnew-boy trials, and began to enjoy all the rights and privileges ofRonleigh College boys. They wrote letters to Miss Eleanor and to theirformer schoolfellows, and received in reply the latest news from TheBirches. 

"The Philistines are quite friendly now, " wrote Acton. "We had a matchagainst them last week on their ground, and they gave us tea after. It's awfully slow; I almost wish that chap Noaks was back. "

"So do I, " added Diggory, as he finished the sentence; "we could verywell spare him. "

"Oh, he's all right, " answered Jack Vance; "that row's blown over now. As long as we leave him alone he won't interfere with us. "

"Won't he!" returned the other; "you take my word for it, he hasn'tforgotten what you said about his father, and he's only waiting for achance to pay us out. Whenever I go near him he looks as black as ink. "

It was customary at Ronleigh to have what was called a half-termholiday. This was usually given on a Monday, to enable those boys wholived within a short distance of the school to spend the week endat home; while, in the winter or spring terms, the boarders who remainedat the school usually devoted the greater portion of the day to apaper-chase. 

"I shall go home, " said Jack Vance to his two chums; "Todderton's onlyabout half an hour's ride from here on the railway. And, I say, I'vegot a grand idea: I'm going to write and get my mater to invite youfellows to come too! It would be jolly to have a meeting there of theTriple Alliance, and I'm sure old Denson would let you go if we cameback on Monday night. "

Both Mugford and Diggory were charmed with the idea. "But d'you reallythink your mater would have us?" they asked. 

"Of course she will, if I ask her, " answered Jack, and straightway satdown to write the letter. 

By Wednesday evening everything, including the formal invitation and thedoctors permission to accept the same, had been obtained, and for thetwo following days the Triple Alliance could talk or think of littleelse besides their projected excursion. At length Saturday came, and assoon as morning school was over they rushed upstairs to change intotheir best clothes; and having crammed their night-shirts, brushes andcombs, etc. , into a hand-bag, hurried off to the railway station, inorder that they might, as Jack put it, "be home in time for dinner. "

Just as they were getting into the train, who should come out of thebooking-office but young Noaks. 

"Hullo!" said Jack. "He must be going home too; I hope he won't come inhere. "

The new-comer, however, had no intention of making another attempt toforce his society on the Triple Alliance; he passed them with a surlynod, and entered a compartment at the other end of the train. 

Jack Vance lived in the suburbs of Todderton, about twenty minutes' walkfrom the railway; but for all that he managed to carry out his intentionof being home in time for dinner; and the three boys, after receiving ahearty welcome, were soon seated down to a repast which came veryacceptable after seven weeks of school fare. 

"Jack, " said Mr. Vance, "you know that house that was to let just on theother side of The Hermitage? Who d'you think's taken it?"

"I don't know, father. "

"Why, that man Simpson, the uncle of your friend what's-his-name. "

"He isn't my friend, " answered Jack. "You mean Noaks. Fancy his comingto live so near to us as that! We saw him in the train just now. He's here for the holiday. "

"I ought to tell you, " continued Mr. Vance, turning to Diggory, "thatour next-door neighbour is called 'The Hermit. ' He's a queer oldfellow, who lives by himself, and never makes friends or speaks to anyone. He's supposed to be very clever, and I've heard it said that he'sgot a very valuable collection of coins, and is quite an authority onthe subject; it's one of his hobbies. "

"I suppose, " said Mugford thoughtfully, "that as he's a hermit that'swhy his place is called The Hermitage. "

"Well done, Mug!" said Jack, speaking with his mouth pretty full;"you're getting quite sharp. "

"Yes, that's it, " continued Mr. Vance, laughing. "The old man's awayfrom home just now; he was suffering from rheumatism very badly, and thedoctor ordered him to a course of treatment at some baths. "

The conversation turned on other topics, and when at length they rosefrom the table, Jack proposed a stroll round the garden. 

There were many things to see--some pet rabbits, a swing, and an oldsummer-house, which Jack, being, we should say, of a decidedly nauticalturn of mind, had turned into a sort of miniature shipbuilding yardfor the construction of model vessels; though at present the chief useto which the place seemed to have been put was the production of a greatamount of chips and shavings. 

"I say, " exclaimed the owner, after he and his friends had amusedthemselves for some time boring holes in the door with a brace, "I knowwhat we'll do: let's go over and explore The Hermitage!"

Anything with a spice of excitement in it was meat and drink to Diggory. He immediately seconded the proposition, and Mugford, after a moment'shesitation, agreed to join his companions in the enterprise. 

They strolled off down the path, and soon reached a long stretch ofbrick wall, the top of which was thickly covered with fragments ofbroken bottles. 

"There's a place down at the other end where we can get over, " saidJack. "I smashed the glass with a hammer, because I lost a ball and hadto climb over and get it, one day last holidays. "

The Hermitage was surrounded on all sides by a thick mass of shrubs andtrees, through which a moment later the Triple Alliance were cautiouslythreading their way. Emerging from the bushes, they found themselvesstanding on a gravel path, green with moss and weeds, which ran roundthe house--a queer, dilapidated-looking building, which seemed sadly inwant of repair: the plaster was cracked and discoloured, while the doorsand windows had long stood in need of a fresh coating of paint. 

"I say, " whispered Mugford, "hadn't we better go back? what if the oldchap's at home!"

"Oh, it's all right; there's nobody about, " answered Jack. "Let's go onand see what the place is really like. "

They tip-toed round the building. It was evidently unoccupied, thoughthe delightful sense of uncertainty that at any moment some one mightpounce out upon them or walk down the drive made the questionableadventure very charming. 

"Have you ever been inside?" asked Diggory. 

"No, rather not; I don't think any one has except the doctor, and an oldwoman who comes in to do the house-work. "

"Well, then, I'm going in, " answered Diggory, with a twinkle in his eye. 

"Go on! Why, you might be had up for house-breaking!"

"Rubbish! I'm not going to steal anything. --Here, Mug, lend me yourknife a minute. "

"I don't believe this one's fastened, " he continued, walking up to oneof the windows. "No, it isn't. Bother! I'm awfully sorry, Mugford. "

Using the big blade of the clasp-knife as a lever, Diggory had justsucceeded in raising the sash the fraction of an inch, when the steelsuddenly snapped off short at the handle. 

"Oh, never mind, " said the owner; "let's go back now. What if we'reseen!"

"Oh, there's no fear of that, " answered Jack, who was always infectedwith the adventurous spirit of his chum. --"Go on, Diggy; I'll cometoo. "

By inserting their fingers in the aperture, the boys soon raised thesash, and a few seconds later Diggory mounted the ledge and scrambledthrough the window "Come on, " he said; "the coast's all clear. "

Jack Vance joined him immediately, and Mugford, not wishing to be leftalone outside, was not long in making up his mind to follow hiscompanions. 

The room in which the three boys found themselves was evidently alibrary or study. Book-shelves, and cupboards with glass doors, containing geological and other specimens, occupied much of the wallspace; while in the centre of the floor stood a large writing-table, covered with a miscellaneous collection of pens, ink-pots, bundles ofpapers, and a polished mahogany box which could easily be recognized asa microscope-case. 

The intruders stood for a few moments gazing round in silence. The place did not look very interesting, and smelt rather damp andmouldy. 

"I say, " exclaimed Jack Vance, "look there: he don't seem very carefulhow he leaves his things when he goes away. "

As he spoke he pointed across to the opposite side of the room, where, between two bookcases, an iron safe had been let into the wall. The heavy door was standing half open, while the floor beneath wasstrewn with a quantity of shallow wooden trays lined with green baize. 

"Old bachelors are always untidy, " remarked Diggory. "Let's see wherethis door leads to. " He turned the handle as he spoke, and walked outinto a gloomy little hall paved with cold, bare flagstones, which causedtheir footsteps to waken mournful echoes in the empty house. 

"I say, you fellows, don't let's go any further, " murmured Mugford;"we've seen enough now. Suppose the old chap came back and--"

He never reached the end of the sentence, for Diggory suddenly raisedhis hand, exclaiming in a whisper, "Hark! what was that?"

The loud ticking of Mugford's old turnip of a watch was distinctlyaudible in the silence which followed. 

"What is it, Diggy? what--"

"Hark! there it is again; listen. "

The suspense became awful. At length Diggory dropped his hand. "Didn't you hear footsteps?" he asked. "I'm certain there's some onewalking about on the gravel path. "

"We shall be caught, " whimpered Mugford; "I knew we should. What can wedo?"

"Bolt!" answered Diggory, and began tip-toeing back towards the librarydoor. "Stay here half a 'jiffy, '" he added; "I'll go and reconnoitre. "

Ages seemed to pass while Jack Vance and Mugford stood in the darkpassage awaiting their companion's return. At length the door waspushed softly open. 

"It's all right; there's no one there. I must have been mistaken. Come along. "

In a very short time the Triple Alliance were once more outside TheHermitage. Diggory lingered for a moment to close the window, and thenfollowed his companions through the shrubs and over the wall. 

"You are a great ass, Diggy, to go giving us a start like that, " saidJack, as they paused for a moment to take breath before returning to thehouse. 

"Well, I could have sworn I heard the gravel crunch as if some one waswalking on it, " returned the other. "I should think the place must behaunted. "

A good tea, with all kinds of nice things on the table, soon revived theboys from the trifling shock which their nerves had sustained, and bythe end of the evening their adventure was wellnigh forgotten. They were destined, however, to remember it for many a long day to come, and before many hours had passed they were heartily wishing that theyhad never set foot inside The Hermitage, but kept on their own side ofthe wall. 

The party were seated at supper on Sunday evening, when a servantentered the room, and addressing her master said, "If you please, sir, there's a policeman called to see you. "

Jack's father rose from his chair, remarking, in a jocular manner, "I expect it's one of you young gentlemen he's come after. "

The meal was nearly over when Mr. Vance returned and reseated himself atthe table. 

"Did either of you hear the dog bark last night?" he asked. 

"No; why?"

"Why, because old Fossberry's house has been broken into, and they thinkthe thieves must have come through our garden; there were some footmarksin the shrubbery just on the other side of the wall. "

The hearts of the Triple Alliance seemed to jump into their throats, andtheir mouths grew dry and parched. Jack stared at Mugford, and Mugfordstared at Diggory, but none of them spoke. 

"It seems, " continued Mr. Vance, not noticing the effect which his firstannouncement had produced on at least three of his hearers, "that theold woman who looks after the house went there this morning, and foundthat the iron safe in which the old chap keeps his coins had been openedand the whole collection removed. The only trace of the thieves thatthe police have been able to discover is the broken blade of aclasp-knife, which was on a flower-bed near the window. "

"What will they get if they are caught?" asked Jack faintly. 

"Oh, penal servitude, I suppose; it's a serious business housebreaking. "

"How quiet you boys are!" said Mrs. Vance a short time later. "I think you must be tired. Wouldn't you like to go to bed?"

The three friends were only too glad to avail themselves of this excusefor getting away into some place where they could indulge in a littleprivate conversation. Diggory and Mugford slept together in the sameroom; Jack followed them in and closed the door. 

"Well, " he exclaimed, "we're in a nice mess. "

"But we didn't steal the coins, " said Mugford. 

"Of course we didn't--the safe had been robbed before we went there--butit looks as if we'd done it; and if they find out we got into the house, I don't see how we're going to prove that we're innocent. "

There was a short silence; then Diggory spoke. 

"Look here, Jack: I was the one who proposed going inside the place;shall I tell your guv'nor?"

"Well, I was thinking of doing that myself, only I don't see what goodit can do. If we tell him, he'll be bound to tell the police, toexplain about those footmarks; and when it comes out that we got intothe house, I should think we are pretty certain to be charged withhaving stolen the coins. I think the best thing will be to keep itdark: we didn't crib the things, and the thieves are sure to be caughtin time. "

Even after Jack had retired to his own room, Diggory and Mugford layawake for hours discussing the situation; and when at length they didfall asleep, it was only to dream of being chased by "The Hermit"and a swarm of long-legged policemen, who forced their way into theThird Form classroom at Ronleigh, and handcuffed the unfortunate trio inthe very bosom of "The Happy Family. "

The following morning was spent in visiting such parts of the town ofTodderton as were worth seeing. 

"Upon my word, " said Jack, "I feel funky to show my nose outside ourgate, just as if I really had prigged those wretched coins. I shan't beat all sorry this evening to get back to Ronleigh. It's all in thepaper this morning; it mentions the footmarks and the knife-blade, andsays that as yet the police have not been able to discover any furthertraces of the robbers. "

The conditions on which the half-term holiday was granted required everyboy to return to school on the Monday evening, and accordingly, aboutseven o'clock, the Triple Alliance found themselves once more on theirway to the railway station. They took their seats, and had hardly doneso when young Noaks entered the compartment. 

"Hullo, you fellows!" he exclaimed; "didn't you hear me whistle?I was standing over there by the book-stall. "

Regarding this as an overture of friendship after their recentencounter, Jack Vance replied in an equally amicable manner, and after afew common-place remarks the party relapsed into silence. At Chatton, the station before Ronleigh, a man who had so far travelled with themgot out, and the four boys were left alone. Hardly had the trainstarted again when Noaks put down his paper, and turning to hiscompanions said, --

"That's a rum business about that old chap's house being robbed, isn'tit?"

Something in the speaker's look and in the tone of his voice caused thethree listeners to experience an unpleasant quickening of their pulses. 

"Yes, " answered Diggory, with a well-assumed air of indifference. "I suppose they'll catch the thieves in time. "

"I suppose so, " returned the other, "especially if they find the chapwho owns that knife with the broken blade. "

The malignant look with which these words was accompanied showed at oncethat the speaker meant mischief. The three friends looked at oneanother in horrified amazement. Could it be possible that their visitto The Hermitage had already been discovered?

Noaks watched their faces for a moment, evidently well pleased with theeffect which his remark had produced; then he burst out laughing. 

"Look here, " he continued, producing from his pocket a buck-handledclasp-knife: "I wonder if that's anything like it; I see the big blade'sbroken. "

The Triple Alliance recognized it in a moment as one of the articlesthat had been rescued from Mugford's sale at The Birches; in fact, theowner's name appeared plainly engraved on the small brass plate. 

Diggory was the first to find his tongue. 

"What d'you mean? We didn't steal the coins!"

"My dear fellow, I never said you did. I only know that on Saturday Iwas looking over our wall, through an opening there happens to be in theshrubs, and saw you fellows climbing out of the old chap's window; andafter you'd gone I noticed something lying in the path, and I hoppedover, and picked up this knife. "

"Give it here; it's mine, " said Mugford, holding out his hand. 

"No fear, " answered the other, calmly returning the piece of lostproperty to his own pocket. "In this case finding's keeping; besides, I'm not sure if I couldn't get a reward for this if I sent it to theright place. "

The train began to slacken speed as it approached Ronleigh station. 

"Look here, Noaks, " cried Jack Vance, in a fit of desperation, "what areyou going to do? You know very well we are not thieves. "

"I don't know anything of the sort, " returned the tormentor, standing upto take his bag off the rack; "all I know is just what I've told you. See here, Mr. Vance, " he continued, rounding on Jack with a suddensnarl, "you were good enough some little time ago to make some verycaddish remarks about my father; in the future you'd better keep yourmouth shut. I owe all three of you a dressing down for things thathappened at Chatford, and now you'd better mind your P's and Q's if youdon't want to be hauled up for housebreaking. "

With this parting threat the ex-Philistine left the carriage. Mugford, Jack, and Diggory gazed at one another for a moment with anything but ahappy look on their faces. One after another they slowly gathered uptheir things and stepped out on to the platform. Hardly had they doneso when they heard their names called, and turning round beheld thesmall figure of "Rats" rushing forward to meet them. 

"Hullo!" he exclaimed. "Old Ally sent me down to get a paper, and Ithought you'd come by this train. I say, there's a fine row on up atthe school--such a lark; I'll tell you about it as we go along. "

CHAPTER X. 

A SCREW LOOSE IN THE SIXTH. 

For the time being the three friends forgot their own troubles in theireagerness to hear "Rat's" description of certain events which hadhappened during their absence from Ronleigh. 

"Look sharp; out with it!" they exclaimed. "What's happened?"

"Well, " began Rathson, "it all came out through young Bayley acting thefool and spraining his ankle. You know we had the paper-chase thismorning, and the hares ran out to Arrow Hill, and back again round bythe canal and Birksam Church. Just after we'd rounded the hill, youngBayley jumped off the top of a high hedge, and twisted his foot so badlythat he couldn't stand up. As it happened, there was a check just then, and Carton ran forward and told Allingford what had happened. He andOaks came back, and said the only thing would be to get himto Chatton station, and so home by train. It was awfully decent ofthose chaps. They carried Bayley all the way, and then Oaks went homewith him, and Allingford walked back, and so, of course, they missedhalf the run. Awfully brickish of them I call it, considering that itwas only a kid like Bayley. "

The Triple Alliance gave a murmur of assent. 

"Was that what the row's about?" asked Diggory. "Oh, bless you, no;I haven't come to that yet. After he'd seen Oaks and Bayley into thetrain, old Ally started to walk home. There's a little 'pub' about halfa mile out of Chatton called the Black Swan, and he thought he'd calland ask if they'd seen the fellows pass. You know Thurston theprefect, that chap who came to the door when we were having that meetingin the 'old lab. ' Well, now, if he and Mouler, and two or three more ofthat sort, weren't sitting in the taproom, smoking, and drinking beer, and having a regular high old time. They'd lagged behind on purpose. Of course Allingford kicked them all out, and he and 'Thirsty' had afrightful row. They say the big chaps want to hush the matter up as faras they can, and not report it to old Denson, for fear he'd make it anexcuse to put a stop to paper-chasing. Ally slanged Thurston rightand left, and told him that if he chose to drink beer in a low 'pub'with the biggest blackguards in the school, he needn't expect that thefellows in the Sixth would have anything to do with him, and that heought to send in his resignation as a prefect. "

On entering the school buildings, our three friends were convinced ofthe truth of their comrade's story, and on their way to the schoolroomthe question was repeated at least half a dozen times--"Have you heardabout old 'Thirsty' being cobbed in the Black Swan?" Diggory thought ofthe conversation he had overheard in Acton's study, and mentioned it toCarton. 

"Yes, " answered the latter. "Big Fletcher's a beast. I know Thurston'svery chummy with him, but I don't see that's got much to do with it. My brother, who left last term, said that 'Thirsty' used to be rather ajolly chap, only he's got a fearful temper when he's crossed. Most ofthe chaps like him as a prefect, because as long as you don't interferewith him he doesn't seem to care much what any one does. The real thingis he's going to the dogs, and, as Allingford says, he ought to resign. "

Away in one of the Sixth Form studies the subject of their conversationwas sitting with his hands in his pockets, frowning at the fire. He wasroused from his reverie by some one putting his head round the corner ofthe door and exclaiming, --

"Hullo, 'Thirsty!'"

"Hullo, Fletcher! where on earth have you been all the evening?"

The new-comer was tall and lanky; he had a sharp, foxy-looking face, with thin, straight lips, and two deep lines which looked almost likescars between the eyebrows. He shut the door, and dragging forward achair, sat down with his feet on the fender, and commenced warming hishands at the fire. 

"Oh, I've been nowhere in particular, " he answered, laughing. "But Isay, young man, you seem to have raised a pretty good hornets' nestabout your ears along this corridor. "

"Yes, I know; they've had the cheek to send me that!"

He leaned back as he spoke, and taking a piece of paper from the table, tossed it across to his friend. It was a letter signed by most of theprefects, suggesting that he should send in his resignation. 

"Humph!" said Fletcher; "that's a nice sort of a round robin, don't youcall it? Well, what are you going to do?"

"Oh, I shall resign and have done with it. I'm sick of having tomasquerade about as a good boy. I mean to do what I like. "

"Pooh!" returned the other. "Now that you are a prefect, I wouldn'tgive up all the privileges and the right to go out and come in when youlike just because a strait-laced chap like Allingford chooses to takeoffence at something you do. They can't force you to resign unless theygo to the doctor, and they won't do that. I know what I'd do: I'd tellthem pretty straight to go and be hanged, and keep their sermonizing tothemselves. "

Thurston turned on the speaker with a sudden burst of anger. 

"Oh yes!" he exclaimed; "you're always saying you'd do this and do that, but when the time comes you turn tail and sneak away. Look here: youwere the one who proposed going into the Black Swan this morning, andwhen young Mouler said Allingford was coming, you slipped out of theback door and left us to face the shindy. "

"Well, " returned the other, laughing, "I thought you chaps were going tobolt too. I hopped over the wall at the back into the field, and waitedthere for about a quarter of an hour, and then, as no one came, I madetracks home. "

"That's all very fine. You took precious good care to save your ownbacon; you always do. "

"Oh, go on!" answered Fletcher, rising from his chair; "you're in a waxto-night. Well, ta, ta! Don't you resign. "

This little passage of arms was not the first of the kind that had takenplace between Fletcher and Thurston, and it did not prevent a renewal oftheir friendship on the morrow. 

The latter, following either his own inclination or the advice of hischum, decided not to resign his position as a prefect, and in a fewdays' time the majority of the school had wellnigh forgotten thefracas at the Black Swan. 

Among those in high places, however, the affair was not so easilyoverlooked. The big fellows kept their own counsel, but it soon becameevident that Thurston was being "cut" and cold-shouldered by the othermembers of the Sixth; while he, for his part, as though by way ofretaliation, began to hob-nob more freely than ever with boys lower downin the school and of decidedly questionable character. 

"It's awfully bad form of a chap who's a prefect chumming up with afellow like Mouler in the Upper Fourth, " said Carton one afternoon. "I wonder old 'Thirsty' isn't ashamed to do it. And now he's handand glove with those chaps Hawley and Gull in the Fifth; they've bothgot heaps of money, but they're frightful cads. "

From the morning following their return to Ronleigh the Triple Alliancehad been kept in a continual state of uneasiness and suspense, wonderingwhat action Noaks would take regarding his discovery of their visit toThe Hermitage. 

The days passed by, and still he made no further reference to thematter, and took no notice of any of the three friends when he happenedto pass them in the passages. The fact was that for the time being hisattention was turned in another direction. Like most fellows of hiskind, Noaks was a regular toady, ready to do anything in return for theprivilege of being able to rub shoulders occasionally with some one in ahigher position than himself, and he eagerly seized the opportunitywhich his friendship with Mouler afforded him of becoming intimate withThurston. It was rather a fine thing for a boy in the Upper Fourth tobe accosted in a familiar manner by a prefect, and asked sometimes tovisit the latter in his study; and when such things were possible, itwas hardly worth while to spend time and attention in carrying on a feudwith youngsters in the Third Form. But Noaks had never forgotten thedouble humiliation he had suffered at Chatford--first in being sent offthe football field, and again in the disastrous ending to the attemptedraid on the Birchites' fireworks; nor had he forgiven the TripleAlliance for the part which they had played, especially on the latteroccasion, in bringing shame and confusion on the heads of thePhilistines. 

One morning, nearly a month after the half-term holiday, the threefriends were strolling arm in arm through the archway leading from thequadrangle to the paved playground, when they came face to face withtheir old enemy. He was about to push past them without speaking; then, seeming suddenly to change his mind, he pulled up, took something fromhis pocket, and handing it to Jack Vance, said shortly, --

"There! I thought you'd like to see that; it seems a good chance toearn some pocket-money. "

The packet turned out to be a copy of the Todderton weekly paper. 

"I've marked the place, " added Noaks, turning on his heel with asneering laugh; "you needn't give it me back. "

A cross of blue chalk had been placed against a short paragraphappearing under the heading "Local Notes. " Jack read it out loud for theedification of his two companions. 

"We notice that Mr. Fossberry has offered a reward of 50 pounds for anyinformation which shall lead to the arrest of the thieves who enteredhis house some few weeks ago, and stole a valuable collection of coins. As yet the police have been unable to discover any further traces of themissing property, but it is to be hoped that before long the offenderswill be discovered and brought to justice. "

There was a moment's silence. 

"I wish I'd told my guv'nor, " muttered Jack Vance. 

"Well, tell him now, " said Diggory. 

"Oh no, I can't now; he'd wonder why I hadn't done it sooner. Besides, I believe Noaks is only doing this to frighten us; he can't prove thatwe stole the coins, because we didn't. All the same, it would be veryawkward if he sent the police that jack-knife, and told them he'd seenus climbing out of the old chap's window. "

"Yes, " answered Diggory; "I suppose it would look rather fishy. Bother him! why can't he leave us alone?"

CHAPTER XI. 

SHADOWS OF COMING EVENTS. 

The Easter holidays came and went as rapidly as Easter holidays alwaysdo, and before the Alliance had recovered from the excitement connectedwith their first experience of breaking up at Ronleigh, they were backagain, greeting their friends, asking new boys their names, and, inshort, commencing their second term as regular old stagers. Up to thepresent they had been content to "lie low, " and had remained satisfiedwith making the acquaintance of their class-mates in "The Happy Family;"but now they began to take more interest in school matters in general, and to notice what was going on in other circles besides their own. 

In answer to the eager inquiries of his two companions, Jack Vance saidthat he had seen nothing of Noaks during the holidays, except havingpassed him on one or two occasions in the street. The notice of thefifty pounds reward still appeared in the windows of the police station;but the robbery itself was beginning to be looked upon as a thing of thepast, and was already wellnigh forgotten. 

"I wonder if Noaks has still got my knife?" said Mugford. 

"Oh, I don't know, " answered Jack. "He's too much taken up with Moulerand Gull and all that lot to think about us. I shouldn't bother my headabout it any further; he only showed us that paper out of spite, to putus in a funk. "

It was pretty evident, to the most casual observer, that the quarrelwhich the Black Swan incident had occasioned between Thurston and hisbrother prefects had not yet been dismissed from the minds of eitherparty. The former became more lax than ever in the discharge of hisduties, and avoiding the society of his school equals, sought thecompanionship of such boys as Hawley, Gull, and Mouler, who atlength came to be known throughout the College as "Thirsty's Lot. "With the exception of Fletcher, the prefects left him severely alone. Allingford occasionally came down on him for allowing all kinds ofmisconduct to pass unchecked, but it was hardly to be expected that afellow who was hand and glove with some of the principal offendersshould have much influence or power in maintaining law and order; andthese interviews with the captain usually ended in an exchange of blacklooks and angry words. 

The consequences which resulted from this lack of harmony among those inauthority may be easily imagined. "Old Thirsty never makes a row whenhe sees a chap doing so-and-so, " was the cry. "Why should Oaks andRowlands and those other fellows kick up bothers, and give lines for thesame thing?" To all these murmurers the prefects turned a deaf ear. "I don't care what Thurston does, " would be their answer; "you know therule, and that's sufficient. " Any further remonstrance on the part ofthe offender was met with a summary "Shut up, or you'll get your headpunched, " and so for a time the matter ended. 

It was hardly to be expected that the light-hearted juveniles of theThird Form should trouble their heads to take much notice of thisdisagreement among the seniors. For one thing, they knew nothing ofwhat was said and done in the Sixth Form studies, and even the prefectsthemselves never thought for a moment that this little bit of frictionin the machinery of Ronleigh College would, figuratively speaking, leadto "hot bearings" and a narrow shave of a general breakdown. 

So the members of "The Happy Family" pursued the even tenor of theirway, getting into scrapes and scrambling out of them, feasting on pastryand ginger-beer, turning up in force on Saturday afternoon to witnessthe cricket matches, and coming to the conclusion that though Oaks andRowlands might be a trifle strict, and rather freehanded with lines and"impots, " yet all this could be overlooked and forgiven for the sakeof the punishment which they inflicted on the enemy's bowling. 

As it has been all along the intention of this story to follow thefortunes of the Triple Alliance, the record of their second term atRonleigh would not be complete without some mention of their memorableadventure with the "coffee-mill. "

Wednesday, the fourteenth of June, was Jack Vance's birthday, and justbefore morning school he expressed his intention of keeping it up in anovel manner. 

"Look here!" he remarked to his two companions. "You know that littlebootmaker's shop just down the road, before you come to the church. There's a notice in the window, 'Double Tricycle on Hire. ' Well, themater's sent me some money this year instead of a hamper, so I thoughtI'd hire the machine; and we'll go out for a ride, and take it in turnsfor one to walk or trot behind. "

"Oh, I'd advise you not to!" cried "Rats, " who was standing by andoverheard the project. 

"Why not?"

"Why, it's a rotten old _sociable_, one of the first, I should think, that was ever made. It's like working a tread-mill, and it rattles andbangs about until you think every minute it must all be coming topieces. It's got a sort of box-seat instead of a saddle. Maxton hiredit out one day the term before last, and he and I and Collis rode toChatton. It isn't meant to carry three; but the seat's very wide, andthey squeezed me in between them. There's something wrong with thesteering-gear, and it makes a beastly grinding noise as it goes along, so Maxton christened it the 'coffee-mill. ' Fellows are always chaffingold Jobling about it, when they go into his shop to buy bits of leather, and asking him how much he'll take for his coffee-mill, and the old chapgets into an awful wax. "

"Oh, I don't care!" answered Jack. "It'll be a lark, and we needn't gofar. --What d'you say, Diggy?"

Diggory and Mugford both expressed their willingness to join in theexpedition, and arrangements were accordingly made for it to take placethat afternoon. 

"You'd better not let old Jobling see three of you get on at once, " said"Rats. " "I should send Mugford on in front and pick him up when you getround the corner. "

Rathson's description of the "coffee-mill" was certainly notexaggerated. It was a rusty, rattle-bag concern--a relic of the darkages of cycling--and . Looked as if it had not been used for atwelvemonth. Jobling squirted some oil into the bearings, knockedthe dust off the cushioned seat, and remarked that a shilling an hourwas the proper charge; but that, as he always favoured the Ronleighgentlemen, he would say two shillings, and they might keep it the wholeafternoon. 

Jack, as we have said before, was of rather a nautical turn of mind, andoccasionally, when the fit was on him, loved to interlard hisconversation with seafaring expressions. 

"She isn't much of a craft to look at, " he remarked, as they drew up anddismounted at the spot where Mugford stood waiting for them; "but we'llimagine this is my steam-yacht, and that we're going for a cruise. Now then, Diggy, you're the mate, and you shall sit on the starboardside and steer. Mugford's the passenger, so he'll go in the middle. I'm captain, and I'll work the port treadles. Now, then, all aboard!"

The boys scrambled on to the seat, and with some little amount ofcrushing and squeezing got settled in their places, and at the captain'sword, "Half-speed ahead!" the voyage commenced. They went lumbering andclattering through the outskirts of the town, and at length, afterhaving roused the dormant wit of one shop-boy, who shouted "Knives togrind!" after them, they gained the highroad. For half a mile thevoyage was prosperous enough; then the adventures began. 

They were going at a good pace down a gentle slope, and on turning acorner saw immediately in front of them a narrow piece of road with aduck-pond on one side and a high bank on the other. Some one hadcarelessly left a wheelbarrow standing very nearly in the centre of thehighway, and there was only just room to pass it on the water side. 

"Starboard a little!"

The steering gear worked rather stiffly. Diggory gave the handle a hardtwist, and it went round further than he intended. 

"Port!" cried the captain, "hard a-port!" But it was too late, and thenext moment the "coffee-mill" ran down the sloping bank and plungedinto the duck-pond. It gave a violent lurch, but fortunately itsbreadth of beam kept it from overturning, and the water, being not morethan a few inches deep, only wet the boots of the mariners. 

"You great ass, Diggy! why didn't you _port?_" demanded the captain. 

The mate, who as a matter of fact could not have told the differencebetween the nautical "port" and home-made ginger-beer, answeredpromptly, "So I did;" and the two officers commenced to punch eachother with their disengaged hands. This combat, which was conductedwith the utmost good feeling on both sides, had been continued fornearly a minute, when the passenger, on whose unoffending back a largeproportion of the blows were falling, remarked, --

"Well, if we aren't going to stop here all day, when you've quite donewe'd better think about getting out. "

They were at least four yards from the shore, and it was impossible toreach it dry-shod. 

"Some one must take off his boots and socks and haul her out, " saidDiggory. 

"Well, I can't, " answered Jack; "the captain never ought to leave theship. "

"Oh, I'll go, " answered Mugford, laughing; and accordingly, afterperforming some complicated gymnastic feats in getting off his boots, heslid from the seat into the water, and so hauled the "coffee-mill"back to _terra firma_. 

It would be impossible to describe in detail all the alarming incidentswhich happened during the outward passage. 

They had not gone a quarter of a mile further when something went wrongwith the brake. They flew down a long hill, holding on for dear life, nothing but the grand way in which the mate managed this time to steer astraight course down the middle of the road saving them fromdestruction. Nevertheless, mounting the last slope was such hard labourthat Mugford had to turn to and "work his passage, " by every now andagain taking a spell at the treadles. 

"Look here!" said Diggory at length: "don't you think we've gone farenough? we shan't be back in time for tea. "

"Oh, I forgot, " answered the captain. "We'll see. Stand by youranchor! Let go-o-o!"

The "coffee-mill" stopped, and Jack Vance pulled out his watch. 

"By me it's half-past twelve, and I'm four hours slow: twelve to one, one to two, two to three, three to four--half-past four. Yes, it's timewe turned round. Now, then, 'bout ship!"

The tricycle clanked and rattled away merrily enough on the returnjourney until it came to the long hill, which this time had to beclimbed instead of descended. 

"Don't let's get off, " said Jack; "we ought to rush her up this if weset our minds to it. "

With a great deal of panting and struggling they succeeded in gettingabout half-way; then suddenly there was a crack, and the machine, instead of going forward, began to run back. Faster and faster itwent, the pedals remaining motionless under their feet. 

"The chain's gone, " gasped the captain. "There's a cart behind! Quick, run her aground!"

Of course the mate turned the handle the wrong way. On one side of theroad was an ordinary hedge, while on the other lay a deep ditch, andinto this a moment later the "coffee-mill" disappeared with every soulon board!

There was an awful moment, when earth, sky, arms, legs, wheels, andbushes seemed all mixed together, and then Jack Vance found himselfresting on his hands and knees in a puddle of dirty water. Diggory andMugford had been driven with considerable violence into the thickestpart of a thorn hedge, and proceeded to extricate themselvestherefrom with many groans and lamentations. 

"Well, " said the mate, as they proceeded to drag the machine out of theditch, "I should think, Jack, you've celebrated your birthday aboutenough; now you'd better give over, or we shall all be sent home in asack. "

"Me!" cried the captain, with great indignation. "It was _your_ fault, you dummy! you put the helm over wrong again, you--"

"Hullo, you kids!" interrupted a voice behind them, and turning roundthe three friends saw the burly form of John Acton pushing a bicycle upthe hill. "Hullo!" he continued; "it's young Trevanock. What's up?Have you had a spill?"

"Yes; the chain broke, and we ran into the ditch. "

"Umph! bad business. Now you'll have to foot it, I suppose. "

"Yes, " answered Jack ruefully; "and we're bound to be back late pushingthis old thing all the way. I wish old Jobling would try a ride on ithimself. "

"Oh! is that the 'coffee-mill'?" exclaimed the prefect, laughing. "Well, look here! If you're late, I'll see whoever's on duty, and tellhim about the breakdown, and see if I can get you off. "

"Oh, thanks awfully!" chorused the small boys. 

"I've half a mind to say I wouldn't, " continued Acton, looking round ashe put his foot on the step of his machine, and nodding his head atDiggory. "I owe you a grudge for not telling me what I wanted to knowabout my young brother's love-letter. "

The football captain was as good as his word: he got the Triple Allianceexcused the "impot" which would otherwise have been awarded them forarriving at the school half an hour late, and the only misfortune whichresulted from their eventful excursion was that Jack Vance had to expenda further portion of his postal order in paying Jobling for repairingthe broken chain. The day, however, did not close without anotherincident happening to one of the voyagers, which, though trifling initself, proved, as it were, the shadow of coming events which weredestined to seriously affect the well-being and happiness of all theRonleigh boys. 

Crossing the quadrangle soon after tea, Diggory saw something brightlying on the gravel; it proved to be a silver match-box with the lettersC. T. Engraved on the front. He took it with him into the school-room, and holding it up as the boys were assembling at their desks forpreparation, asked if any one knew who was the owner. 

"Yes, I do, " answered young Fletcher: "it's Thirsty's; I've seen itoften. "

Preparation of the next day's work having ended, Diggory's attention wasoccupied for a time in discussing with Carton the merits of some foreignstamps. Just before supper, however, he remembered the match-box, andhurried away to restore it to its rightful owner. 

Thurston was evidently at home, for a prolonged shout of laughter andthe clamour of several voices reached Diggory's ears as he approachedthe study. As he knocked at the door the noise suddenly ceased, therewas a moment's silence, and then a murmur in a low tone, followed by ascuffling of feet and the overturning of a chair. 

"Who's there? you can't come in!" shouted the owner of the den. 

"I don't want to, " answered Diggory, through the keyhole. "I've broughtyour match-box that I picked up in the 'quad. '"

"Oh, it's only a kid, " said the voice of Fletcher senior; and the nextinstant the door was unlocked by Thurston, who opened it about sixinches, and immediately thrust his body into the aperture, as though toprevent the possibility of the visitor getting any sight of the interiorof the room. 

"Oh, thanks; you're a brick, " he said, taking the box, and immediatelyclosed the door and turned the key. 

Diggory was retracing his steps along the passage, wondering what couldbe the object of all this secrecy, when he nearly ran into the schoolcaptain. 

"Hullo, young man!" said the latter, "where have you been?"

"To Thurston's study. "

"What have you been there for?" demanded Allingford sharply, with asudden change in his tone and manner. 

"Only to give him his match-box that I picked up in the 'quad. '"

The captain eyed the speaker narrowly, as though half inclined to doubtthe truth of this explanation; then, apparently satisfied with thehonest expression of the small boy's face, told him to get down tosupper. 

The latter wandered off, wondering more than ever what could have beenthe object of the private gathering in Thurston's study which he hadjust interrupted. 

"It's what I told you before, " remarked Carton, when Diggory chanced tomention what had happened. "Thirsty's going to the dogs, and I believebig Fletcher's got a lot to do with it. Allingford can't interfere withthem as long as they keep to themselves. I don't know what they do, butI shouldn't be surprised if there is a rare old kick-up one of thesefine days. "

Mischief certainly was brewing, and the "kick-up" came sooner than evenCarton himself expected. 

CHAPTER XII. 

THE WRAXBY MATCH. 

Wednesday, the twenty-fourth of July, saw the whole of Ronleigh Collegein a state of bustle and excitement. The near approach of the holidayswas sufficient in itself to put every one in high spirits, while, inaddition to this, the afternoon was to witness the chief cricket contestof the season--the annual match against Wraxby Grammar School. Duringthe hour before dinner the ground itself was a scene of brisk activity:the school colours flew at the summit of the flagstaff; the boundaryflags fluttered in the breeze; a number of willing hands, under thedirection of Allingford, put a finishing touch to the pitch with the bigroller, while others assisted in rigging up the two screens of whitecanvas in line with the wickets. 

"I do hope we lick them, " said little "Rats" to Jack Vance as they stoodby the pavilion, watching Oaks mixing some whiting for the creases;"we _must_ somehow or other. "

"Why?"

"Why? because they've beaten us now three times running; and the lasttime when our chaps went over to Wraxby and got licked at footer theircaptain asked Ally if in future we should like to play a master!Such rot!" continued the youthful "Rats, " boiling with wrath; "as if wecouldn't smash them without! Look here, I'd give--I'd give sixpence ifwe could win!" and with this burst of patriotic enthusiasm the speakerhurried away to join Maxton, who, with an old sprung racquet in one handand the inside of an exploded cricket-ball in the other, was calling tohim from the adjoining playing field to "Come and play tip and run, andbring something that'll do for a wicket. "

The feelings expressed by "Rats" as regards the result of the match wereshared by the whole school, and by none more so than the members of theThird Form. 

"The Happy Family" turned up to a man, and encamped _en masse_ upon theturf within twenty yards of the pavilion. Bibbs was the last to arriveon the scene of action, and did so with a bag of sweets in one hand, abook in the other, and a piece of paper, pinned by some joker to thetail of his coat, bearing the legend, "Please to kick me"--a requestwhich was immediately responded to in a most hearty and generous fashionby all present. 

Kicking the unfortunate Bibbs afforded every one such exquisiteenjoyment that an effort was made to prolong the pastime by forcibleattempts to fasten the placard on to other members of the company, anda general _melee_, would have followed if the attention of thecombatants had not been attracted in another direction. Ronleigh havingwon the toss and elected to go in first, the Wraxby men strolled out ofthe pavilion to take the field. 

They were a likely-looking lot of fellows--the faded flannel caps andcareless way in which they sauntered towards the pitch proclaiming thefact that each one was a veteran player. 

"That chap with the wicket-keeping gloves in his hand is Partridge, their captain, " said Carton; "and that fellow who's putting out thesingle stump to bowl at is Austin. He does put them in to sometune; you can hardly see the ball, it's so swift. "

There was a faint _clang_ from the pitch. 

"See that!" cried Fletcher junior: "that chap Austin's knocked thatsingle stump out of the ground first ball. My eye, he'll make ourfellows sit up, I'll bet. "

"No, he won't, " cried "Rats" excitedly. "Old Ally'll knock him into acocked hat. He'll soon break his back, " added the speakercomplaisantly. "Hullo! men in--Parkes and Rowland. "

There is something in the short space of time preceding the first_clack_ of the bat at a cricket match which rivals in interest even thatexciting moment at football when the centre forward stands hovering overthe ball waiting for the whistle to give the signal for the contest tocommence. 

The noisy clatter of "The Happy Family" ceases as the crowd of boys, ranged all down the sides of the field, turn to watch the opening of thegame. 

It is an ideal day for cricket, with a fresh breeze blowing, justsufficient to temper the hot afternoon sunshine and cause a flutter ofcricket-shirts and boundary flags. Rowland takes centre, twists thehandle of his bat round and round in his hands, and is heard amid thegeneral hush to say, "No, no trial. " Austin glances round at themotionless figures of his comrades, signals to _long-on_ to stand alittle deeper, and then delivers the ball. With an easy and gracefulforward stroke, the batsman returns it sharply in the direction of theopposite wicket, and an almost imperceptible movement, like thereleasing of a spring, takes place among the fielders. So beginsthe battle. 

"Twenty up!" had just been called from the pavilion when a sharp catchin the slips disposed of Parkes. 

"Never mind!" cried "Rats. " "Here comes old Ally; he'll make them trotround a bit!"

The captain commenced his innings with a heart-warming leg hit, whichsent the ball to the boundary, a wave of legs and arms marking its trackas the spectators, with a joyous yell, rolled over one another to escapebeing hit. 

For some time cheer followed cheer, and "The Happy Family" clapped untiltheir hands smarted; then suddenly there arose a prolonged "_Oh, oh!_"from all the field. 

"Hullo! what's the matter?" asked Bibbs, looking up from the book he wasreading. 

"What's the matter?" shouted Maxton wrathfully, snatching away thevolume and banging Bibbs on the head with it. "Why don't you watch thegame? Old Ally's bowled off his pads!"

It was only too true: the captain's wicket was down, and "The HappyFamily, " after a simultaneous ejaculation of "_Blow it!_" tore up stalksof grass, and began to chew them with a stern expression on their faces. 

This disaster seemed but the forerunner of others. Redfern, the nextman, had hardly taken his place at the wicket when a sharp _click_, theglitter of bails twirling in the air, and a Wraxby shout of "Wellbowled!" announced his fate; while ten minutes later Rowland, one of themainstays of the home team, was caught in a most provoking manner at_cover-point_. 

"Oh, bother it all!" sighed "Rats;" "this is nothing but a procession. "

"Now, Oaks, old chap, do your best for us!" cried Allingford. 

"All right, " returned the other, laughing, as he paused for a momentoutside the pavilion to fasten the strap of his batting-glove; "I'mgoing to make runs this journey, or die in the attempt. "

Oaks was undoubtedly a regular Briton, just the sort of fellow to turnthe fortunes of a losing game. He walked up to the wicket as coolly asthough it were enclosed within a practice net, patted down the groundwith the flat of his bat in a manner which seemed to imply that he had"come to stay, " and then proceeded to hit three twos in his first"over. "

This dashing commencement was but the prelude to a brilliant bit ofrapid scoring: twos and threes followed each other in quick succession. Allingford shouted, the crowd roared, while "The Happy Family"gambolled about on one another's chests and stomachs, and squealed withdelight. Like the poet's brook, Oaks might have exclaimed, "Men maycome, and men may go, but I go on for ever. " When Wraxby changed thebowling, he welcomed the new-comer by sending the first ball into thenext field, and continued to cut and drive in such a gallant manner thateven Bibbs, standing up to get the full use of his lungs, shouted, "Go'long!" and "Well hit!" until his face was the colour of a poppy. 

"I say!" exclaimed Carton, as the eighth wicket fell, "I wish one ofthese next two chaps would hang on a bit, and give Oaks a chance ofgetting a few more; it must be nearly eighty up. "

"Thurston, you're in!" came from the scorer. 

The boy named was sitting by himself, on the end of a form close to thetelegraph, moodily scraping up the ground with the spikes of hiscricket-shoes. He knew that most of his comrades in the eleven wouldgive him the cold shoulder, and so did not mingle with them inside thepavilion. He rose, and prepared to obey the summons. 

"Let's give him a cheer, " said "Rats;" "he may do something. --Go it, Thurston! Sit tight, and keep the pot boiling!"

The big fellow turned his head in the direction of "The Happy Family, "and with something of the old good-humoured smile, which had seldom oflate been seen upon his face, answered: "All right, my boy, you see if Idon't. "

"Jolly fellow old Thirsty, " remarked "Rats, " swelling with pride at thisfriendly recognition. "He can play when he likes, but he hasn'ttroubled to practise much of late. He used always--Phew! my eye, whatan awful crack!"

A terrifically swift ball from Austin had risen suddenly from the hardground. Thurston had no time to avoid it, but turning away his face, received the blow on the back of his head. He dropped his bat, staggered away from the wicket, and fell forward on his knees. 

To suffer for the cause of the school in a cricket or football match wasa thing which, like charity, "covered a multitude of sins. " Allingfordhurried out of the pavilion and ran towards the pitch, while Partridgeand a few more of the "Wraxby men gathered round their wounded opponentand helped him to his feet. 

"You'd better come out, Thurston, " said the Ronleigh captain; "I'll sendthe next man in. "

"No, I'll go on, " replied the other, in rather a shaky voice; "I shallbe all right in a minute. "

It requires something more than ordinary pluck for a batsman to stand upto fast bowling and show good form after having been badly hit. For atime a great deal of determination, and the exercise of a considerableamount of will power, are necessary to conquer the natural inclinationto shrink from a possible repetition of the injury; and those whowatched the dogged manner in which Thurston continued to defend hiswicket, being themselves practical cricketers, rewarded him with loudshouts of encouragement and praise. 

Oaks piled on the score with unflagging energy, while the careful playof his companion defied all attempts of the Wraxby bowlers to dissolvethe partnership. 

"Bravo, 'Thirsty!'" shouted the spectators. "Go 'long'--and another!"

At length, just as the telegraph operator had received the welcomeorder, "A hundred up!" the ball shot, and crashed into Thurston'swicket. He came slowly back from the pitch, still holding his hand tothe back of his head; and though his individual score had barely runinto double figures, he was greeted on all sides with hearty cheers. 

Payne, the last man, just succeeded in cracking his _duck's-egg_, andthe innings closed for 104. 

As the fielders came trooping in, a small boy ran past the Third Formencampment exclaiming, "I say, you chaps, old Punch is in the lowerroad, over by that tree!" Which announcement had no sooner been madethan the greater part of "The Happy Family" sprang to their feet, andwent scampering across the field in the direction of the opposite hedge. 

The cause of this stampede, it must be explained, was the arrival of anitinerant vendor of ice-cream, whose real name, Samuel Jones, had beenchanged to Punch on account of the prominence of his nasal organ. His presence within the grounds of Ronleigh College was not approved ofby the authorities, and his trade with the small boys, who were hisparticular patrons, was carried on through a gap in the hedge. Punch's establishment ran on four wheels, and was ornamented with anumber of daubs representing Union Jacks and Royal Standards, whichformed the framework of an alarming portrait of the Prince of Wales, from which adornment one might be led to suppose that on some previousoccasion His Royal Highness had patronized the stall. The ice-creamwas shovelled out of a tin receptacle, and pasted in lumps on to the topof very shallow glasses, the standard price for which was one penny; andthere being a scarcity of spoons, the customers usually devoured thedelicacy in the same manner as a dog does a saucer of milk. Cynicalmembers of the upper classes at Ronleigh, who had ceased to patronizethe stall, charged Punch with not being over-particular in washing theglasses, and of making the "stuff, " as they called it, with cornflourinstead of cream. But the small boys were not fastidious; and as eachone had two helpings, which they ate as slowly as possible to prolongthe enjoyment, they were still refreshing themselves when the home teammoved out to field. 

"Look sharp!" cried "Rats, " giving Bibbs's elbow a sudden jerk whichcaused that worthy to plaster the end of his nose with the remains ofhis third ice. "Come on! let's see the beginning. "

The second half of the game proved, if anything, more exciting than thefirst. Two wickets fell before 10 appeared on the telegraph. 

"Oh, we shall lick them easily!" cried "Rats" jubilantly; while Fletcherjunior gave vent to his feelings by handing Bibbs's bag of sweets roundto the company. 

But there were still some hard nuts to be cracked in the Wraxby team, and one soon appeared in Partridge, the captain. Over after over wentby, and the score rapidly increased: "Thirty up!"--"Forty up!"--"Fiftyup!" Two more wickets were taken; but Partridge seemed to have fairlygot his eye in, and gave the home team as much leather-hunting as Oakshad provided for the visitors. To make matters worse, Austin, arrivingon the scene sixth man in, appeared to be also possessed with adetermination to carry his bat; and though he was eventually run outby a sharp throw-in from square-leg, it was not until eighty runs hadbeen registered for the Grammar School. 

The closing scene of the game caused an amount of excitementunparalleled in the history of Ronleigh cricket. 

As the last man of the Wraxby team went in to bat, the telegraph waschanged from 90 to 100. "Over" had just been called, and the invinciblePartridge stepped forward to play, evidently making up his mind foranother boundary hit. Thurston had been put on to bowl at the top end, and stood ready to recommence the attack. 

"Four to equal, five to beat, " sighed "Rats. " "Bother it all, they'resure to win. "

A cricket match needs to be very narrowly watched, or the spectatorwhose eye has strayed for a moment from the game misses some fine pieceof play. The incident which finished the contest between RonleighCollege and Wraxby Grammar School occupied barely three seconds of time;yet it was remembered and spoken about many years after those concernedin it had passed on to swell the ranks of the "old boys. "

Partridge commenced the over with a hard, straight drive, and at thesame instant Thurston gave a little jump into the air with his right armstretched above his head. The ball had passed like lightning betweenthe wickets, and the spectators looked for a moment to see where it hadgone; then a wild shriek of joy from "The Happy Family" rent the air, --

"_Caught!_"

It was true enough. With a splendid one-handed catch Thurston hadbrought the well-fought contest to a close, and secured a victory forRonleigh College. 

This brilliant feat, coupled with the gallant manner in which he hadcontinued his innings when hurt, and so enabled Oaks to run up thescore, caused the black sheep of the Sixth Form to be regarded as thehero of the day. Allingford shook him by the hand, and a noisy crowdhoisted him shoulder high and carried him three times round thequadrangle. 

Thurston certainly had good reason to feel proud of the part he hadplayed in the chief match of the season, and might in years to come havealways looked back with pleasure on this twenty-fourth of July. Unfortunately another event of a sadly different character was destinedto make it a red-letter day in his career at Ronleigh. The feeling ofrespect and good-will which his prowess in the field had awakened in theminds of his former friends afforded him a splendid opportunity forreassociating himself with all that was worthy and honourable in schoollife. The chance no sooner presented itself, however, than it was flungaway, and was lost for ever. 

Evening preparation was over, and supper, an informal meal, attendanceat which was not compulsory, was in progress. The door of Thurston'sstudy was once more locked on the inside, as it had been when Diggorywent to return the match-box to its rightful owner. 

Fletcher senior, Hawley, and Gull sat on three sides of the small table, while Thurston himself occupied the fourth. 

"Hang it all!" exclaimed the latter, throwing down a handful of playingcards upon the table, and pushing back his chair. "I shan't play anymore to-night; I've got no more tin. "

"Oh, go on; I'll lend you some, " answered Fletcher. "I don't carewhether I win or lose; it's only the game I play for. "

As a matter of fact, Fletcher nearly always _did_ win, and was mightilydispleased on the rare occasions when he lost. 

"No; I've borrowed enough already, " returned the other. "I shan't beable to square up as it is till next term. It's all very well forfellows like you three, who have rich people, and can write home anytime for a fiver; but I'm not so flush of cash. --Look here, Gull, haveyou got that banjo? Sing us a song. "

"All right, " answered Gull, reaching down and picking a smallfive-stringed instrument off the floor; "what'll you have?"

"Oh, something with a good swing to it. I feel like kicking up a row. "

Gull tuned up, struck a few chords, and then launched out into arattling nigger song with an amount of "go" and clatter sufficient toinspire the hearer with an almost irresistible desire to get up anddance. The three listeners shouted the chorus at the top of theirvoices, pounding the table with their fists by way of a sort of drumaccompaniment. Gull was just preparing to commence the fourth versewhen there was a knock at the study door. 

"Wait a jiff, " said Thurston. --"Who's there? What d'you want?"

"Why, " came the answer, uttered in rather a drawling tone, "I wish youfellows wouldn't make so much row. I can't possibly work. Do bequiet. "

"Oh, go to Bath!" shouted Thurston. --"It's only that old stew-potBrowse, " he added. "The beggar's got the next study, and he's crammingup for some 'exam. '--Go on, Gull. "

The entertainment continued, and waxed more noisy than ever, theperformers hammering the table with a ruler and two walking-sticks toadd zest to the choruses. 

Soon there came another interruption, very different in tone from themild expostulation of the studious Browse. The door was violentlyshaken, and from without came the sharp, peremptory order of theschool captain, --

"Look here, Thurston, just shut up; we've had enough of this horriblerow for one night. Stop it, d'you hear?"

"All right, " growled the owner of the study; "keep your hair on, oldfellow!"

"Sh! steady on, Thirsty, " said Fletcher, in a low tone. "Don't go toofar, or he'll put a stop to our next merry meeting. I know Allingford, and he's rather a hard wall to run your head against. "

"That confounded old Browse has gone and sneaked!" cried the other, witha flush of passion on his face. "Let's wait till Ally's gone, and thenmake a raid on the old stew-pot. "

Hawley and Gull sprang to their feet with a murmur of assent; Fletchershrugged his shoulders and remained silent. 

"What we'll do is this, " continued Thurston. "He sits with his back tothe door. I'll pop in first and throw this tablecloth over his head;then, while I hold him down, you chaps upset the things and put out thelight. Then we'll rush out all together, and he won't know for certainwho did it. "

Five minutes later the conspirators crept out into the passage, andtip-toed towards the door of the adjoining study. Fletcher lingeredbehind, and, instead of following the expedition, stole softly awayin the opposite direction. Another moment, and the unfortunate Browsewas struggling to rise from his chair, with his head enveloped in thetablecloth. Hawley and Gull, following immediately in rear of theirleader, sent the table, with its load of books and writing materials, over with a crash, threw the chairs into different corners of the room, and were about to scatter the contents of the bookcase over the floor, when Allingford suddenly burst into the room, and stood glaring roundlike an angry lion. 

With one swing of his right arm he sent Thurston staggering against thewall, and then, stepping forward without an instant's hesitation, hedealt each of the other marauders a swinging box on the ear. 

The two Fifth Form boys were big, strong fellows, and for a moment itseemed as though a stand-up fight would ensue. The captain, however, followed up his attack with amazing promptness, and before hisantagonists had time to think of resistance he had taken them both bythe shoulders and sent them flying into the passage. 

"There!" he exclaimed. "I'll teach you gentlemen to come playing prankson Sixth Form studies. What business have you got here, I should liketo know?--As for you, " continued the speaker, casting a scornful glanceat the originator of the outrage, "I should have thought a fellow who'sa prefect ought to know better than to go rioting with every scamp inthe school. "

Thurston's conduct on the cricket field had clearly proved him to be nocoward. He stood his ground, and returned Allingford's angry glanceswith a look of fierce defiance. He attempted to make some reply, butsomehow the words failed him, and turning on his heel he walked away tohis own study. 

"Confound that fellow Fletcher!" he muttered between his teeth. "He always takes precious good care to sneak away when there's any rowon. If it wasn't for that money I owe him, I'd punch his head. "

Half an hour later there was a sharp rap at the door, and Allingford, Oaks, and Acton entered the room. 

"Well, " said Thurston, looking up with a frown from the book he wasreading, "what d'you want now? I don't remember asking you fellows tocome and see me. A chap can't call his study his own nowadays. "

"No, " answered Acton grimly. "If a chap wants to work, a lot ofblackguards come and wreck his furniture. "

"Look here, Thurston, " said the captain coldly, "we've no wish to stayhere longer than we can help. We've come simply to tell you this--thatafter what's happened to-night the prefects are determined thatto-morrow morning you send in your resignation to the doctor. "

"And supposing I don't choose to send in my resignation?" returned theother. 

"Then, " answered the captain calmly, "we shall send it in for you. "

There was a moment's silence; then Thurston rose from his chair, andclosing his book flung it down with a bang upon the table. 

"All right, " he said; "I'll do it. You fellows have been set against mefrom the first. I know all about it, and before I leave this place I'llpay you out. "

"I almost wish we'd left it till after the holidays, " said Oaks, as thethree prefects walked down the passage. 

"No, " said Allingford firmly; "if we hesitate, and the fellows see it, we're lost. It must be done at once. "

"Well, perhaps so, " answered Oaks; "but I'll tell you this--Thurstonmeans mischief. I wish he was going to leave. He won't forget this ina hurry, and my belief is we shall hear more about it next term. "

CHAPTER XIII. 

THE ELECTIONS. 

Thurston's resignation, as might have been expected, gave rise to aconsiderable amount of excitement and conflicting opinion. Nearly everyboy in the school saw clearly that he was both unworthy and unfitted tofulfil the duties of a prefect, but the peculiar circumstances underwhich he had, as "Rats" put it, been given "notice to quit, " caused alarge number of his schoolfellows to side with him, and condemn theaction of the captain. Only a few of the general public knew exactlywhat the row had been. The Sixth Form authorities, refusing to becatechized, would answer no questions; while the other side took goodcare to spread abroad a very one-sided account of the affair. 

The Wraxby match was fresh in everybody's mind. "Awfully hard lines Icall it, " said the cricketers. "He won that game for us; why didn'tthey let him go on a few days more till the end of the term?"While those young gentlemen, of whom a few are to be found in everyschool, who cherish a strong dislike to anything in the shape of law andorder, were, of course, loud in their expressions of dissatisfaction atthe removal of one who always winked at their transgressions. 

At the commencement of the winter session it soon became evident thatseven weeks of summer holiday had not dispelled the cloud which hadovershadowed the close of the previous term. No sooner had the firstexcitement of meeting and settling down subsided a little than thequestion of Thurston's deposal cropped up again, and caused an unusualamount of interest to be felt by all Ronleigh in the forthcomingelections. 

Every school has its own methods of choosing those who are to fill theposts and offices in connection with its various institutions, and itwill be well to describe, in a few words, how this was done at Ronleigh, in order that the reader may follow with greater interest the workingout of an important event in the history of the college. 

The elections took place twice a year--at the commencement of the summerand winter terms--their chief object being to appoint what was known asthe Sports Committee (who had the management of athletics and of theforthcoming cricket or football season), two librarians, and a keeper ofthe reading-room. In addition to this, when any of the prefects left, fresh ones were chosen in their places. Only members of the Sixth Formwere eligible for this office, which was not conferred before the choiceof the boys had been confirmed by the sanction of the head-master, andwas understood to last for the remainder of the recipient's school life. 

On the second or third morning of the term a paper was posted up on thenotice-board in the big schoolroom, announcing the fact that theelections would take place two days later, and mentioning exactly whateach voter was required to do. Every boy who had been two terms at theschool received a voting paper, which he filled up at his leisure andhanded over to the returning officers at a special assembly called forthe purpose. 

At the commencement of this particular winter term the schoolreassembled on a Tuesday, and on Thursday notice was given that theelections would take place on the following Saturday afternoon. 

According to the usual custom, when fresh prefects were to be chosen, the names of all the Sixth Form boys who were not already holding thatoffice were mentioned on the notice, to show who were eligible for theposition. Thurston's name did not appear on the list; some one added itin pencil, another hand crossed it out, and an hour or two later it wasadded again, this time in red ink. 

This simple action seemed the signal for a general agitation onThurston's behalf. His friends throughout the school openly proclaimedtheir intention of voting for him, and exhorted others to do the same. Almost to a man the Sixth and Remove sided with the captain, but Hawleyand Gull in the Fifth, Noaks and Mouler in the Upper Fourth, and otherfellows in the lower forms made up their minds to secure Thurston'sreturn, and set to work to carry out their project with a zeal worthy ofa better cause. 

Two fresh prefects were required, and the friends of law and order wereunanimous in naming Fielding and Parkes as the most suitable candidatesto fill the vacancies. Rival posters appeared on the double doorsleading to the playground:--

 REMEMBER THE WRAXBY MATCH, AND

 VOTE FOR THURSTON. 

 PLUMP FOR PARKES, AND HAVE A

 PROPER PREFECT. 

But this method of carrying on the campaign was soon brought intodisrepute, owing to the fact that certain juveniles, seeing in this newidea of bill-posting a fresh field for practical joking, began to adornthe walls of the "grub-room, " and other spaces which did not often comeunder the eye of a master, with placards exhibiting inscriptions whichhad no bearing on the elections--such irrelevant remarks as, "nooks Two wants kicking !" or, "_Lost_-my wits. (Signed) B. BIBBS, " beingcalculated to occasion a considerable amount of strife and bad bloodwithout serving any useful purpose. 

The Lower School was in a fever heat of excitement, and it is quitepossible that the little pleasantries which have just been alluded towere occasioned by difference of opinion on the one absorbing topic ofthe day. The close of the previous holidays had witnessed a generalparliamentary election, and with the details of contests which had takenplace in their native towns vividly impressed upon their minds, theyounger boys, from the Lower Fourth downwards, threw themselves into thepresent conflict with an amount of energy and spirit which was not to befound in the more sober and deliberate action of their seniors. 

The greater number of the old "Happy Family" had now been removed intothe Lower Fourth, and this form in particular was rent with opposingviews, and shaken with continued outbursts of hostility between therival factions. The Triple Alliance were loyal to the old _regime_, andwere supported by "Rats, " Carton, and several of their old friends. 

"Acton saved us from getting into a row after that 'coffee-mill'business, " remarked Diggory. 

"Rowland gave Noaks a dressing down when he hit me in the mouth, " saidJack Vance. 

"And old Ally boxed Mouler's ears when they made me upset that paint, "added Mugford. 

"Rats" declared that he meant to conduct what he called a"house-to-house visitation, " and accordingly, beginning at the bottom ofthe form, the first person he called upon was Grundy, a great lout ofsixteen, who had been at the tail end of the Lower Fourth for the lasttwelve months. As it happened, Grundy was a strong partisan of theopposite side, and not only refused to vote for Parkes, but, seizinghold of the unfortunate canvasser, proceeded to twist his arms and pinchhis ears for daring to oppose the election of Thurston. 

Fletcher Two, whose sympathies, as might have been expected, were withhis brother's chum, organized open-air meetings in one corner of thefield where the big cricket-roller could be used as a platform. But here, again, the love of larking which is so characteristicof the lawless small boy came into evidence, and with that touch ofnature which makes the whole world kin, friend and foe alike joined inthe spree of interrupting the proceedings. Just when the oratorhad reached the most important point in his harangue, and was pouringforth a torrent of impassioned eloquence, the platform would begin tomove, or the audience would insist on turning the gathering into animaginary "scrum, " and almost crushing the life out of those whohappened to be in the middle of the crowd. 

Poor Bibbs especially became a target for the humour of the electors. According to Fletcher's instructions, he had written out a speech andlearned it by heart; but though he was being continually called upon todeliver it, he never got beyond the opening "Ahem! Gentlemen, " before asudden movement of the platform precipitated him into the arms of hisirreverent hearers, or a shout of "Play up at the cocoa-nuts!" followedby a shower of acorns, bits of stick, and pieces of turf, caused him tojump down and hastily seek shelter behind the roller. 

For two days, especially in the Lower School, the excitement continuedsteadily to increase, and small boys being seized in out-of-the-waycorners were made to assert at one time that they would vote forThurston, and at another that they would vote for Parkes or Fielding, and so, in order to escape with a whole skin, were forced to commitperjury at least a dozen times between the hours of breakfast and tea. 

One incident, which as far as the Lower Fourth was concerned tendedconsiderably to embitter the contest, is worthy of record as a notablefeature of this memorable campaign. 

The occupants of dormitory No. 13 were rabid Thurstonians; dormitory No. 14, on the other hand, in which slept the Triple Alliance, Maxton, "Rats, " and Carton, were to a man supporters of Parkes and Fielding. On Friday evening the two doors, which were exactly opposite to eachother, being left open, the process of undressing was enlivened by acontinual fire of abuse and insulting remarks, which might have led to aregular scrimmage between the two parties if the presence of theprefect, patrolling the passage, had not prevented either side fromadvancing beyond the threshold of their own doorway. 

"I wouldn't vote for a chap like Thurston, who goes boozing in a common'pub' like the Black Swan, " cried "Rats;" "but that's just the sort ofman for you. You're a cheap lot, the whole crew of you!"

"Look here, young 'Rats, '" retorted Fletcher junior from the oppositeroom, wandering rather wide of the subject in hand. "Why don't youwrite home and ask your people to buy you a new pair of braces, instead of mending those old ones up with string? You look just like ayoung street arab, and that's about what you are!"

"Don't you fellows talk about broken braces, and looking like streetarabs, " cried Diggory, "when only yesterday old Greyling sent Stokes outof class and told him to go down to the lavatory and wash his face. That's a sample of you Thurstonians!"

"Look here!" shouted the boy alluded to, springing out of bed, andappearing in his night-shirt at the opposite end of the dormitory. "You know very well that Grundy flipped a pen full of ink over me, and that was why I had to go out and wash my face. "

"I know you looked altogether a different fellowwhen you came back, " returned Jack Vance: "I hardly knew you!"

There was a momentary pause in the discussion, and Bibbs, thinking thisa suitable opportunity for the delivery of his speech, stepped forward, and took up his stand in the doorway. Hardly, however, had hepronounced the opening "Ahem! Gentlemen, " when a cake of soap, flung byMaxton, struck him a violent blow in the pit of the stomach, and he wasstill rolling and groaning on his bed in the throes of recovering hislost wind when the prefect arrived to turn out the light. 

The occupants of the two dormitories lay down, but not to sleep. 

"You mark my word, " said Diggory, "as soon as the prefects have gonedown to supper those chaps from over the way'll come across and pay usout for throwing that soap. We'd better put a chair against the door. "

"Look here!" remarked Fletcher junior to his room-mates. "I shouldn'tbe at all surprised if Maxton and those other fellows in No. 14 comeover and try to rag us; let's lie awake a bit and listen. "

For half an hour all was quiet and still, and the watchers in No. 14were turning over and preparing to go to sleep, when "Rats" started up, exclaiming in a whisper, "They're coming! I heard some one in thepassage. There 'tis again! Jump up, you chaps, and let's make asortie. "

Now, strange to say, an exactly similar alarm had just been given byFletcher junior in No. 13, and the reason was simply as follows:--Mr. Greyling, the master of the Lower Fourth, in walking towards hisbedroom in slippered feet, was seized with a sneezing fit, and haltingjust outside the two dormitories, gave vent to his feelings with a loud"Et-chow!" After a moment's pause he sneezed again, and had hardlydone so before both doors were suddenly flung open, and with a cry of"Ah, you sneaks!" and another of "Come on, you blackguards!" a crowd ofwhite-robed figures rushed out, brandishing pillows and startlingMr. Greyling to such a degree that he exclaimed "Great Scott!" anddropped his candle. 

What followed is too sad to be related in detail. Mr. Greylingscattered largess in the shape of lines among the crowd, and the nextday the occupants of the two dormitories went about thirsting for eachother's blood. 

On Saturday, just before morning school, the voting papers werecollected, and directly after dinner the boys assembled to hear theresult of the poll. According to the usual custom, no masters werepresent. Allingford presided, and the excitement was intense. 

A hush of expectation fell on the crowded room as the captain mountedthe platform on which stood the head-master's desk. Up to the presenttime elections at Ronleigh had been little more than a matter ofform, but on this occasion every one felt that something more was atstake than the mere distribution of the school offices. 

"Gentlemen, the business of this meeting, as you are very well aware, isto announce the result of the elections. 

"The following, " continued Allingford, referring to the paper which heheld in his hand, "have been chosen to act as the Sports Committee:Myself chairman, Oaks, Acton, Rowland, Parkes, Redfern, and Hoyle. 

"The two former librarians, Clarkson and Lang, have been re-elected. 

"Dale, who for some time past held the position of keeper of thereading-room, having left, the choice of a successor has fallen betweenLucas and Ferris, who, singularly enough, both received the same numberof votes. Each of these gentlemen being equally ready to withdraw inthe other's favour, I exercised my prerogative as captain of the school, and gave the casting vote in favour of Lucas. "

At this there was a slight murmur among the audience, though whether ofdissent or approval it was impossible to tell. The interruption wasonly momentary, for every one was too much interested in the nextannouncement to care much what became of the post of keeper of thereading-room. 

"As you all know, two vacancies have occurred among the prefects, tofill which the following gentlemen have been chosen, and their electionduly sanctioned by the head-master: Parkes and Fielding. "

The words had hardly passed the speaker's lips when the whole room wasin an uproar. Cheers, howls, whistling, and the stamping of feet filledthe air with an indescribable din; members of the Lower Fourth foughtone another across the desks; and it was some minutes before Allingfordcould obtain sufficient silence to enable him to finish his speech. 

"This, " he said, in conclusion, "is the result of the present election. I believe there has been some little difference of opinion among you, especially in regard to the selection of the two fresh prefects; thereare so many worthy fellows in the Sixth that one can hardly wonder atyour finding some difficulty in making your choice. One thing iscertain--namely, that the two gentlemen who have been elected towhat is and always has been a very honourable position at Ronleigh areeminently fitted for the work. The duties of a prefect are oftendifficult, and the reverse of pleasant; but I think you will agreewith me when I say that in any large school it is eminently satisfactoryto find that a certain amount of the government and discipline can beentrusted to the boys themselves, and I feel sure that you will giveParkes and Fielding the same willing support as you have always accordedto myself and the other prefects. "

As the captain finished speaking, Hawley, Gull, Noaks, and several otherboys sprang to their feet, their appearance being the signal for a freshoutburst of cheers and groans. Young "Rats" commenced to hiss like asmall steam-engine, while Grundy made frantic but futile attempts toreach over from the desk behind and smite him on the head with a Frenchdictionary. 

"If any one wishes to speak, " said the chairman, "he is at liberty to doso; but, of course, we can't have more than one at a time. "

With the exception of Hawley, those who had risen sat down again. 

"I want to ask, " said the former, "what were the numbers in the votingfor the prefects?"

"Parkes received fifty-six votes, and Fielding forty-eight. "

"Did Thurston receive any votes?"

"Yes. "

"How many?"

"That, " returned the captain, "is a question which, for certain reasons, I think it would be best not to answer. "

"I think, " interrupted Gull, rising to his feet, amid a murmur ofexcitement, "that we have a perfect right to insist on the figures beingmade public; everything in connection with these elections ought tobe fair and open. "

"I don't think, " answered Allingford quietly, "that any one has ever hadreason to accuse me of being unfair in any of my dealings; it is exactlybecause I think it would be hardly fair to Thurston himself that Ipropose not to publish the number of votes awarded to unsuccessfulcandidates. "

The subject of this remark sat in the front row but one, lolling backagainst the desk behind, with his hands in his pockets and a sneeringsmile on his lips. 

"I don't care what you do, " he exclaimed, with a short laugh. "I canguess pretty well what's coming. "

"There!" cried Gull; "you hear what Thurston says. Now let's have thefigures. "

"Very well, " answered the captain. "If you insist, you shall have them. The number of votes for Thurston was sixty-one. "

"Then, if he got more votes than either Parkes or Fielding, why isn't heelected?"

"Because the doctor would not sanction it. The names have to besubmitted to him for approval, and he appointed Parkes and Fielding. "

"Did you try to influence him to overlook Thurston?" demanded Gullangrily. But an immediate outburst of such cries as "Shame!" "Shut up!"and "Sit down!" showed the speaker he had gone too far, and rendered itunnecessary for Allingford to reply to the question. 

"I think, " said Fletcher senior, rising to his feet when thisinterruption had ceased, and looking round with a foxy smile on hisface, "that, with all due respect to the gentlemen who have been electedas prefects, it is a great pity that the doctor should not haveconsented to confirm the choice of the school, and reappoint Thurston. I think if the matter were laid before him in a proper light he might beinduced to reconsider his decision. "

"Well, will you go and see him about it yourself?" asked Allingford, with a slight sneer. 

"No; of course I shouldn't go alone, " returned Fletcher. "I think it'sa matter that should be taken up by the whole school. "

There was a moment's lull in the proceedings, broken only by a confusedmurmur of voices; then Acton jumped to his feet. The football captainwas popular with everybody, and the sight of his jovial face and sturdyfigure was greeted with a burst of cheers. 

"Look here, you fellows, " he began. "I'm no speaker, but I can sayenough to serve the purpose. I think we are very much indebted to ourcaptain, not only for presiding over this meeting, but for what he hasdone and is always doing for the good of the school. I rememberRonleigh when it wasn't such a decent place as it is to-day. A lot ofthings went on here when I was a kid that wouldn't be put up with now, and I don't think the school ever played such good games of cricket andfootball as we see at the present time. A lot of this, you may take myword for it, is due to our captain, and I think we can't show ourappreciation of his work in a better way than by giving him threecheers. Now, then, take the time from me. Three cheers for Allingford. HIP, HIP, HURRAH!"

The big assembly shouted till the roof rang and the windows rattled;then the meeting slowly dispersed, a feeble attempt to raise threecheers for Thurston being met with as many groans as plaudits. 

CHAPTER XIV. 

A PASSAGE OF ARMS. 

The Triple Alliance, in common with the rest of their schoolfellows, little thought, on returning from their summer holidays, what amemorable epoch the coming term would prove in the history ofRonleigh College; still less did any one imagine what important resultswould arise from the action of the three friends, and how much woulddepend on the loyalty of these youngsters for their _Alma Mater_. 

They settled down to enjoy a peaceful thirteen weeks of work and play. Jack Vance reported that the robbery of "the Hermit's" coins wasregarded at Todderton as quite a piece of ancient history; and asNoaks appeared to have forgotten the existence of the clasp-knife, and, growing every day more intimate with Thurston and Co. , seemed more thanever inclined to go his way and leave his former foes alone, the lattermade up their minds to banish dull care, and consider their unfortunatemisadventure as a storm which they had safely weathered. 

The wave of excitement caused by the elections soon passed over. The new prefects entered upon their duties, and in the performance ofthe same apparently met with no ill-will or opposition; yet to everykeen observer it was evident that the recent contest had left behind ita distinct under-current of dissatisfaction, and for the first time inthe memory of all concerned Ronleigh was a house divided againstitself--no longer united in a common cause, but split into two factions, one pulling against the other, thinking more of party interests than ofthe honour and welfare of the whole community. 

The first occasion on which this spirit clearly manifested itself wassome ten days after the elections, when the college played their firstfootball match of the season against Ronleigh town. Thurston's namehad, as usual, been included in the list of the eleven which was postedup on Wednesday morning, but before school was over it was noised abroadthat he had refused to play. 

"I say, you fellows, have you heard about 'Thirsty'?" said Fletcherjunior, as the Lower Fourth straggled into their classroom afterinterval. "I wonder if it's true. "

"Oh, it's true enough, " answered Grundy from the back desk; "and I'mjolly glad he's done it. I heard him say this morning that ifAllingford and those other fellows wouldn't put up with him as aprefect, they shouldn't have him in the team. "

"Well, I call that rot, " cried Jack Vance: "the team doesn't belong toAllingford or to anybody else--"

"Oh, shut your mouth, you young prig!" interrupted Grundy, and theentrance of Mr. Greyling put a stop to any further conversation. 

I am inclined to think that a much nobler spirit would pervade suchfield-sports as cricket and football if the fact could be more firmlyimpressed upon the minds of both players and spectators that, providingthe conduct of each side is fair and generous, and that every one doeshis "big best, " it is equally creditable to lose as to win. Certainlyboth sides should strive their hardest to gain the day; but let boysespecially remember, in an uphill game, when scoring goes against them, that it is to the honour of the slaughtered Spartans and not of thevictorious Persians that the pass of Thermopylae has become a householdword. 

In addition to the loss of Thurston, who, to do him justice, was a verygood forward, the school team was weakened still further by anunfortunate accident which befell Rowlands, who twisted his ankle, andwas forced to leave the ground at the very commencement of the game. The Town were unusually strong, and the bulk of the back work fell onAllingford. The captain played a magnificent game, and covered himselfwith glory; but in spite of all that he and his men could do, after agallant fight the visitors claimed the victory with a score of fourgoals to two. 

On the morning after the match, just before school, the members of theTriple Alliance were strolling across the entrance-hall, when theynoticed a crowd of boys surrounding the notice-board. The gatheringseemed to consist mainly of members of the lower classes, and the mannerin which they were elbowing each other aside, laughing, talking, andgesticulating, showed that some announcement of rather uncommon interestand importance must be exposed to view. 

Our three friends hurried forward to join the group. Pinned to theboard with an old pen-nib was a half-sheet of scribbling-paper, andinscribed thereon, in what was evidently a disguised handwriting, weresome verses, which were seen at once to refer to the previousafternoon's defeat. They were as follows:--

 COLLEGE V. TOWN. _Air_, "Bonnie Dundee. "

 To the boys of the college 'twas Allingford spoke: "When we play the Town team there are heads to be broke; So let ten veteran players come now follow me, And fight for the honour of ancient Ronleigh. "

 _Chorus_. 

 "Then put up your goal-posts, and mark your touch-line; We'll grind them to powder, and put them in brine. Let boarders and day boys all come out to see Us fight for the honour of ancient Ronleigh. "

 The ten merry men mustered quick at his call-- There were forwards, and half-backs, and goal-keeper tall; But one who was wont in the forefront to be No longer was seen in the ranks of Ronleigh. 

 _Chorus_: "Then put up your goal-posts, and mark, " etc. 

 Too soon their rejoicings and empty their boast, For the Town fellows very soon had them on toast; And the bystanders sighed as they saw frequently The ball pass the "back" of our ancient Ronleigh. 

 _Chorus_: "Then put up your goal-posts, and mark, " etc. 

 From this draw a moral, you fellows who rule: Sink personal spite when you act for the school; And whatever your notions of prefects may be, Let's have the right men in the team at Ronleigh. 

 _Chorus_: "Then put up your goal-posts, and mark, " etc. 

Something in these doggerel lines excited Jack Vance's wrath abovemeasure, the last verse especially raising his anger to boiling-point, so that it fairly bubbled over. Jack was a loyal-hearted youngster;he was nothing to Allingford, but Allingford was something to him, ashead and leader of the community of which he himself was a member. The sight of the captain toiling manfully through the long, unequalcontest of the previous afternoon, doing practically double work to makeup for the loss of his fellow-back, and to prevent a losing gamedegenerating into a rout, rose up once more before the small boy's mind, and, as has been said before, his wrath boiled over. 

"Well, I call that a beastly shame. The chap who wrote it ought to bekicked round the field. "

"My eye, " cried Grundy, "listen to what's talking! Kicked round thefield, indeed! Why, I think it's jolly good: it serves Allingford andthose other fellows just right for turning Thurston out of theteam. "

"What a lie!" retorted Jack. "You know very well they didn't turn himout; he went out of his own accord. "

"Here, don't give me any of your cheek, " said Grundy, sidling up to hisantagonist in a threatening manner; "you mean to say I'm a liar, eh?"

The advent of three Fifth Form boys--one of whom took Grundy by theshoulders and pushed him away, with the command to "Get out and lie onthe mat"--put an end, for the time being, to the altercation. The crowdincreased: boys of all ages stopped to read the verses; some fewlaughed, and pronounced them jolly good; but to do them justice, thegreater number of Ronleians were too jealous of the honour of theirschool to see much fun in this attempt to lampoon their footballrepresentatives. Just as the bell was ringing for assembly, the paperwas torn down by Trail, the head of the Remove, who ripped it up intofifty pieces, and in answer to Gull's inquiry what he did that for, replied, "I'll jolly soon show you!" in such a menacing tone that thequestioner saw fit to turn on his heel and walk away with an alacrity ofmovement not altogether due to any particular eagerness to commencework. 

The Lower Fourth were straggling down the passage on the way to theirclassroom, when they heard a scuffle and the clatter of falling books. Grundy had seized Jack Vance by the collar from behind, and was screwinghis knuckle into his victim's neck. 

"Yes; you called me a liar, didn't you?"

"So you are! Let go my coat!"

"Oh, so you stick to it, do you? I'll--"

The sentence was interrupted by Jack giving a sudden twist and strikinghis antagonist a heavy blow in the chest, which sent him staggeringagainst the opposite wall. Grundy was nearly a head taller than Vance;but the latter's blood was up, and in another moment the dogs of warwould have assuredly broken loose had not the flutter of a gown at theend of the passage announced the advent of Mr. Greyling. 

The class had finished translating from their Latin author, and had justcommenced writing an exercise, when a note was passed over to Jack Vancefrom the desk behind; it was short and to the point:--

"Will you fight me after twelve at the back of the pavilion?--H. GRUNDY. "

Jack read the challenge, turned round and nodded, and then went calmlyon with his work as though nothing had happened. 

This cool way of treating the matter did not altogether please Grundy, who had rather expected that his adversary would elect to "take alicking. " He had, however, every reason to count upon an easyvictory, and so promptly despatched another note, which contained thewords: "Very well. I'll smash you. "

Later on a third epistle was handed over: "Don't tell any one, orthere'll be too much of a crowd. "

It was not until the interval that the two other members of the TripleAlliance were informed of the coming conflict. 

"You don't really mean you're going to fight him?" said Mugford. 

"Of course I am. "

"You'll get licked!" added Diggory, with a sigh. 

"I don't care if I am. If I land him one or two, he won't be in a hurryto lick me again. Don't you remember what you said ages ago at TheBirches, Diggy, when you went down that slide on skates? Well, it's thesame thing with me now. I'm going to show him, once and for all, thathe's not going to ride rough-shod over me for nothing. "

During the last hour of school, which happened to be devoted to algebra, the only member of the Triple Alliance who seemed able to work was JackVance. Diggory made a hash of nearly every sum, while Mugford simplycollapsed, and could not even remember that like signs made _plus_, andunlike _minus_. 

"I say, Diggy, " whispered the latter, "don't you think Grundy'll lickhim?"

"I don't know, " returned the other, with a desperate attempt to becheerful; "you never know what may happen. He may--"

"Trevanock, stop talking, " interrupted Mr. Greyling. "If I have tospeak to you again for inattention, you'll stay in and work out theseexamples after twelve. "

At length the faint jangle of the bell announced the fact that theeventful hour had arrived: the Lower Fourth passed on into the bigschoolroom, and were dismissed with the other classes. 

Jack betrayed not the least sign of excitement, and insisted on goingdown into the grub-room to feed two white mice before setting out forthe "front. " His two friends, however, weighed down with anxiety, andwith dismal forebodings as to the result of the coming conflict, wereobliged to seek support by informing "Rats" of what was about to takeplace, and begging him to give them the benefit of his cheering company. 

Young "Rats, " who was always ready to take part in anything from agarden party to a game of marbles, immediately accepted the invitation. 

"Jolly glad you told me, " he cried; "wouldn't have missed seeing it foranything. Jack Vance and Grundy--whew-w-w!"

The long whistle with which he concluded the sentence had certainly anominous sound, but the appearance of their principal was the signal forthe seconds to hide their fears under an assumed air of jovialconfidence. 

"You'll be certain to lick him, Jack, " said Diggory, with a face as longas a fiddle;--"won't he, 'Rats'?"

"Lick him!" answered "Rats;" "I should think so! Lick him into fits;I could do it myself. "

"He's a beastly bully, " added Mugford solemnly; "and bullies always getlicked--in books. "

"I don't care, " answered Jack jauntily, "if I lick him or not, but Iknow he'll find me a pretty hard nut to crack. "

Ronleigh had no recognized duelling-ground, but when a premeditatedencounter did take place, the combatants usually resorted to a littlepatch of grass situated between the back of the pavilion and the edgeof the adjoining field. Here it was possible to conduct an affair ofhonour without much fear of interruption. 

Grundy was already at the trysting-place, accompanied by Andson, a chumfrom the Upper Fourth, and Fletcher junior. It was quite an informallittle gathering, and the business was conducted in a free-and-easymanner, and with an entire absence of the cut-and-dried ceremony whichcharacterized similar undertakings in the palmy days of the prize ring. 

"Look here, young Vance, " said Grundy, "if you like to apologize forcalling me a liar, I'll let you off; if not, I'm going to punch yourhead. "

"Punch away!" answered Jack stolidly, and all further attempt atpacification was abandoned. 

The principals took off their coats and collars, while their companionsdrew aside to give them room, and the signal was given to commence theaction. 

Grundy made no attempt at any display of science; he simply relied onhis superior strength and size, and charged down upon his adversary withthe intention of thumping and pounding him till he gave in. Jack Vanceknew very little about the "noble art, " except that it was the properthing to hit straight from the shoulder; and following out thisfundamental principle, he succeeded in landing his opponent a good harddrive between the eyes, which made him see more stars than are to bewitnessed at the explosion of a sixpenny rocket. Grundy drew back, andafter blinking and rubbing his nose for a moment, came on again, thistime with greater caution. Jack, on the other hand, emboldened by hisprevious success, made an unwise attempt to rush the fighting, and wasrewarded with a sounding smack on the cheek-bone which broke the skinand sent him staggering back into the arms of Diggory. 

Once more the combatants approached each other, this time with a littlemore feinting and dodging, which showed a certain amount of respect forthe weight of each other's fists. At length, urged on to further featsof arms by impatient ejaculations of "Now, then, go into it!" and "Keepthe game alive!" from Fletcher and Andson, they closed again, and aftera sharp interchange of rather random pounding, Jack smote his opponenton the nose, and received in return a heavy blow on the chest which verynearly sent him to the ground. 

After this there was another short breathing-space; a thin stream ofblood was trickling from Grundy's nasal organ, while Diggory and Mugfordnoticed with aching hearts that their comrade was beginning to lookrather limp, and was getting short of breath. 

What would have been the ultimate result of the contest had it beenresumed I am sure I cannot say, but I fear that, taking Grundy'ssuperior weight and height into consideration, the story of the fightwould have been recorded among the trials and not the triumphs of theTriple Alliance. As it was, a sudden interruption brought the encounterto a premature close. 

"Hullo, you young beggars! what are you up to?"

The voice was that of Allingford, who, attracted by cries of "Go it!"--"Give him another!"--"Bravo, Vance!" and other warlike shouts, hadhurried round to the rear of the pavilion to find out what washappening. 

"Hullo!" he continued, stepping forward and grasping Grundy by theshoulder; "what's up? what's the joke?"

"It's only a bit of a fight, " said Andson; "they had a row thismorning. "

"What, d'you mean to say you're fighting that youngster? Why don't youchoose some one a bit smaller?" demanded the captain, rather bitterly. 

"Well, it's his own doing, " growled Grundy. "I offered to let him off, but he wanted to have it out. "

"Pshaw!" returned the other. "Look here, I've half a mind to give youtwo a jolly good 'impot' to keep you out of mischief. Now stop it, d'you hear, or I'll send both your names in to Denson. "

Fletcher and Andson had already beaten a retreat, and Grundy waspreparing to follow, when Allingford called him back. 

"Come, " he said, in a kinder tone. "I don't know what your quarrel'sabout, but finish it up like men, and shake hands. "

The boys did as they were told, and though the salutation was not a veryhearty one, it helped to extinguish the smouldering sparks of angerwhich might at some future meeting have been once more fanned into aflame. 

Grundy disappeared round the corner of the building; but Allingfordremained for a moment or two, watching Jack Vance as he fastened on hiscollar and resumed his coat. 

"Well, what was the row about?"

"Oh, nothing. "

"Nonsense; fellows don't fight for nothing. What was it? Any greatsecret?"

"Oh no, " answered Jack, laughing: "it began about that lot of versesthat was pinned upon the notice-board this morning. Grundy saidThurston was turned out of the team, and I said he wasn't. "

The captain smiled thoughtfully, and going down on one knee examined thewounded cheek. "Put some cold water to it, " he said, and then walkedaway. 

That look was worth fifty bruises, and for it Jack would have continuedthe fight with Grundy to the bitter end. Diggory and Mugford fell uponhis neck, and were loud in their declarations that in another roundtheir champion would have "knocked the stuffing out" of his opponent. That this would really have been the case is, as I remarked before, rather doubtful; but one fact is certain--that the conflict caused thethree friends to be more firmly established than ever in their loyaltyto the side of law and order. 

For a couple of days fellows continued to talk about the skit on theeleven, and to hazard guesses as to who was the writer. As themajority, however, pronounced it "a dirty shame, " and spoke of theauthor as "some mean skunk, " the poet wisely concluded to conceal hisidentity, and by the end of the week the matter was, for the time being, practically forgotten. 

CHAPTER XV. 

THE READING-ROOM RIOT. 

Thurston followed up his withdrawal from the football team by a numberof other actions which clearly showed a determination to spend what wasknown to be his last term at Ronleigh in living at open enmity withthose who had once been his friends and associates. He never playedunless it was in one of the rough-and-ready practice games, composedchiefly of stragglers, who, from being kept in and various other causes, were too late for the regular pick-ups, and came drifting on to thefield later in the afternoon. He severed his connection with thedebating society, and shunning the society of his comrades in the Sixth, was seen more frequently than ever hobnobbing with Gull and Hawley, orlounging about in conversation with Noaks and Mouler. 

Fletcher senior, a mean, double-faced fellow, continued, as the sayinggoes, "to run with the hare and hunt with the hounds. "

"It's an awful pity about old 'Thirsty, '" he would say to his brotherprefects. "I try to keep him a bit straight; but upon my word, if hewill go on being so friendly with such cads as Gull and Noaks, I shallchuck him altogether. "

The speaker's methods of endeavouring to keep his chum straight were, tosay the least of it, not very effective, and, if anything, rather morecalculated to encourage him still further in his descent along thedownward road. 

"Look here!" said Fletcher, as they sat one evening talking inThurston's study: "don't you think you'd better make peace withAllingford and the rest, and be a nice white sheep again, instead of agiddy old black one? I can tell you at present they don't look upon youas being a particular credit to the Sixth. "

"I don't care what they think; they're a beastly set of prigs, and I'llhave nothing more to do with them--with Allingford especially. "

"Well, of course, " answered Fletcher, with an air of resignation, "thequarrel's yours and not mine. I must own that I think Allingford made agreat deal of unnecessary fuss over that Black Swan business, and actedvery shabbily in making you send in your resignation just before theholidays. There's something, too, that I can't understand about thedoctor's not confirming your re-election; and I think there ought tohave been some further attempt made to get you to remain in the team--you did a lot of good service last season. However, my advice is, Putyour pride in your pocket, and return to the fold. "

Young Carton had shown that he possessed a certain amount of insightinto character when he told Diggory that Thurston was a dangerous fellowto cross. The ex-prefect's brow darkened as Fletcher enumerated thislist of real or imaginary grievances, and at the conclusion of thelatter's speech there was a short silence. 

"Yes, " said Thurston, suddenly making the fender jump and rattle with avicious kick. "Allingford's got his knife in me; he's bent on spoilingmy life here. But that's a game two can play at. I've got a plan ortwo in my head, and I'll take the change out of him and those otherprigs before the term's finished. "

Grundy still continued to brag and swagger in the Lower Fourth, but hisattitude towards Jack Vance suddenly underwent a change. Towards thelatter he assumed quite a friendly bearing, and though still remaining astanch Thurstonian, refrained from making himself aggressively obnoxiousto the Triple Alliance. The hatchet had been buried for nearly afortnight when an event happened which caused Ronleigh College to beonce more convulsed with excitement and party feeling--a certain air ofmystery which pervaded the whole affair tending to considerably increasethe interest which the occurrence itself awakened. 

Allingford had not, perhaps, been altogether wise in his choice of Lucasas keeper of the reading-room. The latter was a studious, hard-workingboy in the Fifth, whose parents were known to be in comparatively poorcircumstances, and the captain had named him in preference to Ferris, thinking that the guinea which was given as remuneration to the holderof this post, as well as to the two librarians, would be speciallyacceptable to one who seldom had the means to purchase the books whichhe longed to possess. 

The duties of the keeper of the reading-room were to receive and takecharge of the papers and magazines, to keep the accounts, and to benominally responsible for the order of the room. I say nominally, asthe law relating to absolute silence was never actually enforced; and aslong as the members amused themselves in a reasonably quiet manner, andwithout turning the place into a bear-garden, they were allowed toconverse over their games of chess or draughts, and exchange theiropinions on the news of the day. 

Lucas was, if one may say it, a little too conscientious in theexecution of his duties, and rather apt to be fussy and a trifleoverbearing in his manner. He posted copies of the rules on each of thefour walls of the room, and insisted on decorous behaviour and perfectsilence. The consequence was that he soon became the butt ofinnumerable jokes: fellows said they weren't in school, and meant toenjoy themselves. 

"Rats" hit on the idea of carrying in an old newspaper under his coat. This he surreptitiously produced, and pretended to read as though itbelonged to the room. At a favourable moment, with an exclamation of, "Well, this is a rotten paper!" he suddenly crunched the sheet up in hishands and tore it into fifty pieces. Lucas, naturally imagining thatthe property of the room was being destroyed, rushed up exploding withwrath. An explanation followed, and the whole assembly went off intofits of merriment, at the latter's expense. 

By the time this trick was worn out, other waggish gentlemen hadintroduced the practice of dropping wax matches on the floor andtreading on them, and of hunting an imaginary moth--an irresistiblyhumorous proceeding, in which the participators rushed about brandishingbooks and magazines, ever and anon crying, "There he is!" and smiting onthe head some quiet, unoffending reader. Some evil-minded youngmiscreant went so far as to put bits of india-rubber on the top of thestove, the consequence being that in a short time a mysterious smellarose of such a fearful and distressing nature that every one wasobliged to bolt out into the passage. 

Those boys who at the time of the elections had formed the rank and fileof the Thurstonian party, saw here an opportunity for showing theirresentment of what they still chose to consider unfair conduct onAllingford's part. As a result, so they said, of the captain'sfavouritism, Lucas had been forced into a position for which he wasentirely un-fitted; and with the expressed determination "not to standhim at any price, " they proved themselves ever ready to assist inkeeping up a constant repetition of the disturbances which have justbeen described. 

These games, it need hardly be said, were not carried on when any of theprefects or members of the Sixth happened to be present; but during thehalf-hour between the end of tea and the commencement of preparation, when it rarely happened that any of the seniors put in an appearance, the conduct of the place went steadily from bad to worse. Lucas losthis head and lost his temper, and in doing so lost all control of hischarge; and at last things were brought to a climax in the manner we areabout to describe. 

At the back of the room was one of those short desks which can bechanged at will into a seat, the top part falling over and making aback-rest, while the form remains stationary. In connection withthis article of furniture Gull one evening introduced a new pastime, which he called putting fellows in the stocks, and which consisted indecoying innocent small boys into taking a seat, then suddenly pushingthem backwards on to the floor, and imprisoning their feet between theform and the reversible desk--a position from which they only extricatedthemselves with considerable difficulty. 

Lucas made a couple of attempts to interfere and stop the proceedings, and when at length, for the third time, a thud and a shout of laughterannounced that still another victim had fallen into the trap, he rose inwrath, and ordered Gull to leave the room. 

"I shan't, " returned the other. "Keep to yourself, and mind your ownbusiness. "

"That's just what I'm doing; you know the rules as well as I do. It'smy business to keep order in this room. "

"Rubbish! Who do you think cares for your rules, you jack-in-office?"

"Will you leave the room?"

"No, of course I won't. If you want to act 'chucker-out, ' you'd bettertry it on. "

In desperation Lucas resolved to play his last card. "Look here, Gull, "he said, rising from his seat. "You know I'm not your match in size orstrength, or you wouldn't challenge me to fight; but this I will do:unless you leave the room, I shall go at once and report you to Dr. Denson. "

The offender, seeing perhaps that this was no empty threat, evidentlyconsidered it the wiser plan not to risk an interview with thehead-master. 

"Oh, keep your wig on!" he answered, with a scornful laugh. "Ishouldn't like to make you prove yourself a sneak as well as a coward. I'm going in a minute. "

The assembly, who for the most part considered the stocks joke very goodfun, and were possessed with all the traditional schoolboy hatred foranything in the shape of telling tales, showed their disapproval with agood deal of booing and hissing as Gull sauntered out of the room, andLucas bent over his accounts with the despairing sense of having lostinstead of gained by the encounter. 

It soon became evident that the matter was not to be allowed to dropwithout some show of feeling, for on the following morning theunfortunate official was greeted with jeers and uncomplimentary remarkswherever he went. 

Just before tea Diggory and Jack Vance were crossing the quadrangle ontheir way from the gymnasium to the schoolroom, when they were accostedby Fletcher junior. 

"I say, " remarked the latter, in rather a knowing manner, "if you wantto see a lark, come to the reading-room before 'prep. '"

"Why, what's up?"

"Oh, never mind; don't tell any one I told you, " and the speaker passedon. 

"Shall we go?" said Diggory. 

"We might as well, " answered his companion, laughing. "I wonder whatthe joke is! Another moth-hunt, or some more of that 'stocks' business, I suppose. "

When the two friends entered the reading-room, it presented an unusuallyquiet and orderly appearance. About twenty boys were seated at thevarious desks and tables, all occupied with games of chess or draughts, or in the perusal of magazines and papers. Even Grundy, who never readanything but an occasional novel, was poring over the advertisementcolumns of _The Daily News_, with apparently great interest, while youngFletcher was equally engrossed in the broad pages of _The Times_. An attempt to put "Rats" in the stocks utterly failed, from the factthat those who were usually foremost in acts of disorder refused torender any assistance, and even went so far as to nip the disturbance inthe bud with angry ejaculations of "Here, dry up!"--"Stop it, can'tyou?"

"I say, " murmured Diggory, after sitting for a quarter of an hourlistlessly turning over the pages of a magazine, "Fletcher's sold usabout that lark; I don't see the use of staying here any longer. "

Hardly had the words been uttered when some one in the passage outsidecrowed like a cock. There was a rustling of newspapers, and the nextinstant all four gas-jets were turned out simultaneously, and the roomwas plunged in total darkness. What followed it would be difficult todescribe. The door was flung open, there was an inrush of boys from thepassage, and the place became a perfect pandemonium. Tables wereoverturned, books and magazines went whizzing about in the darkness, agrand "scrum" seemed in progress round Lucas's desk, while amid thechorus of whoops, whistles, and cat-calls the latter's voice wasdistinctly audible, crying in angry tones, --

"Leave me alone, you blackguards; let go, I say!"

Jack and Diggory listened in amazement to the uproar with which theysuddenly found themselves surrounded, and not wishing to risk the chanceof having a form or a table upset on their toes, remained seated intheir corner, wondering how the affair would end. 

At length, piercing the general uproar, came the distant _clang, clang_of the bell for preparation. The tumult suddenly subsided, and therewas a rush for the passage. Hardly had this stampede been accomplishedwhen some one struck a match and lit the gas-jet nearest the door: itwas Gull. 

He stood for a moment looking round the room with a sardonic smile uponhis face, evidently very well pleased with the sight which met his gaze. The place certainly presented the appearance of a town which had beenbombarded, carried by storm, and pillaged for a week by some foreignfoe. Most of the furniture was upset or pulled out of place, magazinesand papers lay strewn about in every direction, ink was trickling inblack rivulets about the floor, and draughts and chess men seemed tohave been scattered broadcast all over the place. In addition to ourtwo friends, three other boys, who had evidently taken no active part inthe proceedings, still remained at some seats next to the wall; whileLucas, with hair dishevelled, waistcoat torn open, and collar flyingloose, stood flushed and panting amid the _debris_ of his overturneddesk. 

"Well, I'm sure!" said Gull, with a short laugh; "you fellows seem tohave been having rather a bit of fun here this evening. I thought Iheard a row, and I was coming to see what it was; only just when I gotto the door, about fifty chaps bounced out and nearly knocked me down. --What have they been up to, eh, Lucas?"

"Never you mind, " answered the unfortunate official, choking with rage;"the bell's gone, so all of you clear out. "

"Well, you can't blame me this journey, " retorted Gull, calmly strikinganother match and lighting the next gas-jet. "It seems to me this is alittle too much of a good thing. You'll have to lick a few of them, Lucas, my boy; and if you can't manage it yourself, you'd better getsome one else to do it for you--your friend Allingford, for instance. "

The master on duty in the big schoolroom had to call several times forsilence before the subdued hum of muttered conversation entirely ceased. Every one had heard of the reading-room riot, and was anxious to discussthe matter with his companions. 

"Who did it? who did it?" was the question asked on all sides. 

"I don't know, " would be the answer. "They say it wasn't the fellowswho were in the room--some of them put the gas out; but it was a lot ofother chaps, who rushed in after, who did all the damage and caused such'ructions. '"

"It seems to me, " remarked Diggory to his two chums, "that it was aput-up job, all arranged beforehand. "

"Then who d'you think planned it?" asked Mugford. 

"I don't know, but I believe Gull had a hand in it. "

"Oh, I don't think that, " answered Jack Vance. "He came in and lit thegas; if he'd been in it, he'd have skedaddled with the rest. "

"Um--would he?" returned Diggory, nodding his head in a sagaciousmanner; "I'm rather inclined to think he came in on purpose. "

By the end of supper a fresh rumour spread which caused the affair toassume a still graver and more important aspect. Lucas had reported thewhole thing to the head-master, and the latter had expressed hisintention of inquiring into it on the following day. The truth of thesetidings was proved beyond all possibility of doubt when, next morning atbreakfast, an announcement was made that the school would assembleimmediately after the boys left the hall, instead of gathering, asusual, at nine o'clock. 

Every one knew what this meant. The subject had been discussed forhours in most of the dormitories on the previous evening, and whenDr. Denson ascended his throne there was no necessity for him to strikethe small hand-bell--the usual signal for silence; an expectant hushpervaded the whole of the big room, showing clearly the interestwhich every one felt in the business on hand. 

"I need hardly say, " began the doctor, in his clear, decisive manner, "that my object in calling you together is to inquire into a disgracefulpiece of disorder which took place in the reading-room last night. I am astonished that such outrageous behaviour should be possible inwhat, up to the present time, I have always been proud to regard as acommunity of gentlemen. Such an offence against law and order cannot beallowed to pass unpunished. I feel certain that the greater number ofthose here present had no share in it, and I shall give the culprits achance of proving themselves at all events sufficiently honourable toprevent their schoolfellows suffering the consequences which have arisenfrom the folly of individuals. Let those boys who are responsible forwhat occurred last evening stand up!"

With one exception nobody stirred; a solitary small boy rose to hisfeet, and in spite of the gravity of the situation a subdued titter ranthrough the assembly. Apparently the whole of the row and disturbanceof the previous evening was the handiwork of one single boy, and thatboy the youthful "Rats. "

"Well, Rathson, " said the head-master grimly, "am I to understand thatyou single-handed overturned forms and tables, scattered books andpapers to the four winds, and nearly tore the clothes off anotherboy's back?"

"N--no, sir, " answered "Rats" plaintively. 

"Then will you explain exactly what you did do?"

"I was reading--and the gas went out--and some one emptied a box ofchess-men over my head--and I--I hit him--and then there was a lot ofpushing, and I pushed, and--" concluded "Rats" apologetically--"and I think I shouted. "

"H'm!" said the doctor; "so that's all you did. Sit down, sir. --Lucas!"

"Yes, sir. "

"Do you remember what boys were in the reading-room last night?"

"Yes, sir, but I don't think they were responsible for what happened; itwas done by others who came in from outside. "

There was a silence. 

"I ask once more, " said the head-master, "what boys took part in thisdisturbance? let them stand up!"

Once more young "Rats" alone pleaded guilty. 

"Very well, then, " continued the doctor sternly; "the whole school willbe punished: there will be no half-holiday on Wednesday afternoon, andthe reading-room will be closed for a fortnight. --Sit down, Rathson; youare the only boy among the many who must have been connected with thisaffair--the only one, I say, who has any sense of manliness or honour. Write me a hundred lines, and bring them to me to-morrow morning. "

The prospect of having to work on Wednesday afternoon caused, the boysthemselves to take up the doctor's inquiry, and the query, "Who did it?"became the burning question of the hour. 

The riot had evidently been carefully planned beforehand, and the plotarranged in such a manner that those who took part in it might do sowithout being recognized. 

It was impossible to discover who really were the culprits, though themajority of the boys put it down as having been done by "some of'Thirsty's' lot, " and as being a further proof of the latter'swell-known animosity towards Allingford, who had, of course, appointedLucas as keeper of the room. 

"Look here!" said Diggory, accosting Fletcher Two in the playground:"what made you tell us to come to the reading-room last night? How didyou know there was going to be a row?"

"I didn't, " murmured the other warily. "All I knew was that they weregoing to put 'Rats' in the 'stocks;' I hadn't the faintest idea therewas going to be such a fine old rumpus. "

"Umph! hadn't you?" muttered Diggory, turning on his heel; "I knowbetter. "

CHAPTER XVI. 

THE CIPHER LETTER. 

The reading-room row, as it was called, had pretty well blown over, whenone morning Diggory accosted Jack Vance and Mugford, who were bothseated at the latter's desk, sharpening their knives on an oil-stone. 

"I say, you fellows, look what I've found. " As he spoke, he laid on thedesk a slip of paper; it was evidently a scrap torn out of someexercise-book, and inscribed upon it were several lines of capitalletters, all jumbled together without any apparent object in theirarrangement, and, to be more exact, placed as follows:--

 NVVGRMGSVTBNDSVMGSVUVOOLD HKZHHLMGLHFKKVIGSVGDLXZM HLUDZGVIZIGHGZMWRMTRMHRW VGSVXFKYLZIWFMWVIGSVHGZRIH. 

"Well, what is there funny about that?" asked Jack; "it looks to me asif some one had been practising making capitals. "

"Is it a puzzle?" inquired Mugford. 

"No, but I'll tell you what I think it is, " answered Diggory, sittingdown, and speaking in a low, mysterious tone: "it's a letter written incipher. "

"A letter?" repeated Mugford, glancing at the paper. "Why, how couldany one read that rubbish--NVVG?"

"Of course they can, if they know the key. Didn't I say it was writtenin cipher, you duffer? Every letter you see there stands for somethingdifferent. "

"Then why didn't they write the proper letters at once, and have donewith it?" grumbled Mugford. 

"Because, you prize ass, " retorted Diggory, with pardonable asperity, "they didn't want it read. "

"Then if they didn't want it read, why did they write it at all?"exclaimed Mugford triumphantly. 

"Oh, shut up! you're cracked, you--"

"Look here, " interrupted Jack Vance, "where did you find the thing?"

"Why, you know the window in the box-room that looks out on the 'quad;'well, there's a little crack under the ledge between the wooden frameand the wall, and this note was stuck in there. I should never haveseen it, only I was watching a spider crawling up the wall, and it raninto the hole close to the end of the paper. Some fellows must be usingthe place as a sort of post-office; don't you remember Fred Acton madeone in the wainscotting at The Birches? only these fellows have inventeda cipher. Well, I'm going to find it out, and read this note, just forthe lark. "

"How are you going to do it, though? I don't see it's possible to reada thing like this; you can't tell where one word ends and a fresh onebegins. "

"There is a way of finding out a cipher, " answered Diggory; "it tellsyou how to do it in that book that we bought when Mug had his thingssold by auction at Chatford. "

"What, in Poe's tales?" asked Mugford. "Yes; in one of the storiescalled 'The Gold Bug. ' Where is the book?"

"I lent it to Maxton, but I should think he's finished it by this time. I'll go and see. "

"All right, " said Diggory, pocketing the slip of paper; "you get it, andthen I can show you what I mean. Come on, Jack; let's go out. "

The two friends were just rising from the form on which they had beensitting, when they were accosted by Browse, who, strolling up with apair of dilapidated slippers on his feet, which caused him to walk asthough he were skating, inquired in drawling tones, "I say, have eitherof you kids got a watch-key?"

Jack Vance handed him the required article, which happened to be of thekind which fit all watches. 

The Sixth Form "sap" was very short-sighted, and proceeded to wind uphis timepiece, holding it close to his spectacles throughout theoperation. 

"I can't think how it is, " he continued, in his sing-song tone, "I'm always losing my key. I've had two new ones already this term. I always stick them in a place where I think they're sure not to getlost, and then I forget where I put them. Thanks awfully. "

"What a queer old codger Browse is!" remarked Diggory, as the big fellowmoved away; "no one would ever think he was so clever. "

"No, " answered Jack Vance. "By-the-bye, did you hear that he hadanother row with 'Thirsty' last night?"

"No; what about?"

"Oh, the same thing as before. Some fellows were making a beastly rowin Thurston's study, and Browse couldn't work, so he threatened if theyweren't quiet he'd report them to the doctor. 'Thirsty' came outin an awful wax, and said for two pins he'd knock Browse down; and youngCollis, who was standing at the top of the stairs, says he believes he'dhave done it if some of the other fellows in the Sixth hadn't come outand interfered. "

In the course of the afternoon Diggory secured Mugford's copy of Poe'stales, and (sad to relate) spent a good part of that evening'spreparation in trying to unravel the secret of the mysterious missivewhich he had found in the box-room. So intent was he on solving theproblem that, instead of going down to supper with the majority of hiscompanions, he remained seated at his desk, poring over the experimentswhich he was making according to directions given in the famous story of"The Gold Bug. "

"Well, how are you getting on ?" inquired Jack Vance, as the crowd camestraggling back from the dining-hall. 

"Oh, pretty well, " answered the other. "The first thing you have to dois to find E; it's the letter which occurs most frequently. Well, inthis case V is the letter which comes oftenest--there are fourteen ofthem--so V is E. Then, when you know what E is, you search for the word'the. ' There are certain to be several 'the's' in the piece; so youlook for instances in which the same two letters come before E, or, inthis case, before V. Well, here it is, G S V, five times; so you arepretty certain that G S V is 'the, ' or, in other words, that G is T, Sis H, and V is E. That's as far as I've got at present; but I mean toworry out the rest of it to-morrow. "

While Diggory was holding forth in the big schoolroom on his methods ofreading a cipher, a conversation of a very different character, and on amatter of grave importance, was taking place in the study of the schoolcaptain. 

Allingford and John Acton were seated in front of the former's littlefireplace talking over matters connected with the football club. Suddenly there was a sound of hurrying feet in the passage; the nextinstant the door burst open, and in bounced Browse. The two prefectsgazed at him for a moment in open-mouthed astonishment; then Acton brokethe silence, exclaiming, "Why, Browse, what's the matter?"

The "sap" certainly presented an extraordinary appearance. His spectacles were gone; his hair was pasted all over his face, asthough he had just come up from a long dive; his clothes were torn, andin a state of the wildest disorder; while the strangest part of all wasthat from head to foot he seemed soaking wet, drenched through andthrough with water, which dripped from his garments as he stood. 

"Why, man alive!" cried Allingford, "what have you been up to?"

"It's those blackguards!" gasped Browse, choking with rage, and shakenfor once in a way out of his usual drawl; "it's that Thurston and hiscrew--I know it was!"

"But what was? what's the matter?"

With some little difficulty the two prefects at length succeeded inextracting from their excited comrade an account of his wrongs; eventhen such an amount of cross-questioning was necessary that it will bebest to make no attempt at a verbatim report, but rather to give thereader a more concise version of the story. 

From Browse's statement it appeared that just before supper some one hadcome to his study, saying: "Smeaton wants you in the 'lab;' look sharp!"The door had only been opened about a couple of inches, and then closedagain. From the few words thus spoken Browse did not recognize thevoice; but thinking that his particular friend Smeaton (anothertremendous worker) was engaged in some important experiments, and neededhis assistance, he hurried away, never dreaming but that the message hehad received was genuine. 

In order to reach the laboratory, it was necessary to traverse thebox-room and the gymnasium, both of which were in darkness, the lightsbeing turned out by the prefect on duty when the boys assembled forpreparation. 

Across the first of these chambers Browse groped his way in safety. Hardly, however, had he crossed the threshold of the second, when he wassuddenly seized and held fast by several strong pairs of hands. His indignant expostulations were met with a titter of suppressedlaughter; he was roughly forced down upon his knees, and while in thisposition what seemed like two buckets of cold water were emptied overhis devoted head. This having been done, he was dragged to his feet, thrust back into the box-room, and the door leading into the gymnasiumwas slammed to and locked on the inside. From first to last not a wordhad been spoken, and at the very commencement of the struggle Browse'sspectacles had been knocked off. These two circumstances had entirelyprevented him from recognizing the shadowy figures of his assailants. He made one attempt to force the door open, but finding it securelyfastened, had come straight away to the captain's study. 

"It's that Thurston and some of his gang, " he repeated in conclusion;"they did it to pay me out for interfering with their noisy meetings. "

Allingford and John Acton sprang to their feet. The idea that the rowdyelement should be so powerful in Ronleigh that a Sixth Form boy couldwith impunity be seized and drenched with cold water, was not verypleasing to one who was largely responsible for the order of the school, and the captain's face was as black as thunder. 

"All right!" he exclaimed; "leave this to me. Go and change yourclothes. "

The two prefects hurried down the passage. 

"Wait a minute, " said Allingford. "Which is Thurston's study?"

Acton knocked at the door; and receiving no answer, pushed it open andlooked in. The room was empty. 

"Come on, " cried Allingford; "the 'gym!' They may be there still. "

They rushed down the stairs, scattering a group of small boys who wereroasting chestnuts at the gas-jet in the passage, and on through thebox-room, but only to find the door on the other side standingwide open, and the gymnasium itself silent and deserted--two emptywater-cans, lying in a big pool of wet on the cement floor, being theonly remaining traces of the recent outrage. 

"They're gone, " said Acton. "What shall we do?"

"We'll find one of them, at all events, " replied his companion; andreturning once more to the neighbourhood of the studies, he shouted, --

"_Thurston!_"

There was a faint "Hullo!" and a moment later a door opened half-waydown the passage. 

"Well, what d'you want?"

Allingford walked quickly forward. "Look here, " he demanded sternly, "where have you been? What have you been doing?"

"Doing!" echoed Thurston; "why, I've been sitting here for the last twohours with old Smeaton. I asked him to let me come and work in hisstudy to-night. There's some of this Ovid I can't get on with, and hepromised he'd help me out with it if I'd tell him what it was I didn'tunderstand. "

The captain hesitated a moment, rather nonplussed by this unexpectedreply. "I believe you know something about this affair with Browse, " hecontinued. "Who did it?"

"Who did what?" demanded Thurston snappishly. "If you mean when he camebanging at my study door last night--"

"No, I don't mean that, " interrupted Allingford. "I mean thisblackguard's trick that was played on him to-night. "

"I don't know what you're talking about, " retorted Thurston angrily. "Look here, Allingford, I'll thank you not to call me a blackguard fornothing, for I suppose that's what you're driving at. If you don'tthink I'm speaking the truth, ask Smeaton. I suppose you'll take hisword, if you won't take mine. "

Smeaton, whose veracity it was impossible to doubt, confirmed the lastspeaker's assertions, and Allingford and Acton were forced to beat aretreat, feeling that they had certainly been worsted in theencounter. 

"What's to be done?" asked Acton, as they re-entered the captain'sstudy. 

"I don't know, " answered the other, flinging himself into a chair. "The only thing I can see is to report it to the doctor. "

"Oh, I shouldn't do that; it's more a piece of personal spite than anydisorder and breach of rule, like that reading-room affair. I thinkit's a thing which ought to be put down by the fellows themselves. Who was in Thurston's study last night?"

"I don't know. It may have been those fellows Gull and Hawley, but youcan't accuse them without some evidence; you see what I got just now fortackling Thurston. Ever since the elections there seem to be a lot offellows bent on bringing the place to the dogs. Thurston's hand andglove with the whole lot of them, and it's hard to say who did thisthing to Browse. "

A report of what had happened was rapidly spreading all over the school. One by one the other prefects dropped in to the captain's study to talkthe matter over. Most of them were inclined to agree with Acton inconsidering it a thing to be taken up by the boys themselves, and thediscussion was continued till bedtime. 

"Well, I'll tell you what I think I'd better do, " said Allingford, preparing to wish his companions good-night. "I'll report it to thedoctor, and ask him not to take any steps in the matter until we'vehad a chance of inquiring into it ourselves. "

The story of Browse's mishap, as we have just said, soon passed frommouth to mouth, until it was common property throughout the college. The remarks which the news elicited were often of an entirely oppositenature, according to the character of the boys who made them. Noaks andMouler laughed aloud, declaring it a rare good joke; but to the creditof the Ronleians of that generation be it said, the majority shook theirheads, and muttered, "Beastly shame!" "What'll be done?" was thequestion asked on all sides. "Will it be reported to the doctor?"

"If it is, " said "Rats, " "we shall lose another half-holiday. Confoundthose fellows, whoever they are! I should like to see them all jollywell kicked. "

On the following day the first assembly for morning school passedwithout anything happening, though every one looked rather anxiouslytowards the head-master's throne as Dr. Denson took his seat. 

The brazen voice of the bell had just proclaimed the eleven o'clockinterval, when the Triple Alliance, hurrying with their companions ofthe Lower Fourth along the main corridor leading to the schoolroom, found that the passage was nearly blocked by a large crowd of boysstanding round the notice-board. 

"Hullo!" said Diggory, "another rhyme?"

This time, however, the placard was in good plain prose, and ran asfollows:--

 "NOTICE. 

 "A meeting of the whole school will take place directly after dinner in the gymnasium. A full attendance is urgently requested, as the matter for consideration is of great importance. 

 "A. R. ALLINGFORD. "

"Humph, " muttered Fletcher senior to himself, as he turned on his heelafter reading the notice, "the fat's in the fire now, and no mistake. "

CHAPTER XVII. 

DIGGORY READS THE CIPHER. 

The gymnasium was filled with a dense crowd of boys; "Rats, " Maxton, and some other members of the Lower Fourth were fighting for seats onthe parallel bars, and throughout tho whole assembly there was a subduedmurmur of interest and expectation. The last gathering of the kind hadbeen a court-martial held some two years previously on a boy suspectedof stealing. Old stagers, in a patronizing manner, related what hadhappened to their younger comrades, adding, "What, weren't you here_then?_ Well, you are a kid!" and forgetting to mention that at thetime they themselves were wearing knickerbockers, and doing simplearithmetic in the lowest form. 

At one end of the room was a big chest containing dumb-bells andsingle-sticks, and Allingford, mounting on the top of this as the laststragglers from the dining-hall joined the assembly, called for silence. 

There was no attempt at eloquence or self-assertion in Allingford'sremarks; brief they were almost to bluntness, but well suited to theaudience to whom they were addressed. It was the old, well-triedcaptain of Ronleigh who spoke, and the boys of Ronleigh who listened, and the manner in which the words were given and received might havereminded one of a speech of Sir Colin Campbell's in the Indian Mutiny, and the answer of the Highlanders he addressed:--

"Ninety-third, you are my own lads; I rely on you to do yourselves andme credit. "

"Ay, ay, Sir Colin; ye ken us, and we ken you. "

"I think you all know, " began the captain, "the reason of this meetingbeing called together. Last night Browse was set on in this room--inthe dark, mind you--knocked down, and drenched with cold water. Some fellows may think it a good joke. I don't; I think the fellows whodid it were cads and cowards. I reported the matter to the doctor, andhe consented to act in accordance with the wishes of the prefects, andleave the matter in the hands of the boys themselves rather than inquireinto it himself, which would probably only have meant another punishmentfor the whole school. " ("Hear, hear!")

"Now, what I want to say is this. I've been here a good many years--longer than any one, except Oaks and Rowlands and two or three more. I love the place, and I'm proud of it. I'd sooner be captain ofRonleigh than of any other public school you could mention" (cheers);"but I tell you plainly, the place is going down. There's been a gooddeal too much of this rowdy element showing lately, and it's high timeit was put a stop to. 

"Some of you, I know, have lately taken a dislike to me, and think Idon't act rightly. " ("No, no!") "If I'm to blame, I'm sorry for it, for I've always tried to do my best. I ask you not to look upon thismatter as a personal affair, either of mine or of any of the otherprefects, but to consider only the welfare of the school. I say againthat if Ronleigh is to retain its reputation, and be kept from going tothe dogs, it's high time these underhanded bits of foul play like thereading-room row and this attack on Browse were put a stop to; and I begyou all to join in taking measures to prevent anything of the kindoccurring again in the future. "

The speaker concluded his remarks amid a general outburst of applause. 

"So we will, " cried several voices; "three cheers for old Ally!"

"In my opinion, " began Oaks, as soon as order was restored, "the firstthing is to try to find out who did it; surely a fellow can't be set onby three or four others without somebody knowing something about it. --Haven't you yourself any idea who it was, Browse?"

"Well, I can't swear, " answered Browse readily. "I couldn't see, because it was dark, and my spectacles were knocked off; but I'm prettycertain it was some of Thurston's lot--Gull, or Hawley, or some of thosefellows. They did it because I complained when they kicked up a row andinterfered with my work. "

This reply created a great sensation, and the air was rent with a stormof groans, cheers, and hisses. 

Oaks, who seemed to have taken upon himself the duties of counsel forthe prosecution, held up his hand to procure silence. 

"Shut up!" he exclaimed; "every one will be heard in time. Browsethinks it might have been Gull, Thurston, or Hawley. --Now, Gull, whathave you got to say? Where were you last night?"

"In bed, asleep, " answered Gull promptly. 

There was a laugh. 

"I don't mean that. What we want to know is, what were you doing after'prep'?"

"Well, I was about some private business of my own. "

"What was it?"

"I don't see why I should tell you all my private affairs. "

"Well, in this instance we mean to know; so out with it. What were youdoing directly after 'prep' last night?"

There was a hush of expectation. Every one thought an importantdisclosure was about to be made. 

"All right, " answered Gull calmly; "if you must know, I'll tell you. I was in the matron's room, getting her to sew two buttons on mywaistcoat. "

A roar of laughter interrupted the proceedings; the defence had scoredheavily. Oaks was for the moment completely nonplussed, and Thurstonseized the opportunity of making a counter-attack. He strode forward, and mounting the chest addressed the assembly as follows:--

"Gentlemen, however low Ronleigh may have sunk, there is still, Ibelieve, left among us a certain amount of love of fair play, andtherefore I ask you to give me a hearing. The saying goes, 'Give a doga bad name and then hang him. ' I'm a dog on which certain people havebeen good enough to bestow a bad name. I know I've got it, and to tellyou the truth I don't much care. All the same, I don't see why I shouldbe hung for a thing which is no fault of mine. You've just heard whatGull's had to say. I can prove that I was in Smeaton's study when thisthing happened; and I daresay, if Hawley is to be cross-examined, he'llbe able to show that he was somewhere else at the time. What I say, however, is this--that it's very unfair and unjust to practicallyaccuse fellows of a thing without having some grounds for so doing. I don't want to brag, but there have been times, as, for instance, atthe last Wraxby match" (cheers), "when the school thought well of me"(loud cheers). "Now I'm a black sheep; but there ought to be fair playfor black sheep as well as for white ones. " ("Hear, hear!")"Allingford said something about underhanded bits of foul play. Well, I, for one, am not afraid to be open and speak my mind. If the place isgoing to the dogs because of it's being continually in a state ofdisorder, then the fault lies with the prefects. " (Sensation. )"They're the ones who ought to check it, and if they are incompetent, and can't do their duty, it's no excuse for their trying to shift theblame on to fellows who are innocent, but who happen to stand in theirbad books. "

The speech had just the effect which Thurston intended it should have. The English schoolboy has always been a zealous champion of "fair play, "though sometimes misled in his ideas as to what the term really implies. A vague sense that the prefects were at fault, and that this inquiry wasa blind to cover their shortcomings, spread through the meeting. Oaks was interrupted and prevented from questioning Hawley, and itseemed as though the good influence of Allingford's opening speech wouldbe entirely lost, and that the meeting would bring about a still morehostile attitude on the part of the rank and file towards those inauthority. 

The Thurstonians, however, attempting to make the most of this temporarytriumph, met with an unexpected disaster, which quickly turned thechanging tide of public opinion. 

During a momentary pause in the hubbub which followed Thurston'saddress, Fletcher senior, with the usual smile upon his face, began tospeak. 

"Thurston has just said that as regards these rows the fault lies withthe prefects, and that they are culpable in trying to shift the blame onto other fellows without first getting sufficient evidence to warranttheir so doing. As one of the prefects, I think it only fair to myselfto mention that I was not in favour of this meeting being called. I suggested to my friend Allingford that this matter should be allowedto rest until some inquiries had been made--"

"Stop!" cried the captain sternly. The two lines were deepening betweenhis eyebrows, and the corners of his mouth were drawn down. The boyshad seen that look before, as he stood at the wicket when runs were fewand the bowling dangerous. "Stop! Speak the truth: you're not myfriend. "

"Allingford says we are not friends, " continued the speaker, with thesame eternal smile upon his lips. "I'm sorry to hear it. I know I'vealways tried to be his friend, ever--"

"You're lying!" interrupted the other sharply. "Take care, or I'llprove it!"

There was a dead silence all over the room. Fletcher did not know whatwas coming, and though he felt uneasy, he had gone too far to go back. 

"I can't understand, " he began, "why you should have this unkind feelingtowards me. I can only repeat, in spite of what you say, that I _am_your friend. "

"Very well, " returned the other, with an angry flash in his eyes, "as itwas partly an attack on myself, I had meant to have said nothing aboutit; but since you persist in your miserable hypocrisy, I'll exposeyou. --You remember, " he continued, turning to the audience, and speakingwith a ring of bitter scorn in his voice, "that paltry rhyme that wasfastened on the notice-board after the Town match? Well, allow me tointroduce you to the author of it. He was too modest to sign his nameto it, but here he is, all the same--a fellow who tries to bringridicule and contempt on his own side; who stabs a man in the dark, andin the daylight professes to be his friend. "

A derisive groan rose from the crowd. 

"You can't prove it!" retorted Fletcher, turning first white and thenred. 

"I can prove it up to the hilt. You had the confounded cheek to borrowfrom me the very book of songs you used when you wrote the parody, andyou were fool enough to leave the rough copy in it when you brought itback. It's there now, in your writing. Shall I send for it? it's on mystudy table at this moment. "

The culprit muttered something about it's being "only a joke, " but hisreply was lost amid a storm of hoots and hisses. 

"Sneak!" cried one voice; "Turn him out!" yelled another; while theobject of this outburst of animosity, recovering himself sufficiently toglance round with a contemptuous sneer on his face, fell back, andendeavoured to hide his confusion by entering into conversation withGull and Thurston. 

Fletcher had come a nasty cropper, and reaped what, sooner or later, isthe inevitable reward of double-dealing. 

Once more the sympathy of the meeting was enlisted on the side ofAllingford and the prefects, and the crowd dispersed, resolved todiscover, if possible, who had made the attack on Browse, and determinedthat such acts of disorder were not to be tolerated in the future. 

"Hullo, old chap!" said Thurston, entering his friend's study a fewmoments later; "you made rather a mess of that speech of yours. I'm inclined to think you've damaged your reputation. "

"I don't care, " returned the other; "we're both leaving at the end ofthis term. As for Allingford, just let him look out: it'll be my turnto move next, and there's plenty of time to finish the game betweennow and Christmas. "

It was a bright, crisp afternoon. Almost everybody hurried away tochange for football. 

"Where's Diggy?" asked Jack Vance, as he and Mugford strolled out to thejunior playing field. "

"Oh, he said he wasn't coming; he's stewing away at that stupid cipher. He can't find any word except 'the;' he'll never be able to read thething. "

It being a half-holiday, the games lasted a little longer than usual. At length, however, the signal was given to "cease fire, " and a generalcry of "Hold the ball!" put an end to the several contests. 

The crowd of players were tramping across the paved playground, andsurging through the archway into the quadrangle, when Jack Vance andMugford were suddenly confronted by Diggory. He held some scraps ofpaper in his hand, and appeared to be greatly agitated. 

"Come here, " he cried, seizing each of them by the arm; "I've gotsomething to show you. "

"Well, what is it?" asked the other two. Their friend, however, wouldvouchsafe no further reply than, "Come here out of the way, and I'lltell you. "

He dragged them along until they reached the deserted entrance to someof the classrooms; then, stopping and turning to them with anextraordinary look of mingled triumph, mystery, and excitement, exclaimed, --

"I've read the cipher!"

"Pooh! what of that?" answered Jack, rather annoyed at being taken sofar out of his way for nothing. "I expect it isn't anything particularafter all. "

"It is, though, " returned the other confidently; "and you'll say so toowhen you read it. "

"Well, tell us first how you managed to find it out. "

"That's just what I was going to do. You know I found that G was T, Swas H, and V was E; well, I tried and tried, and I couldn't get anyfurther. I wrote down the alphabet, and put V opposite E, and Topposite G, and S opposite H. I stared at it and stared at it, and allof a sudden--I don't know how I came to think of it--I noticed that E isthe fifth letter from the _beginning_ of the alphabet, and V is thefifth letter from the _end_. The same thing held good with the nextletter: G was seventh from the beginning, and T was seventh from theend. "

Diggory paused as though to see what effect this announcement would haveon the faces of his friends. 

"Well!" they exclaimed; "go on!"

"Why, then, I saw in a moment what they'd done: _they'd simplytransposed the whole alphabet_--A. Was Z, and Z was A!"

"Oh!" cried Jack Vance; "I see it now. "

"Of course, it was as plain as print. I put the two alphabets side byside, one the right way and the other upside down, and I read the cipherin two minutes, and here's what you might call the translation. "

As he spoke he held out a scrap of scribbling-paper. Jack Vance tookit, and read as follows:--

"Meet in the 'gym' when the fellows pass on to supper. The two cans ofwater are standing inside the cupboard under the stairs. "

Mugford stared at Jack Vance, and Jack stared at Diggory. "D'you see?"cried the latter eagerly. 

"Yes. "

"Well, what then?"

"Why, it must have something to do with this row about Browse. "

"Of course: the fellows who did it didn't want, I suppose, to be seentalking together too much just before it happened, and so they inventedthis way of making their plans. "

"But who can it be?" asked Mugford. "It seems to me it's just like oneof those secret society things in Russia. "

"So it is, and we must find out who they are, " answered Diggory, smacking his lips with great relish. "We'll see once more what can bedone by the Triple Alliance. "

The more the three friends thought over the matter of the cipher letter, the more their curiosity and interest were excited. 

"I believe it's either Noaks or Mouler, " said Mugford; "they were bothof them siding with Thurston, and trying to kick up a row at themeeting. "

"Oh, they'd neither of them have the sense to invent a thing like this, "answered Jack. "They may be in it, but there's some one else besides. "

Diggory scouted the idea of letting any other boys share their secret. The honour of having discovered and exposed the plot must belong to theTriple Alliance alone, and it must be said that they had accomplishedtheir task unaided by any outsiders. 

That evening and the following day the greater portion of their freetime was spent in discussing the great question as to what should bedone. The cipher note evidently had direct connection with theattack on Browse, but the translation of the letter was in itself likefinding a key without knowing the whereabouts of the lock which itfitted. The question was, by whom and for whom it had been written. 

Afternoon school was just over, and the three friends were standingwarming their feet on a hot-water pipe, discussing the likelihood ofmaking any other discoveries which might tend to throw more light on thesubject, when suddenly a happy thought entered the head of Jack Vance. 

"Look here, Diggory. You said you found this note in a crack in thewall under one of the grub-room windows, and that you thought somefellows were using it as a sort of post-office. Well, have youbeen there to see if anything's been put there since?"

"No!" cried Diggory. "Good idea! I'll go now at once. "

He walked quickly out of the room, and came back a few moments later ata run. 

"I've got one!" he exclaimed, in a low, eager tone. "Don't let any onesee; come to my desk. "

The note this time was very brief:--

 ZUGVIGVZFMWVIGSVKZE. 

Diggory hastily fished out his double alphabet, wrote down the properletters as Jack read out those on the paper, and in a few seconds thetranslation was complete, and read as follows:--

"_After tea under the pav. _"

The three boys stared at it in silence. 

"What does it mean?" asked Mugford. 

"Why, " cried Diggory excitedly, "I see. Something's going to happenafter tea this evening in that place under the pavilion--you know whereI mean?"

The other two nodded their heads. The pavilion at Ronleigh being raisedsome distance above the level of the field, there was a space betweenthe floor and the ground used for storing whiting-buckets, goal-posts, and a number of forms, which were brought out on match-days to affordseats for visitors. The door of this den had no lock, and opened on thepiece of waste turf at the back of the building. Small boys used it asa cave when playing brigands, and for so doing had their ears boxed byirate members of the Sports Committee. It was too low to admit of anyone's moving about except in a stooping posture, and pitch dark unlessthe door was left wide open. 

"What do you think it is?" said Mugford. 

"I don't know, " answered Diggory; "but I mean to go and see. "

"If they catch you prying about, and find out that you've been watchingthem, you'll get an awful licking. "

"I don't care if I do; I mean to go. "

"Well, we'll go with you, " said Jack Vance. "Remember it's the TripleAlliance, and we vowed always to stand by each other whatever happened. "

"Yes, " answered Diggory, "and so we will; but there's less chance of onebeing seen than three. No; I'll go alone. "

CHAPTER XVIII. 

A SECRET SOCIETY. 

It was a clear, starlight night. Diggory was one of the first to leavethe dining-hall, and, passing swiftly out of the quadrangle, was soonhurrying across the junior playing field. On reaching the pavilion, allwas quiet and deserted, and he stood for a moment considering whatshould be his next step. 

The thin hedge dividing the two playgrounds was by this time bare ofleaves, and afforded no hiding-place; the only chance of concealment wasto take shelter inside the den itself--a place which has already beendescribed. This, however, seemed rather like venturing into the lion'smouth. What was going to happen? Would anything take place, or was itonly a wild-goose chase after all?

"Here goes!" muttered Diggory to himself. He opened the door, pullingit to again after him as he crept inside; then taking a step forward inthe pitchy darkness, promptly fell over a bucket with an appallingcrash. Scrambling once more to his feet, he felt in his waistcoatpocket, and finding there a fusee which he remembered to have taken froma box owned by "Rats, " he struck it, and by the aid of its feeble glarecrept behind the heap of benches which lay piled up close to theopposite wall. 

Hardly had he done so when there were a sound of footsteps and a murmurof conversation; the door was opened, and some one crept into the den. No sooner had the new-comer crossed the threshold than he stopped, sniffed audibly, and exclaimed, --

"Hullo! what a stink of fusees! Who's been here, I wonder?"

Diggory instantly recognized the voice as belonging to Noaks, and thesound of it brought a momentary recollection of the time when he andJack Vance had lain concealed behind the hedge opposite to HoraceHouse. His heart beat fast, and he vainly wished that he had hadsufficient forethought to come provided with some ordinary matches. Several more boys entered, and one of them struck a light. Diggory, peering through an aperture in the pile of forms, saw at a glance whothey were--Fletcher senior, Thurston, Noaks, and Hawley. 

"There don't seem to be any one about, " continued Noaks, peering intothe corners; "yet it's rum there should be such a smell of fusees. "

"I expect it was the man, " said Thurston, producing a candle-end, andsticking it in an empty ginger-beer bottle which lay on the ground. "He was in here this afternoon after some of those old boxes, and Iexpect he lit his pipe. The smell is sure to hang about when the door'sshut. "

The four boys sat down on two upturned buckets and a couple of oldhampers, with the candle in their midst, and Diggory gave vent to aninward sigh of relief. 

"Well, " began Thurston, "one reason we meet here to-night is because Iwanted to explain to you fellows that we can't have any more of thosepleasant little parties in my study--at all events, for the present. Until this row about Browse has blown over, every one'll be watching uslike cats watching a mouse. We ought not to be seen speaking together, and that's where that cipher business that old Fletcher invented willcome in jolly useful. We can say anything we want to without appearingto meet. "

"By-the-bye, " interrupted Noaks, "what became of that last note? Moulertold me about it, or I shouldn't have come. Some one had taken it awaybefore I went to look. "

"Perhaps it was Gull, " answered Thurston. "Where is he?"

"He's got some turned work to do, " answered Hawley. 

"Mouler's outside keeping _cave_" added Noaks. "We thought it would bewell for some one to keep a look-out in case anybody came. "

"Well, what I was going to say, " continued Thurston, "is, that for thepresent we'd better lie low, and not be seen going about together. It was a good thing Gull and I managed to turn the tables on Oaksat that inquiry; it would have been jolly awkward for the rest of you tohave proved an _alibi_. Of course it was agreed that I should keep outof it, as it was a dead certainty they'd pounce down on me first; so Iwent and sat all the evening with old Smeaton. Ha, ha! the fool quitethought I meant it when I asked him to help me about my work. But Isay, how did it come off? I haven't heard the particulars. "

"Oh, simply enough, " answered Hawley. "Noaks and Mouler and Gull and Idid the trick; young Grundy's was the voice that told Browse to go downto the 'lab. ' Grundy hung about at the top of the stairs, and as soonas he saw Browse come back and make for Allingford's study, he let usknow the coast was clear, so we unlocked the door and skedaddled. Gull went straight away to the matron's room, and asked her to sew thetwo buttons on his waistcoat; he'd pulled them off on purpose. He is acunning beggar, that Gull. Fancy his staying behind to light thereading-room gas, and telling Lucas he'd only just come! Why, he didmore of the wrecking than any two of us put together. "

"D'you think young Grundy's to be trusted?" asked Noaks. 

"Oh yes, " answered Hawley; "he's been on our side all along. He had afight with young what's-his-name not long ago, about that skit on theTown match. Besides, I've told him that if it gets out that he had ahand in that Browse business, he'll be expelled. So he'll keep hismouth shut right enough. "

"Oh, by-the-bye, " cried Thurston, turning to his particular chum, "haveyou heard anything more about that poem of yours?"

Fletcher senior, who had been sitting all this time scowling in silenceat the candle, answered shortly, "No. "

"Hullo!" returned his friend, "what's the matter? You seem preciousglum to-night. What's up? Are you going to chuck this business andturn good?"

"You asked me whether I'd heard anything more about that rhyme I wrote, "answered the other, rousing himself, and speaking with a thrill of angerin his voice. "I say no, but I've _seen_ a jolly lot. "

"How d'you mean?"

"Why, there's not a fellow in the Sixth but gives me the cold shoulder. Allingford sets the example, and there's hardly one of them will give mea civil word. They'd like to oust me from the prefects like they didyou, but they shan't, and, what's more, I'll get even chalks with someof them before I leave. "

"Hear, hear!" exclaimed Thurston; "that's just what I say. And now thequestion is, what shall we do?"

"Nothing at present, " answered the other. "We must wait until thisaffair's blown over. There's no need to run the risk of gettingexpelled; and, besides, we want some time to think of a plan. "

The faint _clang, ter-ang_ of a bell sounded across the playing field. Noaks and Hawley rose to their feet. 

"'Prep!'" exclaimed the latter. "We must be off. " A new cause foranxiety now presented itself to Diggory's mind in the thought that hewould be late in taking his place in the big schoolroom. He knewthat Noaks and Hawley would have to be in time for the assembly; but thetwo Sixth Form boys were not amenable to the same rule, and might lingerbehind. 

Thurston, however, rose to his feet, blew out the candle, and the fourconspirators groped their way in a body out through the low doorway. 

Diggory waited until he thought they must have reached the schoolbuildings, and then prepared to follow. The bell had stopped ringingsome minutes, and without looking very carefully where he was going, heran as fast as he could out of the match-ground, and across the juniorfield. Suddenly, right in front of him, and within fifty yards of thepaved playground, a dark figure seemed all at once to rise out of theground. It was Noaks! The latter had dropped a pencil-case, and hadbeen left by his companions searching for it on his hands and knees. 

"Hullo!" he exclaimed, catching the small boy by the arm. "Who are you?and where have you been?"

"What's that to you?" answered Diggory boldly; "let me go. "

The remembrance of that mysterious smell of a fusee flashed acrossNoaks's mind. 

"Look here!" he cried sharply. "You tell me this moment where you'vebeen. "

"In the other field. "

"What were you doing there?"

"Running. "

There was a moment's silence. Noaks had a strong suspicion that theother knew something about the secret meeting; it was equally possible, however, that he did not. Young madcaps were often known to let offsteam by careering wildly round the field after dark, and if this hadreally been the case in the present instance, it would be folly to sayanything that should awaken suspicion. The big fellow hesitated; then ahappy thought occurred to him: he dragged his captive across the pavedplayground, and stopping under the gas-lamp which lit up the archwayleading into the quadrangle, began a hasty examination of the contentsof the latter's pockets. There was no time to lose, and failing to findwhat he sought, Noaks gave the youngster a final shake, saying as hedid so: "Look here, have you forgotten that coin robbery? Because, ifyou have, I haven't. I've got that knife still. Don't you fall foul ofme, or you'll have reason to be sorry for it, d'you hear?"

The two boys ran quickly across to the big schoolroom, and entered justin time to take their seats before the master on duty called, "Silence!"

As might have been expected, none of the Triple Alliance put in anappearance at supper that evening; as a matter of fact, they werecongregated in a quiet corner of the box-room, listening to a graphicaccount of Diggory's adventures. Noaks's threat about the pocket-kniferevived all their former feelings of dread and uneasiness respectingtheir unfortunate expedition to The Hermitage, and there was a gravelook upon their faces as the narrative concluded. 

"You see, " said Diggory, as he brought his story to a close, "the thingwas this: he wasn't quite sure whether I knew anything or not, but hesaid that to frighten me in case I did. "

"I don't see that we can do anything, " began Mugford uneasily. "You saythey aren't going to kick up any other row just yet, and it would be anawful thing if Noaks found it out, and sent my knife to the police. "

"No, I don't see very well what I can do, " answered Diggory. "Somehowit seems rather mean to hide away and then go and tell what you'veoverheard. I think it's best to leave it, and keep a sharp look-outand see what happens next. "

"Fancy Fletcher inventing that cipher, " said Jack Vance, "and beingmixed up with that lot. He is a double-faced beast; it was just likehim making that underhanded attack on the football team. "

"Yes, " added Mugford; "and fancy Gull being in both those rows, andmaking every one believe he wasn't! They must be a deep lot. "

"So they are, " answered Diggory complacently; "but they aren't a matchfor the Triple Alliance. "

"I say, what made Noaks search your pockets?" asked Jack, as the threefriends prepared to break up their "confab. "

"Oh, for a long time I couldn't imagine, and then all of a sudden Ithought why it was. Don't you see, he wanted to find if I had any morefusees. My stars, I was glad 'Rats' had only given me one instead ofthe box!"

CHAPTER XIX. 

A CHAPTER OF ACCIDENTS. 

The firmest friendships, we are told, have been formed in mutualadversity; and among the many trials which served to strengthen andconfirm the loyalty and unity of the Triple Alliance, a string of minordisasters which overtook them one unlucky day early in December mustcertainly not be overlooked. 

The after results of this chapter of accidents cause it to assume anadditional importance as being the "beginning of the end, " alike of thisnarrative and of an eventful period in the history of Ronleigh College. The reader will understand, therefore, that in turning our attention fora short time to an account of the afore-mentioned misfortune of thethree friends, we are not wandering from what might be called the mainline of our story. 

"It all came about, " so said Jack Vance, "through Carton's having thecheek to go home some ten days before proper time. " The lattercertainly did, for one reason or another, leave Ronleigh on Wednesday, the eleventh of December; and by his own special request, our threefriends came down to the station to see him off. 

"Have you got anything to read going along?" asked Diggory, as theystood lingering round the carriage door. 

"Yes, " answered Carton. "Look here, you fellows, you might get in andsit round the window till the train starts; it'll keep other people fromgetting in, and I shall have the place to myself. "

The Triple Alliance did as they were requested. 

"Aha, my boys!" continued Carton, rubbing his hands together, "whenyou're stewing away in 'prep' this evening, think of me at home eating arattling good tea, and no more work to prepare after it for oldGreyling. "

"Oh, rubbish!" cried Jack. "I wouldn't go now even if I had the chance. Why, you'll miss all the fun of breaking up; and young 'Rats' is makingup a party to fill a carriage, and we're going to have a fine spree. Then by the time we get home for Christmas it'll be all stale to you. Pshaw! I wouldn't--hullo!--here, stop a minute!--why, she's off!"

Off she certainly was. There had been a sharp chirrup of the whistle, and at almost the same moment the train began to move. Diggory tried tolet down the window to get at the handle of the door; but the sashworked stiffly, and before he succeeded in making it drop, the train hadrun the length of the platform, and the station was left behind. 

The four boys gazed at one another for a moment in blank astonishment, and then burst into a simultaneous roar of laughter. 

"You'll have to go as far as Chatton now, " said Carton. "Never mind; youcan get back by the next train. "

"Yes; but the question is if we've got any money, " answered Jack Vanceruefully. "It's fourpence the single journey, so the fare there andback for three of us'll be two bob. Here's threepence; that's all thetin I'm worth. --what have you got, Diggy?"

"Four halfpenny stamps, and half a frank on my watch-chain, " was thereply. "But I don't think these railway Johnnies 'ud take either ofthose. "

On examination, the only articles of value Mugford's pockets were foundto contain were an aluminium pencil-case which wouldn't work, and adirty scrap of indiarubber. 

"Look here, " cried Carton, "I'll give you two shillings. It's my fault;and I've got something over from my journey-money. "

The offer was gladly accepted, and at length, when the train reachedChatton, the three chums wished their companion good-bye, laughingheartily over their unexpected journey. 

"What time's the next train back to Ronleigh?" asked Jack, as he paidthe money for their fare to the ticket-collector. 

"Let's see, " answered the official: "next train to Ronleigh--5. 47. "

Jack's face fell. "Isn't there any train before that?" he asked. "We've got to be back at the school by half-past five. "

"Can't help that, " returned the man; "next train from here to Ronleigh's5. 47. And, " he added, encouragingly, "she's nearly always a bit late. "

The boys wandered disconsolately through the booking-office of thelittle country station, and halted outside to consider what was to bedone. 

"It's five-and-twenty past four, " said Jack Vance, looking at his watch, "and it's a good six miles by road; we shall never walk it in the time. "

"It's a good bit shorter by rail, " mused Diggory, "if we could walkalong the line. That tunnel under Arrow Hill cuts off a long round. "

"We couldn't do that, " said Mugford; "there are notice-boards all overthe shop saying that trespassers on the railway will be prosecuted. "

"Oh, bother that, " cried Jack Vance, suddenly smitten with Diggory'sidea. "Who cares for notice-boards? We'll go home along the line. If we trot every now and then, we shall get back in time. "

"Well, we'd better walk along the road as far as that curve, " saidDiggory, "and then they won't see us from the station. "

The trio started off in the direction indicated, hurrying along thepermanent way, hopping over the sleepers, and seeing how far they couldrun on one of the metals without falling off. At length they entered acutting, the steep banks of which rose gradually until they towered highabove their heads on either hand. Before long the mouth of the tunnelwas reached, and, as if by mutual consent, the three friends came to ahalt. 

There was something forbidding about the dark, gloomy entrance--thestale, smoky smell, and the damp dripping from the roof, all tending togive it a very uninviting aspect. 

"It's awfully long, " said Mugford; "don't you think we'd better turnback?"

In their secret hearts his two companions were more than half inclinedto follow this suggestion; but there is a form of cowardice to whicheven the bravest are subject--namely, the fear of being thought afraid--and it was this, perhaps, which decided them to advance instead ofretreat. 

"Oh no, we won't go back, " cried Diggory. "Come along; I'll go first. "And so saying, he plunged forward into the deep shadow of the archway. 

The ground seemed to be plentifully strewn with ashes, which scrunchedunder their feet as they plodded along, and their voices sounded hollowand strange. 

"My eye, " said Jack, "it's precious dark. I can hardly see where I'mgoing. "

"It'll be darker still before we see the end, " answered Diggory. "Someone was telling me the other day that there's a curve in the middle. "

"Hadn't we better go back?" faltered Mugford. 

"No, you fathead; shut up. "

The darkness seemed to increase, and the silence grew oppressive. 

The boys were walking in single file, Diggory leading, and Jack Vancebringing up the rear. 

"I say, " exclaimed the latter, as he stumbled over a sleeper, "I shouldn't like to be caught here by a train. "

"That can't happen, " retorted Diggory; "didn't you hear the man saythere wasn't another till 5. 47?"

"Yes, " added Mugford; "but there might be a luggage, or one coming theother way. "

"Well, all you'd have to do would be to cross over on to the otherline. "

Imperceptibly the boys quickened their pace until it became almost atrot. 

"Hurrah!" cried Diggory, a few moments later, as a far-distantsemicircle of daylight came into view. "There's the other end. "

"Stop a minute, " cried Jack, emboldened by the prospect of soon beingonce more in the fresh air; "let's see if we can make an echo. "

The little party halted for a moment, but instead of hearing the shrillyell for the production of which Jack had just filled his lungs, theirears were greeted with a far more terrible sound, which caused theirhearts to stop beating. There was, it seemed, a sudden boom, followedby a long, continuous roar. Diggory turned his head, to find thefar-off patch of light replaced by a spark of fiery red, and theterrible truth flashed across his mind that in the excitement of themoment he could not remember for certain which was the down line. 

It was well for the Triple Alliance that at least one of their numberwas blessed with the faculty of quick decision and prompt action, or thehistory of their friendship might have had a tragic ending. 

Diggory wheeled round, and catching hold of Mugford, cried in a voiceloud enough to be heard above the ever-increasing din, "Quick! get intothe six-foot way, and lie down!"

What followed even those who underwent the experience could neverclearly describe. They flung themselves upon the ground: there were thethundering roar of an earthquake, coupled with a deafening clatter, asthough the whole place were falling about their ears, and a whirlinghurricane of hot air and steam. 

In ten seconds, which seemed like ten minutes, the whole thing had comeand gone, and Diggory, scrambling to his feet in the dense darkness ofthe choking atmosphere, inquired in a shaky voice, "Are you all right, you chaps?"

There was a reply in the affirmative, and the three boys proceeded togrope their way along in silence, until the broad archway of thetunnel's mouth appeared through a fog of steam and smoke. 

"I say, you fellows, " cried Diggory, as they emerged into the fresh air, "I wouldn't go through there again for something. "

"It was a good thing you gave me that shove, " said Mugford; "I felt asthough I couldn't move. And we were standing on the very line it wentover. "

"Yes: I couldn't remember for the moment which was 'up' and which was'down. ' I thought, too, we should be safer lying flat on the groundwhen it passed; had we stood up in the six-foot way, we might have gotgiddy and fallen under the wheels. "

The conversation was suddenly interrupted by a strange voice shouting, --

"Hullo, you young beggars! what are you a-doing there?"

The boys turned to see from whence this inquiry proceeded. Half-way upthe cutting on their left was a little hut, and beside it stood the manwho had spoken. The same glance showed them another thing--namely, thatjust beside this little shanty was one of the notice-boards Mugford hadmentioned, warning the public that persons found trespassing on therailway would be prosecuted. 

"Come along, " cried Jack Vance; "let's bolt. "

Unless they doubled back into the tunnel, their only way of escape layin scaling the right side of the cutting, as a short distance down theline a gang of platelayers were at work, who would have intercepted thembefore they reached the open country. 

"Come along, " repeated Jack Vance, and the next moment he and his twocompanions were clambering as fast as they could up the steep side ofthe embankment, clutching at bushes and tufts of grass, and causingminiature landslips of sand and gravel with every step they took. 

The man shouted after them to stop, and seeing that they paid noattention to his commands, promptly gave chase, rushing down the narrowpathway from the hut, and scrambling after them up the oppositeslope. 

Jack Vance and Diggory, whose powers of wind and limb had benefited byconstant exercise in the football field, were soon at the top; butMugford, who was not inclined to be athletic, and who had already beenpretty nearly pumped in hurrying out of the tunnel; was still slowlydragging himself up the ascent, panting and puffing like a steam-engine, when his comrades reached the summit. 

His pursuer was gaining on him rapidly, and it was in vain that his twofriends (too loyal to make good their escape alone) stood, and withfrantic gestures urged him to quicker movement. Just, however, as thecapture seemed certain, a great piece of loose earth giving way beneaththe man's weight caused the latter to fall forward on his face. In thisposture he tobogganed down the slope, with more force than elegance; andwith a yell of triumph Jack and Diggory stretched out their hands, anddragged Mugford up to the level grassy plateau on which they stood. 

Close behind them was a wood, and without a moment's hesitation theyplunged through the hedge, and dashed on through the bushes. The drytwigs cracked, and the dead leaves rustled beneath their feet. Suddenly, not more than fifty yards away to their right, there was theloud explosion of a gun, and almost at the same instant a harsh-voiceshouted: "Hi there--stop! Where are you going?"

"Oh, " panted Jack, "it's one of the keepers! Run for all you're worth!"

The opposite edge of the wood was not far distant. The three youngstersrushed wildly on, and stumbling blindly over the boundary hedge, continued their mad gallop across a narrow field. Over another hedge, and they were in a sunken roadway. Then came the end. Mugfordstaggered over to the opposite bank, and falling down upon it with hishand pressed to his side, gasped out, "Awful stitch--can't go anyfurther!"

Years afterwards, when the Triple Alliance met at an Old Boys' dinner, they laughed heartily in talking over this adventure; but there were nosigns of mirth on any of their faces at the time it was happening. Then as Jack Vance and Diggory stood staring blankly at each other inthe deepening winter twilight, they suddenly blossomed out into heroes--heroes, it is true, in flannel cricket-caps and turned-down collars, but heroes, at all events to my mind, as genuine in the spirit whichprompted their action as those whose deeds are known in song and story. The barking of a dog in the field above showed that the keeper wasfollowing up their trail. 

"Bun for it!" panted Mugford; "don't wait for me!"

"Shan't!" said Jack and Diggory in one voice; and the latter, stickinghis hands in his trouser pockets, began to whistle. 

"Go on!" cried Mugford. 

"Shan't!" repeated his companions. 

It was evident that the Triple Alliance would sink or swim together, andit so happened that by a piece of unexpected good fortune they weredestined to realize the latter alternative. There was a clatter ofwheels, the quick stamp of a fast-trotting horse, and a baker's cartcame swinging round the corner. Diggory, whose wits never seemed todesert him at a critical moment, recognized it at once as belongingto the man who supplied the school, and springing forward he beckoned tothe driver to stop, crying, --

"I say, give us a lift into Ronleigh, and we'll pay you a shilling. We belong to the college. "

The man peered round the canvas covering, and at once recognized theboys' cap and crest. 

"All right, " he said. "Hop up; I'll find room for you somewhere. "

The danger was past; with an audible sigh of relief the three youngstersclambered into the vehicle, and the next moment were bowling rapidlyalong in the direction of the town. 

"I say, " cried Jack, "this is a stroke of good luck. Why, we shall beback in time after all. "

The remainder of their conversation was lost to the ears of the driver, but seemed to consist mainly of a series of attempts on the part ofMugford to say something, which were always interrupted by a chorus ofgroans, and shouts of "Shut up!" from his two companions. 

At length the cart arrived at Ronleigh, and set down the threepassengers at the corner of Broad Street, the principal thoroughfare;and here their adventures seemed to have terminated. 

I say _seemed_, because, as a matter of fact, something still remains tobe told in the history of this eventful day; but before proceeding tothe close of the chapter, it will be well to say a word or two withregard to a certain person connected with it who is as yet unknown tothe reader. 

Ronleigh was fortunate in having a staff of masters who won the respectand confidence of the boys. Some poor-spirited fellows there are whowill always abuse those set in authority over them; but at Ronleighthere was happily, on the whole, a mutual good understanding, such asmight exist in a well and wisely disciplined regiment between officersand men. 

Exceptions, however, prove the rule; and when at the commencement of thepresent winter term a new junior master had come to take charge of theThird Form, it was evident from the first that before long there wouldbe trouble. Mr. Grice was a very short man, with a pompous, hectoringmanner, which was, somehow, especially exasperating to fellows who stooda good head and shoulders taller than the master. His rule was foundedon the fear of punishment, and the sceptre which he wielded was a smallblack note-book, in which he entered the names of all offenders with anaccompanying "Hundred lines, Brown!" or "Write the lesson out afterschool, Smith. " Lastly, Mr. Grice was not a gentleman. Boys, I know, pay little attention to the conventionalities, and are seldom foundconsulting books on etiquette; but those who have been well brought up, and accustomed at home to an air of refinement, are quick to detectill-breeding and bad manners in those older than themselves, and who"ought to know better. " So it came about that Mr. Grice was unpopular, and the boys in his class bemoaned their fate, and called himuncomplimentary nicknames. 

We left the three friends standing at the corner of Broad Street. The church clock had just struck the quarter-past five, and by this timeit was dark, though the street was lit up by the gas-lamps and the longrows of shop windows. 

"I hope no one sees us, " said Jack Vance. "I'm mud all over. We mustlook sharp, or we shall be late. "

"Hullo!" exclaimed Diggory, "look out! Here's that wretched littleGrice coming; there, he's stopped to look into the ironmonger's shop. We must dodge past him somehow, or he'll want to know where we'vebeen. "

The trio crossed quickly over to the opposite side of the street, andhurried off at full speed in the direction of the school. 

All boys were supposed to be on the school premises by half-past five, and at that time the door leading to the outer world was locked by theprefect for the day. 

Oaks, who happened to be on duty, was standing in the passage talking toAllingford when the three juveniles arrived, out of breath and flushedwith running. 

"Hullo, you kids! where have you been?" inquired the captain. 

Diggory launched out into a brief description of their many adventures;Oaks laughed heartily. "Well, " he said, pulling out his watch, "you'vejust got back in time; half a minute more, and you'd have been outside, my boys. "

The prefect locked the door, and continuing his conversation withAllingford, started off down the passage. On reaching what was the maincorridor on the ground floor, they paused for a moment, and stoodwarming their hands at the hot-water pipe, and it was while thus engagedthat they were suddenly accosted by Mr. Grice, who bustled up to them ina great state of excitement. 

"Are you on duty, Oaks?"

"Yes, sir. "

"Have any boys come in late?"

"No, sir. "

"Well, three boys passed me in the town; I think one of them was youngTrevanock. I called to them to stop, but they took no notice. Whenthey come in, you send than to me. "

"They weren't late, sir, " answered Oaks; "they came in about a minuteago. "

"Oh, nonsense. I looked at my watch when I saw them in the town, andthen it was five-and-twenty past; they couldn't have come up in fiveminutes. You must either have let them in, or not closed the door atthe proper time. "

Prefects at Ronleigh were not in the habit of being lectured as thoughthey were lower-school boys. Oaks bit his lip. 

"I closed the door on the stroke of half-past, " he answered. 

"Well, you say those boys came in about two minutes ago. By me it's nowtwenty to six, so they must have been late. "

"They were in before half-past, sir; your watch must be wrong. "

"Don't keep contradicting me, sir, " said the master. 

"We are supposed to work by the school clock, sir, " interposed thecaptain. 

"I'm not aware that I addressed any remark to you, Allingford, " retortedMr. Grice, rapidly losing all control of his temper. "You need make nofurther attempt to teach me the rules of the school; I flatter myselfthat I am sufficiently well versed in them already. "

A crowd of idlers, attracted by the angry tones of the master's voice, had begun to collect in the passage, and the captain flushed to theroots of his hair at being thus taken to task in public. 

"I merely said, sir, that we work by the school clock. "

"And I say, hold your tongue, sir. --Oaks, remember you report thosethree boys for being late. "

"I can't do that, sir, " answered Oaks stolidly, "for they were in time. "

Mr. Grice boiled over. "You are a very impertinent fellow, " he cried. "I shall report you both to the doctor. " And so saying, he turned onhis heel and walked away. 

There was a buzz of astonishment among the bystanders. The idea of acaptain of Ronleigh being reported to the doctor was something novelindeed, and by the time the first bell rang for tea, a report of thecollision between Mr. Grice and the prefects had spread all over theschool. 

CHAPTER XX. 

SOWING THE WIND. 

The passage of arms between Mr. Grice and the two prefects was eagerlydiscussed by boys of all ages. Exaggerated reports spread from mouth tomouth, each teller of the story adding to it some details drawn from hisown imagination, until, away down in the Second Form, it was confidentlyasserted that Oaks had called Mr. Grice a "little tin monkey, " and thatAllingford had boxed the master's ears; which enormities would mostcertainly result in the expulsion of the two offenders. 

As a matter of fact, the expected storm never burst. The first thingthe doctor did on receiving Mr. Grice's complaint was to compare thatgentleman's watch with his own. "Hum'" he said shortly, "I supposeyou're aware that you _are_ ten minutes fast?"

A few moments later Mr. Grice withdrew, looking rather crestfallen. As may be imagined, the result of his interview with the head-master wasnever made public, and in the meantime Ronleians old and young wereexpressing their high approval of the conduct of their captain and hislieutenant. The gilt was beginning to wear off the Thurstoniangingerbread, and sensible fellows, who could tell the differencebetween jewel and paste, were less inclined than ever to be led by thenose by such fellows as Gull and Hawley. Here was an instance in whichthe prefects had taken a stand against palpable injustice, and theaction had caused the whole body to rise several pegs in everybody'sestimation. 

The near approach of the Wraxby football match caused a revival of good, honest public spirit. If only Ronleigh could beat the Grammar Schoolthis year at footer as well as at cricket, every one felt that their cupof joy would run over, and the champions who were to strive for thewished-for victory were naturally regarded, for the time being, asstanding on more exalted ground than their fellows. Ever since theexposure of Fletcher senior as the author of "College _v. _ Town, " thepoem had become a weapon turned against the writer and his party. Boys had gone to the bottom of the matter, and discovering the realreason of Thurston's absence from the team, had declared that a fellowwho out of spite would refuse to give his services to uphold the honourof the school had forfeited all claim on their consideration orsympathy. Such was the state of popular feeling when, with the clang ofthe getting-up bell on Thursday morning, the twelfth of December, a daycommenced fraught with unexpected episodes and situations closelyaffecting the interests of the Triple Alliance. 

One might have thought that their adventures on the previous afternoonhad afforded them sufficient excitement for at least one week; but thesewere destined to prove but the prelude to an event of still greaterimportance. The three friends went into school at nine o'clock, lookingforlorn and miserable. Something, indeed, had happened to mar theirhappiness, and the cause of their depression was as follows:--

Soon after breakfast, when the contents of the post-bag had beendistributed as usual, Mugford accosted his two chums, who were strollingup and down the quadrangle. A look of abject misery was on his face, and in his hand he held an open letter. 

"Hullo!" cried Jack Vance; "what's up? You look as if you had lost asovereign and found sixpence!"

"Matter enough, " murmured Mugford, whose heart was evidently in hismouth: "I'm going to leave. "

"Going to leave!" exclaimed Diggory; "what ever d'you mean?"

"Well, I don't mind telling you fellows, " answered the other. "You knowmy guv'nor isn't well off, and he says he's lost money, and can't affordto keep me at Ronleigh. I know I'm no good, and you fellows'll get onall right without me, and--"

The sentence not being completed, the two other boys glanced at thespeaker's face, and from previous indications in the tone of his voicewere not surprised to find that he was crying. Two years appear a longtime when one is on the bright side of twenty, and the friendship seemedto have lasted for ages. At the near prospect of separation allMugford's little failings were forgotten, and both Diggory and JackVance felt that life without him would be a blank. 

"Oh, dash it all!" said the latter; "you mustn't go? Isn't thereanything we can do? Shall I write to your guv'nor?"

The idea of Jack Vance addressing a remonstrance to his respected parentcaused the ghost of a smile to appear on Mugford's doleful face. 

"No, it's no good, " he answered. "There's nothing for it; I shall haveto leave. "

During the interval which divided morning school and the free timebefore dinner the three friends mooned about together, trying in vain toregard the future in a more cheerful light, and to make plans forkeeping touch of each other by an interchange of letters and a possiblemeeting in the holidays. 

"It's all very well, " said Jack Vance to Diggory, when late on in theafternoon he happened to come across the latter flattening his noseagainst the glass of the box-room window--"it's all very well talkingabout writing and all that; but this is the end of the Triple Alliance. "

"Yes, " answered Diggory, after a moment's thought, "I suppose it is. I wish we could do something more before it's broken up. "

As he spoke, he passed his hand mechanically along the lower surface ofthe window ledge; then with a sudden exclamation he went down on hisknees, and picked something out of the wall. 

It was another note written in cipher!

The missive was certainly very brief, consisting of only sevenletters:--

 "GLMRTSG. "

"Hullo!" said Jack Vance; "they're at it again!"

His companion made no reply, but taking out a pencil, copied the cipheron the back of an envelope, and then replaced the mysterious document inthe crack between the window-frame and the bricks. 

"What are you doing that for?"

"Why, because they may miss it, and smell a rat. Come on; let's get thekey and see what it means. "

In this instance the translation of the cryptograph did not occupy muchtime; Diggory produced his double alphabet, and soon spelt out theword:--

"_To-night. _"

The two chums gazed at each other for a few moments in silence. 

"What does it mean?" queried Jack. 

"I don't know, unless it is that they are going to have another meetingafter tea under the pavilion. "

"Let's find Mug, and hear what he thinks. "

In discussing their new find and attempting to solve its meaning, thethree friends forgot for the time being the melancholy tidings they hadreceived that morning, and gave themselves up to a full enjoyment of themystery. 

"I can't see, " said Mugford, "that it means anything else than that theyare going to have another meeting. "

"Yes, that's it. I shall go down to the pavilion again after tea, andsee what's up. I shouldn't wonder if there is going to be another row. Fletcher said he meant to do something before he left, and there isn'tmuch time now before the end of the term. "

"Shan't Mug or I go this time?" asked Jack Vance; "it's rather a riskybusiness. "

"No, I'll go; I know now just where to hide. "

During the half-hour between tea and evening preparation Jack Vance andMugford lingered about in the dark and deserted quadrangle, anxiouslyawaiting their comrade's return. Once only was the silence broken, byMaxton chasing young "Rats" from the gymnasium into the big school, shouting, "I'll lick you, you little villain!" but with this exception, our two friends had the place to themselves. 

It was a raw, cold night; every one seemed, very naturally, to bekeeping indoors, and there were no signs of any members of the secretsociety being abroad. Jack Vance and his companion trotted softly upand down, endeavouring to keep themselves warm. At length, when theirpatience was wellnigh exhausted, there was a sound of footsteps, andDiggory was descried coming through the archway leading to the playingfields. 

"Well, " cried his two chums, in low, eager tones, "what have you heard?"

The answer was certainly one they had least expected, --

"Nothing. "

"Nothing! what d'you mean?"

"Why, they didn't come; there wasn't any meeting. I waited and waited, until I saw it was no use staying any longer; so then I gave it up as abad job. "

"Did the note really say to-night?"

"Yes: I went down just before tea to see if it was still there, and Ibrought it away with me. Here, look for yourself. "

As he spoke, Diggory produced the slip of paper from his waistcoatpocket. By the light of the archway lamp it was compared with ahastily-constructed key, and the former translation was found to becorrect. 

The Triple Alliance had certainly for once in a way "drawn blank, " andthe preparation bell putting an end to their further deliberations, theydirected their steps toward the schoolroom, wondering more than everwhat could be the meaning of that significant word, "To-night. "

Now, the real reason of the three friends being thus at fault in theirinvestigations was simply this: they were exactly twenty-four hoursbehindhand in their attempt to unravel the mystery. The conclusionthey had come to with regard to the meaning of the note was correct: atacit understanding had existed for some time among the inner circle ofthe Thurstonian party that this should be the signal for a gathering ofthe clan; but the note, when Diggory had found it, had been lying in theimpromptu post office for a day and a half, and the meeting to whichit was a summons had already taken place on the previous evening. 

For the reader, who is a privileged person, we intend to put back theclock, and leaving the Triple Alliance dividing their attention betweenattempts to discover the meaning, first of their Latin author, andsecondly of the enigma formed by this perplexing single-worded epistle, we will give a short account of the gathering to which it referred. 

It was while the greater number of their school-fellows were gathered innumerous little groups, whiling away the free time before preparationdiscussing the various rumours that were current respecting Mr. Grice'sencounters with Oaks and Allingford, that the same five conspiratorsassembled for another secret "confab" in the den beneath the pavilion. 

In one way it was a fortunate thing for Diggory that he did not discoverthe note sooner, for hardly had Thurston set the lighted candle in theempty bottle than Noaks picked it up, and peered carefully into each ofthe four corners, and behind the heaps of benches and other lumber. 

"What are you doing that for?" asked Gull. 

"Oh, only to see that no one's come who wasn't invited. D'you rememberlast time what a stink there was of a burnt fusee? Well, after you'dgone I found young Trevanock knocking about the field, and I wouldn'tswear but what he knew something about our meeting. I searched theyoung beggar's pockets; but he hadn't got any more lights, so I let himgo. "

The party grouped themselves round the candle, as they had done on theprevious occasion, when Diggory had watched their movements from behindthe pile of forms, and Thurston, with an inquiring look at Fletcher, asked, "Well, what's the object of this pleasant little reunion?"

"I suppose you can pretty well guess, " answered the other. "The lasttime we were here we all agreed that before the end of the term was upwe'd get even chalks with Allingford and Co. Well, seeing there's onlyeight days left, I thought it was about time we had another meeting, anddecided what we were going to do. --By-the-bye, " added the speaker, turning with something like a sneer on his lips, and addressing hischum, "it's the Wraxby match on Saturday; I suppose they haven't askedyou to play in the team?"

The shaft went home, and Thurston's face darkened with anger. 

"No, " he answered indignantly, "and I wouldn't play, not if they allwent down on their knees and begged me to. What do I care about theWraxby match? If I could, I'd put a stopper on it, and bring the wholething to the ground. "

"Well, " continued Fletcher calmly, "that's just what we're going to do. If you'd asked me this morning how we could put a spoke in Allingford'swheel, and pay out him and a lot of those other prigs like Oaks andRowlands, I couldn't have told you; but now the thing's as easy as pat. They'll find out they haven't cold-shouldered me at every turn andcorner for nothing. I'll give them tit for tat, and after Christmas, when I've left this beastly place, I'll write and tell them who did it. "

"You seem to have got your back up, old chap, " said Thurston, referringto the bitter tones in which the last few sentences had been spoken;"but out with it--what's your plan?"

"Why, this: I'd no idea what a chance we should have when I stuck thatnote in our pillar-box, but here it is all ready made. Allingford andOaks have had a row with little Grice; he's reported them, and it'squite natural they should want to pay him out for doing it. As they'resuch good boys, I don't suppose they'll try anything of the kind; but wemight undertake the job, and do it for them. "

The speaker paused to see if he had been understood. 

"What!" exclaimed Thurston bluntly, "you mean, play Grice a trick andmake it appear they'd done it because of this rumpus about locking thedoor?"

"That's about it, " returned the other, laughing. "What could we dobetter?"

Noaks murmured his approval of the scheme, but Gull and Hawley weresilent. To tell the truth, since the big row following their attack onBrowse had put a stop to any further chance of card-parties and otheramusements in Thurston's study, their attachment to the ex-prefect hadconsiderably lessened. Like many others of their kind, they werethoroughly selfish at heart, and saw no good in running any personalrisk to settle the quarrels of a third person. The party feeling whichhad characterized the last school elections, and caused for the timebeing a spirit of ill-will and opposition towards the school leaders, had just about died a natural death; and if another public meeting hadbeen called in the gymnasium, not half a dozen fellows would haveshouted for Thurston, or allied themselves against the side of law andorder. All this had tended to make Hawley and Gull lukewarm in theiradherence to the cause. Noaks, however, who would have paid any pricefor the privilege of being able to hobnob with those who were in anyhigher position than himself, was ready to follow his two Sixth Formcronies to any extreme they might suggest. 

"Well, " he inquired, "and what's to be the trick?"

"I only just thought of one on the spur of the moment, " answeredFletcher; "but if no one else has a better to suggest, I daresay it'lldo. We might screw up little Grice's bedroom door so as to get himdown late in the morning; his room's right away at the end of thepassage. There is a screw-driver belonging to Oaks lying in one of theempty lockers--it has his name on the handle; and if we happened todrop it as we came away, I think that in the face of this row it wouldlook uncommonly like his doing. D'you twig?"

There was something so mean and cowardly in this scheme, and in themanner in which the proposal was made, that even Thurston gave vent toan exclamation of contempt. 

"So that's your little game, is it?" he inquired. 

"Yes, that's it; that's my little project for putting a stop to theWraxby match. There'll be an awful row, and the doctor'll keep the teamfrom going. Now, then, who'll do the trick?--Will you, Hawley?"

"No fear, " answered Hawley. "Gull and I did most of the last twoblow-ups; it's some one else's turn now. Suppose you do it yourself, asit's your idea. "

Fletcher frowned: in matters of this sort he liked to make the plans andget others to execute them. "Well, I was thinking one of you might, " hebegan. 

"Oh, bother!" interrupted Thurston, whose revengeful spirit had beenonce more aroused by the mention of the Wraxby match--"it's nothing;you and I'll do it. "

"And I'll help if you like, " added Noaks, who thought the presentoccasion a good opportunity to distinguish himself. 

"All right, " continued Thurston: "you go down town and get some screws, Noaks--two or three good long ones. "

"Well, we'll fix to-morrow night, " said Fletcher. "Keep awake, and meetat the top of B staircase, say at one o'clock; then there's no fear butwhat every one'll be asleep. "

The Triple Alliance had for some hours ceased to puzzle their brainsover either Virgil or cipher notes, and the whole of Ronleigh Collegewas apparently wrapped in slumber, when three shadowy figuresassembled on the landing at the top of staircase B, and proceedednoiselessly along the corridor, and down the side passage at the end ofwhich Mr. Grice's room was situated. 

"Have you got the screws?"

"Yes, " answered Noaks, producing a twist of paper from his pocket. 

"Don't you think I'd better go and keep _cave_ at the top of thestairs?" whispered Fletcher. 

"No, " returned Thurston; "Noaks can do that. I'll make the two holes, and you must put the screws in; you're the best carpenter of the lot. "

Standing in the cold, dark passage, the work seemed to take ages toperform; but at length it was finished. 

"Hist! what are you doing?"

Fletcher had produced a scrap of paper from his pocket, and wasseemingly about to slip it under the door. 

"I want to make certain that it shall be put down to Oaks, " hewhispered; "so in case the screw-driver should be overlooked, I'm goingto slip this under the door for Grice to find in the morning. "

Thurston glanced at the paper, and saw printed thereon in bold capitalsthe following inscription:--

 "BE IN TIME BY THE SCHOOL CLOCK. "

CHAPTER XXI. 

REAPING THE WHIRLWIND. 

Work at Ronleigh commenced with a sort of half-hour's preliminarypractice in the various classrooms; the school then assembled forprayers, after which came breakfast. During the progress of this mealon the Friday morning, in the small hours of which had been enacted thescene described at the end of the previous chapter, it became evidentthat "something was up. " The table, at which sat most of the boys ofthe Third Form, was in a state of great disorder, while the discussionof some topic of unusual interest seemed to be occupying the attentionof the prefects. It was not, however, until after the boys had swarmedout of the dining-hall that the reason of this subdued commotion becamegenerally known; and then, like the sudden report of an explosion, everyone seemed to become acquainted with the news at the same moment. Mr. Grice had been screwed up in his bedroom! Oaks and Allingford haddone it! The doctor had summoned them to meet him in his study!

It was from a member of the Third Form that the Triple Alliance heardthe particulars of what had happened. "'Little Grice, '" said this younggentleman, whose own height was about four feet two inches--"'littleGrice' never turned up until just before the bell rang for prayers, andthen he was simply bursting with rage, and told us all about it. They'dput a note under his door telling him to be in time by the school clock;and besides that, when one of the men went to get him out, he found ascrew-driver with Oaks's name on, so it's as clear as day who did it. "

This conversation took place in the quadrangle. Travers, the Third Formboy, rushed off to impart his information to other hearers, and thethree chums passed on through the archway, and came to a stand-still ina quiet corner of the paved playground. 

"Well, " asked Diggory, "who did it?"

"Who d'you think it was?" retorted Jack Vance. 

"Why, some of Thurston's lot, I believe. "

"So do I. "

Mugford, who was always rather slow at grasping a new idea, opened hiseyes in astonishment. "But, " he exclaimed, "how about the paper and thescrew-driver?"

"Pooh!" answered Diggory, "how about that cipher note that said, 'To-night'?"

"Of course, " added Jack Vance, "they'd evidently arranged it beforehand, and that paper was to say when they were to do the trick. "

It seems possible sometimes to come by wrong roads to a rightconclusion; and though the boys were mistaken in changing from theirfirst opinion as to the meaning of the note, yet in this instance theirerror caused them to hit the right nail on the head. 

"It was one of Thurston's lot who did it, " repeated Diggory decisively;"neither Oaks nor Allingford would ever dream of doing such a madthing. "

"I don't see exactly how you can prove it, " said Jack Vancethoughtfully; "that one word 'To-night' might mean anything. "

"Of course it's no proof in itself, " answered the other; "but what Imean to say is, that if the doctor, or any other sensible chap, knew allwe do about the cipher, and what they said at their last meeting, hewouldn't doubt for a moment but that it was one of them who screwed upGrice's door. Travers says the doctor has sent for Oaks and old Ally;it'll be an awful shame if they get into a row. "

"I don't see how they are going to get out of it, " sighed Mugford. 

"Then I do, " answered Diggory stoutly, with a sudden flash in his brighteyes: "the Triple Alliance can get them out!"

"How?"

"Why, we must tell all we know, and show Dr. Denson the note. "

"When?"

"Now. "

"Won't it be sneaking?"

"I should consider we were beastly sneaks if we didn't. "

"So we should be!" exclaimed Jack Vance. "They've always been jollydecent to us, and it was on our account they had this row with Grice. "

"If Noaks finds we've split, he'll send that knife to the police, " saidMugford. 

"I don't care a straw what Noaks does, " answered Diggory boldly. "You fellows needn't have anything to do with it; I'll go and tell Dr. Denson myself. "

"No; I'll come too, " said Jack. 

"So'll I, " added Mugford; and off they started. It was always a greatordeal to enter the doctor's study, even in what might be termed timesof peace; and now, as Diggory turned the handle of the door, in answerto the muffled "Come in" which had followed his knock, the three friendsexperienced a sudden shortness of breath, and an unpleasant sinkingsensation at the pit of the stomach. 

The two prefects were standing at the front of the writing-table. Allingford's face was very white, and Oaks's very red, "for all theworld like the Wars of the Roses, " as Jack Vance afterwards remarked, though it would be difficult to clearly understand the simile. 

The head-master glanced round for a moment to see who had entered theroom, and, without taking any further notice of the three juveniles, continued the speech he was in the act of making when they entered theapartment. 

"I am not going to defend the action of Mr. Grice, " he was saying. "We are all apt to make mistakes, and I will tell you candidly that onthis occasion I think Mr. Grice was unwise; but it is absolutelynecessary that I should uphold the authority of my masters. If boysconsider they are not justly dealt with, they have me to appeal to; butthe idea that disputes between the two should be settled by practicaljoking is simply outrageous. This is the first instance of the kindthat I ever remember to have happened at Ronleigh, and I tell youplainly that I am determined to make an example of the offenders. "

"I assure you, sir, " said Oaks, in a low, agitated voice, "that we havehad no hand in this matter. "

"I am sorry even to seem to doubt your word, Oaks, " answered the doctor, "but I think you must own that appearances are very much against you. A screw-driver bearing your name was found in the passage, and thispiece of paper, which was pushed under the bedroom door, and which nowlies before me, bears a direct reference to the dispute about theschool time. As far as I can see at present, the only conclusion whichcan be arrived at is that this is an act of retaliation which has sprungfrom your contention with Mr. Grice. "

The captain was about to speak, but Dr. Denson held up his hand. 

"As I said before, " he continued, "I am sorry, Allingford, even toappear to doubt your word; I have always had reason to rely withconfidence upon the integrity and honour of my prefects, and believeme, this interview is to me an exceedingly painful one. The matter, however, is too serious to be passed over lightly, and you must hear meto the end. The conduct of the school during the present term hasbeen far from satisfactory: two acts of gross misconduct have alreadybeen committed, and I cannot but blame those whom I hold mainlyresponsible for the order of the school that in both instances theoffenders should have gone unpunished. It seems hardly possible to methat such things should happen without its coming to the ears of theprefects who were the perpetrators of the deeds in question. Here wehave a third example of the same thing. If neither of you took anyactual part in screwing up this door, I am still inclined to think thatyou must have been cognizant of the act, and I demand to know the namesof the offenders. Take time to think before you answer. I warn youonce more that I am determined to sift the matter to the bottom. "

Once more the two prefects protested that they had not the remotest ideawho had played the trick on Mr. Grice. 

Dr. Denson frowned, and sat for some moments without speaking, rappingthe blotting-pad in front of him with the butt end of a seal; thenremembering the presence of the small boys, he turned towards them withan inquiring look. 

"Well?"

Diggory's face wore something of the same expression which Jack andMugford had seen upon it when long ago their friend first distinguishedhimself at The Birches by going down the slide on skates. He gave anervous little cough, and advancing towards the head-master's table, laid thereon the cipher note, at the same time remarking, "If youplease, sir, we know who screwed up little--hem! Mr. Grice's door, or, at all events, we think we do. "

So sudden and unexpected was this announcement that it caused the doctorto half rise from his chair, while Oaks and Allingford turned and gazedat the speaker in open-mouthed astonishment. They none of them expectedfor a moment that the three youngsters had come for any more importantpurpose than to solicit orders for new caps or "journey-money, " and thisconfession came like a thunderbolt from a clear sky. 

"What!" exclaimed the head-master, taking the scrap of paper, andglancing alternately from the mystic word to the boy's face--"what onearth is this? Explain yourself. "

It would be unnecessary to attempt a verbatim report of Diggory'sevidence; in doing so we should but be repeating facts with which thereader is already acquainted. Let it suffice to say that, with manyhaltings and stumbles, he gave a full account of his finding the firstcipher, translating the same, attending the secret meeting, and, lastly, discovering on the previous day the brief note which he had justproduced. 

The telling of the tale occupied some considerable time, for the doctorhad many questions to ask; and when it came to the account of theconversation which had taken place under the pavilion, his face visiblydarkened. 

"My eye, " remarked Diggory, an hour later, "I wouldn't go through thatagain for something! I swear that by the time I'd finished theperspiration was running down my back in a regular stream. "

"Well, " said the doctor, turning to Jack Vance and Mugford, when theircompanion had finished speaking, "and what have you two got to say?"

"Only the same as Trevanock, sir; we--we found it out together. "

"Then, in the first place, why didn't you tell me all this before?"

"We were afraid to, sir, " faltered Jack Vance; "and we thought it wouldbe sneaking. "

"Dear, dear, " exclaimed the head-master impatiently, "when will you boyssee things in a proper light? You think it wrong to tell tales, and yetquite right that innocent people should suffer for things done by thesemiserable cowards!"

"No, sir, " answered Diggory: "we've come now to try to get Oaks out of ascrape; though we--were afraid--"

"Afraid of what?"

"Nothing, sir. "

"Afraid of telling more tales, I suppose. Well, well; the question nowis whether the same boys are guilty of having screwed up Mr. Grice'sdoor. Why they should have done such a thing I don't understand, nor doI see how it is to be brought home to them simply by means of thisexceedingly brief note. "

There was a silence. Diggory glanced up, and received a look from thetwo prefects that amply repaid him for the trying ordeal through whichhe had just passed. Jack Vance leaned over to whisper something in hisear, when their attention was attracted by an exclamation of surprisefrom Dr. Denson. 

"Aha! what does this mean?--Look here, Allingford. "

Every member of the company edged forward, and looking down at what layon the writing-table, saw in a moment that the mystery was solved. 

The communication which had been slipped under the bedroom door waswritten on a half-sheet of small-sized note-paper; a similar piece ofstationery had been used for the cipher note. The head-master hadaccidentally brought them together on his blotting-pad and the rough, torn edge of the one fitted exactly into the corresponding side of theother. They had both unmistakably come from the same source!

Even the dread atmosphere of the doctor's study could not restrain someshow of excitement on the part of those interested in this disclosure, but it was quickly suppressed. 

"Oaks, " said the doctor, "go and give my compliments to Mr. Cowland, andask him to open school for me; and at the same time inform the followingboys that I wish to see them at once, here in my study: Fletcher One, Thurston, Gull, Hawley, and Noaks. "

To the Triple Alliance hours seemed to pass before a shuffling of feetin the passage announced the arrival of the Thurstonians. One by onethey filed into the room, the door was shut, and there was a moment ofawful silence. Even Diggory trembled, and Allingford, noticing it, laidhis big hand reassuringly on the small boy's shoulder. 

"I wish to know, " began the doctor, "which of you boys were concerned inwhat took place last night? I refer, of course, to the screwing up ofMr. Grice's bedroom door. "

No one spoke, but Fletcher turned pale to the lips. 

"Had you anything to do with it, Fletcher?"

"No, sir. "

"Then will you tell me the meaning of this?" continued the head-master, holding up the cipher note. 

"I--I don't know what it means, " began the prefect. 

"Don't lie to me, sir, " interrupted the doctor sternly. "You know verywell what it means; it's of your own invention. "

Thurston saw clearly that the game was up, and with the recklessness ofdespair decided at once to accept the inevitable. 

"I screwed up Mr. Grice's door, " he said sullenly. 

"And who assisted you?"

To this inquiry Thurston would give no reply, but maintained a doggedsilence. Gull and Hawley, however, anxious at all costs to save theirown skins, practically answered the question by saying, "We didn't, " andcasting significant glances at Noaks and Fletcher. 

What followed it is hardly necessary to describe in detail. The fiveculprits were subjected to a merciless cross-examination, during which aconfession, not only of their various transgressions, but also of themotives which had prompted them to adopt such a line of conduct, wasdragged from their unwilling lips. The cloak was torn off, and thecowardice and meanness of their actions appeared plainly revealed, andwere forced home even to their own hearts. 

"Thurston and Fletcher, " said the doctor, when at length, long after thebell had rung for "interval, " the inquiry concluded, "go to yourstudies, and remain there till you hear from me--Noaks, go in likemanner to the housekeeper's room. --Gull and Hawley, as you seem to havetaken no active part in this last misdemeanour, you may go. As regardsyour previous misconduct, I shall speak to you on that subject when Ihave decided what is to be done with your companions. "

For the Triple Alliance the remainder of the day passed in a whirl ofconflicting emotions. In a very short time the whole school knewexactly what had taken place in the doctor's study, and every boy wasincensed at the underhanded meanness of this attempted attack on Oaksand Allingford. It was a good thing for Thurston and Fletcher that theyhad their studies, and Noaks the housekeeper's room, in which to findshelter, or they would have been compelled to run the gauntlet. Hawleyand Gull, though not found guilty on this particular count, were hustledand abused for their former misdeeds, which it was perfectly evidentwould be remembered against them during the remainder of their life atRonleigh. 

As for Diggory and his two chums, never were three small boys made somuch of before. "What was the cipher?"--"How did they find it out?"--these and a hundred other questions were continually being dinned intheir ears, coupled with slaps on the back, ejaculations of "Welldone!"--"You're a precious sharp lot!" and many other expressions ofapproval. 

At the close of this eventful day two things alone remained vividlyimpressed upon their minds. 

The first was an interview with Allingford and Oaks in the former'sstudy. 

"Well, " said the captain, "you kids have done us a good turn. We werein a precious awkward box, and I don't know how we should have got outof it if it hadn't been for you. "

"Yes, " added Oaks: "I was never more surprised at anything in my lifethan when Trevanock said he knew who'd done the business. It made oldDenson open his eyes. "

"So it did, " continued Allingford; "and if it hadn't come out, the wholeschool would have got into another precious row, and there'd have been astop put to the Wraxby match. I tell you what. You youngsters thoughtit sneaking to let out what you knew; in my opinion you'd have beenjolly sneaks if you'd shielded those blackguards, and allowed everyoneelse to suffer. Well, as I said before, you've done is a good turn, andas long as we're at Ronleigh together we shan't forget you. "

The second thing which lodged in the recollection of the three friendswas a look which Noaks had bestowed upon them as he passed out of thedoctor's study. 

"Did you see his face?" said Diggory. "He looked as if he could havekilled us. He's never forgiven us since that time he was turned off thefootball field for striking you at The Birches. "

"No, " added Jack Vance; "and then we were the means of old Noaks gettingthe sack over those fireworks; and that reminds me he's always had agrudge against me for letting out that time that his father was aservant man; and now there's this last row. Oh yes! he'll do his bestnow to get us into a bother over that knife of Mugford's. "

"Of course he will, " answered Diggory; "that's what he meant by glaringat us as he did. "

"I don't care!" exclaimed Jack Vance, with forced bravado; "he can'tprove we stole the coins. "

"Of course he can't, " sighed Mugford; "but if there's a row it'll ratherspoil our Christmas. "

CHAPTER XXII. 

WHEN SHALL WE THREE MEET AGAIN?

The Wraxby match was played and won. Allingford and his men journeyedto the neighbouring town, so gaming the additional credit of a victoryon their opponents' ground; and thus, for the first time for many years, Ronleigh lowered the flag of their ancient rivals both at cricket and atfootball. 

"Hurrah!" cried "Rats, " who was in a great state of excitement when thenews arrived; "they won't ask us again if we'd like to play a master, the cheeky beggars!"

The same afternoon on which Ronleigh so distinguished herself saw alsothe melancholy ending of the school life of two of her number. Thurstonand Fletcher One went home to return no more; practically expelled, though the doctor, in this instance, did not make a public example oftheir departure. 

Another thing happened on this memorable day which caused quite asensation, especially among the members of the upper and lower divisionsof the Fourth Form. 

"I say, have you heard the latest?" cried Maxton, bursting into thereading-room just before preparation, regardless alike of the presenceof Lucas and the rule relating to silence. 

"What about?" asked several voices. 

"Why, about Noaks!"

"No. "

"Well, then, he's run away!"

Magazines and papers fell from the hands which held them, and the usualquiet of the room was broken by a buzz of astonishment. 

"Run away! Go on; you don't mean it!"

"I do, though: he's skedaddled right enough, and they can't find himanywhere. "

The report was only too true. Afraid to face his schoolfellows, andhaving already received several intimations, from fellows passing thehousekeeper's parlour, that a jolly good licking awaited him when heleft his present place of refuge, Noaks had watched his opportunity, andwhen the boys were at tea had slipped out, and, as Maxton put it, "run away. "

No one mourned his loss; even Mouler would not own to having been hisfriend; and everybody who expressed any opinion on the subject spokeof his departure as being decidedly a good riddance. 

The Triple Alliance, however, had cause to feel uneasy when they heardof this latest escapade of their ancient enemy. 

"He's got my knife with him, " said Mugford; "he may go any day and tryfor that reward. "

For the time being, however, no communication was received from thepolice-station at Todderton, and none of the three friends was caused, like Eugene Aram, to leave the school with gyves upon his wrists. Whatever evil intentions Noaks might have cherished towards them weredestined to be checkmated by a fortunate circumstance, the possibilityof which neither side had yet foreseen. 

The last day of the term arrived in due course, bringing with it thatjolly time when everybody is excited, happy, and good-tempered; when themorning's work is a mere matter of form, and the boys slap their bookstogether at the sound of the bell, with the joyful conviction that thewhole length of the Christmas holidays lies between them and "nextlesson. "

Directly after dinner every one commenced "packing up;" which term mighthave been supposed to include every form of skylarking which the heartof the small boy could devise, from racing round the quadrangle, arrayedin one of Bibbs's night-shirts, to playing football in the gymnasium, North _versus_ South, with the remains of an old mortar-board. 

It was at this period of the day that the Triple Alliance proceeded tocarry out a project which had for some little time occupied the minds ofat least two of their number. The idea was that the little fraternityshould celebrate their approaching separation, and the consequentbreaking up of their association, with a sort of funeral feast, the costof which Jack and Diggory insisted should be borne by the two survivingmembers. Only one outsider was invited to attend--namely, "Rats, " whosecheery presence it was thought would tend to enliven the proceedings, and chase away the gloomy clouds of regret which would naturally hangover the near prospect of parting. 

The box-room (where such functions usually took place) being at thistime in a state of indescribable uproar, it was decided that the banquetshould be served in one of the remote classrooms. 

"None of the fellows'll come near it, " said Jack Vance; "and if oldWatford should be knocking round and catch us there, he won't doanything to-day; we shall have to clear out, that's all. "

Accordingly, about a quarter to four, the three friends, with theirsolitary guest, assembled at the trysting-place. Jack Vance carried twobig paper bags, Diggory a biscuit-box and a small tin kettle, while theother two were provided with four clean jam-pots, it having beenannounced that there was "going to be some cocoa. "

For the preparation of this luxury Diggory mounted a form and lit one ofthe gas-jets, over which he and Jack Vance took it in turns to hold thekettle until the water boiled. Sugar, cocoa, and condensed milk wereproduced from the biscuit-tin, and the jam-pots having been filled withthe steaming beverage, the company seated themselves round the stove, inwhich there still smouldered some remains of the morning's fire, andprepared to enjoy themselves. 

From the first, however, the proceeding's fell as flat as ditch-water. Even the gallant efforts of "Rats" to enliven the party were of noavail; and for some time everybody munched away in silence, Jack Vanceoccasionally pausing to remark, "Here, pass over that nose-bag, and helpyourselves. "

The classroom itself, which belonged to the Third Form, was suggestiveof that glad season known as "breaking-up. " The ink-pots had all beencollected, and stood together in a tray on the master's table; fragmentsof examination papers filled the paper-basket, and were littered hereand there about the floor, while some promising Latin scholar hadscrawled across the blackboard the well-known words, _Dulce Domum_. These inspiriting signs of a "good time coming" were, however, lost onthe Triple Alliance. Their present surroundings served only to remindthem of the old days of "The Happy Family, " when they had first come toRonleigh, never expecting but to have completed the period of theirschool lives in one another's company. 

"Well, " said Jack Vance, suddenly broaching the subject which wasuppermost in each of their minds, "we've had jolly times together. --D'you remember when we made the Alliance, the day you first cameto The Birches, Diggory?"

"Yes, " answered Diggory; "it was just after we'd been frightened by theghost. D'you remember the 'Main-top' and the 'House of Lords' and thePhilistines? I wonder what's become of them all?"

One reminiscence suggested another, and after exhausting theirrecollections of The Birches, they recalled their varied experiences atRonleigh. Only one adventure was by mutual consent not alludedto: their clandestine visit to The Hermitage, coupled with Noaks'sthreat, hung like the sword suspended by a single hair above the head ofDamocles at the feast. 

At length, when the paper bags had been wellnigh emptied, Jack Vanceintimated his intention of making a speech--which announcement wasreceived with considerable applause. 

"Don't finish up your cocoa, " he began, "because, before we dissolve theAlliance, I'm going to propose a toast. We've been friends a long time, and both here and at The Birches, as Diggory says, the Triple Alliancehas done wonders and covered itself with glory. " (Cheers. ) "We saidwhen we started that we'd always stand by each other whatever happened;and so we have, and so we would again if we were going to be togetherany longer. " ("Hear, hear!") "I wish 'Rats' could have joined us, butthen I suppose it wouldn't have been the Triple Alliance. However, nowit's finished with; but before we break it up, I'm going to call uponyou to drink the health of Mr. Mugford. May he have long life andhappiness, and a jolly fine house, with a model railway, and a lake forboating in the grounds, and ask us all to come and stay with himwhenever we feel inclined. "

This sentiment was received with shouts of applause, and in honouring itthe jam-pots were drained to their muddy dregs. 

No one expected that Mugford would reply, for he was decidedly a man offew words; but on this occasion he rose above his usual self, andsitting with his hands in his trouser pockets, his feet on the fender ofthe stove, and his chin sunk forward on his breast, delivered himself asfollows. The room was already growing dark with the early wintertwilight, which perhaps rendered it more easy for him to undertake thetask of responding to the toast. 

"You've always been very kind to me, " he began, speaking rather quickly. 

"No, we haven't, " interrupted Jack Vance. 

"Yes, you have. Just shut up; I'm going to say what I like. You madefriends with me because I happened to be in the same room at TheBirches; but you always stuck to me, and helped me along a lot when wecame here first. I know I'm stupid, and sometimes I feel I'm a coward;but I enjoyed being with you, and shall always remember the times we'vehad together--yes, I swear I shall--always. And now I've got a drop ofcocoa left, so I'm going to propose a toast. You must take 'Rats' in myplace. I hope you'll have heaps of larks; and you must write me aletter sometimes and tell me what you're doing. Here goes--The new_Triple Alliance!_"

It was customary to laugh at whatever Mugford said, but on this occasionnot even a smile greeted the conclusion of his remarks. 

Only Diggory spoke. "No, we shan't have another Triple Alliance; nowit's going to end. "

He turned, and taking something out of the biscuit-tin, said solemnly, "I, Diggory Trevanock, do hereby declare that the association known asthe Triple Alliance is now dissolved; in token of which I break this bitof a flat ruler, used by us as a sugar-spoon, into three parts, one ofwhich I present to each of the members as a keepsake, to remind them ofall our great deeds and many adventures. "

Each boy pocketed his fragment of wood in silence. Jack Vance tried tocrack a joke, but it was a miserable failure. 

"There was something I wanted to say, " began "Rats" thoughtfully. "I shall remember it in a minute. Oh, _bother!_"

"What's up?"

"Why, I know what it was; Mugford's talking about writing to himreminded me of it. I'm awfully sorry, but there were some letters camefor you chaps this morning. I took them off the table, meaning to givethem to you; but I quite forgot, and left them in my desk. "

"Well, you're a nice one!" cried Diggory. "Suppose you go and fetch 'emnow!"

"Rats" scrambled to his feet and hurried out of the room. 

Jack Vance pulled out his watch, and held it down so that the glimmer ofthe red light from between the bars of the stove fell upon its face. 

"My word, " he exclaimed, "it's time we thought about packing!"

"Wait a jiff for those letters, " answered Diggory. 

A moment later "Rats" came scampering down the passage. "Here theyare, " he cried; "I'm very sorry I forgot 'em. A letter for Mugford, anda paper for Vance. "

Diggory relighted the gas-jet which he had turned out after boiling thekettle, and proceeded, with the assistance of "Rats, " to gather up theremains of the feast. They had hardly, however, got further thanemptying the tin kettle down the ventilator before their attention wasattracted by a joyful exclamation from Jack Vance. 

"What d'you think's happened?" he cried, brandishing the open newspaper. "Why, they've caught the thieves who stole old Fossberry's coins!"

"Not really!"

"They have, though. It was the old woman who looks after the house, andher husband; they're to be tried at the next assizes. They did it rightenough; some of the coins were found in their possession, and--Hullo!what's the matter with you?"

The latter remark was addressed to Mugford, who suddenly jumped on aform, began to dance, fell off into the coal-box, scrambled to his feet, and capered wildly round the room. 

"He's gone mad!" cried Diggory; "catch him, and sit on his head!"

"No, I haven't!" exclaimed Mugford, coming to a standstill; "but what doyou think's happened? Guess!"

"Not that you're going to stay on here!"

"Yes! My uncle says he'll pay for me, and I'm to come back again afterChristmas!"

"Well, I'm sure!" gasped Jack Vance; "and we've just dissolved theAlliance! We must make it again. "

"No, you shan't!" shouted "Rats;" "Diggory said you wouldn't. I'm coming in, as Mugford suggested, so it'll have to be a quadruple onenext time. "

"Well, so it shall be, " cried Jack Vance, embracing Mugford with thehugging power of a juvenile bear: "next term we'll start afresh. "

Diggory and "Rats" promptly fell into each other's arms, and all four, coming into violent collision, tumbled down amidst the _debris_ of theoverturned coal-box; and after rolling over one another like a lot ofyoung dogs, scrambled to their feet, turned out the gas, and rushed awayto complete their packing. 

So, as the door slams behind them, they vanish from our sight; forthough the renewal of their friendship tempts us to follow them furtherin their school life, we are reminded that our story has been told. Here ended the existence of the Triple Alliance, and here, therefore, should the history of its trials and triumphs be likewise brought to aconclusion.