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diff --git a/42862.txt b/42862.txt deleted file mode 100644 index cf515e5..0000000 --- a/42862.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,10518 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg eBook, King of Ranleigh, by F. S. (Frederick -Sadlier) Brereton, Illustrated by Ernest Prater - - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with -almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org - - - - - -Title: King of Ranleigh - A School Story - - -Author: F. S. (Frederick Sadlier) Brereton - - - -Release Date: June 2, 2013 [eBook #42862] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ISO-646-US (US-ASCII) - - -***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK KING OF RANLEIGH*** - - -E-text prepared by sp1nd, Mary Meehan, and the Online Distributed -Proofreading Team (http://www.pgdp.net) from page images generously made -available by Internet Archive (https://archive.org) - - - -Note: Project Gutenberg also has an HTML version of this - file which includes the original illustrations. - See 42862-h.htm or 42862-h.zip: - (http://www.gutenberg.org/files/42862/42862-h/42862-h.htm) - or - (http://www.gutenberg.org/files/42862/42862-h.zip) - - - Images of the original pages are available through - Internet Archive. See - https://archive.org/details/kingofranleighsc00breriala - - - - - -KING OF RANLEIGH - -A School Story - -by - -CAPTAIN F. S. BRERETON - -Author of "The Hero of Panama," "The Great Aeroplane," etc. etc. - -Illustrated by Ernest Prater - - - - - - - -London -S. W. Partridge & Co. Ltd. -Old Bailey - - - - -[Illustration: "CLIVE WAS DASHED BACKWARD WITH TERRIFIC VIOLENCE."] - - - - -CONTENTS - - -CHAPTER PAGE - - I. THE CONSPIRATORS 9 - - II. A BOOBY TRAP 25 - - III. OFF TO RANLEIGH 47 - - IV. SOME INTRODUCTIONS 68 - - V. AN ULTIMATUM 89 - - VI. CLIVE AND HIS FRIENDS TRIUMPHANT 111 - - VII. PLANS FOR AN OUTING 131 - - VIII. BREAKING BOUNDS 153 - - IX. HONESTY'S THE BEST POLICY 173 - - X. THE RUINED TOWER 194 - - XI. BERT MAKES A DISCOVERY 214 - - XII. ROUNDING UP THE BURGLARS 236 - - XIII. TRENDALL AND SOME OTHERS 259 - - XIV. THE STRENUOUS LIFE 278 - - XV. STURTON'S POLICY IS VINDICATED 295 - - XVI. A GREAT DISTURBANCE 317 - - XVII. WHO IS THE SCOUNDREL? 340 - - XVIII. TRACKED DOWN 358 - - XIX. A MONSTROUS ACCUSATION 374 - - XX. THE OLD FIRM HANGS TOGETHER 386 - - XXI. KING OF RANLEIGH 403 - - - - -LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS - - - "Clive was dashed back with terrific - violence" _Frontispiece_ - - "His rage was almost appalling" 44 - - "'Look out, Susanne! I'm coming - in to help'" 114 - - "Rawlings and Trendall were tossed - into a dense mass of bushes" 171 - - "'Forward!' ordered the sergeant - sternly. 'Rush 'em!'" 254 - - "They were swept back by an appalling - gush of flame and smoke" 328 - - - - -KING OF RANLEIGH - - - - -CHAPTER I - -THE CONSPIRATORS - - -Clive Darrell took from the pocket of a somewhat tattered coat, which -bore many a stain and many a sign of hard wear, a filbert of good size, -and having admired it in silence cracked the same by placing it upon a -miniature anvil and giving it an adroit blow with a hammer. There was a -precision about his movements and his action which spoke of practice. -Clive was inordinately fond of nuts. His pockets bulged widely with -them. As he ate he extracted a handful and presented some to each of his -two comrades. - -"Here, have a go. I've heaps to draw from. Well?" - -"Well?" came from Hugh Seymour, a boy of his own age, just a little more -than thirteen. - -But Bert Seymour, brother to Hugh, made no answer. Taller than the other -two, a year older than his brother, he was a weedy, lanky youth, -running to height rather than to breadth. He had tossed his cap on to -the bench, so that he presented a tousled head of hair, above a face -thin like his frame, but ruddy enough, with keen penetrating eyes which -wore a curiously dreamy aspect for such a youngster. He was cogitating -deeply. That was evident. But being the prince of good fellows, one who -made a point of returning hospitality, he rummaged also in his pocket, -producing a medley of articles to be found nowhere else save in the case -of a schoolboy. A piece of tangled string, half a broken hinge, a knife, -a second knife, somewhat bigger and distinctly rusty, a length of -galvanised wire which made one wonder if he were a jack-of-all-trades, -three handkerchiefs, each more terrible in appearance than the last, a -number of air-gun slugs, a broken box for the same, now empty and -severely damaged, and lastly, that for which he searched, a respectably -sized piece of toffee in a wrapping of paper which was broken at one -corner, and through which a half-dozen slugs had contrived to insert -themselves and were now nicely imbedded in the sweetmeat. - -"Have some," he said laconically, handing over the packet to Clive. - -"Fair does then. Thanks." - -There was a strange taciturnity about these three lads. A silence and -absence of words to which they were unaccustomed. But then, great events -bring about equally great changes on occasion, and this day saw the trio -face to face with a circumstance which baffled them, rendered them -almost inarticulate, when they were accustomed to chatter, not seldom -either in the lowest tones, and made of them a somewhat morose -gathering. - -Clive split the toffee into three equal-sized pieces with the aid of a -huge pair of metal shears, distributed two of the pieces, and thrust the -third into his mouth. - -"Well?" he asked again, almost inarticulate since the sticky piece held -his jaws so firmly. "We've got to move." - -"Or funk." - -"Or go on getting kicked." - -"Not if I know it!" ejaculated Clive, with a distinct effort, tearing -his two rows of shining teeth asunder. "Who's he? We've been here ages, -and he has the cheek to order us about." - -"Suppose he imagines we're going to fag for him," exclaimed Hugh, -pulling his piece of toffee into the light of day as speech was -otherwise almost out of the question. "He's a cad, this Rawlings. Vote -we go for him." - -"How?" - -It was almost the first word which Bert had uttered. A keen glance shot -from those dreamy eyes, searching the faces of his two comrades. He -borrowed Clive's hammer and mechanically cracked the handful of nuts -presented to him, preparing a store for consumption after the sweetmeat -was finished. His dreamy eyes slowly travelled round his immediate -surroundings, noting without enthusiasm the many tools and appliances -which to boys as a general rule are the greatest of attractions. For -Bert was no mechanic. At the precise period of which we write he was -immersed in the intricacies of a calculation having for its object the -purchase of sundry cricket stumps, bats and a ball with a sum raked -together after noble self-sacrifice and still all too small for the -purpose. He was, in fact, keen on cricket, and no dull hand at the game. -Fair at the wicket, he could send down a ball at any time the varying -length of which might be expected to baffle one who had not stood up to -his bowling before. While at "point" he had already gathered laurels in -the village matches, to which residence in the depths of the country -confined him. - -Mechanics distinctly bored Bert. He had no use for hammers, other than -that of cracking nuts, and even then he managed to hammer his fingers -fairly often. And there he differed from his brother, just as the latter -differed from him in appearance. For Hugh was a rosy-cheeked fellow, -short and active and strong, quick and brisk in his actions, and with -eyes which sparkled and could never be accused of presenting a dreamy -appearance. Always ready for cricket or football or any other game that -might be suggested, and shining particularly in the gymnasium, there -were two hobbies which absorbed his every waking thought, and contrived -to make him Clive Darrell's boon companion. For both loved the wild -things they saw about them. They were the terror of gamekeepers in all -directions, and there was not a copse nor a cover for miles around which -they had not visited in their search for nests. And the winter season -found them both for hours together in this workshop, once the happy -rendezvous of Clive's father. What wonder if they were enchanted with -the place? Imagine a large room, with steeply sloping roof, in which -were a couple of lights. A range of shelves down one side, each carrying -planes or cramps or wood tools of some description. While against the -farther wall stood a cabinet, glazed at the top, and presenting a range -of calipers, micrometers, drills, gauges, taps and dies and what-not; -while nests of drawers beneath contained every tool necessary for both -wood and metal turning. That was the triumph of this workshop. A -five-inch lathe stood against the far wall, the floor beneath stained -with many a splotch of oil. A belt ran to it from a shaft overhead which -travelled the length of the shop and was there fitted with a wheel of -large diameter to which a second belt was attached. This latter -travelled to the fast and loose pulleys of a second shaft, and thence to -a petrol engine, which puffed and rattled at the moment. - -Clive toyed with the lever which operated his pet lathe. As he and his -comrades cogitated, he pushed the lever over, setting the shaft above in -motion and the spindle of the lathe revolving. A chunk of brass bolted -to the face-plate of this latter spun round at speed, while the tool he -had fixed in position shaved a neat ribbon of metal from it. Then the -lever swung back, the spindle of the lathe came to a rest, while the -shaft above ceased to rotate, leaving the engine still running. - -"I know. We'll make a trap for the ass. Catch him as they catch elephant -and rhinoceros in Africa," he suddenly blurted out as he turned from the -lathe. As for his hearers, they received his suggestion with scant -sympathy. - -"Trap! How? Where? Rot!" ejaculated Bert. "What's the good of trapping -an idiot?--unless, of course, you mean setting a thing like a -rabbit-trap. That'd fix him. Imagine the great and noble Rawlings, -fresh from a public school, lord of all he beholds, caught by the toe -and left singing!" - -A wan smile wreathed his lips. Hugh giggled, and then looked serious. "A -precious row we'd get into, too," he cried. "Try again, Clive. Don't -talk rot; we're serious." - -"So am I; we'll fix a trap for this bounder, a trap that'll not hurt -him, you understand, but one that'll make him look a fool and an ass, -and'll teach him not to interfere with his betters." - -"Meaning us," grinned Bert. - -"Of course! Who else? You don't imagine that an ass like that's on the -same plane, do you?" demanded Clive loftily. "Now I'll tell you how -we'll do it. There's the path down the spinney." - -"Ah!" A frown crossed Bert's face. Hugh's ruddy cheeks grew redder. For -that path happened to be the bone of contention which had brought about -this meeting. But for that, Clive and Hugh and Bert would not have been -gathered in the workshop on this fine morning, cracking sundry nuts upon -a miniature anvil, and sucking sticky toffee. Bert, for instance, would -have been down at the one single store which Potters Camp, their local -village, boasted, where he would have painfully haggled for the stumps -and other goods he coveted. Then Clive and Hugh would have been -otherwise occupied. They had a big mechanical scheme on foot, no less an -undertaking than the manufacture of a motor-car, a real motor-car to run -upon the high-road. Morning and afternoon and evening they had been at -it through these holidays. And the scheme was so very simple, and -promised such certain success! To begin with, there was the petrol -engine at that moment puffing and rumbling in the shop. The framework -they had made was the precise thing for it. They had only to erect a -species of crane above the engine and they could lift it into the frame -and bolt it down. That was childishly easy. The rest was a triumph, or -almost so, inasmuch as it was on the high-road to completion. For the -front axle was already fitted. True, it was not quite up to modern form, -since stub axles at either end were missing. But then necessity is the -mother of invention, as Clive had told his chum often and often. That -axle was bored at the very centre and swivelled about a pin bolted to -the framework. As for springs, who wanted any! - -"Tosh!" declared Clive. - -"Meant for ladies and kids and invalids," said Hugh, equally emphatic. - -"It'll shake about a bit, of course," admitted the former grudgingly. "I -reckon she'll do a good twenty miles an hour, and on the awful -apologies for roads round about here, why, naturally, she'll hop and -bump no end. But who cares so long as she goes? Not me. Only those -wheels look a bit rocky, eh?" - -Hugh must have been an enthusiast, or else he would not have denied the -obvious fact to which his fellow inventor had drawn his attention. For -the wheels of this car-in-making were decidedly groggy, to use an -expression common to this mechanical couple. But then again, necessity -was here the mother of much inventive genius. Lack of funds could not -cripple the enthusiasm and ambition of our two mechanics. Wheels they -must have if they wished their car to run upon the road, while cash was -decidedly lacking. But both had a bicycle the back wheel of each of -which fitted with commendable niceness upon the spindle ends of the -steel bar which Clive had used for a front axle, while the back axle and -its wheels were supplied from the stable of no less a person than the -Rev. James Seymour, the respected parent of Bert and Hugh, Rector of the -parish, and owner of a tricycle. - -"Fits rippingly! Just the thing!" commented Hugh, when he produced the -article for Clive's approval. "Only it'd be a bit unlucky if the -Governor wanted to trike just at this moment. Of course, he can't. Dare -say he'd be ratty, but then, think of how he's helping. It's just the -thing." - -"Just!" Clive whetted his lips at the sight. The one great difficulty of -this ambitious undertaking was conquered, and, of course, they were only -borrowing the axle and wheels for a time. They'd have a run on the road -and then bolt them back into position. No one'd be the wiser, certainly -not Hugh's Governor. "But--just a trifle light for the job," he added. -"Still, you never can tell till you try. But it'd be mighty awkward if -there was a bust up. There'd be a ruction then." - -Hugh had agreed to that point, and for a moment had repented his action. -But then, think of being beaten just for the want of a little courage! -After all, the wheels and axle of the tricycle might be the very thing. -They certainly looked it. And the Rector had not ridden his machine for -a month at least, and for all he knew might have discarded it -altogether. In any case, the parts had been borrowed, and as the trio -stood about the lathe Hugh's admiring eyes were upon it. - -"Pity this cad's come along just now," he grumbled. "Everything's ready -and fitted. A morning's work would drop the engine in and connect up the -levers and the chain. That steering gear ain't too magnificent. But -then, if one manages the engine and the other steers her, it'll be as -right as anything. Hang this Rawlings!" - -Others echoed the same malediction. For the Rawlings family were not -popular in the neighbourhood of Potters Camp. In the first place, they -were new-comers, and in the depths of the country that is sometimes a -sufficient offence. Then they were purse-proud and apparently rich, and -apt to patronise their country cousins. Mr. Rawlings was of decidedly -pompous appearance. Very stout and heavy, he had a way of lifting a -condescending stick when greeted by neighbours. And Albert, his son, was -a shining copy. He looked down upon the village youths from a lofty -pinnacle. He nodded, when he remembered to, to Hugh and Bert and Clive, -though to the latter he was not always so gracious. For Clive had once -been master where the pompous Rawlings now stepped. Once he and his -people had lived in the big house at the top of the hill, with its acres -of park land about it. But times had changed sadly. Perhaps his father -had been too immersed in his workshop, and had given little attention to -the more serious affairs of life. Whatever the reason, his riches had -left him, and here was his widow, with her only son, living in a small -house at the far corner of the park, and once occupied by a bailiff. -From the said house a path led through a long spinney to the high-road, -and made a short-cut for its inhabitants. Otherwise they must needs go a -long way round to get to the village. - -"And the cad forbids us to use it!" ejaculated Clive, as he recollected -the occurrence. "Of course, the father's behind the business. He must -be. But the son does the talking. A precious nice business." - -"Here, you get off! This isn't yours. Just cut it!" Hugh deliberately -mimicked the youth of whom they were talking. "A fine sort of fellow," -he exclaimed. "So you'll set a trap for him, Clive?" - -"Now. Without waiting. I'd fifty times rather stay along here and finish -this job. Just think, this evening we'd be ready for running. We'd have -a trial spin on our car, for there's certain to be things to adjust. But -we'd have her running top hole before it got dark. Then we'd make a trip -to London." - -Hugh's eyes opened wide at the statement. - -"It's seventy miles if it's an inch." - -"Who cares? We can do it. But----" - -"Eh?" asked Hugh, scenting another difficulty just at the moment when he -felt confident that all were overcome successfully. - -"How long would it take? Let's see. We do twenty miles an hour." - -"Hardly that all the way." - -"Why not?" demanded Clive, in whose fertile brain the whole scheme had -originated, and who panted to be testing his first attempt at road -locomotion. "Why not?" - -"Well, there's punctures," said Hugh lamely, and without thought of -grammar. - -"Yes; possible." - -"Then there's traffic. Besides, we've got to eat." - -Yes, they had to do that, without a shadow of doubt. Seventy miles, with -sundry delays--which, however, were not likely, oh, certainly -not!--meant four hours on the road. A fellow couldn't hold out all that -time. Impossible! - -"We'd have a blow-out before starting," declared Clive, his eyes on the -machine he and his chum had been so diligently building. "Then we'd be -off before nine. We'd get a real good feed at one. By then we'd be in -London. That means we'd have to go to rather a swagger sort of place. I -say, that's a bit awkward. How's the cash-box going?" - -There wasn't a cash-box. Hugh was the treasurer, and he slowly and -somewhat sadly counted out three shillings and fourpence halfpenny. Not -a big sum, perhaps, but nearing the end of the holidays, and after -considerable expenditure already on their ambitious project it was -certainly a triumph of management. - -"Bit short," said Hugh. "But it'll do. We must fill up well before we -start, and take things in our pockets. I dare say we'll be able to find -a place where you can get a feed for a shilling. Perhaps they'd take two -for less. Things like that are easy to arrange in London." - -"Easy. But I was thinking of the return journey. There's a lamp wanted." - -"And numbers, and a licence," said Hugh, aghast at the thought which had -never previously occurred to either of them. "My eye, that's a deuce of -a job. The police would be on to us." - -Clive's was one of those jovial, optimistic natures which overrides all -difficulties. "Hang the police! We'll chance it. We'll stick up a number -of some sort. I'll ink one out on cardboard this evening. As for a lamp, -there's the gardener's. I'll borrow it. It'll do, hanging on in front. -It'll make us go slow, of course, but all the better. It'll be a joke to -be kept late on the road and have everyone in fits about us. But we -can't move to-morrow. It'll have to be the next day." - -Ruefully Hugh agreed to the plan, for he would have loved to proceed -with the finishing of the car now so nearly ready. He sighed as he -looked at the framework at the end of the shop, with its somewhat flimsy -front axle and bicycle wheels, its borrowed back axle, its steering -gear, a complication of steel wires about a drum mounted on a raked -tubing, and surmounted by a cast-iron wheel at one time adorning the -overhead shaft which drove the lathe. What thought that gear had cost -them! What a triumph its construction had been, and how well it seemed -to act now that it was duly assembled and mounted on the wooden chassis -of the car! Only the engine needed now to be lifted into position, a -chain run from it to the sprocket on the back axle till a few days ago -part and parcel of his father's tricycle. There was the mere matter of a -lever or two to control the engine, that strip of cardboard, with a -number inked upon it, and they would be off. His imagination whirled him -to the giddy heights of enjoyment as he thought of the trip before them. - -"But that cad's got to be dealt with," he agreed. "Right! What's the -particular movement?" - -"A trap," interjected Bert. "A man-catcher. Go easy with the saw-edge of -the concern and the spring, or you'll break his legs. We don't want -that, even if he is a bounder. You'd have thought, considering Clive was -the owner of the spinney only a year ago, a fellow would have been -ashamed to order him off what had been his own property. But there's no -counting on what cads'll do, or won't do. He threatened to throw us out. -He's big, though only fifteen, they say. But if we tackled him together -we'd make mincemeat of him." - -"Better make a fool of him, though," said Clive. "You come along with me -now to the spinney. We'll fix the thing so as to make as big an ass of -this Rawlings as possible. We'll rig a trap that'll hold him tight, and -yet not hurt him. It's near twelve now. By two hours after lunch we'll -have it finished. It'll be ready and working by to-morrow morning." - -They shut off the engine destined on the morrow to be lifted into their -motor-car and provide the propelling force, and shutting the shop went -on their way to the spinney. And the same hour found them hard at work -upon another contrivance, conceived by Clive's inventive brain, and -prepared for the purpose of lowering the pride and dignity of one who -had given them mortal offence. Rawlings, the fifteen-year-old son of the -pompous new-comer to the parish of Potters Camp, little dreamed of the -consequences of his loftiness and of his churlish treatment of Clive -Darrell. - - - - -CHAPTER II - -A BOOBY TRAP - - -"Five feet and a bit," announced Bert Seymour with gusto, measuring the -depth of the pit which he and Hugh and Clive had been digging in the -centre of the path leading down the much-discussed spinney. "Two feet -either way, and a precious job to dig it on that account. Jolly well too -narrow." - -"For working in, rather," agreed his brother. "But about right size for -a trap. A bit big, if anything. Top edges nicely sloped off, so as to -give nothing for a fellow to cling on to." - -"And a good foot of sticky clay pudding at the bottom," grinned Clive. -"That'll hold him like bird-lime. It'll be bad for his boots and his -pants. But, then, it can't be helped. He shouldn't be such a cad. It'll -help to teach him manners. I say, do you think a foot of pudding's -enough? Suppose we make it two. It'd make things certain." - -A second foot of the sticky puddled clay was therefore added, and Hugh -tested its adhesiveness with a long stake he had discovered in the -forest. - -"It'll hold him like wax, till he hollers for someone to help him," he -announced, with radiant face. "Of course, we ain't likely to hear him -for a goodish time, are we? and there's no one else who'll be about. Old -Tom knows what we're up to, of course, but he's a clever bird. He'll be -out of the way, or deaf or something. Tom don't like the Rawlings." - -That was true enough. If Clive and his chums had suffered from the -loftiness and condescension of the new-comers to Potters Camp, Old Tom, -Mrs. Darrell's gardener, had likewise suffered. He'd been used to -quality. - -"The folks up at the house was different to that," he had assured his -cronies in the village. "The old master'd never have thought of passing -without a nod and a smile, and most like he'd have pulled up his hoss -and had a chat about things in general. As for being proud, why he'd -have his hand out to shake whenever he came back home after a holiday; -while he'd come to the wedding of his gardener's daughter, and it was a -five-pound note, all clean and crisp, that he'd slipped into her -fingers. He was quality. These here Rawlings ain't the same product. -They're jest commoners. And I'll tell yer more," observed Tom, dragging -his clay from between a pair of fangless gums and looking round at the -company slyly and cautiously. - -"More?" ejaculated one of his cronies, encouragingly. "More, Tom? Then -let's have it. We don't hold by new-comers." - -"Then here it is. But no splitting, mind you. No going about and telling -others. Else the whole of Potters Camp and the neighbourhood'll have it -before evening." - -He lifted an admonitory finger, and glanced sternly at his audience, a -collection of village gossips of the type usually to be met with. There -was Tom himself, tanned by exposure, his rugged face wreathed by a pair -of white whiskers of antique fashion. A bent but powerful figure was -his, while in spite of his stooping shoulders he stood half a head above -his companions. Then there was the publican himself, rubicund and round -and prosperous, his teeth gripping the stem of a favourite pipe. Mrs. -Piper also, the said publican's helpful wife, ensconced behind the bar, -clattering glasses and bottles and yet managing to hear all that was of -interest. Joe Swingler, groom at the Rectory, fondly imagined by his -employer never to frequent such a place as a public-house, was in a -corner, jauntily dressed, the fit of his gaiters being the despair of -Jack Plant, the bailiff's son. But the latter could at least display a -suit to attract the fancy of all in the village. There was enough -material in his riding-breeches to accommodate two of his size, while -the cut of his jacket was ultra-fashionable. The slit at the back -extended so high, and the tails were so long, that one wondered whether -the garment were actually divided into two portions. For the rest of the -audience, they were shepherds, pig men--for Potters Camp prided itself -on its pigs, while there was even a small bacon factory--cattle men, -carters and agricultural labourers, and all, without exception, agog to -hear news of the Rawlings. That caution which Old Tom had given was as -certain to have its effect as if he had gone upon the house-tops and -called therefrom the news he was about to give to his audience on the -promise of their secrecy. It was certain, in fact, that within a short -hour every inhabitant of Potters Camp of adult age would be possessed of -the information. - -"It ain't to go further, mind that!" repeated Tom, wrinkling his face -and glaring round. "It's a secret; but it's got truth behind it, so I -tell ye. I ain't so sure that these here Rawlings come by the house and -the park in a square sort of way. You take it from me, I ain't so sure. -There was queer doings afore the old master died. He got to runnin' up -to Lunnon, which ain't no good for anyone, least of all for a squire as -has things to see to in the country. There was letters to this man -Rawlings. I knows that, 'cos I posted 'em, as I always posted all the -letters from the house. Then the master dies, and this here Rawlings -come down and takes the place and starts ordering people about." - -"And he ain't got it fair?" asked one of the hearers. - -"I ain't a-going to say that," nodded Tom cautiously. "But I kin think -as I like. You can't go and stop a man thinking, can yer? No. I thought -not. You can't. So I thinks what I like, and thinkin' with me's precious -nigh knowing." - -The old fellow gave the company generally the benefit of a knowing wink, -and lapsed into silence. But from that moment all who had heard him -speaking thought as he thought, and were as equally certain. Such is the -unstable foundation of tales which at times go the round of the country. -Not that Tom was altogether wrong. There were others who might have said -more, others in the city of London. But Tom did not know that, nor any -of his audience. But the conversation at least gives one the impression -that if Clive and his chums were not enamoured of the new-comers, Tom -was even less so. - -"It'll come to blows atween that ere son of Rawlings and Master Clive -and his friends," he observed to the company present. "There's been -words already, and ef Master Clive's like his father--which he is--why, -it's 'look out' fer this here Albert Rawlings." - -That pit so craftily constructed would have made Tom even more emphatic. -For when all was ready, and Clive and his accomplices had completed -their work to their own satisfaction, even they could hardly say where -the pit existed. - -"Of course," observed Hugh, with that grin to which his friends were -accustomed--"of course, if we were actually setting the proper sort of -trap we'd have to bait it, eh, and put sharpened stakes in it to kill -the game. But it isn't necessary here, eh?" - -"To bait?--not a bit. This is a booby trap," laughed Bert. "It's meant -for an ass, and an ass is the one that'll fall into it." - -It came as a shock, rather, to this lanky young hero that he himself was -trapped within the minute. For Bert was not too observant. That dreamy -eye was not meant for close watching, while here it wanted the eye of a -hawk to detect the presence of a pit. For Clive had been very thorough. -To the covering of reeds and light sticks laid across the pit mouth had -been added a thick sprinkling of leaves which were most bewildering. -Bert's description of the trap as a booby one carried him away into a -whirl of delight, during which he strutted aimlessly along the path. And -in an instant he was immersed. There was the sound of rending reeds, his -lanky figure disappeared as if by magic, and only the top of his cap -remained in view, frantically bobbing. - -"Hi! Here! What's this?" he shouted, roused to a pitch of indignation. - -"Booby trap. Well caught!" cried Clive, dancing with delight at this -unexpected demonstration of the successful working of his invention. - -"And done without baiting," gibed Hugh, shaking with laughter. "Now, -Bert, you've spoiled the thing. Come along out. Don't stop hiding in -there." - -That was an impossibility. Two feet of glutinous clay adhered to the -boy's boots and trousers and refused to be shaken off. He raised one leg -with an effort, gripped the sloping side of his prison, and endeavoured -to raise the other limb. The result was that he was dragged back into -the depths promptly. - -"Well, it's a beauty," he grinned at last, beginning to relish the fun -of the scene himself. "Regularly tested the trap, eh? and been badly had -myself. But lend a hand. This stuff'd stick old Rawlings himself, let -alone his son. And it's beautifully hidden. I was never more surprised -in my life." - -"Then it'll be ten times more of a jar to the fellow we're after," -gurgled Clive. "My! You do look a beauty! And what a mess you've got -into!" - -Bert was smothered in sticky clay from the knees downward, and had need -to stand in the stream adjacent and wash his boots and clothing. -Meanwhile Clive and Hugh completed their repairs to the covering of the -pit, scattered leaves about till the surroundings looked quite natural, -and having concluded matters to their satisfaction passed out of the -spinney. - -To-morrow, they promised themselves retaliation. "And it's not been such -a long job as I thought," said Clive, as he put Old Tom's garden tools -back into the shed from which they had been taken. "Supposing we tackle -the car again. She'd be ready, perhaps, by the morning." - -But tea was of almost equal importance. Hugh and his brother therefore -partook of Mrs. Darrell's hospitality, the state of Bert's trousers and -boots being skilfully concealed by that young gentleman by the simple -expedient of standing well in the background. But he left a stain here -and there. Peering through her spectacles on the following morning, -Clive's mother was astonished to find red lines of clay on the chintz -cover of one of her chairs. - -And then the workshop claimed the three young fellows. - -"Ready for dropping the engine in," declared Clive, surveying the -skeleton of his motor. "By the way, we've forgotten seats, haven't we?" - -"That's a nuisance!" admitted Hugh. "But we'll not let that bother us. -We'll fix it by nailing boards across. I know. We'll get a box and make -that fast. That's what all the garage people do. A shop body, you know. -Smart! Eh? I rather think so." - -Behold them, then, struggling with the sheer legs erected over the -petrol engine so nicely fitted in the workshop. Watch the pulley -contrivance secured to those legs above and the rope passing about it. -The slipping of the legs of this improvised crane was a distinct -nuisance at first, and made the lifting of the engine difficult, if not -impossible. But an iron peg driven in between the tiles of the floor put -an end to the trouble, while, once the bolts of the engine had been -freed, Bert and Hugh were easily able to haul the engine clear of its -foundation. - -"Hoist!" shouted Clive, "and stand clear. I'll shove the chassis beneath -the engine. Then lower gently. I don't want to have my fingers pinched -off, remember that; so slack an inch at a time, and be ready to haul -again." - -Oh, the triumph of this final achievement! That engine went into -position with the docility of a lamb. The chassis framework might have -been its intended resting-place from the very commencement. It bedded -down on the wooden frame snugly, hugging the timber. The bolt holes -matched beautifully with those bored by Clive perhaps a week before, -calling shouts of approval from his comrades. And when the hoisting rope -was thrown off, and the sheer legs removed, there the engine was in -position. - -"And the wheels don't even feel the weight. Look. See if they do," cried -Clive. - -"A bit wobbly, eh?" suggested Hugh grudgingly, pushing the chassis from -side to side, when it certainly had what might be described as freedom -of movement. "Just a bit, eh? Still, that don't matter. Make her run all -the better. But I'm glad she hasn't springs. She'd fairly roll herself -over if she had them." - -"But the back part's as steady as a rock," reported Clive -enthusiastically. "Don't rock. Not a bit. Anyway, she runs forward and -backward easily. By George! That's a bother!" - -"What? You make a fellow ask such heaps of questions," grumbled Hugh, -dismayed himself at the sudden fall in Clive's features. - -"We've forgotten something else, and the bally thing's frightfully -important." - -Hugh gaped; Bert looked somewhat amused. To tell the truth, though glad -always to lend a helping hand, he looked upon all this unnecessary work -as a species of madness. - -"You'll have to sweat at things like this when you're older," he -declared. "No one's going to let you live at home and walk about doing -nothing. You won't have time for games, and this sort of thing'll keep -you from morning to evening--that is, if you take up engineering. Then -why not make use of the good times and freedom now and play cricket?" - -That had led to a somewhat animated discussion on the subject and -seriousness of games as compared with mechanics till Hugh and Bert were -within an inch of a struggle. But that was in the past. The plot they -had so recently discussed, and the pit they had dug for the downfall of -young Rawlings, had drawn the bonds of friendship more closely together. -So Bert changed his expression of amusement to one of concern. - -"What's the jolly thing?" he asked. "It looks complete--in fact, -ripping. There's an engine and wheels and steering gear and frame. What -more do you want? Ah! Got it! There's nothing there with which to cool -the engine. Well, you two are precious mugs! Just fancy, taking all the -sweat to mount an engine and then forgetting such an important matter!" - -Clive's eye kindled, while his cheeks reddened. He could afford to pity -a chap who showed such tremendous ignorance; only, coming as it did at a -moment when he himself was distinctly distressed, the idiotic -suggestions of this ignoramus made him angry. - -"Hang it!" he growled. "Don't talk such rot! Cooling indeed! Why, -even--even Rawlings could tell you that the engine's air-cooled. There's -the fan, stupid! staring you right in the face. The thing that's -worrying me is the lever for chucking the concern out of gear." - -Hugh gripped the side of the chassis as the secret was mentioned. It -made him shiver to think that just as every difficulty that could be -foreseen had been surmounted another had cropped up. - -"And it's a beast," he groaned. - -"A teaser," admitted Clive desperately. - -"What's a gear lever?" asked Bert, with aggravating coolness and -flippancy. - -"What's a gear lever!" growled Clive, regarding him with an eye that -positively glared. - -"What's a mug?" shouted Hugh, ready almost to strike him. - -"Someone who forgets that there is such a thing as a gear lever, and -then can't or won't explain," came the irritating, maddening answer. - -"Look here," began Clive, flushing hotly, and stepping nearer to Bert, -"I've troubles enough already. I'll trouble you to----" - -"He's punning," shouted Bert, seizing the angry Clive by the shoulders -and shaking him. And then, careless of the anger he had aroused, for -that was the way with him, he began to cross-examine the two mechanics -on the uses and abuses of every class of lever. The meeting, in fact, -was in grave danger of a sudden break-up. But a shout from Hugh helped -matters wonderfully. - -"I've got it!" he bellowed. - -"What? The lever or the measles?" asked Bert, still amused and -facetious. - -"Shut up, you ass! The measles indeed! No, the bally difficulty. I've a -way in which to work it." - -Clive agreed with the suggestion when it came to be put to him, agreed -with ungrudging enthusiasm. "It'll be as easy as walking," he said. - -"Or falling," suggested Bert. - -"You'll get your head punched yet," growled Clive. "But it's fine, this -idea. You see, we start our engine. That's easy enough." - -"Well, it may be," from Bert. "I'll believe you." - -"Then we take our seats." - -"Don't see 'em," came from the critic. - -"Ass! You've heard of the box we're going to fix." - -"But that's a box. It's not a seat." - -"Go on with it, Clive," urged Hugh, looking as if he would willingly -slay his brother. "Take no notice of the ass. We start her up, and then -get seated." - -"On a box." - -"Yes," agreed Clive, glaring at Bert, who had again interrupted. "The -engine's going. The chain's free-wheeling. We have a lever somewhere." - -Hugh pointed out its position with triumph, and the two promptly -proceeded to fit the contrivance. But levers are not made in a moment. -It was, in fact, noon of the following day before they were ready for an -outing. - -"You manage the steering, that's agreed?" asked Clive, when the -amateur-constructed motor-car had been pushed as far as the road. - -"That's it. You control the engine. Don't let her race too much at -first. Remember I ain't used to steering. Besides, those front wheels -are frightfully groggy. She'll sway at corners, and if we put on the -pace I shall be piling the whole bag of tricks up on one of the banks. -Bert'll keep cave. There's no police about here to matter. Jimmy, the -local constable, 's a real good fellow. He'll see the thing from the -right point of view. He knows we're experimenting and'll sympathise." - -"Particularly if he's called in at the inquest," gurgled Bert, -irrepressible when his chums desired to be so serious. - -"Inquest. Eh?" asked Hugh. "What's that?" - -"Enquiry held on the bodies of Clive Darrell and Hugh Seymour, late of -this parish, killed on the high-road. Died in the execution of their -duty'll be the verdict. Great inventors cut off in their prime!" - -Bert had to run an instant later. For Clive came at him with a hammer, -while Hugh looked distinctly furious. However, the incident quieted -down, the inventors took their seats on this chassis of their own -making, while Bert, having seen that the coast was clear, listened to -the puff of the engine. Hugh gripped the steering gear. True, it was -somewhat flimsy, and bent easily from side to side. But nothing can be -perfected in a moment, he told himself. It would do for this first -experimental run, at any rate. - -"Ready?" asked Clive deliberately. - -"Let her go." - -Clive did. There was a painful clattering of gears. The lever jerked -violently, while the engine almost came to a stop. However, a touch of -the throttle and ignition levers put that right, while the gear lever -behaved itself of a sudden. The chassis bounded forward, very nearly -hurling the box which acted as a seat from it. But for the steering -wheel Hugh would have been deposited in the gutter. But he clung -manfully to the frame, and in a moment was hurtling forward. - -"Steady!" he called. "She don't steer so nicely." - -She didn't. She--that is, the car--swerved frightfully. Those front -wheels had rather the appearance of wheels trying to twist round to look -at one another. Then the swivelling axle wasn't altogether a brilliant -success. It refused to swivel at inconvenient moments. The heroes of -this expedition were within an inch of the ditch lining the road. - -"Near as a toucher," cried Clive. "Keep her up." - -"Can't! The brute won't steer. She likes the ditch," came the answer. - -"Then I'll stop her. Some of those wires want tightening. Then she'll -steer." - -But that troublesome gear lever was determined to ruin the hopes of both -inventors. Perhaps it was because it had been forgotten till the very -end and felt neglected. In any case, it refused to disengage, while -owing to the awkward fact that the throttle and ignition levers had -dropped away and gone adrift, Clive could not control his engine. It -raced badly. It snorted as if it felt that it could do as it liked. It -sent the swaying car hurtling along like a bullet. - -"Look out!" yelled Bert. "The bally thing's pitching like a ship at sea. -Stop her!" - -"Can't! The brute's got the bit between her teeth badly," shrieked -Clive. "I can't quite reach the throttle, and till I do she'll go -plugging ahead. She runs like a demon." - -"Top hole!" gurgled Hugh, whom it took a lot to frighten. "Ain't she got -pace? But she'd be better if she didn't rush so much from side to side. -Look out! There's a cart coming our way." - -He set his teeth, endeavoured to make his figure adhere to the top of -that egg box which did duty as a seat, and braced himself for the -encounter. For encounter it seemed there was to be. The wondrous car -which he and Clive had called into being romped towards the unsuspecting -cart. It waltzed merrily from side to side of the road, seeming to take -an uncanny delight in racing within hair's breadth of the ditch on -either hand. It mounted the rough footpath with impunity, careless of -the law and of possible policemen, its springless axles bending and -bumping. It actually appeared to sight that approaching cart itself, and -as if filled with fiendish delight at its unaccustomed freedom, and -filled with knowledge of the helplessness of its inventors, it sped -toward the vehicle, pirouetted before it, skidded badly, removing in the -space of a bare five seconds one of the Rector's expensive back tyres, -and then, mounting the pathway again with startling abruptness, it -pitched its nose into the air, shuddered with positive glee, and having -thrown its drivers into the ditch subsided into match-wood and -scrap-iron. Those back wheels and their axle, borrowed for this -memorable occasion, had the appearance rather of a couple of inverted -umbrellas with the sticks tied together. The framework was torn asunder, -and only the engine remained in recognisable condition. - -As Clive and Hugh picked themselves up from the ditch and surveyed the -wreck, with the driver of the cart and Bert giggling beside them, there -came a horrid shout from behind them. - -"Eh? What's that?" demanded the baker, for he it was who had so -wonderfully escaped annihilation. - -"Someone in trouble," said Bert. "Calling for help. Let's go." - -"You ass!" grinned Hugh, gripping him by the sleeve. "Can't you guess? -It's that Rawlings cad. We've bagged him." - -"It's someone as is in trouble," exclaimed the worthy baker, not hearing -the above. "Wonder if it's that Mr. Rawlings?" - -"Young Rawlings?" asked Clive, with a horrible presentiment of coming -trouble. - -"Mr. Rawlings," came the emphatic answer. "Him who's bought the house. I -seed him walking to the path through the spinney. He's been away up to -Lunnon." - -Clive and his fellow conspirators looked at one another painfully. Then -they regarded the wreck of the motor. That was bad enough. Admission -must be made to the Rector, and his axle and back wheels brought for -inspection. Common honesty demanded that of them. It wouldn't be playing -the game to borrow and smash and then hide their guilt in some underhand -manner. And here was an addition. - -"I'm a-going to see what's up," declared the baker. "You young gents had -best come along too." - -They couldn't very well hang back, and had perforce to visit the scene -of their late labours. And there was the fat Mr. Rawlings, imprisoned in -a pit which needed no adhesive clay pudding to hold him. For this London -gentleman was of portly structure, and the narrow pit held him as if his -fat figure had been poured into it. He could hardly shout. Even -breathing was difficult, while his rage and mortification made him -dangerously purple. Then, when at length the efforts of the four had -released him, and he sat at the side of the pit besmirched with clay -from head to foot, his rage was almost appalling. - -[Illustration: "HIS RAGE WAS ALMOST APPALLING."] - -"You little hounds!" he stuttered. "You did it. Don't tell me you -didn't. I know you did. I'll set the police on you. You were -trespassing. This is my property. I'll send Albert down to give you a -hiding, and he'll be glad to do it. I'll--I'll----" His breath was gone -by now, and he sat back gasping. But his anger did not subside, and -Clive's prediction of coming evil was speedily realised. - -"I shall send you off to school," said his mother. "You ought to have -gone long ago. I really do consider your conduct to have been -disgraceful." - -"A piece of unmitigated mischief, and not of a harmless character," -growled the Rector, who was given to choosing long words where possible. -"Unmitigated mischief, Bert and Hugh. First you have the temerity to -carry out something approaching a theft, a common and nefarious -business. Then you implicate a respected neighbour in a catastrophe -which might have terminated in his entire and total undoing. Bert, bend -over." - -Dear! Dear! It was a painful and humiliating week which followed. Young -Rawlings up at the house giggled secretly at his father's discomfiture. -But he threatened openly when he happened to come across Clive one -morning. As for the three conspirators, they were not allowed to see one -another, nor to communicate. - -"You'll go on Wednesday," said the Rector. "I've written about you." - -That was ominous. "We'll catch it hot," said Hugh. "I don't care. I'm -jolly glad to be going. A chap ought to go to a big school, not stick -always at home. There'll be a workshop. That'll be ripping." - -"And cricket. That's better. Wish Clive were coming to the same school. -Old Tom tells me he's led a dog's life these last few days." - -Clive's existence had been wretched. He was glad, delighted in fact, -when the day for departure arrived, and he took his place in the train -for Ranleigh. - -"That cad travelling too," he said, seeing Rawlings entering a distant -carriage. "Glad he's going to some other place than Ranleigh." - -He saluted his mother, waved to Old Tom, and sank back on his seat as -the train started. If Bert and Hugh were glad to go to a public school, -so also was Clive. He had longed to see life outside the village of -Potters Camp with an intense longing. And here he was on his way. What -would it be like? Was there bullying? Would he have to fag? and what -sort of a place was Ranleigh? - - - - -CHAPTER III - -OFF TO RANLEIGH - - -Going to school arouses a variety of emotions. In the case of Clive they -were decidedly confused and jumbled, happiness, however, at the prospect -before him predominating. For residence for a high-spirited lad at home, -tied to a somewhat doting mother's apron-strings, is somewhat dull, and -hardly conducive to good results, while the absence of a father had not -improved matters. Indeed, it may be agreed without debate that the -incident of that wonderful motor-car contrived by Clive and Hugh and the -ingenious trap they had set for Rawlings had not been entirely -mischievous. For here was Clive about to be launched on the schoolboy -world, while Hugh and Bert, having listened to a long and verbose -lecture from their father, hitherto their tutor at home, had entered a -train and gone off likewise. - -"What'll this Ranleigh be like?" Clive asked himself again and again. -From taking an interest in passing scenery, he soon began to look -forward to another stop with eagerness. For at each station there were -boys. Some big, some small; some jolly and whistling, others glum and -thoughtful. Not that glumness was the order of the whole day. For at one -station Clive observed with some amusement one youngster under the -escort of a fond father and mother. The lad had much ado to keep the -tears back as the train departed, while his mother wept openly into a -handkerchief of diminutive proportions. Within a minute, however, there -came shouts of laughter from the next carriage into which this hopeful -youngster had stepped, and peering in at the next station, Clive found -the lad as merry as a cricket. He was beginning to wish that he could -join them. - -"I say," he began, somewhat lamely, "going to Ranleigh?" - -A fat youth, with a greasy, pallid face, pushed his head out of the -window and surveyed Clive as if he were an inferior beetle. - -"Who on earth are you?" he asked, with some acerbity. "Who invited you -to speak? that's what I want to know. Jolly cheek, I call it!" - -Clive was taken aback rather considerably. This was not the sort of -treatment to which he was accustomed. His gorge rose at it. - -"Cheek yourself! Who are you, then?" - -It seemed for a moment as if the fat youth would have an apoplectic -seizure. His pallid face became suffused a dull purplish red. His neck -swelled in fat folds over his collar. If looks could have killed, Clive -would certainly have been slain on the spot. But the engine shrieked -just then, while someone within the carriage seized the tails of the fat -youth, who disappeared precipitately. - -"Come in, Trendall," he heard a voice shout. "One would think you were a -king, never to be spoken to. But who is he? My word, I got a glimpse of -his phiz, and he looked as if he'd hammer you with pleasure." - -Another mile on this almost endless journey and the train again panted -into a station. Clive hung out of the window, and then became aware of -the fact that two individuals were approaching his carriage, while from -the one next door the youthful Trendall glared at him. Rawlings was one -of those approaching. He descended with majestic step from his own -compartment and hailed a porter. - -"Hi! Portar!" he called. "Carry these things along heear. Someone's -wanted to keep ordar." - -Tall for his age, decidedly podgy, and with a cast of countenance which -was not too attractive, Rawlings just lacked that brisk, clean -appearance belonging to young men who go to our public schools. Despite -expensive and well-fitting clothes, an immaculate tie and hat, and -socks of most becoming pattern, the fellow did not look a gentleman. His -air was pompous. His manner of addressing the porter ludicrous. He -stepped up to Clive's compartment, nodded grandly to Trendall, and -pulled the door open. - -"He-e-ear, portar." - -The magnificent one proffered a tip without looking at it, and Clive -noticed that the man took it with alacrity. - -"All fer me, sir?" he grinned. - -"Of course! I'm not a pauper." - -Rawlings waved him away magnificently, flopped on to a seat, taking the -far corner, arranged his feet on the one opposite, and then began to -take close scrutiny of our friend Clive. Meanwhile, another individual -had entered the compartment. He was a tall, broad-shouldered, shambling -youth, of decidedly foreign appearance, with clothes which spoke of a -French provincial city. He stooped a little, was slow and ungainly in -his movements, while his powerful shoulders were bent forward. But the -face was striking and taking. - -"Pardon," he said politely, lifting his hat as he entered. "This is for -Ranleigh, is it not so?" - -Rawlings regarded him stonily. "The cheek!" he muttered. "Is one to -answer every bally foreigner? I'm not a portar!" - -He thrust his hands deep into his pockets and glared at the intruder. -For the new-comer was an intruder. Rawlings had made his way to this -compartment with a view to discussing certain matters with Clive, and -letting that young gentleman thoroughly understand who was the master. -But that last movement was his undoing for the moment. The fingers deep -in one pocket struck upon certain loose cash, and withdrawing the same, -Rawlings was at once stricken with a terrible discovery. He had had -certain silver coins there before, and twopence in coppers. Those he had -intended to present to the porter. But they were still there, while two -half-crowns were missing. In fact, in his lordliness he had presented -the grinning fellow with five shillings! No wonder the man smirked and -touched his hat. That had pleased Rawlings at the time. Now, as the -train swung out of the station, he dashed to the window. - -"Hi! Hi! Portar!" he bellowed. "Hi! You come back with those -half-crowns. It was a mistake." - -But the whistle drowned the sound of his voice, while the porter, half -hidden behind a barrow, waved a farewell to him. Rawlings threw himself -back in his seat with a growl of anger. - -"You're going to Ranleigh, aren't you?" he demanded fiercely of Clive. - -"Yes." - -"Then just you look out for squalls. What dormitory are you in?" - -"Don't know," came Clive's sullen answer. This Rawlings was considerably -bigger, though little older, but still Clive was not going to be -bullied. "How should I?" he demanded. "What's the place like?" - -"You'll find out in time. And don't you try any traps there, youngster. -See?" - -Rawlings was determined to let there be no misunderstanding. He -stretched across the carriage and took Clive by the ear. - -"None of your caddish games at Ranleigh," he said, "or you'll get -something worse than this, by a long way." - -Clive beat him off with a well-directed blow on the arm. In fact, with -such heat and violence that Rawlings, still enraged at the loss he had -so stupidly made when tipping the porter, lost his temper, and it looked -as if he would at once take in hand the chastisement of the lad who was -such a near neighbour. But the third individual suddenly distracted his -attention. Could Rawlings really believe his eyes! This new chap, -whoever he might be, a froggy probably, had asked if the train went to -Ranleigh, and therefore, obviously, was bound for that destination, and -must be a new boy. He was actually stretching himself out across the -carriage, with one boot resting against Rawlings's immaculate trousers, -while--worse than all--he had a cigarette in his mouth and was setting a -match to it. It wasn't the fact of smoking that horrified Rawlings. He -had broken that rule himself, and been dreadfully ill, much to his -chagrin. But Rawlings was getting up in the school. He was in the lower -sixth, would probably be a prefect this term, and such an act was an -outrage to his dignity. - -"Well, I'm hanged!" he spluttered. "What on earth do you mean by that? -Smoking! Here, stop it!" - -But the one addressed merely viewed him mildly. His brows went up -questioningly, while he stretched himself a little more at his ease, -causing Rawlings to remove his immaculate trouser leg with swiftness. - -"Do you hear?" he cried threateningly. "What's your name?" - -"Richard Feofe." - -"Hang the Richard! Feofe, then. Look here! Stop that smoking." - -But Feofe still regarded Rawlings mildly, and taking a deep inspiration -filled the carriage with smoke. - -"You do not like it, then?" he asked. "Monsieur can then get into -another carriage." - -Rawlings went crimson with rage, and then pallid, while Clive began to -enjoy the joke immensely, for long ago he had sized his near neighbour -up, and knew him to be nothing more than a purse-proud bully. But for -the disparity in their two weights and heights he would have long since -openly defied the fellow. But it was better to see someone else do that. -And here was a hulking, good-natured Frenchman doing it splendidly. - -"Where do you come from? Who's your father?" demanded Rawlings roughly, -as if to gain time in which to decide how to act. - -Feofe was not to be hurried. He had never been to a school of any sort -before, save the local one he attended in France. But he had met boys -and youths in plenty. And always this quiet, shambling boy, with his -broad shoulders and appearance of hidden power, had won respect without -recourse to violence. He took another puff at his cigarette, a habit, by -the way, rather more indulged in by boys in France, and regarded the -resulting smoke with something approaching affection. His eyes twinkled. -He shrugged his massive shoulders. - -"Monsieur is somewhat curious," he said, using excellent English. "I am -from Lyons. My father, he is a banker. My mother, ah, she is his wife, -you understand. Then there is a sister. Susanne, Monsieur, younger by a -year than I am. That is the sum of the family, but I will tell you all. -There is a dog--yes, two--and a cat, and----" - -Rawlings was purple. Beads of perspiration were breaking out on his -forehead. Catching a sight of Clive's grinning face he ground his teeth -with anger. - -"Hang your family!" he shouted at Feofe. "Who wants to hear about -Susan?" - -Feofe shrugged his shoulders. "You were so very curious," he said. "But -I will proceed. We live at Lyons, but sometimes we go to Paris. There I -have an aunt and two uncles, Monsieur. Ah! Yes, I must tell you all. The -aunt is Susanne also. A pretty name, Monsieur." - -Rawlings was on the point of exploding. His dignity had long since gone -to the winds. If he dared he would have seized this Feofe by the neck -and shaken him. But the young fellow's broad shoulders and smiling, easy -assurance warned him that that might be dangerous. But he must assert -himself. He must show this Frenchman that he was a superior, and that -that must be the light in which he must view him. - -"Look here," he said at length, smothering his anger, "no more of your -confounded cheek. Susanne's good enough for you, so just remember. -You're going to Ranleigh, and it's just as well to tell you that I -shall be a prefect. Know what that means?" - -Even now he hoped to impress Feofe with his magnificence. But the lad -merely raised his brows enquiringly, and shrugged his shoulders still -lower against the upholstery of the carriage. - -"A prefect. Someone in authority. Well?" - -"And to be obeyed. Just chuck that smoking." - -"But," began Susanne mildly--we call him Susanne at once, seeing that -that name stuck to him forthwith--"but, by the way, what's your name?" - -Imagine the impertinence of such a request! A new boy actually having -the temerity to coolly ask the name of one who had been three years at -the school. Rawlings gasped; he mopped his damp forehead. - -"Rawlings," he growled. - -"Then, Rawlings, you're a prefect, yes?" - -"Not yet," came the somewhat confused answer. "But I shall be this term. -It'd be a confounded shame if they passed me over." - -"Quite so. A confounded shame. You would be a loss to the other -prefects." - -Susanne took another appreciative suck at the weed, while Rawlings went -hot and cold. Satire went to the depths of his being. This Feofe was -covering him with derision. - -"Look here," he began threateningly, "it's about time you understood who -you are and what I am." - -"You're a prefect, yes?" answered Susanne, not the least distressed, his -little eyes twinkling, "or will be, at Ranleigh. But you are not one -here, in any case. Is it not so? Therefore, Rawlings, get into another -carriage if you don't like smoke, and do let us be pleasant." - -Never was a man more demoralised than Rawlings. He had made an entry -into the carriage with the set purpose of bullying Clive, and of letting -that young gentleman see who was to be the master. The commencement of -the movement had cost him five precious shillings. That was sore enough. -And then, naturally enough, he had addressed himself to this new -boy--and had been worsted. It goaded him to madness to see Clive -grinning still. - -"Well done, Susanne!" called out that worthy, delighted at the turn -events had taken. "Rawlings ain't a prefect yet, and in any case we're -not at Ranleigh. I say, I'm a new boy too. He lives quite close to me." - -He pointed a deprecating finger at Rawlings, and crossed to join -Susanne. That young man welcomed him with open arms. The twinkle in his -eye brightened, while he eyed Rawlings in a manner which made that -individual squirm. In fact, never was the wind taken out of anyone's -sails more completely. Susanne had reduced him to silence. Thenceforth -Rawlings sat screwed into the corner, regarding the landscape with a -face which showed the severest displeasure, while his lips muttered and -twisted angrily. - -"Wait till I get 'em to Ranleigh, that's all," he was promising himself. -"The first thing I do is to kick this Darrell fellow. Then Feofe shall -have a turn. I'll get my own back whatever happens." - -Clive was no smoker. He was sensible enough to know that it would be -harmful to him just as it would be to any other fellow, and for that -reason refused the cigarette Susanne offered him. He wedged himself up -close to his new chum, and commenced a long and intimate conversation. -Meanwhile, other boys entered the train. Some in the next compartment, -from which howls of laughter sounded, some in their own. Fellows nodded -curtly to Rawlings. The fat Trendall came in at one station to have a -chat with him, and found his chum curiously glum and silent. He couldn't -understand him at all, nor fathom the movements of the two opposite. For -Susanne and Clive regarded Trendall with the smallest interest. -According to all the canons of school life they should have looked -askance at a fellow who had been at the school a couple of years or so. -In Clive's eyes Trendall should have appeared enormous. And, no doubt, -had Clive been alone in this adventure, he would have been far less -uppish. But Susanne was incorrigible. If he had never been to school -before, he was at least not to be frightened by what was before him. To -Clive, his easy, calm assurance was refreshing. To Trendall it was -inexplicable. Finding conversation lagging he took himself off at the -next station, his place being taken by two big fellows, who nodded -cheerfully to the occupants of the compartment. - -"Hullo, Rawlings!" called one, a very tall, slim young man, on whose -upper lip there was a respectable growth of downy hair. "Not dead, -then?" - -"No," answered that individual sourly. - -"New youngsters, eh?" was the second question as the tall fellow turned -to Clive and Susanne. - -"Yes," answered the former. Susanne took his hat off politely. - -"Help!" called Harvey, for that was the name of the youth speaking, -grinning at this quaint exhibition. However, he returned the compliment -by lifting his own. "We don't do that sort of thing in England," he -said, quite kindly. "I shouldn't if I were you. Fellows would start -rotting. I say, can you play footer and cricket?" - -Susanne's eyes sparkled. "I like them both tremendously. But play, ah, -that is another question. In England fellows get a chance. In France you -may say that games are only beginning." - -"Book him for a trial next scratch footer," exclaimed Harvey, addressing -his comrade. "Look here, you two, I'm Harvey. This is Bagshaw, secretary -of our Games Committee, and of everything else that's useful. He's head -bottlewasher to every institution at the school, and don't you forget -it. I say, how do you call yourselves?" - -How different was his manner from that of Rawlings. Feofe gave his at -once, while Clive was not backward. The latter took an instant liking -for Harvey. Of course, he must be a tremendous fellow at the school, top -of all probably. Or was he a master? He looked almost old enough. -Besides, he had a moustache, quite a decent affair. As to Bagshaw, he -was a delicate-looking fellow of eighteen, perhaps, with a kindly, -wizened face. A calm, studious man. The scholar of the school, no doubt, -but not a games player. Nor was Clive far out in his reckoning. For -Harvey was head scholar, a man head and shoulders above his comrades. -Good at work, keen on books and such things, a decided master at debate, -he was still a first-rate man at games, and perhaps shone still more as -a leader. His clean-cut figure was the observed of all observers in -School matches. His had been the fortune to listen to howls of -appreciation when he had carried off the hundred yards, the quarter mile -and the long jump at the School sports, while one and all, his football -team or his cricket eleven watched his every move and gesture, loyal -observers of all his wishes. - -As to Bagshaw, he was almost as popular. No one expected him to play -games. It was well known that he had a weak heart, and with that, of -course, no fellow could play. But his Ranleighan Gazette was a -masterpiece. His poems were enthralling; while, strangely enough, this -delicate-looking fellow, a scholar also, could hold the boys spellbound. -When taking "prep." Bagshaw was not one to be trifled with. There was no -nonsense about this delicate, ascetic fellow. He was cool, calm and -commanding, and to those who had the sense, a real help in difficulties. - -"Ranleigh. All change!" - -The lamps at the station were lighted now. Clive tumbled out on to a -platform seething with boys of every age. Boys laden with footballs and -bags. Boys clad in warm overcoats, and others nobly discarding the same -for the walk up to the school. Caps were lifted in recognition of one of -the masters. Clive found himself doing likewise and wondering whether -all masters were the same. For this one, a fair giant, of ample -proportions, smiled down upon them all. He gripped Harvey's hand with a -vigour there was no denying, while still smiling round at the company. -And then in twos and threes, and here and there in forlorn ones, for -your new boy is not quick to discover chums, the contingent of Ranleigh -boys took the road for the school. Through a portion of the village they -went, leaving the Village Jubilee Memorial behind them. Up towards the -common, all railed in, where sports and cricket matches are held, up -past the butcher's shop, with its slaughter-house close handy, and so -onward through the tree-clad lane, past the master's entrance, giving -access to the Sanatorium also, past an even more important institution, -the tuck-shop to wit, and so to the gates of the school. Above, a third -way down the hill, myriad lights flashed from the building. Clive forged -his way up the front drive with Susanne beside him, up the steep slope -to the front doors, never entered except in the case of a few, save on -arriving or departing on the first or last days of the term. And so into -the wide space past the chapel entrance, between Middle and Second Form -rooms. And there, swept continuously by a seething mass of boys, stood a -short, bald-headed master, nodding here and there, smiling all the -time, evidently delighted to welcome everyone. - -"Darrell!" - -Clive heard his name and stopped. The lynx-eyes of the bald-headed -master had espied him. - -"Sir," he gulped. He felt almost frightened. There were so many boys, -and there was such an uproar. - -"One South, Darrell," he heard. "How are you, boy? Glad you've come. Hop -up the stairs there and you'll find One South dormitory. Your name's on -one of the beds. Put your bag down on it, and then go to hall. You'll -get tea there. Chapel'll be in ten minutes." - -How did he know that this was Darrell? Clive found himself wondering -that. And what about Susanne? - -"Feofe," he heard, as he ascended. And then less distinctly, "One -South," with the same instructions. - -"I'm glad," he thought. "Susanne'll be with me. Wonder about that -howling cad Rawlings. What a downfall! He'll not meddle with Susanne -whatever happens. But he'll have his pound of flesh from me if the -chance comes. Wish Harvey was to be in One South also." - -He clambered up the steps and turned into a dormitory but dimly -illuminated. But it was big and clean and airy, and bore an appearance -of comfort, some thirty beds being covered with cosy-looking red -coverlets. - -Clive found his bed, deposited his bag, and then enquired his way to -hall. Thick slices of bread and butter--known colloquially as -"toke"--appeased a ravenous appetite. He had not even time to admire the -huge proportions of the Hall, the many long tables, the names of boys -long since departed who had won honours at the school, and the few -pictures and portraits. A clanging bell summoned him he knew not where. -He found himself processing with a number of others. Through that -gallery they passed, with Middle and Second Forms on either side; then -sharp to the left down a paved corridor, to a wide, arched entrance. -They were in the chapel. Clive passed through the handsome raised seats -of the choir, down the central aisle, and drifted aimlessly to one side. - -"Here," someone whispered. "One South?" - -"Yes." - -"Then this'll do. Squat here." - -The fellow made room for him. Clive squatted and listened. The organ was -filling the whole beautiful chapel with the sweetest sound. Boys had -ceased entering. He raised his eyes to the entrance through which he had -come, just to be seen above the choir. "Be sure your sin will find you -out," he read above the doorway. The bell ceased ringing, the notes of -the organ were hushed, a low "Amen" came from the vestry. And then the -choir processed to their seats. Harvey was amongst them, and Trendall, -his fat cheeks shaking. There was a string of masters, of all ages -almost, all appearances and all sizes, looking somewhat out of their -element. And last of all came the Head. Not so very tall, not big, not -imposing, there was yet something about him which called for another -look. But the organ was pealing again, filling this magnificent -building, with its high arched roof, to the depths of every crevice. - -Clive cast his eyes aloft over the screen--in itself a thing of -surpassing beauty--to the curtains about the organ loft, above which -showed the foreheads and eyes of two of the school. And then the notes -died away in a sob, which somehow seemed to have a welcome in it. The -congregation kneeled. Then the voice of the Head broke the silence with -the opening of the evening service, calm and dignified and musical. His -eyes wandered round the assembled boys, not curiously, not with -recognition in them, but with a welcome for all. - -Ah! Clive shivered just a little. Of a sudden it had come to him that he -was one of them, that he was a Ranleighan, that the school honour was -his honour, its prowess his, its victories his to boast of. And then the -singing of the choir thrilled him as he had never been thrilled before. -He felt as do those old, loyal Ranleighans who visit their Old School -after the lapse of years. The music, the lighting of the chapel, the -very scent of the stone and bricks awake old memories, sweet memories -and thrill them. So with Clive. He sang lustily with the rest, and then -sank to his seat to listen to the lesson. There was Harvey at the -lectern. Harvey the hero of the school, looking magnificent in his -simple surplice. Harvey with head erect, his fair moustache curling, -reading to them in a voice that showed no sign of trembling. How Clive -would have shrunk from such a task! He shivered again at the thought of -such a possibility. - -Then came a hymn, the last prayers, and the thunder of the organ -following. The choir filed away as they had come, the school remaining -motionless till they heard the last "Amen" from the vestry. Then came -movement. The boys were beginning to file out of the chapel and Clive -prepared to follow. His eyes strayed this way and that, as he waited for -his turn. All of a sudden he received something in the nature of a -shock, something which set his heart thumping. For opposite him, waiting -also to take their place in the procession of slippered boys, were two -with familiar faces. Clive could have shouted their names. He almost did -in his excitement and delight. For within a short dozen yards of him, as -yet unconscious of his presence, were Hugh and Bert, his fellow -conspirators, sent from their home as a direct result of that booby trap -prepared for the unpopular Rawlings. - - - - -CHAPTER IV - -SOME INTRODUCTIONS - - -"At last! Got you, you little demon! I'll teach you to laugh when a -beggarly froggy gives me sauce. This'll help to make you remember -manners, and is just a sample of what's to follow." - -The amiable Rawlings, still smarting after his downfall in the train, -had waylaid Clive Darrell. He pounced upon that youngster just as he -issued from the chapel corridor, and with a heave and a jerk forced him -through the narrow entrance into Middle School. A dim gas jet only -served to show the immensity of the place, and its uncomfortable -bareness. It was tenantless, save for the two who had now entered. - -"No use your howling, my son," exclaimed the brutal Rawlings sneeringly, -twisting Clive's arm till it was a wonder it did not break, and holding -it so firmly behind his back that the lad could not move. "We'll -commence with your lessons now, before school begins to-morrow." - -He kneed the youngster unmercifully, shaking his whole body till it was -a wonder his teeth were not jerked down his throat, and repeated the -dose promptly. Clive shouted and kicked. His face was pale with pain, -for his arm was terribly twisted. And yet he was powerless to get free. -He wondered if he were going to faint. He certainly felt very giddy. -Beads of perspiration were rolling down his forehead, and no doubt, in a -little while, had the torture been continued, he would have actually -fainted. But there came a sudden interruption. A stout, square figure -lounged into the class-room, while a head appeared at the door behind. -The figure belonged to Susanne. - -"Pardon," he began, with that peculiar politeness for which, in the -course of a few days, he became notorious, "but you are hurting -Darrell." - -Rawlings swung round on him, thereby nearly completing the fracturing of -Clive's arm. - -"You get off," he cried angrily. "You've nothing to do with this affair, -and if there's any more of your sauce I'll serve you likewise. Hear -that?" - -Susanne seemed to be completely deaf. Not for one second did he forget -his politeness. Indeed, it came to be said of Susanne, the good-natured, -stolid Frenchman, that nothing ever put him out, and that even in the -heat of footer he was always himself, the essence of politeness. But he -could be deaf to threats. Moreover, such a thing as temper seemed to be -foreign to him. He strolled up to Rawlings, took him by the nose and -pinched that organ very thoroughly--pinched it, in fact, till Rawlings -holloed. He let go his hold of Clive instantly, and clung to the injured -organ, while his vengeful eyes flashed over the edge of his hands at -Susanne. What precisely would have happened next it is impossible to -state, for there came now a second interruption. Harvey's voice was -heard. He had entered the class-room and was just behind the three. - -"Serve you right," he said bluntly; "and look here, Rawlings, understand -this from me: while I'm Head Scholar and Captain of the School this sort -of thing's got to be put a stop to. I'll have no bullying, mind that. -And have the goodness to remember that Darrell's a new boy. Now, -youngster, cut. It's time you were upstairs in your dormitory. Same in -your case, Feofe. Rawlings, you can come along to the scholars' room. I -want a chat with you." - -Clive clambered briskly to One South. True, he became a little muddled -between the passages and the staircases, and found himself in the wrong -dormitory. But a howl from a fellow hardly as big as himself sent him -running like a rabbit. - -"Here! Who's this kid?" he heard, while a youth with red hair sticking -up abruptly from his forehead, as if he had received a severe fright -when very young and had never recovered from it, stretched out and -snatched at his collar. "What dormitory?" came the curt question. - -"One South." - -"Then out you go. We don't have One South kids fooling about in Two -South, I can tell you. Clear off!" - -Clive was actually staggered by the insolent arrogance of this -youngster. He bolted, whereas, with all his wits about him, it is -probable that there would have been at least a wordy warfare for some -few minutes. And then he dived into his own abode, and made for his own -particular bed. The dormitory was almost full now. That is to say, there -was a boy to every bed save one. Clive sat down on the box placed -between his bed and the next, and looked curiously round. There was -silence in the place. There came to his ears merely the pattering of -many restless heels upon the floor, while from the other three -dormitories which went to make up the four in the south of the school -buildings there came not so much as a sound. - -Was Rawlings in the place? Thank goodness, no! Then Harvey? Of course, -he'd gone off with the bully to the scholars' room. So there was still -the chance that ill luck might put Rawlings in One South. Opposite, -smiling at him, was Susanne, his peace of mind apparently unruffled by -the scuffle in which he had so recently taken a part. As for the rest of -the thirty odd fellows, they were large and small and medium, -shock-headed, sunburned after their holidays, rather clean and well -groomed for schoolboys, but then they were fresh from home, and as jolly -looking as one could wish for. Compulsory silence, however, muzzled them -for the moment. At the call of "speak" within ten minutes such a babel -of voices arose that Clive was almost deafened. Susanne grinned now and -crossed to speak to him. - -"I say," he began, "who's that fellow I caught twisting your arm?" - -"Rawlings; he lives near us at home. He's an out-and-out bounder." - -"Ah! And a bully. He'll not try again when I'm near. But when he catches -you alone, then there'll be trouble. I say, er----" - -"Darrell." - -"Then, Darrell, pity we're not next to one another here. Wonder if it -could be managed?" - -The suggestion was hardly made before a hand was placed on Susanne's -shoulder. - -"Look here, you're a new boy, aren't you?" asked a voice. "Well, I'm -Sturton, you know, prefect of One South, and chaps aren't allowed to -move over and speak to one another without getting leave. Now you know, -eh?" - -Susanne apologised in his best manner, while Clive inspected the one who -had spoken. He hadn't seen him before, for the simple reason that -Sturton was one of those who ascended to the organ loft at chapel time, -and was there invisible. He had come up to the dormitory after "speak," -and here he was, admonishing and advising Susanne as if he were another -Harvey. Clive liked Sturton at once, liked his clean-cut figure and -features, his bold brown eyes, his crisp and yet friendly way of -talking. - -"I say, please----" he began, and then became somewhat abashed. - -"Eh? Fire away! You say----" - -"I was wondering, sir, if----" - -"Oh, come now, none of your 'sirs.' What is it?" asked Sturton, thinking -that Clive was quite a decent little fellow, an acquisition to the -dormitory. - -"Well--er--oh, I don't know." - -Sturton laughed outright. Susanne grinned. If Clive suffered from -bashfulness, at least he didn't. - -"He doesn't like to say it; but we're chums--isn't that the word?" he -asked. "You see, I got into the same carriage with him. There was -another chap there, and he'd come to make himself disagreeable to -Darrell. So I--er, chipped in, eh?" - -"Got it right--chipped in's the word," admitted Sturton, looking -interested, while Clive nodded vigorously. - -"Chipped in, and together Darrell and I made him look foolish. Darrell's -wondering whether we could have our beds close together, then I needn't -bother to ask leave." - -"Why, of course! Bring your bag over. Change places with one of these -fellows on either side. I dare say they won't mind." - -The exchange was made promptly, and Clive found himself chatting away -with his new friend. He was half undressed when that fair giant whom he -had first seen at the station, and then again amongst the masters -processing into chapel, entered the dormitory. He went from boy to boy, -shaking hands heavily but with sincerity and friendship. - -"Well, Darrell," he began, accosting our young friend, and speaking in -so gentle and subdued a voice that Clive wondered if he had a bad cold, -or if the voice really belonged to him, "been digging any more pits of -late, eh? Or making motor-cars? Tell me all about them." - -There was such genuine interest in this master that Clive told the -tale, till Mr. Branson--for that was this master's name--wiped tears of -enjoyment from his eyes. Also the same eyes sparkled when the boy spoke -of his motor-car, and forgetting all else in the depths of his interest -plunged into a description of levers and gears, of throttle and ignition -apparatus, of lubrication and cooling. Was Branson--Old B., as fellows -spoke of him usually--was he a fellow enthusiast? - -"So you like engineering things, then, Darrell?" he said in his -sing-song drawl, "and digging pits too? Well, so do I. Er--that is, I -like the first. You'd like to join the carpenter's shop, eh? and the -smith's shop? But no motor-cars. Ranleigh can't afford to have its boys -rushing about the roads. And there are the police to be considered. -Well, boy, I'm your dormitory master; I hope you'll like Ranleigh." - -It was Susanne's turn next. Clive watched the slouching figure of the -young fellow bend politely, and marvelled as he discussed his coming -with Old B. as if he were his grown-up equal. But that was the -peculiarity about Susanne. Perhaps he had mixed more with men than with -boys. Certainly he had an old-fashioned manner about him, while his -self-assurance was far in excess of that usually displayed by one of -school age. Then came the turn of other new boys, while the place of -the master was taken by Sturton armed with pencil and paper, and -rattling silver in his pocket. There were silver coins to be paid for -the support of the football club run by One and Four South, a request to -which Clive assented readily enough, though it depleted his purse sadly. - -It was striking half-past nine when at length all had turned in save -Sturton and Massey, the other prefect. They sat on the edge of the table -occupying the centre of the dormitory, on a line with the two rows of -basins running down the middle. Snuggled down on his pillow Clive -watched them debating in animated manner, and rose on his elbow as a -pair of heavy feet came thundering into the dormitory. A young man -dressed in a blue cotton jacket hurried from jet to jet of the gas -pipes, and with the help of a notched stick extinguished all but one. He -was gone in a moment, his thunder resounding from the other dormitories. - -"Good night, Darrell," called Susanne. - -"Good night, Susanne." - -Darrell dropped asleep feeling happy and entirely peaceful. He liked -Ranleigh so far, liked it immensely. If there was a great drawback to -the place, if Rawlings did happen to be there, and to have shown the -most unfriendly intentions, at least there were good fellows enough. -Bert and Hugh, for example. What luck their being at the school! And -Susanne too, and Sturton, and Harvey. Yes, Harvey held pride of place. -He was Captain, lord of all he surveyed, immeasurably above the head of -the humble Clive Darrell. - -The violent ringing of a bell awakened Clive. He started up in bed to -find daylight streaming in through the high-placed dormer windows. That -same youth who had operated the gas taps on the previous night was -thundering through the dormitory with his hobnailed boots, swinging a -bell of generous proportions. Later, Clive gathered that he was known as -a "beaky." He crossed to a door at the near end of the place and tapped -heavily upon it. Then he disappeared as if in a perpetual hurry, and the -ringing of the bell resounded from the other dormitories. Clive hopped -out of bed, thereby arousing the inmate of the next bed. That young -gentleman raised a very sleepy face from his pillow, hit rather -snappishly at the hand which Clive had laid on his bed thereby to steady -himself, and dropped back on his pillow. - -"Hang you, waking me!" he grumbled, his eyes half shut, as if, too, -there had been no such thing as a bellman. "It's always the same with -new kids. Get funked when they hear a bell. Want to hop up at once. -Here, you Darrell, call me when it's twenty past the hour. I give -myself ten minutes the first morning, afterwards just five. Any decent -fellow can wash and dress in that time." - -Clive followed Sturton and a few of the others out of the dormitory, -slippers on his feet and a towel about his waist. - -"Swim, eh?" asked Sturton, giving him an encouraging nod. - -"Rather!" - -"You're the sort of chap we want then. Hullo! Masters still fugging. -None of those old games, Masters," sang out Sturton, whose manner of -addressing the one in question showed that he meant to be head of his -dormitory whatever happened. "Here, out you come! Fugging may be allowed -at home, but at Ranleigh, never!" - -The unfortunate individual who lay next to Clive, and who had declared -his intention of sparing a bare ten minutes on this, the first morning, -for the purpose of ablution and dressing, was dragged out of bed without -ceremony. - -"Hop into your shoes and no skulking," said Sturton, standing over him. -"I've had enough of your slackness, Masters. Every chap over twelve in -this dormitory goes down for a dip every morning. The kids can, too, if -they like. Same with those in Four South. I tell you One and Four are -going to come out cock dormitory in footer this term if I can manage -it." - -Grumbling was of no use. Indeed, Masters showed no great inclination -that way. Clive found him, after a while, when they had become more -intimate, a merry, contented fellow, but dreadfully lazy. - -"A regular slacker," Sturton declared on more than one occasion. -"There's a cart-load of sisters at his home, and they molly-coddle the -fellow. If he imagines an ache or a pain, even in his toe, he lies abed -in the morning and is fed by one of the many sisters. But there's no -bringing chaps up here on the spoon. No hand-rearing at Ranleigh if I -know it. When a chap's ill, he can go to the sick-room. That's right -enough. Or to the 'sanny' if he's really bad. Otherwise he's got to be -fit--fit as a fiddle, Darrell." - -Sturton was nothing if not open and straight-forward. Clive found in him -something strangely akin to Harvey, the idol of the lower school, the -man admired and envied by all the seniors. For Sturton was fresh and -breezy in his ways. He addressed the juniors, not as if they were so -many nuisances, or as individuals vastly beneath his notice--a manner -much resorted to by Rawlings and the fat-faced Trendall--but as equals, -cheerily; but always in a way that showed that he expected instant -obedience. - -His motto was perfection. He set an example of the strenuous life, and -allowed no shirking where games were concerned. Nor was he backward -where work came into account. His figure, dressed in an overcoat over -his pyjamas, often with a towel about his curly head, was familiar to -all in the dormitory who happened to open their sleepy eyes in the early -morning. For Sturton was "swatting." He had some examination in view, -and since the rules of Ranleigh forbade the burning of the candle at -both ends, and indeed compelled the shutting down of all lights by ten -o'clock at night, Sturton perforce had to burn the candle at one end -only, and that the daylight one. Five o'clock found him poring over his -books at the dormitory table. - -And now he was ready to lead his juniors for the morning plunge. His -conquering eyes viewed every bed in the place. Peremptorily he called to -certain fellows. And then the procession set out for the bath, not -sedately following Sturton, but in a rushing crowd, which went like an -avalanche down the stairs, out of the wide passage between Middle and -Second Schools, and then into the corridor about the quad. Clive peeped -through the open windows, innocent of glass till the coming of December, -when the school carpenter would put the frames into position. He saw a -wide quad, smoothly asphalted, and rising by steps on the north side to -a central doorway. Those open windows ran round it on three sides, and -doubtless there were corridors within them. But he had little time for -observation, for as part of that scampering throng he went pell-mell -down the corridor, swung sharply to the left, and then along the east -side of the quad. Up a short flight of steps, worn into deep hollows by -the shoe-leather of many a Ranleighan, to the right abruptly, and so -down a whitewashed passage with an abrupt turn at the far end, and then -through a doorway into the dressing-room of the bath. A stretch of water -lay between concreted walls. - -"Cold as ice," shivered Masters, still begrudging the comfort of his -bed. "Sturton's a demon for hardening fellows. All the same, a fellow -feels frightfully fit when he's had a dip in the early morning. But a -bed pulls; I could always do two hours longer any morning." - -What fellow in his schooldays couldn't? A cosy bed pulls very hard on a -cold, dark morning; but, with a peremptory Sturton about, there was no -shirking. One and Four South boys mingled with others from West, a -single, large dormitory, with those from North and East, and splashed -into the bath. Sturton had his own ideas as to how the plunge should be -taken. - -"Can't stand a chap who walks in," he said. "Might just as well have -three inches of water in a tub in one's room. A fellow ought to dive, -and he can go in off the board if he wishes. For me, there's no place -like the shallow end. You've got to be canny when you dive, for there's -not three feet of water, and if you scrape the bottom, why, concrete on -a naked chest acts like a rough file on soft wood. It draws blood every -time. So you've got to remember that. Now, young Darrell, show Susanne -the way. Follow me to the deep end. The first plunge'll freeze you to -the marrow. The swim down will warm your blood. You'll come out again -with your skin on fire, feeling as fresh as a daisy." - -Off he went, cutting the water obliquely. Indeed, the dive was bound to -be almost a flat one. Sturton did not appear again till he rose at the -far end of the bath. Down he sank again, pushed off from the far wall -under water and came up under Clive's nose, to that young gentleman's -wonder and admiration. Then Clive attempted the same thing, flopped -badly, stinging his hide severely. The ice-cold water sent a chill to -his very marrow as he entered it. And then, as Sturton had said, his -blood seemed to boil up as he took a first stroke. He was in a beautiful -heat when at length he returned to the shallow end and clambered out to -watch Susanne. That young man--known already to his dormitory by the -name Clive had given him--looked somewhat doubtfully at the bath. - -"Swim?" asked Sturton, who had not yet got his measure, and who with -insular pride and prejudice was apt to look down upon a foreigner. "Eh?" - -"Yes, but----" - -"What? Funk the dive?" - -"Yes," admitted Susanne frankly. "But I'll do it if it kills me." - -He went souse into the water, sending a huge wave before him, and rising -a moment later to rub his knees and elbows. - -"Come to ground?" asked Sturton sympathetically. "Well, you won't -to-morrow. Nothing like having one jar to teach you to be careful. Off -you go. We'll all of us have to be nippy." - -Clive had never before had much need to practise haste, for at home -breakfast had not been an early function, while the school he attended -was within easy distance. But at Ranleigh he soon learned what it was to -be something of a speed merchant where dressing was concerned. He could -scrub his skin dry after his morning bath in a mere jiffy. The rush back -to One South dried all the parts he had missed in his hurry. To dive -into his clothing was a process facilitated by many an artful dodge. -Masters, in fact, was a promising instructor. - -"Stick your things overnight so as you can hop into 'em all together," -he advised. "Vest and shirt always as one, mind you, and tie still on -the collar. Of course, any juggins knows the dodge of getting into pants -and socks at one operation, while if you don't bother to undo your -shoes, you can push your feet into 'em in a jiffy. Five minutes is my -time for washing and dressing." - -"Was," corrected Sturton, who happened to overhear this edifying -conversation. "Was, Masters. I've been doubtful about the efficacy of -the washing part. Chaps in One South have got to be known as fresh-water -fellows, and a piece out of your short allowance won't help us. Besides, -you're over twelve. Don't you let me catch you missing your dip in the -morning." - -Once dressed on that first morning Clive drifted down the stairs to -Middle School. There was no particular reason why he should go there. -But numbers of the school were entering the narrow doors, and he -followed. Bert was just within, looking thinner than ever, his eyes -still more dreamy. And Hugh was beside him, vivacious and very wide -awake. - -"I say, how ripping!" he exclaimed. "But wouldn't the Governor be riled -if he knew what had happened? It was the last thing he wanted to do to -send us to the same school. What about that beast Rawlings? Thought I -saw him in chapel last evening." - -"Impossible! The lordly Rawlings go to Ranleigh!" exclaimed Bert. -"Nothing less than Eton'd suit him." - -"All the same, he's here. I travelled a part of the way down with him," -said Clive. "I say, I'll tell you all about him later. He's a beast, and -no mistake. But I want to get hold of that fellow. Hi, Susanne," he -called. - -The Frenchman shambled awkwardly towards them. His provincial clothes -were in marked contrast to those of the other fellows. Not that that -fact seemed to distress him. Susanne cared not a rap for popular -opinion. Half-way towards Clive a big fellow jostled against him while -deep in conversation with another, and jarred by the contact turned -angrily upon him. It was Rawlings, with the oily, fat Trendall beside -him. At once the bully's face reddened. He looked threateningly at -Susanne, while the Frenchman regarded him with something approaching -amusement. - -"Pardon," he began, for he deemed himself the cause of the collision. - -"Hang your pardon! Look here, you Frenchman, there's just one thing -you've got to understand. I'm a prefect, and----" - -"You're a new kid," chimed in Trendall, looking distinctly unamiable. -In fact, this greasy, fat fellow had thrown in his lot with Rawlings -since the previous evening. There had always been some sort of -attraction between them. But Rawlings was to be a prefect. To the -self-seeking Trendall that was sufficient, a friendship with him -promised many advantages, and here was an opportunity to cement that -friendship. - -"Precisely," said Rawlings, "and the sooner you get to know it the -better. You'll do well to sheer clear of this Darrell." - -There was surprise in his eyes as he saw Bert and Hugh. A sneer gathered -on his face, and then a scowl of anger. For Hugh grinned a grin of -recognition. He remembered the pit, and the manner in which it had -captured the wrong individual. - -"You're here too; then you'll catch it," growled Rawlings, moving on -with Trendall. - -"Pleasant," smiled Hugh, when he had gone. - -"A gentleman, eh?" asked Susanne, with a lift of his dark eyebrows. -"But----" - -"My friends, Bert and Hugh Seymour," introduced Clive. "That Rawlings is -an out-and-outer. With Trendall as his toady, and perhaps another crony, -they can make life unbearable here for us. That is, for Bert and Hugh -and I." - -"And Susanne," said that worthy, smiling. "Remember that I have been -dragged into this matter." - -"Tell you," cried Bert suddenly, "we'll send the beast an ultimatum. -Tell him we'll hammer him if he interferes with one or any of us." - -That scheme had to be put aside for the moment, for there came a clamour -at the door. There arose a shout of "_Cave!_ Old B.," and an instant -later that fair giant entered the form room, obviously having easily -overheard the warning. Boys ranged themselves up into line, and there -began Call Over, Clive's and other new boys' names being tacked on at -the end. - -"'Sum, 'sum, 'sum," the answers sounded, and then were punctuated by the -ringing of the chapel bell. The door, shut a few moments before on those -who were late, was swung open, and they processed to the chapel. After -that there was breakfast in the Hall, and, later, form work began with a -vengeance, Clive being placed in the Lower Third, while Bert attained to -the Upper; Hugh ascended only as high as Upper Middle, while, to the -surprise of all, Susanne romped into the Upper Fourth. It followed, -therefore, that some time elapsed before the little quartette met again. -But when they did, Clive drew up a letter, which, having received the -signatures of all concerned, was duly posted to "Albert Rawlings, -Ranleigh, Local." - -"This is to inform you," it ran, "that we, the undersigned, have decided -to lick you every time you touch one of our band. We refrain from giving -you our private and confidential opinion of you. As gentlemen, we feel -that we have no right unduly to hurt your feelings. And also, this -opinion of ours must be very well known to you. Just sheer off and leave -us alone is the sincere advice of - - CLIVE DARRELL, - BERT SEYMOUR, - HUGH SEYMOUR, - RICHARD FEOFE (SUSANNE)." - - - - -CHAPTER V - -AN ULTIMATUM - - -"What'll you do?" asked Trendall, breathing heavily as he leaned over -Rawlings' shoulder in Lower Sixth Form room and perused the ultimatum -which Clive and his chums had sent. "Lick 'em all straight off, eh? But, -of course, you'd have to catch 'em singly. That Feofe cad is as strong -as a horse, and though he can't fight as an Englishman can, he'd kick -like a horse." - -It seemed likely enough that the lordly Rawlings had considered that -side of the question, or perhaps was even then considering it. For he -turned a furrowed brow to his comrade. - -"I'm going to lie low," he said. "One thing's certain, the first chance -I get I turn the Darrells away from our place. Of course, you know, -Trendall, that we own the whole show that Darrell's father had. He made -a mess of things, and my father came in and bought. That's why he hates -me so much. As to this letter, pooh! I'll get even with 'em all before -I've done. Feofe doesn't frighten me, not a bit." - -Certainly not. Yet Susanne had pulled the great Rawlings' nose, and that -brilliant and magnificent bully had not retaliated. But he would, some -day, when the moment was propitious. For the time being he left the -little quartette alone, and Clive and his fellows were therefore at -liberty to forget the feud; which they did promptly. In the meanwhile, -Ranleigh had many things of interest to show them. - -"Look here, Darrell kid," observed Masters one day, presuming on his two -months' seniority of Clive, and on the fact that he had been two terms -at the school, "I don't mind taking you along to show you the sights. -Been to the tuck?" - -"What's that? Oh, tuck-shop, I suppose?" - -"Of course, booby! You don't suppose it's a sort of place where they do -the washing! Well, suppose we go there and introduce you? Eh?" - -Clive agreed readily enough. He was beginning to find that life at -Ranleigh opened up a wider prospect for him. At home he and Hugh and -Bert had been the best of chums, and no one had been admitted into their -close friendship. But here the matter was different, and better. For the -difference in forms separated the chums often enough. True, Bert and -Hugh were in the same class-room as Clive, for it accommodated the two -Middle and the two Third Forms. But at Ranleigh every hour saw a change -in the class-rooms occupied by the various forms. Sometimes Clive was in -Middle class-room, a little later he'd be in the Lower Fifth, and yet -again in the "Stinks" room, a department that began soon to fascinate -him, and which proved to be the one particular attraction to Susanne. - -Circumstances, therefore, separated the chums often enough, for Bert and -Hugh were in Four South Dormitory. Not that that prevented communication -when in their respective dormitories, for the inventive Clive soon had a -species of life-line manufactured, and this, when Sturton's attention -was occupied elsewhere, could be tossed over the partition right on to -Hugh's bed. Notes could thus be dragged backwards and forwards, and -continuous communication kept up. - -"But it can be improved, of course," said Clive, to which Hugh readily -assented. "We'll make a telephone, nail the wires up the walls of the -partition so that no one can see 'em, and then we can talk just as much -as we want." - -It never occurred to either of them that they might get all their -chattering over in the daytime. But that is just the little point which -people sometimes fail to comprehend. It was the novelty of clandestine -conversation which attracted, and set these two inventors to work to -construct a telephone from plans and descriptions given in a book they -had managed to borrow. - -In One South itself, Clive had Susanne always beside him, and very soon -a firm friendship grew up between them. While on his other side lay -Masters, the slug, as Sturton called him, a decent fellow, nevertheless, -and now anxious to act as guide and faithful friend to our hero. - -They passed along those endless corridors to the back doors, through -which law compels the boys to emerge, and sauntered down between the -Fives Courts. On the left lay the Gym, where Hugh had already been -practising. Then beside the Tennis Courts, and away across the field -which fronts the school. And who could wish for a better place? What -father or mother or fond uncle or guardian could hope to find a -healthier, better spot than Ranleigh? The world has heard of the school. -It has made its mark in many a walk of life, so that there is no great -need to describe it minutely or to mention its precise position. Suffice -to say that it is situated in Surrey, that it projects three parts of -the way up a sloping hill, which is bathed by the sun on every side. -There is not a musty spot about it, not a corner nor a crevice in which -injurious germs may hide. See it, then, a red-brick pile, clad with -creeper, with its clock tower and its chimneys and pinnacles. Cast your -eyes upon the surrounding country, and admit, as admit you must, that -never was there a more ideal position. For the village is a mile away. -The school stands beautifully isolated. Fresh breezes sweep direct from -pine tree and heather across its roofs and into its windows. Add to -these charms playing fields which vie with those of schools of greater -antiquity, and you have a description of Ranleigh. - -But we are forced to admit that Clive gave not a thought to it. He -scudded across the field with Masters, dashed through the front gates -and away down the road till they came to the tuck. It is a fascinating -little shop, and here again we must admit that its contents appealed -more strongly to Clive than did the surroundings. - -"Never been in before, eh?" asked Masters slyly, well knowing the fact -that Clive had not. - -"Never; wish I had. Rippin', ain't it?" - -"Not half bad," admitted Masters casually. "A chap can stuff himself -full here for next to nothing. By the way----" - -"Eh?" asked Clive, who was regarding a pile of apple tarts with close -attention. "How much, please?" he asked the attendant. - -"A penny each, sir." - -"Cheap!" murmured Clive. "Oh, what where you saying, Masters?" - -He was carefully inspecting the contents of his purse by then, and not -looking particularly at Masters. It was not precisely what that young -gentleman wanted. He coughed loudly. "Oh, never mind," he said lamely. -"I--I didn't say anything." - -It was such an obvious fib that Clive stared at him. - -"Oh, did I?" then remarked Masters. "Oh, yes, I remember. But it doesn't -matter." - -He thrust his hands into his pockets, turned to the door, and beckoned -to Clive. "Come on," he said, somewhat sadly. "Let's clear. I'll take -you in some other time." - -That was just the very thing that Clive could not agree to. He had been -thick-headed before. But now he was beginning to grasp the situation. It -was awfully nice of Masters, too, he thought, though, to be sure, he -didn't see the smile on the face of the attendant. - -"What's up?" he demanded. "You're never going to leave the tuck without -eating something?" - -"Must," came the answer. - -"Why?" - -"Oh, never mind." Masters shrugged his shoulders, and went from the -cottage, Clive following. "Fact is," he admitted, once they were -outside, "I've forgotten to bring money with me. It's a beastly -nuisance." - -"But it don't matter," cried Clive. "I'll lend you some." - -"And then, of course," Masters hurriedly interjected, "it's a sort of -custom here, you know, for new kids to--oh, never mind, let's clear." - -"To what?" demanded Clive, beginning to fathom the mystery. - -"Well, if you must know, it's a sort of custom at Ranleigh for new kids -to stand treat the first time they enter the tuck. But it don't matter, -as I said. Let's clear. I never borrow money." - -The generous-minded Clive could see only one way out of the difficulty. -Indeed, he was eager to show his hospitality. And so five minutes later -found the two youngsters securely seated in the little room beyond the -tuck, their feet over a gas fire, their teeth busily engaged with apple -tarts, while steaming cups of cocoa stood beside them. By then, Masters' -modesty had entirely departed. It had been a wrench, of course, to allow -a new kid to treat him! But in for a penny in for a pound wasn't a bad -motto. - -"Tried those big chaps?" he asked, pointing to a box of squares of -chocolate. "Ripping! They're only a penny, and there's different colours -all the way through. Tony--met Tony yet? He's a fellow with red hair in -Two South--well, Tony swears that there's regular pictures worked up in -those squares, and that if you bite carefully you can see 'em. I don't -believe it myself, but it's a joke trying." - -Clive did know Tony. He was the red-headed fellow who had shouted at him -and been so very pugnacious on the first night of the term when Clive -had entered the wrong dormitory. As to the squares, well, it would be -rather a joke to test this theory of Tony's. - -"We'll test 'em, then," he said. "How many, eh?" - -"Well, of course," said Masters guardedly, "a fellow could do it with -one, I suppose. But he'd have to be clever. Two'd give a chap a better -chance, while----" - -"Sixpenn'o'th of those square things, please," demanded Clive, who was -warming to Masters, and who happened to have received a useful present -from a distant uncle that very morning. "You try first, Masters." - -"And those brandy balls are just the things for prep.," remarked -Masters, some little time later, as if it were an afterthought and he -had not meant Clive to hear. "They're hot with peppermint, and you can -smell 'em all over the class-room. It makes the chaps look round and -long for some themselves, while the prefect who's in charge of the room -gets raging. Come on, Darrell." - -It was perhaps a fortunate thing that Clive's stock of sixpennies was -becoming small, or he would have listened further to the blandishments -of the crafty Masters. As it was, he purchased a liberal quantity of -brandy balls, divided them with his friend, and then went off to other -fields. - -"Sundy tuck's there," Masters informed him as they skirted the common, -where cricket matches are played. "Of course, the Head knows that there -is one, and would give his ears to catch chaps there. My word, they -would get a licking! But he can't succeed, and for a very good reason. -You see, a chap can slip in without being seen, and if the Head or any -other inquisitive master happens to come along and suspect, why, you can -bolt from the back door, up the garden and over the wall at the end. -I've done it. So have other chaps." - -Before three weeks of his first term had passed Clive had a nodding -acquaintance with all the surroundings of the school, and with most of -the fellows. Moreover, he had witnessed the first great footer match of -the season, and his youthful chest had swelled with pride because of the -prowess of Harvey and other men. In fact, he was slowly and steadily -imbibing that spirit of _esprit de corps_ which helps a school along. He -was beginning to understand that self-effacement is a good thing at -times, and that the good of the school as a whole is what should be -considered. Else, why did Harvey work so hard to train the team while -still doing his best in school time? Why also did Sturton work so -loyally to support him, and still rise at cock-crow every morning so as -to prepare his own tasks? - -But early frosts somewhat upset the plans of the Captain, and saw -letters innumerable despatched to some three hundred homes, demanding -that skates should be sent immediately. - -"Another day's frost and we'll be able to go anywhere. They say the -canal's good," said Hugh, who had been making diligent enquiries. "But -my mark is the lake at Ditton." - -"Private, isn't it?" asked Masters, who had joined the little band of -friends, and who, in fact, was often with them. - -"Yes. But what's it matter? The Delarths are away from home. They'd -never want to keep good ice all to themselves. We'll take french leave." - -"Or write and ask. Why not?" ventured Bert mildly. - -"Why not?" repeated Susanne, with sparkling eyes. "It will make the fun -better. Besides, it is rude, is it not, to trespass on private -property?" - -They scoffed at him promptly, and the very mention of rudeness put -aside the intention to write. - -"It'll be part of the lark to go without being invited," said Hugh. "I -know the place already, for I've been skirmishing round to discover -likely spots for nesting. In the spring I'll be there. And if this frost -continues, I mean to try what it's like on the ice. So there, Susanne." - -Two days later, after an intervening thaw of some five hours' duration, -whereat the hopes and the faces of every member of the school, save the -Captain and the footer team, fell dismally, the ice was reported to be -bearing on neighbouring ponds, and particularly on that one down by the -common in front of the butcher's shop. It had frozen very hard -overnight, and the ground was as hard as a stone. After dinner, -therefore, Bert and Hugh and Clive set out, Susanne being in their -company also, with Masters following behind as soon as he could get -away, an "impot" of some length having detained him. Indeed, the -self-same Masters had made a valiant attempt to complete the task during -dinner-hour in Hall. A pen of Clive's own invention had been brought -into request. Thereon were fixed no fewer than three nibs, all of which -would write at the same moment. - -"You see, it's not one of those clumsy things one's heard of," said the -lordly inventor when he produced this wonderful time-saving implement. -"Anyone can tie three nibs on to one holder and try to write with 'em -all. But the blots he makes, my word! One nib rests nicely, but has too -much ink. A second is too short to reach the paper, while the third -sticks the point through and tears a hole. This pen gets over all three -difficulties. So long as you dip her carefully, she'll write, for all -the nibs are carried on spring holders. It's a champion. I'm going to -bring out a self-filling six-line automatic writer before I've ended. -I'll sell 'em by the ton to chaps at school." - -No doubt he might if he were fortunate, and if all "impots" were of the -same character as that given to Masters. That worthy having incurred the -displeasure of his form master had been very politely and in dulcet -tones requested to deliver five hundred repetitions of the following -statement. "There's a time and a place for everything." - -"And all because he scented peppermint," declared Masters hotly, when he -reported the matter to his cronies. "That chap Canning's a bounder. He's -always finding fault somewhere." - -"But," ventured Bert cynically, "perhaps he doesn't like peppermint." - -"Doesn't like peppermint! Rot!" cried Masters. "Who doesn't?" - -"Well, you do," grinned Susanne. - -"And so does any decent fellow. But that's where it is. Canning isn't a -decent fellow. He's always grousing. Masters, you're talking. Masters, -you don't answer. Masters, you're a fool. Masters----" - -"You're a glutton," grinned Hugh, enjoying the indignation of that -individual, and receiving a buffet for his pains. "Well, he cobbed you -sucking brandy balls, given you by Clive." - -"And told me that they were beastly, that I was making a beast of myself -to suck 'em in class time, and that there was a time and a place for -everything. Then gave me an impot." - -"Which has to be done." - -"That's it, and there's skating this afternoon. I'm going." - -It followed that Clive's inventive genius was called in to help, and -that day at dinner, Masters, having gobbled up his meal, spent the rest -of his time crouching over a book resting on his knee, on which was -stretched the paper on which he was operating. And all would have been -well, for he was making amazing progress with that patent pen, but for -the fact that a sudden and unforeseen difficulty had arisen. The penny -bottle of ink he had requisitioned had the most idiotically narrow neck. - -"Asses!" he growled, showing the difficulty to Clive, who sat next him. -"What makes 'em turn out bottles like that? How's a chap to get to -work?" - -Clive had many brilliant ideas constantly occurring to him. - -"Shove it into a spoon," he urged. "A tablespoon. Empty the bottle in, -and then you can dip easy. It'll prevent you dipping too deep. Get on -with it." - -Masters realised the brilliance of the suggestion, and at once put it -into practice. He took the biggest spoon to be had, buttressed it around -with bread-crumbs, and then emptied his ink from the bottle. That was -famous. - -"One gets along like a house on fire," he told Clive triumphantly. "And -the writing's ripping. Old Canning'll remark on it. George! Darrell, you -might sell him one of your pens. Look! There's fifty of the beastly -lines written. Here we go again. 'There's a time and a place for -everything.' So there is, my boy. Hall's the place for writing rotten -impots, specially when there's skating." - -Hall, no doubt, was an excellent place. But accidents will happen, and -here with the most surprising result. For Masters, after much diligence, -had actually managed to complete three hundred lines when his sleeve got -anchored in the handle of the spoon filled with ink. It jerked over, -and in one brief instant the writer of the "impot" had the contents of -the spoon in his lap, while some of the inky mess flowed over the table, -making an excellent black map on the cloth. - -"What a mess!" he groaned, when he had vainly mopped at his trousers -with his handkerchief. "I'm sopping wet, and as black as a hat. And look -at that beastly tablecloth. Here, Darrell, suggest something." - -The best that Clive could do was to propose a covering of bread-crumbs -and salt, with which the huge stain was promptly covered. But all to no -purpose. The eagle eye of the Captain of the School going the round of -the tables in Hall after "knock up," when there was compulsory silence, -discovered the map which Masters had painted so unwittingly. - -"Whose is that?" he demanded. - -"Masters'." - -"Ah! Writing at table. An hour's drill to-morrow, Masters. And that -mess'll cost half a crown. Perhaps more. Why, your seat is smothered -also. You're wet to the skin. Report to the matron afterwards, and get a -change. I'll talk to you this evening." - -There was Masters in trouble with a vengeance. His "impot" had to be -commenced again, for ink had flown liberally over it. His trousers were -ruined, and doubtless his under garments. There was half a crown at -least to pay, and a visit to Harvey into the bargain. - -"When there'll be a whacking," grinned Bert, always the cynic. "That'll -be merely as a precaution. He'll lay it on hot so as to warm you and -drive off the chill you'll be sure to have contracted." - -Masters was not in sufficiently good frame of mind to trust himself to -answer. But skate he meant to. So at the moment when Clive and his -friends left the building, he was seeking new raiment in his dormitory, -having already obtained fresh underclothing from the matron. Then, by -dint of running, he caught up the little band who were bent on trespass, -just before they reached the ring fence that surrounded the property of -the Delarths. - -"Just look round and make sure there's no one about," cautioned Clive, -glancing over his shoulder. "Now, Hugh, you've been here before. You -lead the way." - -"Then over the fence. Into that copse at once, and then bang straight -ahead. The only fellows we have to look out for are the keepers. Of -course, they'll hate our going through their covers. But then, -something's got to give way when there's skating. Over we go. Last man -take a look round when he's joined us." - -It took them perhaps half an hour to creep through the wood into which -Hugh led them. Sometimes they imagined they heard voices, and when that -was the case they cast themselves flat on the frozen ground and listened -with bated breath. But there was nothing else to alarm them, and pushing -on they arrived at length--after much exertion, for the cover was thick -and brambles had a peculiar fascination for their persons--at the edge -of the lake on which they proposed to skate. - -"Well, I'm jiggered!" declared Hugh, his face flushing, his steaming -breath a cloud all round him. "There's someone on the place already." - -"Someone? A dozen people," Bert corrected him. - -"And--I wouldn't like to swear to it, but I do believe that that's old -Canning," said Masters, glowering on an individual who suddenly came -into view from the misty distance and swept across the smooth sheet of -ice towards them. "Just like him to set a fellow an impot so as to -prevent his skating, and then, when that chap had taken no end of pains -to get finished and----" - -"Including half drowning himself with ink," grinned Bert, as a gentle -reminder. - -"And getting a half-crown fine marked up against him," laughed Clive, -giggling at his friend's misadventure. - -"And," proceeded Masters severely, ignoring the interruption, "and was -working like a nigger, it's just like this cad Canning to turn up at the -very spot and spoil fun entirely." - -That was where the sight of this master affected the whole party. His -imposition was merely a matter between himself and Masters. Of course, -they were all awfully sorry for Masters, though his getting soaked with -ink was a jolly old joke, whatever he thought of it--but Canning was a -cad, all the same. - -"What's he want to come along here trespassing on our property?" -demanded Hugh hotly. - -"But--it isn't ours, is it?" asked Bert dryly, whereat Susanne -threatened him with violence. - -"Of course it's not," the slouching Frenchman answered. "Not actually, -you know. But we thought of the place first. We've the most right to it. -What's Canning want hanging round the ice we've selected?" - -"Cheek! Beastly impudence!" declared Clive grandly, while Masters still -glowered on the unconscious master. For it was Mr. Canning without a -doubt, a kill-joy on this occasion. For, having gained the lake after -such great trouble, Clive and his friends dared not venture upon the ice -they coveted. - -"There's that cad Rawlings," suddenly whispered Bert, for Mr. Canning -was close to them, and had sat down to smoke a cigarette. - -"And the greasy Trendall. He's always sure to be somewhere within -distance," growled Masters. - -"And if that isn't Harvey, with Sturton near him, I'm not worth -listening to," observed Clive, as if he were speaking of a certainty. -"Yes, there's Harvey, hand in hand with Miss Withers." - -"But--I don't understand," said Bert, smiling grimly when some few -minutes had passed. "There are hundreds of our fellows. They're arriving -every minute. Surely----" - -Slowly it began to dawn upon the little band that perhaps all their -secrecy and all their effort had been wasted. - -"Supposing leave was given for the school to skate here," suggested -Hugh, aghast at the thought. - -"There's Smith Primus. Let's ask him," cried Clive, catching sight of a -fellow of his acquaintance. - -"But there's Canning still there," said Masters, with something -approaching a groan. "Supposing leave's been given for the school to -skate here----" - -"And supposing--which seems a moral certainty--that we've made -out-and-out fools of ourselves," interjected Bert satirically. - -"Oh, shut up, do!" growled Masters, while Hugh caught his brother by the -collar. "Supposing that's the case----" - -"What?" demanded the incorrigible Bert. "That we've made asses of -ourselves? That's dead certain." - -Masters looked as if he would gladly slay him. But he was determined to -continue. Moments were flying as they discussed matters, and if they -were to skate at all they must clear up this mystery. - -"Supposing that's so. Well, in any case, these woods are out of bounds -and we're trespassing. Unless we can slip out on to the ice without that -cad Canning seeing us, why----" - -"Skating's out of the question," groaned Clive. "Look here, you fellows. -I'll slip on my skates, wait for Canning to turn his head, and then go -swinging past him. If I signal you on, you'll know skating's allowed, -and can slip on to the ice one by one as I've done. Eh?" - -They agreed to the proposition. Clive, moreover, was successful, and in -a little while was diligently waving them on. And then his chums -followed, all contriving to escape the eye of the smoking Canning, -except Masters. - -"Oh, Masters, that you?" he demanded, swinging his head as that young -hopeful happened to emerge from the wood and approach the ice. "Been -trespassing, eh? Been into the wood?" - -There could be no denial. Masters could merely glance at Mr. Canning as -if he wished the most dreadful thing to happen to him. - -"Yes, sir," he said curtly. - -"Then you've forgotten our little conversation, and the lines you've no -doubt waiting at the school to give to me. Let me see. Yes. 'There's a -time and a place for everything.' Those were the words. Well, they're -true of this occasion. This isn't the time for trespassing when Mr. -Delarth has so kindly given the school permission to skate on his lake. -He particularly wished that there should be no disturbance of the -covers. Masters, you must have sadly forgotten the lesson I attempted to -teach you. Let me have those words written an additional five hundred -times by to-morrow afternoon." - -"There's a beast!" said the unfortunate delinquent, when he rejoined his -friends. "I'd fifty times rather be sent to the Head with a note and -take a whacking. This impot business is breaking my spirit." - -But you wouldn't have thought so had you seen him ten minutes later. He -was hurtling over the surface of the lake at lightning speed, with a -string of boys on either side of him. It was an hour later when there -came a shout from a far corner. Clive, dashing in that direction, saw -that the white surface of the ice was broken and flooded. There were -dark heads floating above the water. One was that of a girl. Susanne's -face was amongst them. Trendall's, too, fat and oily. - -"Help!" shouted Clive, and at once set about a rescue. - - - - -CHAPTER VI - -CLIVE AND HIS FRIENDS TRIUMPHANT - - -That shout for help brought a scurrying crowd swooping over the frozen -surface of the lake toward the spot where the ice had broken. It was -taken up by more than a hundred. Small boys--kids, as Masters scoffingly -designated them--gave voice to the call in high-pitched falsettos. Those -of the senior school gave ear to the calls, and bore down upon the spot -in silence. Canning--Masters' _bete noire_--threw away his cigarette and -scuttled over the ice at a rate which was marvellous. But Clive was -there first, and we speak the truth when we say that he was -flabbergasted. Talk about a fellow being trained to be ready to meet any -emergency! Clive was out of the running. He hadn't an idea. For at least -twenty seconds he stared at Susanne's face, peeping out of the water, as -if the sight robbed him of reason. And then his inventive brain set to -work. - -"Hold on to the edge of the ice," he bellowed. "There's a ladder back -over there. We'll send for it. Look out, I'm coming." - -Susanne nodded cheerfully. He had his arm round the waist of the lady -who had been immersed, and grinned at Clive. - -"Hurry up, then," he bellowed. "Don't mind myself, you know, but there's -the lady." - -What was Trendall doing? Clive saw him grip in frenzied fashion at the -ice and slip off. He made another effort, and then stretched his arms -over his head. Was he sinking? wondered Clive. - -"Look out," he yelled, slipping to his knees and crawling toward the -dark and jagged-edged hole. "Look out for Trendall." - -Susanne cast his eye over his shoulder, hitched the elbow about the lady -on the edge of the ice and gripped Trendall. He pushed him against the -edge of the ice, and then finding his own grip slipping, he let go his -hold. - -"Hold tight there," he shouted. - -"Hold to the ice," bellowed Clive, sliding nearer and now flat on his -face. "Hold to the ice, Trendall. Get away from Susanne." - -But Trendall was not only exhausted; he was in a panic. Slipping from -the ice again, he touched Susanne's shoulder, and then gripped it. Out -shot the other hand and fastened about him. The three--Trendall, -Susanne, and the lady--bobbed down beneath the water. - -"Let go! Let go, Trendall, you idiot!" shouted Clive, and then glanced -over his shoulder. There was a ring of fellows round the gap in the -ice, kept at a respectful distance by two of the prefects. Behind them -again were some dozen of the seniors scudding away for the ladder for -which Clive now shouted. Harvey was coming in Clive's wake, very -cautiously, but not for fear of his own safety, while Rawlings stood -irresolute, and when he saw that he was attracting attention, slunk to -the rear of the gathering. - -"Go quietly there, Darrell," Harvey called. "The ice is awfully rotten -and will let you in if you're rash. I'll be as near as possible, and as -soon as the ladder comes I'll push it right out to you. Ah! That chap -Trendall will drown the lot of them. Leave go there, Trendall!" he -shouted peremptorily. - -But the fat and greasy senior who had toadied to Rawlings, and who had -taken his part against Bert and Hugh and Clive, may be said at the -moment to have been completely out of his element. Such a catastrophe as -this was just the thing to test a fellow's courage, and Trendall did not -shine at all. Susanne, on the contrary, might, but for the awkward turn -events had now taken, have been merely enjoying a bath. But matters were -too desperate for enjoyment. Trendall had firm hold of him, and though -Susanne made a valiant effort, the hulking senior was dragging him down -and the lady also. It was then that Clive acted. The crowd gathered -behind first held their breath and then cheered him. In his enthusiasm -Masters dashed forward, and throwing himself on his face wriggled -towards him; while Hugh skated over the ice reckless of the -consequences, till a stern command from Mr. Canning caused both to halt. -For Clive had plunged forward. - -"Look out, Susanne!" he called. "I'm coming in to help. You hand the -lady over to me and then tackle Trendall. The fellow's gone stark, -staring mad." - -[Illustration: "'LOOK OUT, SUSANNE! I'M COMING IN TO HELP'"] - -Wriggling his way rapidly forward he was near the broken edge within a -few seconds, when, as was to be expected, the ice broke with a soft, -grating sound, letting him into the freezing water. And it was high time -that someone came to Susanne's help, for that young fellow had more to -fight against than he had strength for. He struck savagely at Trendall, -but without result. He was dragged under by the combined weight of the -lady and the lout who had now seized him. Clive even noticed that his -face had gone a purply red colour, while when he came to the surface -Susanne gasped for breath frantically, showing how immersion was telling -upon him. - -"Hand over the lady. Beat that cad off," bellowed Clive, striking out -for the trio. "Now Susanne, hand over." - -Fellows would have laughed at Clive at any other time, for it was -ludicrous to see one of his small stature grasping the waist of a lady -decidedly bigger than he. But the event was too serious. Also there was -so much movement. For there were others bent on rescue. Harvey was -there, and with one glance over his shoulder, and a caution to the -prefects to keep the crowd back, he floundered across the ice and broke -his way into the dark fluid in which the four were now floating. - -"Push that ladder out quick," he shouted, as he sank into the water. -"Send young Seymour and Masters forward. They can both swim and are -light weights. Ah! Sturton, get together one or two of the senior -fellows, and if things get worse come in in a body." - -Then he left the edge of the ice and struck out. As for Sturton, if -Harvey had not already gone to the rescue, he would have done so most -certainly. But as we have said before, he could be counted on always to -back up his senior loyally. He swung round on the crowd of boys -instantly. - -"Newman, you'll do," he said, beckoning a stoutly built fellow to him. -"Collins Primus too. There's Jimmy Pritchard. Coming, eh?" - -"Rather. Ready for anything," was the quick answer as the young men -selected skated forward. - -"Then Gaspard also. He's a swimmer, and you, Rawlings." - -All came to the front. All? No. Rawlings seemed to be deaf. Sturton had -recognised him standing at the back of the crowd, and at the summons -Rawlings had sidled away. In the distance, coming towards him at a fast -pace, he espied a group of fellows bearing the ladder for which Clive -had shouted. In a second he seized upon the opportunity and turned away. -But Sturton knew his man, and summoned him again in a voice there was no -denying. - -"Rawlings," he called. "I shouted for you. You're either deaf and did -not hear, or--coming?" - -There was no way out of it. The lordly youth who had made matters so -disagreeable both at home and at the school for Clive and his friends -turned with as good a grace as he could summon, and pushed his way -through the crowd. - -"Did you call?" he asked lamely. - -"Did he call?" echoed one of the prefects satirically, a chum of -Sturton's, one, too, who had taken Rawlings' measure long ago. "Every -man in the school heard your name." - -"But you," interjected Barrold, a puny Sixth Form fellow, who made up -for lack of inches by inordinate go and good spirits. - -"Perhaps he didn't though," broke in Bagshaw, the scribe of Ranleigh, -the scholar who was most often to be seen arm in arm with Harvey. -Everyone knew that Bagshaw was the prince of good fellows, always -anxious to save a row. They knew, too, that footer and cricket and -swimming were forbidden to him. And yet Bagshaw pushed himself forward. - -"Here, Sturton," he said brusquely, "let me come. I'm always put in the -background. Rawlings is a strong chap and can help to manage the -ladder." - -And thus the incident was passed over. In the heat and excitement of the -moment, too, there was every opportunity for fellows to forget it. Few, -indeed, had overheard the satirical words uttered by Barrold and the -other prefect. Still fewer had noticed the flush which came to Rawlings' -face to hide the pallor with which it had been covered a moment before. -And none were witness of the mutterings he gave vent to as he turned to -meet the bearers of the ladder. But Sturton knew, the delicate Bagshaw -also, that Rawlings had funked. Hugh Seymour learned of it, too, on the -morrow. - -Meanwhile, all eyes were fixed on the figures struggling in the water. -Clive had relieved Susanne of his burden, and clung with his free hand -to the ice. As to the jovial Susanne, things were going hard with him. -Had he been called upon some three minutes earlier to free himself of -the fellow clinging like a limpet to him, he would doubtless have -succeeded, though not with ease, for the arms and grip of a drowning man -are not quickly to be thrown off. But the young chap had been pulled -beneath the surface of the water so often that he was already exhausted. -Trendall still clung firmly to him. Even Clive could make no impression -on those clawing hands, though he made an attempt to do so, hooking his -elbow on the ice as Susanne had done. He was feeling desperate indeed, -in his helplessness; for Susanne was more often under the water than -above it. - -"Supposing he gets under the ice! That chap's drowning him. Hi! Help!" -he bellowed. - -And then Harvey came into view. The Captain of the School cleft the ice -debris and the water with lusty strokes, and was soon close to Susanne. -He tugged, too, at those encircling arms, but they defied him. Then, -while the crowd watching held their breath, he lifted one arm, doubled -his fist, and brought it crash down on the head of Trendall. And that -had the desired effect. The grip slackened. The two drowning lads -separated. A second or so later there was a loud splash near at hand, -and Sturton plunged into the icy water. - -"Saw you'd more than you could manage, old chap," he said curtly to -Harvey. "So came along to help. You fix that chap Trendall. I'll manage -Feofe. Well done, Darrell! One South's looking up, eh? How's the lady?" - -"Insensible, I think. She's very heavy. But I can manage. Ah! I'm -awfully glad you've got him." - -Sturton had gripped Susanne by then, and now had his head clear of the -water. The big head of the Frenchman, with its dripping, tousled mat of -hair, lay on his shoulder. The face was deadly pale, as pale as that of -the lady he had been supporting, as white and blanched as that even of -Rawlings as he heard Sturton's summons. His eyes were tightly closed. -The cheeks seemed to have fallen in. A frightful feeling of despair -assailed Clive Darrell. At that instant he seemed to be able for the -first time to measure his friendship for Susanne. - -"Hooray for Ranleigh! Hold on to them, you chaps! Well done, Darrell! -Three cheers for Harvey and Sturton!" - -The crowd went frantic and delirious with delight at the dash and -success of their comrades. Now that Harvey and Sturton had gone to help, -not one but deemed the rescue certain, if not quite complete. The boys -yelled themselves hoarse. Some danced on their skates with excitement. -Mr. Canning alone seemed to retain his self-possession. Dodging from -side to side all this while, anxiously watching what was passing, he had -long ago slipped off coat and waistcoat. Perhaps he was fifty years of -age. At any rate, his hair was white at the temples, and from the point -of view of the fellows at Ranleigh that stamped him as an old man. But -he was active enough, though not so much so as Harvey. Still, he was -ready himself to plunge to the rescue should more help be needed, and -for the moment he kept the boys back, and kept his head, which was, -after all, a more important undertaking. - -"Ah! There's the ladder," he exclaimed in tones of relief, as Rawlings -and a number of others appeared. "Hand it to me. That's right, slide it -flat over the surface. Now, keep that crowd well back. Well done, young -Seymour! Hullo, that you, Masters?" - -This latter individual gave his form master a curt nod. There was no -rudeness meant. Only Masters was intensely excited, intensely eager to -see his chum Clive in safety. He answered Mr. Canning just as he would -have answered any other fellow at the moment. - -"Gently does it. I'm too big a weight to go too far forward. Seymour, -you're light enough. If the ice gives and lets you in I'll come after -you. Now, on we go. As quick as we can." - -Hugh made up his mind how to act in a moment. He stepped on to the rungs -of the ladder, lay flat down on it as if it were a sledge, and then -called back to Masters and to Mr. Canning. - -"Push her along," he said, unwinding the long scarf he had wrapped round -his neck. "The ice is cracking a little, but I think it'll bear. -Farther. A little farther." - -Thrusting the ladder before them, the two behind soon had the -satisfaction of seeing Hugh within reach almost of Clive. Then there was -an ominous cracking. The surface of the ice sank beneath Hugh and was -swamped with water. A moment or two later it gave way, letting him into -the lake. Then a coil of rope swished across Masters' shoulder, tossed -by a keeper who had suddenly come upon the scene. - -"Shunt the ladder round to the far side, sir," he called. "There's a -spring over here, and that makes the ice rotten. Shunt it round, then -tie the rope and go ahead. You'll have to be quick. Them chaps is more'n -half frozen." - -Clive felt numbed through already. He could see Harvey's lips shivering, -and his teeth chattering. Sturton, too, looked blue, while Hugh, who had -swum over to join him, looked pinched and desperately cold. Anxiously -they watched as Masters tied the rope to the end of the ladder, and -then with Mr. Canning's help changed its position. Once more it was -thrust forward, this time with Masters flat upon the narrow end. - -"Heave!" shouted the keeper. Masters took the coil and sent it twirling -over the group in the water. Harvey caught it. - -"Here," he gasped, nodding to Clive. "Take it. Seymour'll help you with -the lady." - -They made a turn round her waist, and then as Masters drew upon the rope -they pushed and helped the body of the unconscious lady on to the ice. A -terrific cheer greeted this successful operation. Masters drew the lady -toward him, swiftly threw off the rope and tossed it back to his -comrades, and then backed with his burden. - -"Well done! Well done, indeed!" cried Mr. Canning. "Here, Bagshaw and -some of you others, carry her away to safety. Ah, they're sending Feofe -next." - -The ungainly form of the gallant Susanne was slowly hoisted on to the -ice and dragged towards the crowd. Bert was the first to make his way to -the front to receive him, and once with Bagshaw's help having carried -him to the rear of the crowd, he set about reviving him in a manner -quite scientific. He rolled and squeezed Susanne till one might have -accused him of positive roughness. He worked till his breath came in -gasps, and until another of the fellows came in to assist him. - -Meanwhile, there remained in the water Trendall and four others, and -soon enough the former was sent to safety. - -"Now," said Harvey, when the rope came swishing over them again, -"Darrell." But Clive showed no keenness. - -"Quick!" commanded Harvey. "Off you go." - -"Please," began Clive, for to argue with the great Harvey seemed a -sacrilege--"please, Harvey----" - -"Eh? What on earth's the matter with the kid?" demanded that latter. -"Look here, we're all of us jolly well frozen. I am, at any rate. -Ranleigh don't want to have to record a death on this occasion. So out -you go." - -But again Clive objected. "Oh, I say, Harvey, please----" he began. -"I--you know----" - -Harvey scowled. The pleasant-faced captain of the school actually -scowled. Had he been on terra firma and this Darrell dared to disobey -his glance even, Harvey would have booted him. - -"Yes, I'd boot the little beggar," he said angrily, for he was still -fearful of what might happen. But Sturton knew his man to a T. He leaned -over, all dripping as he was, and whispered to Harvey. - -"Leave the kid," he said. "He was first here, and he makes it a sort of -point of honour. Leave the kid, Harvey." - -Thereat the Captain grunted. He looked closely at Clive, and then -motioned to Sturton. - -"You go, then," he said. "But you'll explain. It's the place of the -captain of anything, whether ship or school, to go last out of danger. -But, dash it, this kid's worth making an exception for. Heave up, -Sturton. I'm keen to get out of this water." - -And that was how it happened that Clive left the hole in the ice last. -The cheers which greeted the coming of each one of them were thunderous. -They even brought a chilly blush to Clive's cheeks. But he was given -very little time in which to listen. - -"Get off back to the school," commanded Sturton. "Here, you Hugh Seymour -and Darrell, cut quick. Report to the matron when you're back. Run all -the way. I'll boot you if you don't. Do you hear? Skip, then." - -"And ask Mrs. Tyndal to have hot bottles and blankets ready," shouted -Mr. Canning, who was bustling from Feofe to Trendall, and back to the -still unconscious lady. "We'll get some sort of conveyance and send them -up. Now, you boys, strip off your skates and help to carry our -patients." - -Thanks to the fact that the Headmaster of Ranleigh was an enlightened -individual and believed in teaching his scholars other things than -merely Greek, Latin, and Mathematics, there were numbers of the fellows -who, like Bert, had more than a smattering of the art of First-Aid. -Still, the surface of a frozen lake is not the best of places on which -to revive semi-drowned individuals. And then, unconsciousness in all -three cases was due perhaps in great degree to cold and exposure. There -were not wanting willing hands to carry Susanne, the lady, and Trendall -to the big house adjacent to the lake, where hot baths administered by -the housekeeper and her attendants soon helped matters wonderfully. But -it was late in the evening before Mr. Canning set out with two blanketed -figures. By then Clive and Hugh had put in an appearance, glowing from -head to foot after their sharp run up to the school. Sturton and Harvey -were not long in following, and by tea time a hot bath had made the glow -about their bodies permanent. They descended to the Hall in a body, the -school being already assembled, and we record only the truth when we say -that their appearance was the signal for an outburst of enthusiasm -entirely unprecedented. Never before had Ranleigh been so stirred. Never -before had there been an event quite so exciting. Ranleigh was known far -and wide for the strength of its lungs, for the liberality and -genuineness of its applause. But now the school went mad. Defying fines, -boys stood on the tables and cheered as Clive and Hugh and Sturton and -Harvey went to their places. The fellows cheered themselves hoarse, and -called for speeches. Then the sudden appearance of the Headmaster put a -damper for the moment on their enthusiasm. - -Let us more fully describe the one who held in his hands the -administration of Ranleigh. Not tall, as we have said already, not -perhaps very striking in appearance, Dr. Layman yet attracted and held -the interest and sympathy of any body of people he cared to address. -Clean-shaven, save for a pair of whiskers, grey-headed, he presented a -face which was the essence of kindness. A pair of twinkling eyes were -wont to look down upon the school, whether from his seat in Chapel, or -from the dais in Hall. Austere some would have called him, those who -looked but once at his face. A jolly, rollicking fellow the boys knew -him to be, save when there was occasion for severity. And now he stood -of a sudden before them. Did he notice those who, contrary to all -regulations, contrary, indeed, to all precedent, had mounted the tables -in their enthusiasm? If he did, he showed no sign of having done so, -while they slunk back to a more decorous position. - -"Boys," he began, shutting his eyes as was his wont when addressing an -audience, "boys of Ranleigh, to-day I am a proud man." - -They made the old Hall ring with their cheers and shouts. Evans Tertius -even, the smallest of all there, raised a shrill voice to swell the -cheering of his comrades. And then silence fell again, a silence that -was trying. - -"Boys of Ranleigh, I feel that I have reason to be proud of this school -to-day. For some of your comrades have behaved with heroism, while all -have shown coolness in time of danger. I need mention no names. Those -who have done best of all are well known to you. I congratulate them, -and I congratulate the school on having them amongst us. That is all. -Trendall and Feofe and the lady are now recovered, I am glad to say. -Boys, there will be no preparation this evening." - -Yes, Ranleigh cheered again. The boys shouted themselves hoarse, even -when the Doctor had left them. And then, Nature asserting herself, they -sat down to discuss the meal, for appetites were keen after the skating. -We can believe, too, that the affair was discussed threadbare before -evening was ended, while glances turned frequently towards Clive and the -others. Some, too, were turned in Rawlings' direction. - -"The fellow funked," said Barford deliberately. - -"No," corrected Bagshaw politely. "Look here, Barford, don't say that. -I'm not too fond of Rawlings, I own. But if the school got to think a -thing like that he'd never have another decent minute. Let him have the -benefit of the doubt. The thing'll be a lesson to him." - -As for Masters, delighted with the ending of such an adventure, and -forgetful for the moment of his ill luck when at dinner, he sat down -after tea with that wonderful pen of Clive's invention and began upon -the task which Mr. Canning had set him. - -"Beastly cad," he told himself, but with far less bitterness than on -that same afternoon. "But he bucked up awfully well to-day. You could -see he was ready to go in and help the others. All the same, what's he -want to give me such an impot for? Beast, I call him." - -"Oh, hullo," called a voice at the doorway. "That you, Masters?" - -The owner of the name admitted the fact with reddened face. "Yes, sir," -he said lamely. - -"Writing?" - -"Yes, sir." - -"Home?" - -"No, sir." - -"Or doing impots?" - -Mr. Canning grinned. It was like the cad, thought Masters for a moment. -Then, catching something out of the usual in the master's smile, he -permitted himself to smile back in return. - -"Impots, sir," he said. - -"Ah! There's a time and a place for everything, eh, Masters?" - -What could the young fellow do but grin? Mr. Canning looked absolutely -genial. Now that Masters came to look at him more closely and less -severely he was bound to admit that he wasn't a bad sort of fellow. - -"Though beastly fond of giving impots," he thought. - -"Doing it now, sir," he said. - -"But there's no prep.," suggested Mr. Canning. - -"Impots aren't prep., sir," came the answer. - -"No, but there's a time and a place for everything, and to-night's the -time for enjoyment. Leave that impot, boy. I'll take it as presented." - -He was gone in a moment, leaving Masters with a very red face indeed. -"Well, I'm jiggered!" that young hopeful exclaimed, when at length he -had recovered his balance. "I say, Seymour, Canning isn't a bad sort, is -he? Did rather well to-day, eh? Not half a bad fellow. Think I shall -patronise him in the future." - -The climax of all came when they were ranged in order for Chapel. The -great Harvey, smiling and serene as ever, passed down the lines of -boys, and happened to hit on Masters. - -"Hullo," he called. "I say, Masters, thanks." - -The words almost caused another paroxysm of cheering. Masters went the -colour of a beetroot. - -"And, by the way," added Harvey, "about that ink stain. Expect it was an -accident. I'll see the right people. Half a crown's too big a fine. -Supposing we forget it?" - - - - -CHAPTER VII - -PLANS FOR AN OUTING - - -Round about the "tortoise" stove in the workshop at Ranleigh the tongues -of certain of the boys wagged with a vigour there was no denying and no -checking. Susanne held the post of honour, seated on an up-turned box in -front of the stove, his feet on the high, bent-iron fender which kept -the hot cinders from coming into contact with the piles of shavings -littering the floor. Clive lolled back, his shoulders against the corner -of the nearest bench, while Masters occupied a place on the same form. - -"My! They don't smell half good," reflected Hugh, sniffing with decided -appreciation at the roasting apples placed on top of the stove. "There's -apples and apples." - -"And orchards and orchards," chipped in Masters. - -"And some of them are easier to get at than others, eh?" smiled Bert, -prodding a baking potato with the broken prongs of an old fork. "There -never was a place such as this is for a wet day. Of course, when one's -a senior it's easy enough to bag one of the Fives Courts and have a -game. But not being a senior, of course----" - -"You have to descend to the workshop," laughed Susanne. "It's good -enough for me, anyway. I suppose if we all did as you'd have us, you'd -be at Fives, Hugh in the Gym, and Clive hammering iron in the forge. As -to Masters----" - -"Ah!" grinned that unabashed youth, "I know what you're going to say. Of -course, I'd be sweating at impots for that cad Canning. Now, would you -believe it? after letting me off the one about a time and a place, the -very day after he set me another. That's Canning all over." - -There was a grimace as he ended. Masters had found Mr. Canning a strange -mixture indeed, for whereas he had experienced his benevolence on the -night after the rescue of those who had been plunged into the water, the -master had been down upon him like a ton of bricks on the following day. - -"Masters, you're not attending. What was the passage we were then -construing?" - -Masters made a wild shot, one which went very wide of the mark too. - -"And that's what we were doing, then?" asked Mr. Canning sweetly. - -"Yes, sir--at least, that's the best I can remember." - -"Indeed. Your memory is very defective. We were not even dealing with -the page in which that passage occurs. As I said, you were not -attending, and as you have thereby lost the benefit of the excellent -rendering given us by Martin Secundus, you had better write me out page -46, both in Latin and English." - -"The beast!" Masters had muttered. "Always down on me! Wish I'd never -come to Ranleigh. Talk about freedom and fair treatment! A fellow's -down-trodden at this place. That Canning's a tyrant." - -But he was whistling within a few minutes, at the end of the lesson, and -would have forgotten the "impot" but for a reminder addressed by one of -his fellows. That sent him post-haste to discover Martin Secundus. - -"What did you want to give that Canning a rendering for?" he demanded -roughly, for Martin was of the small order. "See what you've let me in -for, too! I've got to write out page 46 in Latin and English." - -"Sorry, but your own fault," was the retort, small comfort for Masters. - -"Oh, my own fault, eh? Look here, Martin, you've landed me into this -impot and will have to help." - -"Have?" smiled the other. "I like that!" - -"Like it or not, you'll help," came the answer. "Or----" - -"Or what?" demanded Martin, not in the least put out. He wasn't afraid -of Masters, not in the least, for they had had many a scuffle. He rather -liked the fellow, as a matter of fact. But "have"--that was a large -order. - -"Or----" began the desperate Masters, and then relapsed into a smile. -"Oh, look here, Martin, you can do these things standing on your head. I -hate Latin. It gives me a headache. Come along to my tuck-box. I had a -hamper arrive last week, and we can talk about the impot while we're -feeding." - -Wise Masters! More than one at Ranleigh had found their way to his -notice, if not to his friendship, by offering food. And here he was -using the same method of persuasion. However, the "old firm," as Clive, -Bert and Hugh, Masters and Susanne had designated themselves, were -engaged in discussion round the workshop stove, and we must not forget -them. - -"As to Masters," declared Susanne, having been interrupted by that young -fellow, "as to our friend Masters, he'd probably be found asleep, or at -the tuck, or washing himself in ink." - -The sally brought a howl from the others. Masters was not likely soon to -be allowed to forget that incident. The mere mention of it roused him -to a fury. He shot up as if he had been kicked and leaned across to -strike at Susanne. But Clive cocked a leg on to the top of the stove and -thereby intercepted him. - -"Look here," he began, "do let's talk sense." - -"Then you shut up altogether. That's the only way to make it possible," -retorted the angered Masters, sitting down with a bang. - -"And decide what we're going to do and how it's to be done," went on -Clive, without notice of the interruption. - -"We've decided to go, then?" demanded Bert. - -"Rather!" cried Hugh. - -"I wouldn't miss the show for worlds," declared Clive. - -"There'll be heaps of Frenchmen there," suggested Susanne, with a cool -shake of his head. "I'm nearly sure to know some of them. That'd mean a -feed, eh?" - -The idea was wonderfully attractive. "Of course," suggested Masters, -with furrowed brow, "if you didn't know any of them it wouldn't make any -great difference. They'd be awfully glad to see you, and----" - -"Me, yes," agreed Susanne. "But my friends--well, that's a tall order." - -There were signs of dissension at once. "But you'd never be such a sneak -as to accept a feed and leave us in the lurch," blurted out Hugh. "If -we go, we all go together. If there's a feed----" - -"We all feed together," grinned Masters. - -"But we aren't there yet," Clive reminded them. "Now, do let's get to -business. There's to be a meeting of aeroplanists at Guildford. That's -settled." - -They all nodded their agreement. Hugh interrupted further conversation -for the moment to lift the frizzling apples from the stove and hand one -to each of the gathering. "Can't talk without eating," he said. "Now -let's get on with it. There's an aeroplane meeting." - -"The old firm's going, lock, stock and barrel," interjected Masters, -with decision. - -"If it can be arranged." - -"It can," Clive corrected Bert. "What's to prevent us?" - -"The Head! Guildford's out of bounds, in any case. There'd be ructions -if a Ranleigh boy were found there." - -"But one won't, that's just it," asserted Clive. What "it" was exactly -he failed to explain. However, he soon cleared up the resulting mystery. - -"Who's going to be such an ass as to go in a school cap?" he asked -haughtily. "We'll sneak our bowlers out of store and no one'll be the -wiser." - -"But how are we to get there?" asked Bert. "That's the question we -started with. Everyone knows there's to be such a show. Guildford's a -long step away, and the train's out of the question." - -"Ah, but you've forgotten Higgins. There's Higgins," Clive reminded -them. - -Yes, there was Higgins, one of those artful, ingratiating scoundrels -ever the dread of a Headmaster, ever the attraction of fellows at -school. For this man in question, like many another at other schools -than Ranleigh, stocked articles contraband at the school but much sought -after by boys. The master of a sweet-stuff shop, wherein was combined a -tobacconist business, he could be visited by those who had obtained a -pass to the village. Stores of cigarettes were obtained from him. -Susanne, whose bad habits had commenced with a somewhat liberal or free -education in France prior to coming to England, had no difficulty in -purchasing there what smokes he required; while one boy of Clive's -acquaintance had even bought a revolver, though for what purpose even he -could not say. - -"There's Higgins, yes," reflected Clive. - -"Who's all serene. He's offered to take us in a brake he can hire. We -can join him up at the back of the school and none be the wiser. Call -the trip ten miles there, and the same back. Well, we're on the spot in -a little more than an hour." - -Masters turned a glowing countenance to his friends. But Clive showed -disapproval. - -"An hour or more. What's the use of wasting all that time on the road? -Let's do the thing in style or not at all. Let's go by motor. Higgins -can manage that just as easily." - -"At a price! He don't forget to open his mouth too." - -"Well, what price?" - -Clive dragged out all his available coins and counted them carefully. - -"Three bob a head by trap. Five, if there's a motor," said Masters. "I -talked it over with him. Not a bad chap, Higgins. He knows how to keep -his mouth shut too, which is something." - -The discussion waned for a while, for each one of the group was busy -with his finances. Then all eyes went to Susanne. He was the Croesus -of the party. Never a day but he had money in abundance, the reason -being perhaps that his father was a banker. - -"Wish mine were," Masters had groaned on more than one occasion. "Then -I'd have a few coppers to spend now and again, instead of a beggarly -allowance. My Governor seems to think that a chap hasn't need of cash. -He rams thrift and economy down my throat till I'm almost afraid to buy -even a biscuit." - -"Five bob a head," said Bert reflectively. "Is it worth it?" - -"Is it worth it?" they shouted derisively at him. - -"Ever seen an aeroplane?" asked Clive hotly. "Think of being able to say -we'd watched fellows flying. Besides, we might get up in one ourselves. -I mean to try." - -"And there's the feed," Hugh reminded them. - -"Feed? What feed?" demanded Masters eagerly. "Higgins don't include it -in his price. I tried to make him. Where's the feed?" - -"Susanne's, duffer!" - -"Mine?" asked the astounded Frenchman. "It's the first I've heard of -it." - -"There's a oner. Never heard of it, when only a minute ago he was -telling us of his friends and how they'd ask us to lunch with 'em," -shouted Masters. "Don't tell us you've forgotten, Susanne." - -"Ask _me_ to lunch. I never said a word about you fellows. It was you -who suggested the thing. Oh, yes, I dare say there'll be a blow-out for -_me_," said Susanne complacently. "But for you, doubtful. You fellows -had better sneak some bread and cheese at supper the night before and -carry a store with you." - -He grinned provocatively at them, and then calmly tackled a roasted -apple. "Yes," he reflected, "I've no doubt I shall meet one friend at -least. There's Levallois, a flyer. My word, he can fly! He comes from -Lyons, and'll be awfully glad to see me." - -"Us," suggested Masters desperately. - -"Me. What's he want to know you for? I shall go off to lunch with him as -a matter of course. It'll be sickening to leave you fellows, naturally, -and no one'll be more sorry than I, er--er--or you--but then, there it -is." - -So saying he buried his teeth in the apple, taking not the smallest -notice of the glaring eyes of his comrades. - -"Of all the selfish beggars!" began Masters, whose energy was always -pronounced when there was a question of food. "Susanne don't deserve to -come with us. It's sickening to hear him jaw about a feed all for -himself, and to listen to him advising us to take chunks of bread as -hard as bricks, and cheese that's only fit for use as cart grease. It's -simply sickening." - -His disgust was great--so great, in fact, that he might have pressed the -question still further, thereby bringing about a termination of the -hitherto comparatively pleasant nature of the meeting. But the practical -Bert intervened. - -"What's the use of grousing," he asked, "and gassing about a feed that's -never been offered? Why, Susanne's friend mayn't be there. He may find -no one to invite him." - -"I shall. Certain," declared that individual, grinning. "If there's one -Frenchman there, he is my countryman. He pays toll. That's quite -regular. He'll be awfully glad to meet me." - -"Oh, well, then you get an invite. What's it matter? Bread's good enough -for me so long as I see the fun. Let's settle the matter. Five bob's a -heap. That Higgins is a Shylock. He'll take every cent from me." - -"Same here," asserted Hugh, pulling a face. "I shall be short for the -rest of the term." - -Susanne produced a sovereign. "How much for the lot?" he asked. - -"Twenty shillings, and five extra for you," cried Masters. - -"Then take it as settled. I'll write home to the people and tell 'em -I've had heavy calls. A motor's a call, isn't it?" he asked naively, -seeing his friends smile. "I pay the motor. If there isn't a feed, then -we've something left to buy grub with. How's that? Pass another apple, -Clive. You hang over them as if the store belonged to you." - -It got dusk before they had finished talking. The far ends of the -workshop were hidden in gloom before they rose from their places about -the stove. And then there came the sound of a scraping match. A flare -lit the gloom in the distance. A tall figure stretched upward to a -swinging lamp and lit the wick. It was Hole, the school's carpentry -instructor, unchanged after years of service, with an eagle eye for old -faces and a keen recollection of incidents gone and forgotten by the -majority. If only every school existing had such a workshop, and made -attendance there almost compulsory, instead of an extra to be paid for -by parents! For there, in the workshop provided by Ranleigh, boys -learned a thousand and one things. Handiness came quickly to them, and -better than all, perhaps, here was at hand a means to fill many an hour -which might otherwise have been idle. - -Benches down the centre bore a host of tools, while the special property -of individuals was housed in lockers near the entrance. The stove was -placed half-way along the shop, and beyond, one entered a second shop -provided with turning lathes. See Clive there, with the faithful and -interested Hugh in attendance, both lads working the foot pedal with -might and main, while dust and shavings whirled about them. Or follow -them to the blacksmith's shop, an adjacent institution. There, dressed -in leather aprons, with sleeves tucked to the shoulder, they might be -seen many and many a time beating out some piece of spluttering metal on -the anvil. Or the metal-turning lathe held their attention, and they -slowly and laboriously pounded at the pedal while the hardened tool -took off shavings at a pace which was slow to the point of exasperation. - -But there were days also in this shop when flames and sparks flew up the -chimney wildly, when either Hugh or Clive, or even Susanne on occasion, -turned the handle of the mechanical blower. Coke heaped high on the -hearth glowed redly, while the heat within the shop was stifling. -Perhaps these conditions existed for an hour; perhaps for longer, Clive -or the shop instructor ever and again lifting the lid of a crucible -buried in the glowing coke. And then, with a joyful shout, it was -announced that the brass was molten. Think, then, of the joy these young -mechanics experienced. The boxes placed so carefully over in the corner -had cost them many an hour's labour. Packed with sand, and divided at -the commencement, the two halves of the moulds fashioned from their own -patterns were now assembled, and the moment had arrived to pour the -molten brass into the narrow openings left for that purpose. And imagine -the impatience of these model-makers awaiting the setting of their -castings. - -Those were the days which Clive enjoyed most. It was after a bout of -casting that his lessons were worse prepared than on other occasions, -while drills and "impots" showered upon him. - -"Darrell, inattentive again," Old B. would exclaim sadly, as if the -matter were a personal grief to him. "Half an hour's drill to-morrow." - -Or Harvey, the great Harvey, would rouse his curly, shapely head from -his desk in the middle of prep., strange sounds having disturbed him. - -"If that isn't young Darrell again," he'd exclaim testily. "Come here, -Darrell." - -Fearful of the consequences, but unlikely to be robbed of his love of -mechanics by any amount of punishment, Clive would leave his seat and -come to the front. - -"Well?" - -"I--er----" - -"What's it this time?" - -"Only a wheel. I was just filing it so as to be ready for after school." - -The culprit would hand forth a file of gigantic size, and a casting of -his own making. Prep., Clive had found, was an excellent time for the -doing of such little jobs. But there was the difficulty of drowning -noise. Harvey had been annoyed on more than one occasion. - -"Oh, only a wheel! Let's see, what was it last time?" - -"Another wheel. You see, there are two, and----" - -"There generally are two. Look here, Darrell, I'm sick of this nonsense. -You not only shirk your own work, and get into trouble with your form -master, but you disturb the other fellows and keep them from work. Come -along to the Scholars' room after supper. I shall give you a whacking." - -And, as a matter of course, Masters would be grinning delightedly as -Clive went back to his seat, while Hugh or Bert or Susanne would pass -short notes of compassion to him. Sometimes they were shot over the -heads of the others in the form of darts, duly labelled with the name of -Darrell. Or they were passed from hand to hand, or better still, the -wily Susanne's invention, they were rolled into the shape of a fine -pencil, inserted in a pea-shooter, and sent hurtling at the head of the -one for whom the correspondence was intended. Let us record, too, that -Susanne became an expert with this instrument. Such was his dexterity, -and such his strength of lung, that with the aid of wet blotting-paper -rolled into balls, and essentially of red colour, he could actually -eject them at the high ceilings of the form rooms, where the moist -condition of the shot caused it to adhere, and--so good was the aim -after long practice--that with patience and a sufficiency of these moist -pellets Susanne could write his name on the ceiling. That term many a -form room ceiling bore in thin lines of red dots the letters Feofe, with -"Susanne" close alongside in brackets. - -But there was the question of the aeroplane meeting to be settled. - -"Masters will see Higgins and fix it," Clive explained to Hugh in a -hoarse whisper, when they were seated at prep. that evening. "It's lucky -that to-morrow's a saint's day. That'll give us heaps of time, for the -meeting don't begin till after midday." - -Numerous were the notes which passed between Clive and Masters and Hugh -during that hour and a half's prep. The many items to be settled caused -the exchange of missives even when they had reached their dormitories, -and that fascinating, home-made telephone being as yet incomplete, and, -in fact, stubbornly refusing to work in spite of the scientific aid and -knowledge of Susanne, they had recourse yet again to the weird series of -wheels and strings passing over the partition. And, of course, as fate -would have it on this the most important of occasions, Sturton -discovered what was happening. - -"What the dickens----" he suddenly demanded, swinging round in the chair -in which he was seated at the dormitory table. "Here, Darrell, up to -something more? I told you last week I wouldn't have any further -chucking of notes over the partition. Suppose it's to young Seymour -again? Bring that note here." - -It was a desperate moment. Clive clambered out of bed and stepped -across to the prefect, the note in his hand. - -"Here it is," he said grudgingly, eyeing Sturton askance, for that note -contained a resume of the details of their escapade of the morrow. -Dished up in finished style, as it were, were full particulars of their -intended movements. Anyone glancing through the scrawly and badly -spelled lines could not fail but discover the depths of the conspiracy. - - "Higgins is a brick," the words went. "Masters saw him to-night - after prep and just before chapel and Higgins said he was reddy and - didn't want twenty five bob but twenty and that's awfully decent of - him and the car's going to be wating over by the windmil at twelve. - Won't it be ripping, eh. There's heaps of room for the lot of us - and Higgins'll have smokes. Susanne says they're nesessary to him - and'll make him look like a blud, and Higgins knows a shop where we - can get a blow out for next to nothing. There a bob each to pay to - go into the plais where the aroplaynes fly, but Higgins can manage - to pass us in free as his frend's the gatekeeper. So all's serene - and to-morrow'll be ripping. - - "THE FIRM." - -That was the communication. Sturton handled it and turned it over -curiously. As a matter of fact, he was rather amused at these notes so -constantly passing. It not being so very long since he himself was a -youngster, he had a friendly recollection of his own eccentricities. - -"What's this?" he asked sternly, causing the pyjamaed Clive to quake. -"One would think you young donkeys hadn't a chance for gassing during -the daytime. As it is, I know this sort of thing goes on the whole of -prep. time. Look here, Darrell, an hour's drill to-morrow." - -An hour's drill. Why, that meant that Clive, with a number of other -forlorn individuals subjected to the same punishment for their various -crimes, would have to assemble in the quad after dinner, and there be -marched to and fro and round and round by a prefect as weary of the task -as they were. At least, that was the general rule. Sometimes the -commander of this squad was a martinet. Sometimes the master for the -week wreaked his vengeance on boys in general and these unhappy wights -in particular by taking the quad himself, or standing at the entrance to -the quad, his mere presence stimulating the prefect till the boys -undergoing punishment groaned at the numerous orders to "right wheel," -"left wheel," "form line," "form fours." Form every sort of formation -that the drill-book allows for or the fertile mind of an ingenious -prefect can devise. And Canning was the master for the week, and -Rawlings the brute of a prefect who would be on duty on the morrow. - -Clive groaned and shivered. - -"But to-morrow's a saint's day, Sturton," he ventured in tones of -protest. - -"All the better. You'll want something to do. Time hangs heavy with you -youngsters on saints' days. A drill'll keep you out of mischief." - -"But----" - -"What's in this precious note?" asked Sturton, holding it up to the -gaslight. "Secrets? Let's see 'em." - -He handed the note to Clive and invited him to open the folded paper. -That young fellow went a sickly yellow colour. The drill could be got -over, he reflected. He could miss it. He'd have to do it every day -after, that was certain, and Sturton might invite Harvey to give him a -slogging. But the cause was worth this sacrifice. But to open the note -and show Sturton the contents meant wrecking the whole affair. - -"It's private," he managed to say at length. - -"Oh, private, and awfully important. Let's see." - -In one second Sturton fell in Clive's eyes from the giddy pinnacle on -which he had been placed. "Never thought he could be such a cad. Opening -fellows' letters. Beastly dodge!" thought Clive, glowering on him. - -"Here, open it and read," said Sturton severely. - -"It's private." - -"Can't help that. Read it." - -"It's private, I tell you." - -Clive was distinctly angry and stubborn. - -"Oh!" Sturton looked him up and down, his brow furrowed. He had not the -smallest intention of opening the note himself, nor even of listening to -its contents. He was merely gauging Clive's character. "Then you won't?" -he asked coolly. - -"No, I won't." - -"You know what to expect, eh?" - -"Yes. I don't care." - -"Look here, Darrell, don't be a donkey. Fellows don't look at other -chaps' notes, or listen to secrets. You're right not to split. Get back -to bed. Promise not to send any more and I'll let you off the drill." - -"Not after this one," said Clive. "It's important." - -Sturton grinned. He could thoroughly sympathise, and he rather liked -Clive for his show of obstinacy. - -"Pitch it over then," he said, "and let it be the last. I'll whack you -if you break your promise." - -"But a chap can telephone, and we'll have to work like niggers to get -that thing going," said Clive, when he had whispered to Susanne. - -"That won't be sending notes. I wouldn't break a promise to anyone, -least of all to Sturton. He's a decent fellow." - -The morrow found the Old Firm jubilant and expectant. They slipped off -after Chapel, raced down to the common and espied a panting car over by -the windmill. All together they changed their school caps for bowlers -and donned their overcoats. Susanne and Masters, who always did these -things in superior style, had donned the tallest of tall collars, while -the former had blossomed forth with an eyeglass. And we are bound to -confess that Susanne thus decked out made quite a handsome and -impressive foreigner. Masters had the appearance of a third-rate actor, -for, as we have said, his collar was of the highest, while his fancy -waistcoat would have roused the envy of a Cockney. Patent leather boots, -spats, and a cane of huge proportions completed a turn-out which was -distinctly startling. However, who thought of that, for were they not -off on an expedition which promised huge excitement? - -"I mean to get a lift in one of the machines," said Clive deliberately. - -"While Susanne ain't forgot his promise," interjected Masters. - -"Promise!" exclaimed the gallant Frenchman. - -"A blow-out," Masters reminded him. - -"For me--yes. Rather!" came the tantalising answer. - -"All aboard!" cried the rascal who was to drive them. "Ready? Then off -we go!" - -The engine roared. The clutch went in with a jerk. The car bounded off -for Guildford and the long-anticipated flying meeting which the Old Firm -had determined to patronise. - - - - -CHAPTER VIII - -BREAKING BOUNDS - - -Never before did a distinguished party of strangers come to the ancient -town of Guildford more jubilant. Heads were craned over the side of the -car which the ruffian Higgins had provided, staring eyes looked in all -directions, but mainly skyward. - -"Perhaps we'll see 'em flying," suggested Clive breathlessly, for his -mechanical mind was stirred to the highest pitch by the thought of -seeing men launched into the air. - -"Hold hard!" shouted Masters, whose quick eye had lighted on something -decidedly alluring, and who was ever alert to make the very utmost of -the smallest opportunity. "Hold hard!" he almost shouted as the car -crawled jerkily along the high street and past a pastry-cook's window, -in which were displayed a tempting mass of tarts and cakes. It was like -this greedy fellow. When food was about, when it happened to be anywhere -within sight or scent, he had not a soul above eating. What mattered it -if there were an aeroplane meeting? What did he care if men were to -fly? Food was food, and Masters had always a healthy hunger. - -"You chaps," he began, "here's our chance. If we miss it, ten to one -we'll be hanging about without so much as a crumb, and I'm jolly empty." - -"But--but, Susanne's friend is going to stand a feed," Hugh reminded -them. "Don't forget that." - -Masters pooh-poohed the suggestion, though on the previous day he had -waxed indignant at the thought that such a treat could not be in store. -He had called Susanne a sneak. Now, with those alluring cakes within his -ken, he chose to forget what had happened. Also there was such a thing -as remembering the saying, "A bird in the hand is worth two in the -bush." Masters had coins in his pocket, thanks again to Susanne, and, as -we have said, he had a perennial appetite. - -"Blow Susanne's feed!" he declared. "If it comes off, all the better. I -for one'll be ready. But I'm famishing now. So stop her." - -The band descended straightway, and without much need for further -persuasion. When they mounted the car again sundry well-filled bags -accompanied them. Then on to the field. Crowds were making their way -thither on foot, others in motors and traps. Outside the gates there -was a seething mass of people, through whom Higgins drove the car at -reckless speed. And then the gates opened. They were passed in after a -nod and a few words between Higgins and the gatekeeper. - -"Look out! Duck!" whispered Bert, suddenly, in hoarse tones of alarm. -"Bothered if that isn't Old B. Duck, I tell you." - -With one accord the car load bent their heads till it appeared as if one -and all were engaged with their boot laces. Clive glanced askance into -the crowd, and there beheld the tall, bulky form of Mr. Branson, his -dormitory master. The sight of that tall, genial giant set him quaking. -Not that Mr. Branson was at all of the fierce order. Rather, he was an -easy-going fellow, who had as perfect an understanding of boys as ever -master had. But he could be roused to anger--anger which as a rule -resulted in the bestowal of a cuff, for Mr. Branson took the law into -his own hands as a rule, and did not favour sending boys to the -Headmaster with one of those short, explanatory notes which resulted in -a caning. No, Old B. was a good, slow, well-meaning giant whom all -adored, and none more so than Clive. But he feared him also. - -"Old B.," he murmured. "Old B. right enough, and looking this way." - -"Seen us?" asked Bert desperately. - -"Never!" declared Masters. "He's too sleepy for that." - -"Then he's spotted the car," suggested Susanne. "He'd know it, as he and -others of the masters use it at times. What's he doing?" - -"Gone off into the crowd. Looked awfully hard at this car," said Clive, -suppressing a shiver. "Smiled, that tired sort of smile of his, and then -cut off in the opposite direction." - -The statement brought all heads to their normal elevation again, while -questioning glances were cast first at the crowd, now left behind, and -then at one another. - -"What did Old B. mean by that, then?" asked Bert, after a painful pause. -"Stared awfully hard, and then sloped off." - -"As if to avoid us. As if he guessed there were Ranleigh boys in the car -and didn't want to spot 'em," suggested Clive. - -"Good Old B.! Just like him," cried Masters, regaining his composure, -for the sudden information that Mr. Branson was in the neighbourhood and -eyeing them had thrown him into a flutter. - -"More impots," he had groaned inwardly. "More drills, and a whacking as -a matter of course. Ranleigh's an awful place for a fellow to be sent -to. Tyrants, the whole lot of 'em!" - -"In any case, he's here, and means to watch the flying. A beastly -nuisance," reflected Susanne. "Of course, we shall have to keep our eyes -open. But I know a dodge to beat him. I'll look out for Levallois, and -if he's here, why, he'll invite us to his hangar. Old B.'ll never dare -to enter." - -Thus relieved for the time being of their fears the party tumbled out of -the car, and having agreed with Higgins to meet him precisely two and a -half hours later, struck across the huge field in which the meeting was -taking place toward the half-dozen hangars in which the flying machines -were housed. - -"That's Levallois'," said Susanne, pointing to one over which the flag -of France flew. "I'll cross direct." - -"But--but you can't," Bert told him, for Bert was one of those youths -who somewhat lack assurance. He had a huge respect for authority and -order. He often envied Masters his cheek, and Clive and Hugh the dash -and persistence which carried them through difficulties. "You can't, -Susanne. The place is roped off, and there are scores of police." - -"Can't! You wait," laughed the Frenchman. "See that bobby. Looks a good -chap, eh? See me get round him." - -They allowed the voluble Frenchman to go ahead of them a few paces, as -if he were not attached to the party, and watched with breathless -interest as he nonchalantly ducked under the ropes which kept the crowd -back. Susanne, his monocle in position, strolled away across the -enclosure. - -"Hi! You stand back there!" came the summons from the nearest constable. -"Get out of the enclosure, please." - -Susanne might have been deaf. It was not until the officer of the law -actually had his hand upon his shoulder that the young fellow showed the -smallest attention to his order. And then, in the inimitable style of -Feofe, a style somewhat spoiled by the jeers and laughter of his -schoolfellows, but nevertheless a style which was part and parcel of the -young fellow, Susanne raised his hat and swept it from his head. In -wonder and amazement his comrades heard him addressing the constable in -French, speaking volubly, waving his arms, pointing to the hangars -opposite. And then he dived into a waistcoat pocket and produced a card. - -"What's this?" demanded the constable, a young man, evidently puzzled. -"Can't read it. You're French, eh?" - -Susanne nodded energetically. He beckoned to Masters, and at the signal -that young fellow dived beneath the rope and ran to join him. At once -Susanne fired off a string of words, totally unintelligible to the -constable, and mostly so to Masters, who was no great French scholar. -But he knew what Susanne wanted, and knew also what he and his friends -required. Also Masters was just the youth to carry a matter like this -through in splendid style. He had cheek enough for a dozen. - -"It's like this, don't you see, constable," he said, smiling sweetly at -the officer. "Monsieur Feofe--that's French, you know--Monsieur Feofe -comes from France, where all the flying's done, and Monsieur Levallois's -one of the flyers. That's his shed over there, with the French flag over -it. Well, of course, Monsieur Levallois expects Monsieur Feofe and his -friends. We've come here to see him. He wants us over at his place, you -see. I'm sorry you can't understand Monsieur Feofe. But that's the worst -of these fellows who can't speak English." - -An older constable might even have been taken in, though to be sure he -might have noticed the half-suppressed grins on the faces of the party -of young fellows stationed by the ropes. Also he would certainly have -been surprised at the youth of these visitors. But he was a young man, -on duty almost for the first time, and somewhat confused. - -"I've got my orders, strict," he began. - -"Of course, of course!" interjected Masters hurriedly. "Of course, -constable, orders to keep the crowd back. Quite right for you to obey -'em. But we're not the crowd. You see, Monsieur Feofe's a swell sort of -fellow. It'd be rude to refuse to pass him and his friends through. He -wouldn't understand it. Monsieur Levallois would be furious, and I dare -say the inspector in charge of the police'd get a wiggin'. So it'll be -all right, see?" - -That young constable wasn't by any means too sure. But Susanne's -apparent ignorance of English, his obvious impatience at this delay, his -embarrassing politeness, for he continued to sweep his hat from his head -on occasion, while firing off a long string of unintelligible words at -Masters, all had their effect. The man wavered. - -"My orders is to pass no one----" he began again. - -"Come on, you chaps," sang out Masters, whose cheek was tremendous. "The -constable understands. We'd best hurry, for Monsieur Levallois is -waiting. Thanks, constable. If there's any trouble refer the inspector -to me. Sorry to have bothered you." - -The arm of the law passed them through, reluctantly and doubtfully. It -was as much as Hugh and Clive could do to suppress their mirth till out -of hearing of the policeman, and Susanne's behaviour made the task even -more difficult. For that young fellow heartily enjoyed every item in -this manoeuvre. He bowed low to the constable, covering that unhappy -and uncomfortable young fellow with blushes. He swept his hat from his -head for perhaps the twentieth time, and rattled off his thanks in -French. And then, following sedately across the field, he looked about -him with inimitable coolness, and turned to survey the gathering crowds -through his monocle, which was still screwed into his eye. - -"Of all the cheek!" gasped Bert, to whom such an adventure was a -revelation. "Come on, Susanne. Old B.'ll spot you the instant his eyes -fall on you. Do stop fooling and come along!" - -"Grand!" declared Clive, thoroughly enjoying the entertainment. "That -bobby was finely flustered. But, I say, supposing Levallois won't have -anything to say to us. I've heard that lots of these flying fellows get -pestered with people in their hangars and throw them all out. Supposing -Levallois don't want us." - -"Supposing he ain't there," grinned Hugh, bringing up another -difficulty. - -The suggestions caused the little band to close in as if for mutual -protection. - -"Well?" asked Bert desperately. "Supposing Levallois isn't over there, -or don't want us?" - -Susanne's serenity was undisturbed. - -"There's some sort of a Frenchman, anyway," he observed. "He'll be glad -to see me in any case. Of course, if he don't want you fellows, it'll -be awkward--for you." - -He grinned openly at them till Masters could have struck him. It was -perhaps just as well that a stop was put to the argument at that moment -by the wheeling out of an aeroplane from one of the hangars. That set -the party hurrying till they arrived at the line of sheds. Here there -was much movement. Officials came and went, more than one eyeing the -boys with evident suspicion. An important-looking inspector of police -was posted adjacent to the very hangar over which the French flag flew, -and promptly pounced upon them. - -"What's this?" he asked severely. "No one but gentlemen flying, their -mechanics and managers are allowed here. What fool's broken orders by -passing you in?" - -But again Susanne and Masters saved the situation, the one by his -embarrassing politeness and his volubility, the other by his specious -explanation. - -"Oh, Levallois, that's the French gentleman's name, is it?" asked the -inspector, mollified, but not entirely convinced. "Well, if he says that -he's asked you here, suppose you must stay. But none of the other flying -gents are having friends, least of all youngsters. Still, we don't want -to be rough on a foreigner. He might not understand. Here, sir," he -called, putting his head into the hangar over which the French flag -flew, "here's a parcel of young gents come to see you; and some of -them's out for a lark, I'll bet." - -A smile stole across his face. Masters' get-up was perfectly ludicrous. -As to his fellows, not one but wore his obvious youth in awkward manner, -save and excepting Susanne. The composure of that young fellow was -wonderful. He stepped into the hangar, leaving his comrades outside to -listen in trepidation to his conversation with its invisible owner. It -was with a sigh of relief that they saw him appear at the door and -beckon. - -"It isn't Levallois, after all," he grinned, "but Dubonnet. But it's all -right and square, Monsieur Dubonnet's a sportsman. Come into the place -and feed. He's going to have a meal now, for the wind's too high as yet -for flying." - -Masters' eyes were wide open with amazement. Bert could hardly believe -his ears. As for Hugh and Clive they were bubbling over with excitement. -Nor were they intensely astonished. The latter, at any rate, had seen so -much of Susanne as to convince him that what that young fellow took in -hand he accomplished. For Feofe had that happy knack of winning -friendship, a knack which it behoves all to acquire. Also he was far -more at his ease with his elders than any of the others. It seemed -almost natural, therefore, to Clive that he should have brought about -this introduction. Clive bobbed to the young fellow whom Susanne -presented, and then, forgetting all else, stepped up to the aeroplane -and began with Hugh's help a close and critical examination. Then a call -from the smiling owner sent the two of them to the far corner where a -board table was erected, with a ham and a joint of beef upon it, -together with other items. - -"Help yourselves, gentlemen," said Monsieur Dubonnet. "Accident has -given me friends to-day, and I needed them. Now, let's get the meal -started and then tell me how you managed this business. I suppose you're -from Ranleigh?" - -"Yes," admitted Masters, his mouth already half filled with ham, his -eyes protruding at the directness of the question. - -"Know it?" asked Clive. - -"Rather! There myself, you see. Breaking bounds, eh? Well, I don't blame -you. But, by the way, I'm expecting one of the masters. My old dormitory -master, you know--Old B. Know him? Of course you do." - -The bombshell produced an impressive and painful silence. Masters looked -desperately across at the door. Even Susanne reddened, and then Monsieur -Dubonnet relieved the tension by laughing uproariously. - -"Had you all badly," he grinned. "All the same, Old B.'ll be paying me -a visit. But we'll make that right. There's a place screened off at the -back of the hangar and you can get cover there. I'll post one of you -fellows to watch at the door." - -And so for the following hour they took it in turn to watch. -The meal finished, Clive and Hugh plied Monsieur Dubonnet with -questions--questions, too, of such an intelligent nature that they -aroused his interest. Indeed, the enthusiasm of these young fellows -gained for them an invitation to try a flight. - -"You'll like it awfully," declared Monsieur Dubonnet. "Of course, one -feels scared at first, but that's natural. Accidents do happen at times, -I know, but I don't think you need be fearful." - -It was with beating hearts that our two young friends, half an hour -later, smuggled themselves into the cab mounted on the machine. Two -mechanics appeared and wheeled it from the shed, while Susanne and the -others kept carefully in the background. - -"See you later," sang out Bert. - -"Alive or dead," grinned Masters, who was envying Hugh and Clive -greatly. "Think of me, Darrell, when you're falling." - -But no amount of chaff had any effect on our two amateur flyers. The -starting of the engine brought the red to their cheeks. The rush of air -over their heads sent their pulses dancing. The roar of the exhaust -passed almost unnoticed as the machine started forward. And then up they -went, swooping over the heads of the people gathered to watch the -flying. We need not record here their impressions. Suffice it to say -that a very proud and gratified couple at length descended from the -machine and joined their comrades. - -"Time to be off," Masters reminded them. "Higgins'll be wondering what's -happened. And besides, if we don't move soon we shall be late for -call-over." - -Taking care to view their surroundings before issuing from the hangar, -and having volubly thanked the great Dubonnet for his kindness, the -little party made their way across the enclosure, under the ropes, and -so to the spot where the car was to await them. There was no Higgins -there on their arrival, but a search discovered him in an adjacent booth -where refreshments were provided. - -"Looks as if he'd had his full share too," Hugh whispered to Clive. -"Suppose he can drive?" - -"Hope so," was the laconic answer, though there was doubt in the tones. -For Higgins had been refreshing himself with a vengeance. He was none -too steady as he issued from the booth and leered at his passengers. -However, there was no doing anything in the matter. - -"The beast!" growled Bert in tones of disgust. "I've always disliked -Higgins, and I hate him now. If it hadn't been for the fact that he -could get the use of the car and so make it possible for us to come to -this meeting, I'd never have consented. The brute's drunk." - -"No, not quite," corrected Susanne. "But the drive home'll be exciting." - -It proved to be filled to repletion with excitement, for Higgins scooped -through the town of Guildford as if police did not exist and pedestrians -had no right to the pavements. His course was followed by howls of rage -from passers-by, to all of which he paid no notice. He sent the car -whizzing out into the country, and dashed along the high-road at giddy -speed, while Clive and his fellows clung to their seats as best they -could. - -"Settling down nicely to it," reflected Susanne, after a while, for it -took a great deal to shake the coolness of the French youth. Indeed, he -seemed rather to have enjoyed the recklessness of the driver. "He don't -steer into the footpath quite so often, and he isn't going so fast. In -another twenty minutes we ought to be back near the common." - -"And mighty glad I'll be too," admitted Bert. "Of all the brutes, this -Higgins is the biggest. But he does seem to be settling down. No, he -doesn't. He's putting on the pace again." - -"Racing," ejaculated Masters, as if the admission pained him. "Look, -there's a car ahead and Higgins means to pass it." - -Perhaps a quarter of a mile ahead they could see the back of another -car, one, too, with which the boys of Ranleigh were familiar. For they -knew it to be one of the three which plied for hire in the -neighbourhood. - -"Slow as a beetle. We'll beat 'em easy," declared Hugh, stimulated by -the thought of a race. - -"Walk past it if Higgins can manage to steer decently," agreed Clive. - -"Shove her ahead," cried Susanne, springing to his feet and leaning over -the driver. "Keep her straight, Higgins. Now, let her go. We'll beat -those other fellows into a cocked hat. Hullo, they're looking back." - -There were two passengers in the vehicle in front, and at this moment -they looked behind them, and then turned to urge their own driver to -greater speed. - -"Whew! Did you recognise 'em?" asked Hugh, staring after the other car. - -"Who?" demanded Clive. - -"Those fellows?" - -"No. Why?" - -"Ranleighans," said Hugh with conviction. "Spotted them at once." - -"Rawlings and Trendall," declared Susanne. "I knew that it was they all -along. Just fancy catching a prefect breaking bounds! Saw 'em at the -flying meeting. They were in that booth with Higgins, and slipped out -when I went in to fetch him. Anyway, they can't give us away. We're all -in the same boat this time, though if it had been different, and -Rawlings could have caught us out, there'd have been trouble. We've got -him nicely this time." - -If it were in fact the two mentioned in the car ahead, then Clive and -his friends need have no fear of the consequences of recognition. For -what a prefect can do, that also can smaller fry. Also, if Rawlings had -broken bounds with Trendall, then his lips were sealed. - -"Hooray! He's bound to hold his tongue," cried Masters; "and if he tries -it on with any of us after this, why, we've only to rake this matter up. -Now let's whop his car, and pass 'em. Go ahead, Higgins." - -Higgins needed no encouragement, and to speak the truth the cold air -seemed to have steadied him. There were now few of those frightful -swervings to which he had treated his passengers earlier on. He kept the -centre of the road, and accelerated his engine till the car dithered and -vibrated from end to end. As to the driver of the car ahead, he jerked -at sundry levers, opened his throttle and tried to make the best of -what was a hopeless case. Gradually he was being overhauled. He cast a -glance desperately over his shoulder and again jerked at his levers. But -all to no purpose. Higgins' car drew abreast, then level, in which -position the two cars thundered along for a while, the two sets of -passengers glaring at one another. - -"Hooray! We win!" shouted Masters, half standing and grimacing at -Trendall. - -"Pass them! Pass them!" bellowed Susanne, waving his arms in truly -French style. And then he must needs lift his hat. The action set -Rawlings scowling. He was angry enough already at the thought that he, a -prefect, had been discovered in the act of breaking bounds, discovered -too by a group of boys who held him as an enemy. And now to be passed by -them in a race was more than he could put up with. - -"Stop that racing!" he shouted. "There'll be an accident. Order your -fellow to slack down and let us go ahead." - -"Order your own," responded Masters, careless of the consequences. -"We've as much right to go fast as you have. Fall behind. You're the -slower car." - -Rawlings shook a big fist at them. Susanne acknowledged the threat by -once more ironically lifting his hat. Masters grimaced at his -seniors. And Higgins stirred his car to even greater efforts. They -shot ahead, leaving the occupants of the rival car fuming with rage. All -heads were turned to watch them. Faces were reddened with excitement, -and eyes shone at the thought of such a brilliant victory. A hoarse -cheer was even uttered by Clive and his friends, a reckless cheer, just -to let Rawlings know what they thought of him and how little they -feared. And then all gave vent to a howl of dismay. For, of a sudden, -something went wrong with the following car. It swerved to one side, -recovered a straight line, and then turned into the pathway. A moment -later the rear end had risen into the air, and as Clive and the others -watched, first Rawlings, then Trendall were tossed out into a dense mass -of bushes lining the path. The driver followed them, smashing his way -through the glass wind screen. They heard his body thud to the ground, -while the up-turned car fell on him. Their shouts and shrieks caused -Higgins to cram his brakes on and bring their own vehicle to a -standstill. A minute later they were gathered about the up-turned car. - -[Illustration: "FIRST RAWLINGS THEN TRENDALL WERE TOSSED OUT INTO A -DENSE MASS OF BUSHES."] - -"Quick! Pull it off him," commanded Susanne, seemingly as cool as a -cucumber. "Now, all together. Ah! He's killed." - -"Killed?" It was Rawlings who asked the question, his lips bloodless, -his knees almost knocking. "Killed? Then--then what happens? Do we have -to appear?" - -It was like him to think first of himself, and not of the unfortunate -man. But the question he had asked was one which was bound to be asked. -It was one which intimately concerned one and all of the boys of -Ranleigh who had broken bounds. They turned from the body of the man to -one another. - -"I'm awfully sorry for that poor chap," said Susanne at last. "As for -us, we're in for it, eh?" - -"Absolutely," agreed Masters. "Right in the soup." - -"Unless----" began Rawlings. - -"Unless what?" asked Clive curtly. - -"Unless we can get out of the mess by----" - -"Telling lies?" asked Hugh, backing Clive up swiftly. - -Rawlings nodded ever so little. - -"Thanks, Rawlings," said Susanne coldly. "You and Trendall do as you -like. We'll be getting onward." - - - - -CHAPTER IX - -HONESTY'S THE BEST POLICY - - -The short run from the spot where the poor fellow driving the rival car -in which Rawlings and Trendall had been passengers had met with his -death was anything but a pleasant experience for Clive and his comrades. -In the first place, Higgins, hitherto reckless as to his driving, now -went at a snail's pace, as if he were in a funeral procession. And then -there were two additional passengers in the car. The boys eyed one -another in silence. Susanne, as if to break the spell, and careless now, -as ever, of the lost authority of Rawlings, fixed his monocle upon that -worthy reflectively. - -"Best 'op as soon as we gets to the common," suddenly cried Higgins over -his shoulder. They heard the brake grind. The car came to a standstill. -Then the rascally driver turned upon them, thrust his cap to the back of -his head and invited all to listen. - -"See 'ere, young gents," he began. "Just at this point you gets off and -'ops it up to the school." - -"Yes." Susanne answered him in a mono-syllable, though his brows were -furrowed and his eyes scowling. Rawlings slid from the car, and Trendall -likewise. Then the others followed, till they were gathered around the -bonnet. - -"Well?" demanded Susanne curtly. - -"And jest at this 'ere point I goes right off to the village. See?" - -"No," declared Susanne and Clive together, obstinately determined to -give the fellow no encouragement, for they guessed at what was coming. - -"There isn't anything to see," said Bert coldly. "The thing's plain. -You're here at this spot. We divide. You go off to the village and there -give information to the police." - -"That's just where you're off it," cried Higgins at once, savagely, "and -don't you get a layin' down the law to me, Mr. Seymour. I 'ops it to the -village, and I says nothing. I leaves it to the police to find out -what's happened. I didn't cause that accident. It was the steering gear -that broke and upset the car. So it's no fault of mine. You ain't fools, -you young gents?" - -"No," declared Rawlings eagerly, for he was listening. - -"Certainly not," ventured Trendall. - -"Depends," said Susanne. "Go on." - -"And no one knows as Mister Rawlings and Mr. Trendall were on that car. -Yer see, it's only them as you've got to think of. It ain't known as -they was there. My car don't come into the question. So I says, just -'ere we 'ops it and says nothing." - -"Quite so. Hear, hear!" cried Rawlings, plucking up a vestige of -courage. - -"And supposing we're asked," demanded Masters, looking Rawlings coolly -up and down till that immaculate young fellow felt intensely -uncomfortable. "Eh?" - -"We know nothing," said Rawlings and Higgins together. - -"Nothing whatever," declared the latter with emphasis. "Not a word. We -wasn't out on the car. We wasn't at the meeting. We don't know nuffin' -about the death of that poor cove." - -"And why should we?" chimed in Trendall. "We're not responsible. It -isn't as if he had been murdered. The car overturned, and Rawlings and I -were jolly lucky. The police won't need any explanation. There! That -satisfies you, eh?" - -Clive Darrell went a dull red as he listened to this conversation. He -had forgotten for the moment the fact that Old B. had seen the car at -the meeting, and that he alone could put the police on the right track -if information were needed. To Clive it did not seem that there was any -other action than a straight one. For supposing some other driver of a -motor-car were accused of having caused this fatal accident? It was -quite possible. Then the position would be dreadful. And in any case, -though he was ready for a lark at any time, and would doubtless break -bounds on many another occasion, still he wasn't going to lie to save -his own skin or that of Higgins, Trendall, or Rawlings. - -"Come on, Susanne," he said coldly, tucking his arm within his friend's. - -"Good day, Higgins." - -"Good day," repeated Masters, linking his arm in Clive's. - -"Er, good evening," cried Bert and Hugh together. - -"'Ere! Stop!" shouted Higgins, his face aflame with passion. - -"Well?" asked Susanne placidly; for he had the most even of tempers. - -"Do I understand as you four's a goin' ter give us three way?" demanded -the ruffianly Higgins, squaring up to them in threatening manner, while -the Old Firm stood arm in arm watching him closely. "Eh?" - -"You have managed to gather something of our meaning, at any rate," -replied Susanne, without raising his voice in the slightest. - -"Then you're going to give information yourselves?" asked Rawlings, two -spots of red colour in his otherwise pallid cheeks, his eyes blazing. - -"In other words, you're going to act like a parcel of fools and sneaks," -shouted Trendall, his temper aroused like that of Higgins'. - -"One moment?" asked Susanne coolly. "You really take the words out of my -mouth. Our action will be decided after discussion. If the police want -information, as seems certain, we shall volunteer it. I am not quite -sure that we shall not at once report the circumstances. In any case, we -do not intend to lie. As for you, Rawlings and Trendall--you must do as -you like. Your movements and your actions have no interest for me and -these other fellows." - -"You mean, then, that if you're asked who were in that other car you -won't say?" demanded Rawlings eagerly, breathlessly in fact. - -"Certainly, that is, if the request comes from the school authorities. -If from the police it is a different matter. Now you know. Lie as much -as you care to yourself. This firm don't go in for dirty behaviour of -that sort." - -The great and placid Susanne carefully focussed his monocle upon the -figure of the prefect, regarded him, from the sole of his dusty boots to -the crown of his somewhat damaged bowler, with something akin to scorn, -and then set out for the school with his comrades. They left the trio -behind them in earnest conversation, a conversation which, before it was -ended, became somewhat heated. Nor did it bode much good to Clive and -his comrades. It may be said, indeed, that all Rawlings' vindictiveness -was centred upon the young fellow who lived so close to him at home. But -in the case of Trendall we are bound to confess that the condition of -his mind was essentially wavering. To commence with, at heart he was a -better and a more generous-minded fellow than Rawlings. And then, try as -he might, he could not forget his indebtedness to Susanne. Rawlings had -chided him for it. He had argued against that feeling as unnatural. - -"Feel as if you ought to be grateful!" he had scoffed now on many an -occasion, for he was ever fearful of losing the alliance. Rawlings had, -indeed, felt the coldness of his fellows for many a day after that -episode on the ice. Fellows who had been quite content to know him -before, to be even jovial with him, though never actually friendly, were -now always busy when he happened to accost them, and hurried off. Or -they turned cold looks upon him, which sent him off with his tail -between his legs and his lips muttering. Trendall might do the same. -Susanne and his friends had helped to save his life. Trendall had even -thanked them, though lamely it must be admitted. - -"Call that saving your life! Rot!" Rawlings had told him. "What -followed? For a week and more the chaps were never tired of hooting you. -They told you that you had acted like a muff. That you had nearly -drowned the whole party. And now you speak of gratitude, and to fellows -such as they are." - -It was always the memory of the uncomfortable and indisputable fact that -Ranleighans had jeered at him that turned all Trendall's better -intentions and feelings to gall and wormwood. Hyper-sensitive where his -own dignity was concerned, and having for a long while had perforce to -put up with a great deal of chaff, he had found, up to that affair of -the ice, that friendship with Rawlings improved his position. There are -snobs in every school, we suppose. Rawlings was decidedly one. Trendall -was, perhaps, another. In any case, alliance with Rawlings had brought -him comfort and affluence, for his friend was blessed with even more -money than was the case with Susanne. And chaff had ceased, for Rawlings -was free with his hands and feet. But that ice episode had set fellows -jeering. Trendall forgot a natural gratitude to Susanne and his friends -in the bitterness of the ridicule poured on him, and this, fanned by -Rawlings, made him almost as great an enemy as was that immaculate but -detestable young fellow. - -"So we sticks together, eh?" asked Higgins, as the trio were about to -separate. "If them young sneaks says as you was in that car, I says you -wasn't. If I'm axed who was there, why, I don't know." - -A ponderous wink and an ugly leer accompanied this statement. - -"But I knows who was along with me, oh, yes, I knows all about that. I -was going to Guildford shopping, yes, and these here youngsters sees me -and asks for a ride. I gives it to 'em. Yes. That's right. And their -names is Feofe, Masters, Darrell and two Seymours. You're clear, Mr. -Rawlings. Thank ye, sir. Sovereigns is useful every time. You say as -there'll be another by the end of the week?" - -"When my allowance comes; but on conditions." - -"In course. Conditions that I gives them young sneaks away and knows -nothing about you." - -The conspiracy thus hatched boded ill for Clive and his fellows, for -when one began to analyse the circumstances of the case, it would be -their word against that of Higgins. Whereas he stated that they had -hailed him on the road, their statement would be that he had taken them -by arrangement. If they said in addition that Rawlings and Trendall were -in the second car, Higgins would strenuously deny the statement, and -there again there would be conflict of testimony, which would be useless -to convict either of the two. Gold had, in fact, won over the rascally -Higgins, just as it may win over any similar scoundrel. Rawlings felt -that his money had been well expended, and he followed Clive and his -friends to the school in a distinctly calmer frame of mind. The trouble -which had been staring him in the face was gone. He was chuckling at the -fix into which Susanne and his band would certainly tumble. - -"We've just to sit tight and keep our mouths shut, Trendall," he said. -"Of course, we shall have to appear indignant at the charge, and--ah, -that's lucky, we shall want an alibi." - -"Eh? How much? What's an alibi?" - -"Duffer! Someone to prove that we were elsewhere." - -"Higgins then." - -"Idiot!" Rawlings rounded on him angrily. "How can he prove that when he -was off at the flying meeting? What about Tunstall?" - -Tunstall was another of the same kidney as Higgins. Ranleigh was, in -fact, at this period, somewhat unlucky in this particular, for Tunstall -was one of those oily wretches ever on the look out for favours from -anyone. In a smaller way than Higgins he had more than once procured -contraband articles for Ranleighans, and was ready at any time to do a -service. Better, too, for Rawlings' purpose, he occupied a shop somewhat -isolated and away from the village. A prefect had the right to go there. -Doubtless the fact of his taking a friend would be overlooked. - -"He's the very man," agreed Trendall. "But--look here, Rawlings, I don't -like all this business. Supposing it were found out?" - -He never thought of the dishonesty of it all. Like his friend, he feared -only the consequences of discovery. - -"Rot! Of course the thing'll pass. Don't be an ass," growled Rawlings. -"Let's sprint off at once. We've time to see him now and still be in for -call-over." - -Everything seemed to be working in their favour, for the wily Tunstall -was at home, and tumbled to their meaning instantly. He was a -shock-headed, unkempt individual, with a crooked back and a chin which -seemed to have settled down on his chest from infancy. A straggling -beard depended from the same chin, while long, untidy eyebrows -overshadowed a pair of cunning orbs. - -"Say as you was here the whole afternoon, a drinkin' corfee and sich -like; of course, Mr. Rawlings," he leered, "but--well, yer see, bein' -only a poor man, with this here shop to depend on, I can't afford to -give nuffin away, don't yer see, nuffin, not even a promise." - -"But we'll make that all right," came the instant and eager response. -"Look here, Tunstall, what's it worth?" - -The wily one screwed his eyes up till his long brows mingled almost with -his unkempt beard. "What's it worth? Well, see here, supposin' I don't -stick to the tale. Supposin'----But you ain't yet told me why you've -axed for this here alibi. Is it a robbery?" - -"A robbery!" shouted Trendall angrily, his fat cheeks wabbling and -flushing red. "What do you take us for?" - -Tunstall might easily have replied that he took them for what they -showed themselves to be. But he had his own terms to make, and caution -was necessary. - -"No offence, gents," he said silkily. "No offence, I'm sure. I wasn't -thinkin' that, of course. But what's the reason for wantin' this here -alibi? You've got into some sort o' mess, I suppose. What mess, then? I -has to ask, 'cos I has to protect myself, and besides, though I may only -keep a small shop, I've got me own feelin's, and me own pride." - -The task was not so easy a one as Rawlings imagined. Or, to be precise, -that young gentleman was not half as clever as he thought himself. Had -he been so he would have seen through the artifices of this rascal at -once, and would not have shown concern at his lack of keenness to -undertake the work asked of him. - -"I'll--I'll make it worth your while, Tunstall," he said desperately. -"As to the cause, why, we've been to Guildford. There was an accident on -the way back. The steering gear of the car went wrong and we were turned -over. That man Ranger, who was driving, was killed. Now, the police will -find him and the car on the road. It's plain he was killed by accident, -and there's not the smallest need for our names to appear. All we could -do would be to corroborate the story of the accident. But we don't want -to do that, for we'd been breaking bounds. Now, a sovereign if you help -us." - -Tunstall held out a grimy palm. - -"Put it there, sir," he leered. "I'll swear as you was here all day a -drinkin' corfee and----" - -"Not all day," Trendall corrected him. "We came just before twelve and -left at three. That makes it impossible for us to have been at -Guildford." - -"Then you come here at twelve and left at three. You was drinkin' corfee -and jawin' and what not. Put it there, Mr. Rawlings." - -"I can't now, but at the end of the week," came the lame answer. "I've -given my last sovereign to-day. But I'll easily get more, and----" - -"Oh, ho!" cried Tunstall, looking cunningly at them. "You ain't got the -stuff on you, but you've got promises. Well, any man is rich with them. -Gold's gold, Mr. Rawlings, and without it a man can't speak, nor take -risks, which is a deal more, I can tell ye." - -"But--what do you mean?" asked Rawlings desperately, afraid to lose his -temper and abuse the man. "My word is good enough, surely? If I say I -will pay you a pound, that money is as good as paid." - -"In course. In course, sir. But gold's gold, as I've said. Promises -ain't worth half, or even that. I could ha' done this here job for -twenty shillings, but for a promise of twenty, no. It ain't possible." - -"Then how much?" asked Trendall, his fat cheeks shaking with -apprehension, for he could now see the importance of possessing an -alibi. "How much for the job?" - -"Five quid. Not a penny less," came the leering rejoinder. - -The mention of such a sum caused the two Ranleighans to stare hard at -one another. Rawlings' brow was deeply furrowed, his eyes had a far-away -look. Trendall watched him anxiously. For his part five pounds was out -of the question. Masters could have raised such a sum almost as easily, -and that was saying a lot, for Masters was for ever grumbling at the -smallness of his allowance, and the meanness of his people. But Rawlings -had a wealthy father, one, too, who boasted of the expense caused by an -expensive son. He liked to feel that his offspring was cutting a dash, -and for that purpose gave him ample funds. Still, even he might kick if -too great a demand were made. - -"Got it!" cried Rawlings, snapping his fingers with delight. "Five -pounds, you said, Tunstall?" - -"That's the figure. It couldn't be done at a halfpenny less." - -"There's that parting present we're giving to Tarton, the 'Stinks' -master," suggested Rawlings. "They're asking for subscriptions to the -fund, and----" - -"You could get it for that, eh?" demanded Trendall eagerly. - -"Easily. Tell the Governor I want to do the thing well. He'll never be -any the wiser, and'll never ask questions. Very well, Tunstall, it's a -big price, but I'll pay it. Five pounds for the job, half as soon as my -next allowance arrives, the rest before the term's ended." - -The wretch looked at him artfully, his eyes screwed up to narrow slits -again. - -"You promise?" - -"Certainly." - -"On yer--on yer honour?" - -"What next! Of course!" growled Trendall. "As if we were likely to break -our word." - -"I dunno. I dunno," muttered Tunstall, but so that they could hear. -"Honour's a great word with you gents, and me and the likes of me don't -understand it. But I should ha' thought that young chaps as wanted a job -o' this sort done hadn't--well, five pound then, half within a week, the -rest as you say." - -A flash of indignant anger in Rawlings' eye, and a sudden heightening of -Trendall's colour, had warned him to refrain from further speaking. He -nodded to them both and showed them out obsequiously. As for the two who -were to pay him for this job, they slunk away from the shop as if they -were afraid of their own shadows. That last unmeant thrust on the part -of Tunstall had gone home with a vengeance. - -"The cheek of the brute," growled Rawlings. "What'd he mean about -honour? What business is it of his, anyway? Eh?" - -But in their heart of hearts they knew that the thrust was deserved. -What honour could they have, indeed, when they were parties to such -double dealing? However, a sharp run up to the school made them forget -the incident. They were in good time for call-over, and went in to tea -as if nothing unusual had happened. By the following morning they had -persuaded themselves that their fears had been needlessly aroused, and -that their precautions were unnecessary. - -"Wish I hadn't been quite so free with that fellow Higgins," Rawlings -whispered to Trendall as they went into Chapel. "The chances are the -police have found the car and the man, and have decided that it was an -easily explained accident. There was the broken steering gear to tell -them its cause, and nothing to show that there was another car there or -anyone else in the wrecked car, for that matter. I'm sorry about that -sov. As to Tunstall, of course, if he don't have to swear an alibi, why, -he won't get his money." - -But breakfast brought a decided change to the situation. The meal was -ended, "knock up" had sounded, this latter being a sharp rap given on -the table occupied by the masters up on the dais. It called for silence, -while Harvey made the round of the hall, inspecting table linen. Then -followed grace as a rule, and immediately after the boys filed out of -the Hall in regular order. Now, of a sudden, a familiar figure bounced -on to the dais. It was the Headmaster. Dead silence followed, silence in -which Rawlings could hear his heart thumping. It palpitated a moment -later when the Head began to speak. He stood in the middle of the dais, -his head thrown back, his eyes apparently closed, a smile on his face -which might have deceived the unwary. But Ranleighans knew that -something unpleasant was coming. The acidity of his tones even more than -the words told them of his great displeasure. - -"There was an accident on the road from Guildford yesterday," he said. -"A man was killed. Certain Ranleigh boys were there. They will step -forward." - -Clive felt as if his legs would not support him. It was all very well to -have formed resolutions, but acting up to them was an altogether -different matter. He quaked. The severe tones of the Head, his austere -manner, his obvious displeasure alarmed him. Clive hesitated. He looked -across at Susanne, and saw that young fellow actually grinning. And then -he took heart. He clambered over the long form between which and the -table he was standing, and marched toward the dais. Susanne was already -in motion. Masters followed close behind him, wearing a woebegone -expression, while Bert and Hugh brought up the rear, their faces flushed -with excitement. - -"Ah! Five of you. You were present at this accident?" - -"Yes, sir," came from Susanne, a wonderful ally on such a stern -occasion. - -"Yes, sir," repeated the others. - -"And you declare that the cause of this man's death was due purely to -accident?" - -"Certainly," from Susanne. - -"Decidedly," from Masters. - -"Yes, sir," from Clive and the others. - -"There were others present in the car in which you were riding? Darrell, -answer the question." - -"The driver only, sir," Clive managed to blurt out. - -"Ah! His name, Feofe?" - -"Higgins, sir." - -"But that is not the name of the man who was killed. Explain!" demanded -the Head severely, opening his eyes to thrust a glance at the culprits. - -"No, sir. We were in another car. The accident occurred after we had -passed," Bert took upon himself to explain. - -"Ah! That is clear enough. There were two cars. You boys had broken -bounds and had been to the meeting at Guildford on the one driven by -Higgins. What boys were in the other?" - -No answer. Susanne was gazing over the head of the chief of Ranleigh at -the glazed windows beyond. Clive looked decidedly frightened. Masters -appeared not to have heard the question. For Bert and Hugh, their faces -were impassive. - -"I will put the question differently. There were Ranleigh boys in the -other car, were there not?" demanded the Head curtly. "Masters, -answer." - -"Yes, sir." - -Down in the body of the hall Rawlings and Trendall began to tremble. The -critical moment was arriving. They must stand to their guns, and when -those sneaks on the dais had mentioned their names, they must declare -their innocence. It would be perfectly all right. They had that alibi. -Higgins would also declare in their favour. - -"And you recognised them? Feofe, answer." - -"Yes, sir." - -"Then their names, if you please. Seymour Primus, you will give them." - -A stony silence followed. You could have heard a pin dropping. Boys in -the body of the Hall hardly dared to breathe, while Rawlings and his -crony found the strain almost intolerable. - -"Then, Feofe? Those names." - -Silence once more. Not a syllable from the Frenchman. - -"Then, Darrell? Seymour Secundus?" - -The Head swung round and beckoned to someone outside the door through -which he had entered, one admitting directly on to the dais. There was a -trying interval during which not a foot was stirred. Never had Ranleigh -school remained assembled in such a deathly silence. Even Old B., -standing so close to the Head, seemed to feel it. His face was flushed a -dull red. His eyes were blinking. The fair giant looked decidedly -uncomfortable. And then the tension was relieved. Carfort, the school -butler, appeared with a cane of vast proportions beneath his arm, and -handed it to the Head. - -"Now we will proceed," said that worthy, regarding the culprits and the -whole school icily. "You boys know what to expect if you refuse to -answer. I ask you once again for the names of the two Ranleigh boys who -were in that other car. They should have come forward at the first. They -have failed to do so. Give me their names." - -Silence. Nothing but stony silence. Susanne looked as if he were -whistling. Clive's head was held high and haughtily. Masters wore the -sort of look he usually had when receiving another dose of "impots." And -then the school was electrified by another demand. - -"Rawlings and Trendall, stand forward," cried the Head. "You others go -to your places. Dismiss the school, please, Mr. Perkins. Rawlings and -Trendall, who were in that other car, who witnessed the accident I have -referred to, and who disgracefully failed to come forward, those two -will go at once to my room. There they will be dealt with." - -The school gasped. Clive felt as if a ton weight had of a sudden been -shifted from his shoulders. He watched the forlorn figures of Rawlings -and Trendall shambling after the Headmaster. - - - - -CHAPTER X - -THE RUINED TOWER - - -Even the longest of terms comes at length to an end; and finally that -eventful first term which Clive and his friends had spent at Ranleigh -drew to a close. The last days were carefully and jubilantly marked off -by every junior boy on a calendar of his own making. Boxes were packed, -good-byes said, and the school divided for the holidays. - -"Shall try to get over to see you chaps in the hols.," declared Masters, -on the eve of departure. "Much depends, though, on the Governor. Can't -do railway journeys on my allowance. Sickening, isn't it?" - -"Rotten," Clive consoled him. "But it's only twenty miles, eh?" - -"Barely. Perhaps a bit more. Nothing on a motor," agreed Masters, -recollecting their trip to Guildford. "And you've a car, haven't you?" - -Bert grinned at that, a satirical grin which made Clive boil with anger. -Hugh got very red. He looked closely at Masters to see if he were poking -fun at him. - -"Not going to have a chap like you pulling our leg, you know," he said -haughtily and somewhat threateningly. "What do you mean by a car?" - -"Why, a car, of course. What else?" grinned Bert provocatively. - -"Quite so," admitted Masters, a little puzzled. He had understood, in -fact, from Clive's glowing description of the home-made vehicle of which -that hopeful and Hugh were joint inventors and proprietors that it was -something really very fine. He never imagined, indeed, and had never -been given data on which to imagine, that the said car consisted of odds -and ends, that the workshop engine was the propelling force, that the -steering gear was of the crudest, that bicycle wheels did service in -front, while the rector's tricycle had supplied that all-important part, -the back axle. Clive in his descriptions of mechanical matters -appertaining to himself was wont to wax very enthusiastic. He clothed -his inventions in a covering of gloss, which, to the uneducated eyes of -Masters, was quite opaque. That car, then, to this same Masters, had -always been imagined as a car, not a collection of odd bits. - -"Oh!" exclaimed Hugh at length, seeing that no attempt was being made to -make fun of the invention. "Well, Clive, a bit more than twenty miles, -eh? How'd she do it?" - -"On her head. Easy. But we mightn't be able to get away. Train's easier -for Masters. Let his Governor stump up. He ought to. What's a Governor -for?" - -That was just the very point of view from which Masters beheld his -paternal relative. He went off in the train promising to see what -persuasion would do. And then Susanne waved an adieu to his friends. - -"Au revoir!" he sang out, his head projecting from the carriage window. -"Wish you chaps a jolly time. Rawlings won't be interfering with you." - -And that, indeed, was the thought of Clive and Bert and Hugh. To be -quite truthful, the trio hardly now gave the immaculate Rawlings a -thought. For the downfall of that young gentleman had been very sudden -and very evident. He was no longer a prefect. His haughty, airy ways -were gone. He was a changed individual. As for Trendall, the fat -fellow's fat cheeks had seemed less fat of late. He had taken the lesson -he had received very much to heart, and as if he realised his former -shortcomings, had actually drifted away from Rawlings. They were no -longer seen together. Their familiar figures, arm in arm, were no longer -observed on the playing fields. Instead, Trendall had moped for a while, -and then had begun to draw other friends about him. Instead of a sulky -nod, he now even deigned to smile at Susanne and the others, and on -this, the very last day of the term, he had made a confession. - -"Look here, you chaps," he said, somewhat lamely perhaps, for it wanted -no little courage to tackle the matter, "I'm afraid I've been rather a -pig." - -"Eh? Er--oh--don't mention it," was Masters' instant rejoinder, somewhat -characteristic of that young gentleman. - -"Shut up!" growled Susanne promptly. "Well, Trendall?" he said -encouragingly. "We don't think it." - -"Then I do. I've acted like a pig and a bounder, and I'm sorry. I've -been an ungrateful brute all along and want to apologise. It's late in -the day, of course, but then, there it is, I'm sorry." - -He held out a hand, lamely again, as if fearful that it would pass -unnoticed. But Susanne seized it instantly. It was like Susanne, the -warm-hearted Frenchman. - -"Good! Very good!" he said. "We're to be friends from now, eh? I'm -glad." - -"So am I; it's no use being enemies," declared Bert, taking the -proffered hand too. - -"Rotten!" reflected Clive. "It'll be something nice to look forward to -after the hols." - -"Ripping!" cried Masters warmly. - -And thus was the quarrel made up, much to the relief of all, and -particularly of Trendall. As for the guilt of the latter, together with -Rawlings, it had leaked out soon after their denouncement before the -assembled school that Old B. had seen both cars at the flying meeting, -and hearing of the accident had at once given information. - -Home at last! The escapade which had sent Clive and his friends to -Ranleigh seemed to have been forgotten. The Rector beamed on his boys. - -"Wouldn't have sent you at all if I'd known that young Darrell was going -to Ranleigh also," he laughed. "Of course, it meant more mischief. That -young Darrell's a terrible fellow. Well, here you are, back again. Let's -hope you'll have a fine holiday." - -"Vote we go prospecting," said Hugh, two days later, when all were -settled down. "There's that place we've gassed about so often." - -"Place? Lots of places everywhere, and we do nothing but gas," grumbled -Bert. "Which particular place?" - -"Merton Tower, of course, booby!" cried Clive. "You knew all along." - -"Well, there's a place called Merton Tower. What next?" - -"There's an ass known as Bert Seymour," declared his brother in disgust. -"As if you weren't there when we were talking." - -"Oh, I'm there nearly always," came the rejoinder, for the two brothers -often sparred. "But you do the talking, you and Clive. I have to listen. -It's no wonder if I forget things. Let's get along. There's a tower, a -place, and I'm supposed to know that a place is this Merton Tower." - -If looks could have brought punishment, Bert would have been a sad -individual. He grinned at the threatening glances of his friends. - -"Well?" he demanded again, impatiently. - -"We're going to explore it," said Clive, forgetting his anger at the -prospect before him. "It's said to be haunted." - -Hugh went a trifle pale. Ghost stories and tales of haunted houses -always had that effect on him. - -"Haunted?" he repeated in awed tones. - -"Rot!" reflected Bert rudely. "Stuff and nonsense!" - -"There's a mystery about the place," Clive proceeded, ignoring the last -remarks. "No one dares to enter. We tried once, Hugh and I." - -"And funked, eh? Saw the ghost and bolted." - -Bert chuckled loudly. It was true of him that he was as a rule a -listener in the councils of these three. Often enough his dreamy eyes -told that his thoughts were far away, probably on the cricket field, -while the chatter of his friends passed unnoticed. But he had a habit of -suddenly giving his attention, of picking out scraps which came to his -ears and of ridiculing them. That was the time when Clive and Hugh -ground their teeth, flashed indignant glances at him, and even -threatened violence. Not that Bert minded. He often chuckled the louder. - -"We tried once, Hugh and I," repeated Clive with an effort. It was hard -to keep one's temper with such a chap as Bert. - -"And bolted, probably at your own shadows," laughed his tormentor. - -"And were met by a rough fellow a hundred yards or so outside the -tower." - -"Yes," agreed Hugh quickly. "He threatened to----" - -"Whop you, eh?" teased Bert. - -"To kill us if we didn't sling our hooks. That's why we bolted. He'd a -knife," said Clive. "This time we go armed. Then, if it comes to a -question of knives, why, we're ready." - -"Yes," Hugh backed him up. "Ready for anything." - -"And we're going to-day." - -"Now," said Hugh. - -"And expect me to risk it," laughed Bert. "Well, let's go. I'll back -there'll be no man to greet us. A few jackdaws perhaps, an odd crow -too. But a man with a knife, never!" - -The conversation having come to an end amicably, Clive dived in at the -back door of his mother's establishment, where with wonderful persuasive -powers, often practised it must be confessed, he managed to induce the -cook to supply three bundles of provisions. - -"It'll save coming back for lunch, you chaps," he told them on his -reappearance. "We shall have lots of time to explore. Supposing we found -something." - -"Buried gold and jewels," cried Hugh, his eyes bulging. - -"Might happen," admitted the practical Bert. "There are lots of tales of -hidden wealth, and some of it gets discovered. There's a yarn about this -very tower." - -"Gospel?" asked Clive with a jerk. - -"True as possible. Place attacked some time in the old days. Rich old -bounder in charge. Saw he hadn't a chance, and so dug a hole somewhere -and buried his valuables. Supposing we came upon the spot. They say in -the village that attempts have been made. Once a bangle was discovered. -Then one of the searchers fell into a well and that put an end to the -business. It was supposed to be haunted then, and the tale still holds. -Lights have even been seen flitting about during the night." - -"And there's a tale of buried treasure?" asked Hugh eagerly. - -"Ask anyone in the village." - -"What'd we do if we found it?" gasped Clive. "I know--buy a real car." - -"Rather!" echoed Hugh. - -To which the careful Bert made the rejoinder: "Don't count your chickens -before they're hatched. Still, if the tale's true, and I believe it, why -shouldn't we find the stuff? Clive'd buy back the place and kick the -Rawlings out. That'd be good, better than a car by a long way." - -By this time the trio were on the road astride their bicycles, and since -the ruined tower for which they aimed was barely six miles distant, it -took them but a little while to approach it. Then a halt was called. - -"Better feed now and so have less to carry," suggested Hugh. "We'll be -all the fitter for searching. By the way, supposing the door's shut. -There was a door, wasn't there, Clive?" - -"That chap rushed out of one, anyway," came the answer. "Vote we go -cautiously. Last time we went to the place across the fields and were -seen at once. Supposing we try through the copse at the back. That'll -give us cover right up to the doorway." - -The suggestion was voted to be a good one, as also that of Hugh. The -three hopped off their machines, and selecting a sheltered spot by the -highway, sat on a gate and opened their parcels of provisions. The meal -ended, they mounted again and rode a mile farther, till they had passed -the tower on their right and were a little behind it. Then they -dismounted, passed through a gap in a hedge, and plunged into the thick -cover afforded by a copse which extended to the tower. - -"Safe to leave the bikes here," whispered Bert, who once he was embarked -on an adventure put his heart into it. "Let's make for that tree over -there. It's the nearest to the gap through which we entered, and also -the tallest. Then we shall find them again easily." - -"Supposing someone else does?" asked Clive doubtfully. - -"And clears off? Mine belongs to the Governor," said Hugh, with -recollections of what had happened on a former occasion when he had -borrowed the Rector's belongings. - -"Not worth talking about," declared Bert emphatically. "No one saw us -enter the copse. We made sure of that. Then who's to find the bikes? If -it weren't for the tree here we ourselves would have a job when it comes -to returning. Here we are; prop 'em against the trunk. Now for the -tower." - -They thrust their way in Indian file through the copse, treading softly. -Not that anyone was likely to overhear them. But then there might be -someone, as on that former occasion, and as all there were burning to -inspect the place and enter the tower they determined to take all -precautions. There is this to be added also. Like many other people -burning with enthusiasm, Clive and his friends had an inward -consciousness that where others had failed they would succeed in finding -the wealth said to have been buried. - -Ten minutes later found them at the edge of the wood, within twenty -yards of the tower. Brambles and scattered bunches of growth extended -right up to the moss-clad walls. As for the tower itself, it was a tall, -somewhat dilapidated affair, but better preserved in one quarter, where -its battlements thrust upward toward the sky. Directly beneath them was -a wide archway, overhung by a gallery far up, through apertures in which -warriors of old were wont to drop masses of stone upon the heads of -unwanted callers. Bert pointed them out to his comrades. - -"Splendid dodge!" he said. "Rather a shock for the fellows down below. -Bet they bolted." - -"Those who could. A few hundredweights of stone fall with a bang," Clive -reminded him. "Not much moving afterwards." - -"And look at the narrow slits behind which the chaps with the arrows -stood," whispered Hugh, pointing to narrow apertures flanking the door, -and appearing at various heights till the battlements were reached. -"Wonder what it feels like to have an arrow in you?" - -Bert shuddered. "Ugh!" he reflected. "Let's get on. How are we to -enter?" - -The puzzle was not an easy one to solve, for when they had left their -cover and reached the door, the latter was found to be a massive affair -and in splendid order. There was a postern in it, firmly padlocked, -however. Not even the most agile could have clambered up, and had they -been able there was no entry at the top of the door. - -"Done," groaned Hugh. - -"Let's see," whispered Clive. "Let's creep on round the foot of the -tower and see what we come to." - -Brambles and ferns obstructed their path. A crumbling wall of stone -crossed it, and halting for a moment they saw that it turned abruptly to -the right some fifty yards away, and then again came towards the -building. - -"A courtyard or the garden in the old days," said Bert. "Wonder if -that's where that old beggar hid the treasure?" - -"Ah!" It was a very shrewd suggestion. Clive stared about him with added -interest. "Hardly likely," he ventured after a while. "The old chap was -cooped up, isn't that the story?" - -"Yes; and hadn't a chance. Knew every farthing would be taken from him." - -"And so buried it." - -"Don't blame him either," declared Hugh. "But where would a fellow be -most likely to bury gold under the circumstances? Not in the garden." - -"Why not?" asked Bert curtly. - -"Because the enemy were round there without a doubt. Probably sat behind -the garden walls comfortably taking pot shots at the defenders. Look -there, there's a hole in the tower right opposite. Bet you the cannon -smashed the stones in. That old cove couldn't have got to the garden." - -This seemed probable enough, and therefore the movement forward was -proceeded with. They skirted the moss-covered foot of the tower for some -fifty paces, and though all observed that the battlements above them had -been much broken, and had disappeared altogether in parts, yet the -height of the walls was still so great that climbing was out of the -question. - -"A flying machine'd be the thing," said Clive. "Looks as if we'd be -beaten." - -"And have to go back. Don't like that," reflected Bert. - -"Only we'd get there in time for lunch," Hugh reminded them. "That's one -consolation." - -A complete circuit of the tower at length convinced them that entrance -was more difficult than they had anticipated, if not utterly impossible. -Clive inspected the padlock on the postern and declared it to be -unpickable. Hugh gazed aloft as if he expected to discover a dangling -ladder waiting conveniently for them. Then Bert made a movement. - -"I'm going to get into that tower whatever happens," he said -obstinately. "Even if it takes me a week I'm going to get inside." - -They would have cheered him if there had not been need for silence. As -it was, Clive slapped him approvingly on the back and then asked an -all-important question. - -"How's it to be done? Creep in through one of those slits for firing -arrows?" he asked in bantering tones. "Or dig a way under the wall? That -sounds the most likely." - -"I'm going to climb by that ivy," was the steady answer. "You chaps can -hang about down below to pick up the pieces. There's a window fifty feet -up, just beneath the battlements, and the ivy goes right up over the -top, and's as thick as my leg. I'm going to chance its bearing." - -When his friends came to inspect the place they were bound to admit -that the idea was practicable. At the same time it was risky, -particularly for Bert. One would have thought that Hugh would have made -the attempt with greater chance of success, seeing that he was a -gymnast. But Bert was an obstinate fellow. He seldom shone in adventures -entered upon by the Old Firm. His comrades had come to look upon him as -an excellent follower, an untiring though sometimes absent-minded -listener, and as a youth with caustic and satirical wit, who at times -roused them to the height of anger. To hear him now obstinately declare -his intention of undertaking this difficult and dangerous task was -rather staggering. - -"Think you'll do it?" asked Clive doubtfully. "Awfully steep, eh?" - -"Walls usually are steep," came the grim rejoinder. - -"Ivy might be rotten. You ain't much good at climbing," ventured Hugh. - -"Because I'm never the one to show off," said Bert quickly. "I'm not -much good. That I'll admit. At the same time I'm going up to that -window, or be smashed to a jelly down here. Naturally, as I dislike the -thought of being smashed into a jelly, I shall hang on for all I'm -worth, so, after all, the matter resolves itself into a question of the -strength of the ivy. I'm going." - -They watched the obstinate and foolhardy fellow commence his attempt, -and more than once shivered as he appeared to be falling. Presently he -had reached a point high overhead and was still mounting. Indeed, in -less than three minutes he had actually gained the window for which he -was making and was seen to be entering. - -"What one chap does, another can," said Clive. "I'm going to follow." - -"And I'll be after you in a winking. There's Bert waving to us. Up you -go. Who'd have thought the thing could be so easy?" - -But when he came himself to make the attempt Hugh found it none too -light a task. True, there were plenty of ivy stems to grip at, and an -abundance of niches into which to thrust the feet. But the mass of -leaves clinging to their stems thrust one away from the wall. Sometimes, -too, one of the stems proved elusive, and broke away from its fellows. -But Clive at length reached the safety of the window, and Hugh after -him. - -"Done it!" ejaculated Bert enthusiastically. "Now for a look round." - -"And the treasure," Hugh reminded him. "Those chaps who searched before -may not have been able to get into the place. The doors were locked, -perhaps." - -"I say," interrupted Clive, "wonder where that well is?" - -That set them thinking deeply. They stood at the edge of the window -looking into the dark interior of the tower, wondering which way to -turn, and where they would find security. - -"Beastly to fall into a well," reflected Bert. "Jolly dark in here, I -think. Wish we'd brought candles." - -"Come on," said Hugh. "What's the good of funking? We're here, inside -the tower, and may as well make the most of our opportunities." - -Very gingerly indeed did they set about the exploration of the interior. -Common sense told them that care would be needed. For the results of -damp and decay and neglect were everywhere apparent. There were even -bushes growing on the stone floor upon which they now stood. A tree of -quite respectable proportions had taken root on the roof overhead, and -its boughs dangled toward the window by which they had entered. - -Beyond, at the far side of the chamber to which their climb had brought -them, there was a doorway, of stone like the rest of the building, -though one of the blocks which went to make the roof of the arch had -tumbled from its position and lay broken in pieces on the floor. Hugh -led the way towards it, peered through, only to find that he was -looking into another room of vast proportions. Then he made for a narrow -opening in the wall to his right, and began at once to ascend the steps -constructed, as one could see, in the interior of the wall itself. - -"Leads to the roof," he whispered over his shoulder. "Let's have a look -round first." - -Perhaps they stayed ten minutes on the giddy perch to which their climb -took them. They gazed over the broken battlements. They peered down -through those apertures through which the defenders had been wont to -drop uncomfortable masses of rock on their attackers. They even -clambered to the summit of a tiny tower set up in one corner where, -without doubt, the sentry in bygone days had taken up his station. It -commanded a grand view of the surrounding country, and from it Clive was -able to look down upon the domain which his father had owned, and which -should have been his one day but for the coming of those strangers. Then -they turned from the roof, descended the steep flight of steps built in -the wall, and searched for an outlet to other parts of the building. -Clive was the first to find it. Led by him the party descended to the -next floor, only to discover that here time and decay had done its work -more thoroughly. The floor was almost gone. One had to cross to a -doorway opposite by walking on the top of the wall which had once -supported the edge of the floor. He gained the doorway, devoid of door -like all the rest in this building, peered through it into a place which -common sense told him must have been the upper part of a chapel, though -the roof was gone in one part. And then, of a sudden, he lifted a finger -to his lips. - -"Voices," he whispered incredulously. "I can hear men talking." - -"Certain! Sure!" agreed Bert. "Three different people, I think." - -"Down below too," chimed in Hugh, having joined them. "What's it mean?" - -After waiting there for perhaps five minutes, the three gently stole -across the floor of what had probably been a gallery. Peering cautiously -over the broken balustrade of this they looked below them. Then they -withdrew their heads suddenly. For four men were seated below about a -fire which blazed brightly in the ancient hearth of the old dwelling. -Who they were or what they were none could guess; but this was certain: -they were disreputable-looking, and one had a face which was familiar, -while in the case of a second his head and shoulders were hidden by a -portion of the masonry. - -"The fellow who chased us away once before," whispered Clive. - -"I'm certain," agreed Hugh, jerking his head decisively. - -"And--and, do you know, you fellows," said Bert, with great -deliberation, "do you know that there have been a series of robberies -round these parts lately?" - -Hugh shook his head. Clive looked the question he wished to ask. - -"Well, there have been," added Bert, "and I wouldn't wonder if those are -the beggars." - -"Burglars?" - -"Yes," Bert answered curtly to Clive's question. - -"Then--er don't you think----?" began Hugh. "Don't you think it'd be -wise for us to----?" - -"I don't," Bert responded abruptly. "I've got in here after a bit of a -climb. I'll see this thing to a finish. If they're burglars, all the -better. Let's get back to the balustrade and listen." - - - - -CHAPTER XI - -BERT MAKES A DISCOVERY - - -There had been burglaries in the neighbourhood. Bert was quite correct -when he asserted the fact emphatically. - -"Lots of 'em, too," he repeated in a hoarse whisper, drawing Clive and -Hugh after him across the rafters, which in days gone by had supported -the floor of the chamber leading to the gallery of the chapel within the -deserted tower. "Just listen to this," he went on, in more natural -tones, when he had conducted them back to the window by which they had -gained an entrance. "There was a burglary at the Evansons', eh?" - -"Big one," agreed Clive. "They're five miles away from this." - -"And a heap of stuff was taken. That's three months ago." - -"More--four months," asserted Hugh, thrusting his hands deep in his -pockets and shrinking his neck into his collar. Hugh, in fact, wore a -most severe and thoughtful expression. Then he seemed to have thought of -something important. His hands shot from his pockets suddenly. He -searched the belt beneath his coat, secured round his middle. "Might -want 'em, eh?" he asked, fingering the dagger with which he had so -thoughtfully provided himself. Clive, too, copied the movement. - -"Rot!" observed Bert very curtly. "As if we could venture to fight those -beggars down there. Besides, it isn't proved that they are burglars. -They may be merely tramps." - -"Aren't tramps burglars, then?" asked Clive hotly. - -"Of course!" from Hugh. - -"Rot again!" said Bert. "Tramps may be pilferers. They're not -burglars--at least, not as a general rule. Burglars nowadays dress more -or less like gentlemen, live in fine houses or hotels, and employ all -the latest scientific appliances." - -"Such as X-rays, and that sort," reflected Clive. - -"And diamond drills, and dynamite, and gloved hands, and--and the rest -of 'em," added Hugh. - -"Right--tramps can't afford those things. They may pilfer; they don't -set out to become downright burglars. Now, those beggars below aren't -all the same." - -"One of 'em's the blackguard who threatened Clive and me some while -ago," Hugh reminded him. "An out-and-out ruffian he looks too. More of -the tramp style, I should call him. So there goes bang your idea that -these chaps are burglars." - -"In fact, it's a mare's nest," grinned Clive. "These fellows are just -tramps or out-of-works, or something of the sort. Homeless fellows, who -find that the old tower gives cheap and splendid lodgings. Think of -it--nothing to pay for house-rent, no rates and no taxes, no neighbours, -either, no annoyance from noisy dogs, or from cocks and hens, no -children playing pranks, and----" - -"Dry up, do!" said Bert fiercely. "Just shows that you two chaps go -about the world with your eyes half closed. That's the worst of being -amateur mechanics. Everything that isn't something to do with an engine, -a motor, or--or a what-not, isn't worth taking notice of." - -"Here!" began Hugh indignantly, for breezes frequently arose between the -two brothers. Hugh was not the lad to be down-trodden. Indeed, as a -matter of actual fact, it was he who oftenmost triumphed. The -easy-going, dreaming Bert usually collapsed early in such arguments and -agreed to whatever was passing. - -"Shut up!" he retorted curtly enough on this occasion, and to the -astonishment of Clive, and, be it added, to Hugh's own astonishment -also, for that young gentleman bit the words he was about to utter off -short at the very tip of his tongue. - -"Well?" he asked lamely. - -"Who said that that blackguard didn't look like a tramp? He does--any -ass can see that--but the others don't. They're better dressed--roughly, -I'll admit, but better. But they're disguised. Whoever saw chaps of -their supposed position--labourers you'd call 'em--smoking cigarettes -out of gold-mounted holders?" - -"Oh! Eh?" ejaculated Hugh, his breath rather taken away. - -"You didn't notice, then?" - -"Er--no." - -"Nor you, Clive?" - -"No. But I saw it, if you can see the difference in what seems rather a -contradictory statement. What'd Old B. call that if he were taking us in -classics?" - -"Hang old B.!" declared Bert irreverently. - -It made the others flush to hear him speak in such fashion. Bert say -such a thing of Old B., one of his particular favourites! Clive and Hugh -looked askance at the comrade they knew as a rule as a smooth-spoken, -wool-gathering fellow. Here he was decidedly emphatic--brusque, to say -the least of it, in fact quite rude, and hurling names about in a -manner which might be that of Masters', but was certainly not that -customary to Bert Seymour. Hugh wondered what next was coming. Clive -grinned sheepishly, and then suddenly straightened his features. Half an -hour before he wouldn't have minded Bert's seeing that grin of derision. -Now he was positively afraid. - -"Er--oh--er, yes," he said lamely. - -"Eh?" asked Bert sharply. - -"Oh, nothing." - -"Then don't gas. Look here. What I've said is true enough. Hugh didn't -see what I've mentioned. Well," said Bert, with cold scorn, "no one -expects anything better from Hugh." - -"I say! Look here!" - -"But Clive saw it, for a wonder," the elder of the lads went on without -faltering. "So it's true enough. Three of those chaps are impostors. The -fourth keeps house down here for 'em, and lets 'em know how things are -going." - -"What things?" asked Hugh sulkily. - -"What things! Why, who's away from home, or going away shortly. Who's a -big swell, with lots of cash and lots of jewels. What the police are -doing. Whether they suspect anyone in particular. What clue they have to -the perpetrators----" - -"How much?" asked Clive. - -"Perpetrators. Fellows who did the job," said Bert, with cold scorn -again. In fact, his tones were icy. He might have been speaking to -little children. "What clue they have to the perpetrators of the -burglaries, and what chance there is of cracking other cribs." - -His grip of the situation was really amazing. Clive remembered all of a -sudden that Bert had already made quite a name for himself in the school -Debating Society. It was strange, he had often thought, that a fellow -usually so retiring and so dreamy should be ready to get on to his feet -and speak before an audience. He himself would have shivered in his -shoes if called upon to debate. Yet Bert turned not so much as a hair. - -"Ready to get on to his hind legs and gas at any moment and on any -subject," Hugh had once observed. "Glad he keeps his gas for the -Debating Society and don't let it off on us. Bert's a wonder." - -He was a distinct surprise on this occasion--at any rate, what might -with justice be described as a dark horse. For here was Bert gripping -the intricacies of the situation as if he'd been thinking them out for -hours. And what was more to the point, though usually content to take -third place, as we have explained, he had of a sudden crumpled up all -but the feeblest attempts to contradict him, had hurled scorn at his -friends, and was now virtually in command of the party. He was a wonder -indeed! At last he was being taken seriously. - -"So we take it as agreed that these beggars are burglars," he said. "The -next question is, how are we going to act?" - -"The police. Send for 'em," suggested Clive. - -"Yes, we will, in time, as soon as we've proved to our own satisfaction -that the thing we've discovered is no mare's nest. Hugh, how long would -it take you to nip down by the ivy?" - -"To the ground?" - -"Of course. Where else, donkey?" - -"Two minutes," answered that young fellow when he had squinted from the -window. - -"Then you stay here and wait for a signal. I hope not to have to send -it. But if I do, hop." - -"Eh?" - -"Clear off. Get home to father and then to the police." - -"Yes. But you?" - -"Clive and I will remain. I've discovered already that the stairs which -once led to the first floor have fallen down. The floor's a very high -one, and unless there is some easier way up elsewhere, where we haven't -yet explored, those fellows wouldn't be able to get at us. That leaves -us safe. While they're trying to get us down, you'll be off. See?" - -"And you'll keep them trying till I can get the police. I've got it. -Hooray!" - -"Shut up!" commanded Bert. - -Hugh showed wonderful obedience. He even looked admiringly at his -brother, and that was very unusual with him. In fact, Hugh's conceit was -large up to this moment. He was more than apt to lay down the law, -especially where Bert was concerned. And now he had met his master. -Where strength of character--real strength--was required, Bert had as if -by magic suddenly become leader of the trio. - -"Stay there and wait. Keep your eye open," he said. "Come on, Clive." - -They went off across the old room, through the archway, and so to that -other chamber across the floor beams of which lay the road to the -gallery over the tumble-down chapel. What memories, what imaginations -that old place brought up too! Clive recollected the tales he had so -often read of times gone by when people lived in similar places, in -fortified towers and castles. When strife between adjacent barons was -frequent, almost incessant, when sudden raids were made, and when the -surrounding people, the serfs and tillers of the soil, all who owed -allegiance to one of the mighty barons, hastened, at the blowing of a -horn, to the castle, driving maybe their cattle before them, and -accompanied by their wives and children. He could see them here, massed -in a huge square open place in the heart of the tower. He pictured -himself as one of them--the sentry, in fact--perched on that high -smaller tower on the roof to which they had ascended, peering out over -the country and watching the blazing of the homesteads and the approach -of the attackers. He closed his eyes, this imaginative Clive, and saw -the galleries and roof and windows peopled by men-at-arms in leathern -jerkins, armed with bows and arrows, or with clumsy arquebuses. Many, -too, with huge halberds. There were others up on the roof, poising -masses of rock on their shoulders, ready to hurl them down upon the -enemy approaching the door. There too, amongst them, was the noble baron -himself, with his spouse, while between them stood a trumpeter. He could -see the envoy of the enemy approach on his horse, a white flag attached -to his lance, could hear the flare of his trumpet summons, and his -demand that the tower should be surrendered. And then, still with -soaring imagination, he grew enthusiastic as he conjured up the haughty -refusal of the baron, the first blows struck, the noise and shouts of -the contestants. - -"S--s--she! Go quietly. You'll let 'em hear us." Bert brought him -suddenly to his senses, and perhaps it was as well that he did so, for -at the moment Clive was balancing himself in the centre of one of the -floor beams, wabbling somewhat giddily, and looking as if he might fall -on to the massed-up debris down below, all that remained now of the -massive floor on which the ancient occupants of this room had trodden. -Yes, it was a place to conjure up all sorts of strange ideas. One could -picture the huge oak table in the centre of this room, the rush mats on -the floor, the forms and rough chairs round the huge, open fireplace. -But Clive had dreamed long enough. It was strange indeed to hear of his -dreaming. That was the sort of thing one expected of Bert. And here he -was perfectly wideawake, the reverse of dreaming, as practical and -unromantic as could well be imagined. - -"S--s--she!" he whispered. "I heard 'em moving. Stop a bit. They may be -listening." - -No. The drone of voices came to their ears. Sometimes it appeared as if -all four men must be talking at one and the same time. Then there were -but two or one. Later, there was loud, raucous laughter. Then a man -coughed and choked, and once more there was loud laughter, louder this -time, for three joined in it. - -"Just the moment to move forward," whispered Bert. "Come on." - -He gained the gallery, and Clive soon afterwards. Then they crept to the -ruined balustrade and peeped over. Yes, there were the four men, and now -that Clive's interest and powers of observation had been stimulated he -remarked at once that whereas the three men, strangers to him, were clad -in rough clothing, as if they were labourers, two were certainly smoking -cigarettes from gold-tipped holders. At least, it looked as if the bands -surrounding the holders were gold. - -"Might be simply cheap gilt," he told himself. "All the same, it's fishy -to see 'em smoking cigarettes from holders. That's the sort of thing -Susanne'd do. He don't think anything of a fellow who don't use one, and -says that cigarettes aren't worth smoking otherwise. Wonder when I'll be -able to smoke and enjoy it?" - -It was one of Clive's ambitions, one destined, it seemed, to be long -deferred. For we must be perfectly candid on this subject. Clive, like a -huge number of other young fellows who attempt to smoke, in their heart -of hearts abhor the thing. Only the fancied grandness of the practice -lets them repeat it. Perhaps, also, it is because smoking is so strictly -forbidden, and is such a severely punished offence because of its -decidedly harmful effects, that boys dare attempt it. In any case, -speaking of Clive, we have to faithfully record the fact that a -cigarette went far to make him feel positively sick, and being a -sensible fellow he had decided against the practice. Even Susanne had -lost his keenness, while Hugh and Bert had never once shown an -inclination in that direction. Indeed, to do the "Old Firm" but simple -justice, they were models where smoking was concerned. - -Down below, in the body of the ruined chapel, beneath an expanse of roof -still supported on some half-dozen pillars, and situated so close to the -edge that the two above could easily perceive them, were the four men -whose voices they had heard, the head and shoulders of one of them, -however, being still invisible. They sat for the most part on masses of -stone which had once been portions of pillars. But one occupied a chair, -while now that he had more time for observation, Bert saw that, far in -the background, and only partly visible, was an iron bedstead, on which -lay a bundle of blankets. A wood fire blazed in the centre of the circle -formed by the men, and propped on iron legs above it was an iron pot. -Near by, also, were glasses and a bottle. - -"A chap could easily get across over there, and lie down immediately -over their heads," whispered Bert, of a sudden, when they had been -looking downward for some few minutes, vainly trying to overhear what -was passing between the men. "I suppose it's all right trying to -overhear, eh? Don't like sneaks of that sort as a rule. But here, eh?" - -His eyebrows went up questioningly. Clive jerked his head. - -"All's fair," he answered. "If they're burglars, why it's----" - -"Playing the game?" - -"Exactly." - -"Then you think we could get over there? I'll try, at any rate. You stay -and watch. If I succeed, you follow." - -Bert went off at once along the gallery, creeping close beside the wall, -for the balustrade had in parts disappeared entirely. Nor was it such an -easy task to reach the spot he had pointed out, for once more it was -necessary to cross a part where the roof of the chapel had disappeared -as completely as had the balustrade. There was, in fact, simply a stone -archway left, across which he must walk to gain the position he sought. -And it must be remembered that that archway was not by any means low. -The pillars supporting it towered upward a considerable height, so that -looking down made one giddy. A few hours before, Bert would have -hesitated. The masterful Hugh also, fully conscious of his prowess in -the gymnasium, would in all probability have elected to leave the task -unaccomplished. But Bert was transformed. He swept difficulties aside as -if they did not exist. Measuring the height of the archway, and its -breadth, he stepped on to it, held his arms widely outstretched, and -commenced the passage, while Clive looked on, his heart in his mouth. - -"He'll fall," he thought. "Just fancy Bert's venturing. George! He's -across, and now he's beckoning. I've got to chance it too." - -He felt dismayed. Where there was a difficult tree to be climbed when he -and Hugh were bird's-nesting, Clive made light of the business. He -scoffed at heights, at weakened and rotten branches, and laughed at the -very idea that he should fall. But walking the tight-rope was an -altogether different class of undertaking, and what was this feat but -tight-rope walking? - -"Jolly well like it," he thought. "Of course, the arch is steady. But -it's awfully narrow, and it's such a height. If one tripped, one would -be over. That'd kill a fellow." - -He crept along the gallery, stole softly to the arch, and then looked -over. It made him feel quite queer when he peered down into the ruined -chapel. Clive felt like funking. He was on the point of shaking his head -in Bert's direction. And then he changed his mind. What Bert could do, -he would. - -"As if I'd let him beat me!" he thought. "He'd call me a funk. He's been -slinging names around freely since this began. Like his cheek! Just -fancy Bert slinging names at a fellow!" - -A hot flush rose to his cheeks at the thought. If he had hesitated to -make this attempt to cross a moment earlier, he was now eager to set -out. - -"Just fancy being licked by Bert. Not me! Rather get smashed into -mincemeat down below than have him jeering." - -And off he went across the narrow archway, with Bert watching him -anxiously, as if doubtful of his capacity to cross. If Clive could have -read his friend's thoughts he would have flushed even redder than he had -done a little while before, for conditions were reversed with a -vengeance. It was always a matter of doubt with Clive and Hugh, and with -the somewhat bumptious Masters, to tell the tale fully, whether Bert, -when accompanying the Old Firm on some of its more reckless expeditions, -would ruin its success by his natural timidity. And here he was ready to -call Clive a funk if need be, and anxiously wondering whether he were -capable of doing what he, Bert, had done! - -"Ah! Glad you managed it. Thought you might get giddy and fall," he -whispered. "Now lie down and don't kick up a beastly row. I want to -listen." - -There was sudden movement down below. One of the four under -observation--and now that Clive and Bert had changed their point of -vantage, invisible to them, for they were almost directly beneath--rose -from the stone seat he had been occupying, kicked the logs on the fire -till they sent a stream of sparks upward, and then sauntered out into -that part of the chapel exposed to the sky. Where a roof should have -been, there was now nothing but the broken ends of what had, doubtless, -once been finely carved stone arches. They poked their shattered tips -from the farther wall like so many fingers, and attracted the attention -of the fellow below. Seeing him suddenly appear, Clive lay even flatter, -and he, too, took stock of those remains of broken arches. And then, -straightway, he pictured the chapel as it had been, with its carved and -ornamental roof, its beautiful stone pillars, its aisles, its pews. And -in amongst the latter those people of a bygone day. Men in armour, -ladies in the fashion of the time, retainers stationed everywhere. He -even fancied he heard the low-voiced music of the organ, the chanting of -the choir, the deep bass notes of the priest in attendance. And then he -was startled into the reality of things as they were. For the man below -was speaking. Despite his clothes, one would have sworn that he had some -pretensions to being a gentleman. He was still smoking a cigarette, and -now knocked the end against one of the pillars of the chapel so as to -clear it of ash. Then he looked around, as if admiring the ruins. - -"A queer place to be hidden in, eh?" he asked, flourishing the -cigarette. "Romantic and all that. Haunted, they tell me. All the -better. No one likely to interfere." - -His voice was singularly tuneful. Had Clive or Bert met him elsewhere -and seen him dressed in other raiment they would decidedly have -proclaimed him to be a gentleman. But then, the times we live in are -strange ones. - -"The most honest, sometimes the most ragged," Bert murmured. "The more -gentlemanly, sometimes the cleverer rascal. That chap's good looking." - -Clive nodded. "Yes," he said. "I believe I've seen him somewhere else -before this." - -"Round about here?" - -This time Clive shook his head. He could not recollect; but of this he -was sure, he had seen this man, and under different circumstances. - -"I'll swear he was well dressed then," he whispered. "But let's shut up. -They're gassing." - -"All the better," repeated the man out in the open, stretching his arms -and yawning. "There's less chance of interference. But I'll tell you -this. I'd rather we could work during the daytime than at night. I never -was one for staying up. I'm a beggar to sleep. If only every other -person would sleep during the hours of daylight, I for one would be -contented." - -"Listen to the selfish beggar," came an answer from directly beneath the -listeners. "Here's Joe wishes to be left alone to do his work during the -daytime, just because he likes to sleep at night. As if he weren't -having his reward. Listen to this, Joe. Good things are not to be had -without the expenditure of trouble, and without inconvenience to one's -self. That's something worth remembering. Think what you get for a -night's work. More than the average man makes in a whole year, perhaps. -And if we're lucky, and things turn out as we hope, why, there's a -fortune for each one of us. We're out for a big haul. The stuff's there, -or should be. There don't seem a chance of our being interfered with, -while here's Peter, who knows the inns and outs of every corner, able to -advise us where to work, and, what's even better, able to keep watch -when we're gone, and no doubt to throw dust in the eyes of those who -might be inquisitive." - -"For instance, the police," came from the third man, with a satirical -laugh. "I'd just like to know what they'll make of this business we're -after. But we've been too cute for 'em up to now, and I'm not afraid of -running across them. This haul's bound to be either nothing or a real -big un, and if it is, why, there'll be quite a little excitement in the -neighbourhood." - -Bert nudged Clive. "Hear that?" he asked, in a whisper. "They're going -to attempt a haul." - -"Here, too," answered Clive excitedly. "But exactly where?" - -"Ah! That's what we've got to discover. They've evidently put the police -off the scent, and we were quite right in thinking that the fellow who -lives in this place picks up all local information for these fellows. -Look out! They're at it again." - -"Say, Joe," they heard from one of the men still invisible. "Let's look -at that sketch again. I'm not sure where the window actually is, nor in -what condition. But perhaps Peter will tell us. Now, lad, let's hear -it." - -There was a short pause, and then another voice chimed in, one less -musical and far less cultured. - -"The window. Oh, ah! Well, now, it's right away agin the very corner, -and if there ever was a window that was strong, why, it's that there -window. But the job can be done, particular by you gents that has had -sich practice." - -"Going to enter by a window," whispered Bert hoarsely. "But where?" - -"And seein' as you've got the right sort o' tools, why it's jest as good -as finished," went on the fellow known as Peter. "After that, why, it -lies with yourselves. If you're careful I can't see as there's a chance -of interference, and if the stuff's there, why, you has it. As for the -police, they're safe. Why, bless you, when there's one of your night -jobs on, and it ain't quite sort o' healthy for the police to be about, -I jest manages to send 'em word somehow that there's a poachin' business -comin' off, and that there poachin' business ain't never in the -neighbourhood you're workin'. What's more, the news ain't never given by -me, nor by the same man, never. Them police is jest little babies." - -Evidently Peter had little opinion of the arm of the law. He held the -local sergeant and his constable in open contempt, and now he was -gloating over the clever means by which he had managed to hoodwink them. -Clive heard him cackling. He slouched out into the open, crammed his -pipe with tobacco which the man called Joe offered, and lit the weed by -means of a piece of smouldering wood picked from the fire. - -As for Clive and Bert, they withdrew a little later. They were still -wanting precise information as to the part where this burglary was to be -attempted, and they were not at all sure that the plan was to be carried -out that night. - -"But it's likely enough," reflected Bert. "Chaps like these don't come -down to the country to hang about. They've chosen one of the large -houses, and Peter will have thrown dust in the eyes of the police and -sent 'em in the opposite direction. To-night'll be dark, for there's no -moon just now. Now, what's to be done in the matter?" - -That was a most difficult question. Gathered about the window by which -they had entered, the three debated the point with hushed voice and -eager gesture. Observation and the words they had overheard had been -amply sufficient to convince them of the importance of their discovery. -Only their own determination had gained admission to the ruined tower -for them. But thanks to that they had unearthed a nest of burglars. The -matter could not rest there. - -"Impossible!" declared Bert resolutely, which sentiment Clive and Hugh -echoed. "We'd have the neighbourhood shouting taunts at us and declaring -we were funks. Those chaps below have brought this thing on themselves. -They ought to have seen to it that no one could clamber into the tower. -They didn't. That's their fault. But, as a result, we know that they're -burglars." - -"Yes. Regular rotters," Hugh agreed. - -"And our duty's as plain as possible." - -Clive pushed his hands deep into his pockets and looked decidedly -stubborn. - -"Yes, it is a duty," Bert admitted. "What's more, we're going to carry -it through. Just you chaps shut up talking while I think a bit. You gas -so much that you make a fellow's wits go wandering." - -He had become quite spiteful. Hugh actually flinched under this -reprimand and failed to retort. Clive coloured, looked indignant, and -then turned to gaze out of the window. Each was therefore left to his -thoughts, and though a method of procedure might not yet have been come -at, this was quite certain: each one was fully determined that nothing -should make him flinch from the task so unexpectedly set him. The arrest -of those scheming burglars was decidedly a duty. - - - - -CHAPTER XII - -ROUNDING UP THE BURGLARS - - -The predicament in which Bert and his friends found themselves after -overhearing the discussion between the four men in the chapel of the -tower was by no means lessened by an event which happened within five -minutes of the return of Clive and Bert. They were grouped round the -window through which they had gained entrance, debating the question. -Bert, in the manner he favoured when addressing the members of that -august assembly known as the Ranleigh School Debating Society, stood -with his hands beneath his coat, firmly clenched at his back. He leaned -slightly forward, wagged his head impressively when he wished to make a -point, and silenced interruption with a keen and sometimes threatening -glance. - -"There you are," he was saying, as if summing up the whole position. - -"We arrive here after a bit of a climb." - -"Yes, we all know that," interjected Hugh impatiently. "If we hadn't -arrived here, why--well, we shouldn't be here, should we?" - -"Don't talk rot," came the rejoinder. "We arrive here after a climb; we -discover four blackguards----" - -"One moment," said Clive, gently enough, for he was positively fearful -now of incurring the censure of the great Bert. "You must admit that -they don't exactly appear to be blackguards. One, for instance----" - -Bert tossed his head impatiently. He freed one hand from behind his -back, and still leaving the other in its old position, holding his -coat-tails in air, lifted the first, protruded a forefinger and held it -out in a manner half appealing and certainly a little threatening. - -"Do let's get on," he growled. "Who's such an ass not to know that -modern burglars are often swells?" - -"Agreed," cried Hugh, while Clive nodded. - -"All the swell mobsmen of to-day cut a dash. Probably they've been to -the best of schools, and if only you knew it, you rub shoulders with -them when you go to dances and dinners and the theatre." - -Bert was really terrific. Hugh blushed to think of his boldness. As if -he and his brother were in the habit of going to dances, of being -invited to dinners, and of accompanying friends to the theatre. Catch -them being bored with one or the other! Why, Bert had only said on the -previous day that dances were a nuisance. That he preferred cricket. -That dinners didn't interest him, for people talked such rot. Besides, a -chap couldn't get half enough to eat. As to theatres, well, there he had -waxed quite indignant. Theatres indeed! Drivel! That had been his actual -expression. And here he was holding forth! Hugh opened his mouth to -protest. - -"I say! Draw it mild. How can chaps rub shoulders with burglars at -dances, dinners, and theatres if they never go, or hardly ever?" - -Bert fixed him with a piercing glance. "Ass!" he hissed. "Who's meaning -us? You means Dick and Tom and Harry. I wouldn't be bored with such -things. But other folks are, and they rub shoulders with fine fellows, -handsome chaps able to debate any question, and in the King's best -English too, who are common robbers all the same. But you wouldn't be -supposed to know all that, Hugh. You're too young." - -There was pity in his tones. Hugh crumpled up instantly. His indignation -a few hours ago would have been surprising. He might even have launched -himself at Bert, for sometimes their breezes led to violence. But now? -He wished the ground would open and swallow him. Bert's scorn and pity -made him positively miserable. - -"Sorry!" he managed to murmur. - -"Oh, you can't help that, no more can Clive. You're both of you kids, -and it's kindest to tell you. But do let us get ahead. We've discovered -four blackguards down below, and we know the police are after them. We -have heard of frequent burglaries in these parts of late, and we have -overheard these fellows boasting of how they have put the police off the -track. Now they're contemplating another. We've got to act, and----" - -It was just at this precise moment that the event occurred which added -to their difficulties, and, in fact, threw them into a condition of -great excitement. A low, reverberating crash came bursting through the -doorway of the room and reached their ears sharply. They looked at one -another in dismay. - -"A revolver shot," said Bert hoarsely. - -"Perhaps they've had a row," suggested Clive after a minute's silence. -"Perhaps they were dividing the stuff taken on former occasions and -couldn't agree. There's another." - -Five shots rang out in swift succession, and there was a half-smothered -shout. Hugh looked doubtfully out of the window. He wondered if Bert -would recommend a precipitate retirement, and sincerely hoped he would. -Clive, too, followed the direction of his glance, and felt somewhat -faint-hearted. But Bert rose to the occasion, just as he had done -before. - -"You stay here. I'll go and see what's happening," he said. - -"I'll come too," cried Clive eagerly, while Hugh showed a decided -inclination to follow. But their friend checked the impulse with a wave -of his hand. - -"Stay here," he said. "If there's shooting, better have only one hurt. -If I don't get back within five minutes you'll know that something's -happened. Then bolt for it. Hunt up the police, tell 'em the whole tale, -and bring 'em along with you. Of course, they'd better come armed. -Rather! Listen to that. There's more shooting. They must be hiding -behind the pillars and potting at one another. Now, do as you're told. -Just hop if I'm not back in five minutes." - -He went off without another glance at them, and we must record the -impression his courage created. Clive and Hugh were positively -astounded. - -"Never knew him like this before. What's happened to him?" asked the -former. - -Hugh shook his head dolefully. The whole thing was astounding and -somewhat painful. Even in the midst of such excitement the thought was -uppermost in his mind that Bert had shone brightly in this adventure, -while he, Hugh, who as a rule thrust himself to the front as if he -recognised his own superiority, was acting like a baby, and would -willingly have bolted a moment ago if it hadn't been for his brother's -example. - -"I'm jiggered!" was all that he could exclaim, somewhat mournfully. - -Afterwards they stood by the window listening eagerly, every little -sound causing them to stir and start. And when the shots were repeated, -which was every few moments, they positively jumped. - -How slowly those fatal minutes passed too. Clive dragged a battered -Waterbury from his waistcoat pocket, shook it violently to make sure -that it was running, for, in spite of its general excellence, this same -watch had of late struck work on occasion. What else could you expect? -The ingenious Clive and Hugh had imagined that they had a startling -improvement to add to the watch. It had surprised them that no -watchmaker had ever hit upon such a simple invention. The thing was, in -fact, brilliant and childishly simple, so much so that they burned to -put it into practice. That meant that the cheap but reliable Waterbury -possessed by Clive had promptly been laid on the operating table. Its -vitals had been exposed. Its springs had been stirred with a canny -instrument of Clive's own making, and then, the greatest triumph of -all, the simple and brilliant improvement had been added. - -"Simply ripping!" was Hugh's enthusiastic comment, as he watched his -friend's dexterous fingers. "It'll go like a bird after this. You'll -make a pot of money by selling the invention." - -Alas! The stupid watch resented this unasked-for interference. There was -something wrong with the invention added. Perhaps it didn't fit. Perhaps -the vitals of the Waterbury had been slightly injured. Whatever the -cause, the watch refused to go regularly after that experiment, even -though Clive reluctantly withdrew his brilliant addition from the -interior. It had a habit of stopping. Then it would plunge ahead without -rhyme or reason. But it was going now. - -"He left us two minutes twenty seconds ago," he said hoarsely. - -"And gave us the limit of five. My eye! Ain't they shooting! It must be -a regular battle." - -The shots came frequently still to their ears, sharp and very distinct, -while occasionally there was a shout. Hugh looked out of the window, -wondering whether anyone passing on the road would hear the noise and -come in their direction. - -"We'd wave then," he told Clive. - -"What?" asked that latter, giving his Waterbury a bang on the stone -edge of the window. "Beastly thing's trying to stop. It gave a sort of -whir. You know. You've heard it." - -"I was wondering if anyone on the road would hear and come along. We'd -wave," repeated Hugh. - -"Of course. Any juggins would do that. But they won't hear. The sound -breaks up in the building. You wouldn't hear it if you were down below -in that old garden. How's time? I do wish Bert'd come back. Supposing he -don't? What then?" - -"We run for it." - -"And leave him?" - -"Those were his or--er, his wishes," said Hugh hurriedly. - -"Oh! Then I suppose we must, though I don't like leaving him. But it's -better than all being murdered. George! It's four minutes five seconds -since he left us." - -They counted the remaining seconds anxiously. They were breathless when -the full five minutes had gone. Clive tucked the Waterbury sadly back -into his pocket and looked enquiringly at his friend. - -"Give him five minutes' grace," he said. - -Hugh nodded. He noticed that the firing had become almost furious. Then -there was a loud and startled shout, when it ceased all of a sudden. - -There was blank despair on their faces now. What better evidence could -they have of Bert's downfall? - -"Those brutes have bagged him," groaned Hugh. "If--if only we had -revolvers." - -"I'm awfully sorry," said Clive lamely, for Hugh looked as if he would -burst into tears. - -"Awfully near blubbing," Clive told himself. And then, as if he felt -that the responsibility of the situation had fallen on his own -shoulders, he clutched Hugh by the arm and thrust him towards the -window. - -"Let's go," he said. "No use giving him longer grace. Let's get off to -the police. We can then show them the way back and help in the capture." - -Sadly and desperately did the two clamber down the ivy to the ground -beneath. They sneaked away from the tower as if they were afraid that -shots might follow them. Then they plunged into the copse in which their -bicycles lay, and having found the latter, mounted their own and -sprinted off to the village as fast as the wheels and their feet would -allow. Two breathless lads at length threw themselves from their -machines at the gate of the cottage which did duty as a police depot. - -"What's amiss?" asked the police sergeant, coming to the door in his -shirt sleeves to answer their loud and peremptory summons. "What! -Mister Clive and Mister Hugh! You ain't been diggin' more pits fer Mr. -Rawlings, have you?" - -There was a stupid grin on his face. His insolence made the boys' blood -boil. Were they never to hear the last of that business? - -"I'm fairly sick of hearing of it," Hugh had grumbled on the previous -day, for as is the case in the country, the tale had flown swiftly. Sly -glances of amusement were cast after the retreating figure of Mr. -Rawlings. That pompous individual now was far less patronising than on -former occasions. He even nodded, instead of treating those who greeted -him politely, as is the pleasant fashion in the country, to a lordly -lifting of his stick. Mrs. Darrell's gardener chuckled perhaps half a -dozen times a day when he thought of the occurrence. - -"Of all the imps, them's they," he had often asserted down at the public -which he frequented. "And mind you, I ain't so sure as some of their -elders and their betters too, as you'd think, ain't mightily pleased at -what happened. Bless you! The parson, he sent his boys away to school at -once. Mister Hugh, he tells me that he and Mr. Bert come in fer a -lickin'. But that don't prevent parson from bein' amused, do it? That -don't prevent him thinking that it sarved Mr. Rawlings right. It's just -this. You think of a man as you find him, and parson don't think much of -him up at the Hall, if I'm a good un at guessing." - -Whether the old fellow was a good un or not, the fact remained that the -story was known far and wide, and the boyish escapade of our heroes -condoned, if not actually approved of. Still, it was galling, to say the -least, to call upon a police sergeant and to have the fellow casting the -same old tale at them. - -Clive lifted his head pompously. It was a way his father had had when in -possession of the property, though he was an easy enough man to get on -with. The sergeant recognised the movement. He remembered a reprimand he -himself had received from Clive's father. Suddenly he lost his grin and -became stern and attentive. - -"Beggin' pardon," he said, "but what's happened? A fire? Or is it -someone that's got killed? Or is it poachers?" - -"Poachers?" asked Hugh in astonishment. - -"Poachers, to be sure. Haven't I been worrited almost off my head of -late with tales of 'em, and information that they was working? There's -that farmer Stiggins. He comes ridin' in two weeks ago and says as -there's going to be a raid by poachers up at Squire Green's covers way -over by Pendleton Bottom. I gets on my bicycle, calls for Irwin, the -constable, along by the cross roads, and we goes and hides with the -keepers. But no poachers come along. Young gents, there was a burglary -that night over in the opposite direction. There was three of 'em at it, -we reckoned, and they got clear away with five diamond rings, silver -forks and knives by the bushel, a box o' cigars, a bottle o' brandy and -a self-filling pen. You ain't come to tell me of more poachers?" - -Clive had recovered his breath by then. He was so impatient to tell his -tale that he could positively have struck the sergeant. - -"Poachers! Bother poachers!" he cried, though his eyes went to Hugh's -with a significance there was no denying. Here, indeed, was -corroboration of the story he had heard, and more proof, if any were -needed, of the importance of their discovery. "We've come about -burglars, your burglars," he cried. "Three of them, and a fourth who -keeps watch when they're away and sends tales of poachers to the police. -I heard them telling the story. They've been fooling you nicely, but -we've got 'em now, sergeant." - -It was the officer's turn to gasp. He pushed his untidy hair far back -from his forehead, and stared hard at the boys. - -"Just tell the tale straight through," he said eagerly. "You've bagged -three burglars, you two has done that--never!" - -"Ass! Who said we'd bagged them?" shouted Hugh angrily. "We've found out -where they're hiding. We listened to their talk, and we know that they -intend to make another attempt at burglary this very evening. They -started shooting----" - -"Ah!" The sergeant started and flushed. "Then they're armed?" he asked, -with some show of anxiety. - -"Rather! Huge revolvers. They started a row. Bert--you know my -brother--well, he was awfully plucky. He went off to see what the row -was about, and they shot him." - -His lip trembled. Hugh had been too fully engaged up till now to realise -the seriousness of his probable loss. But the mention of it to the -sergeant unnerved and unmanned him for the moment. A second later he was -watching the sergeant closely. The latter dived into the narrow opening -of his cottage, reached for his coat and helmet and donned them swiftly, -as much as to say that the very action made him into a real sergeant and -showed that he was ready to do his duty. Then he produced a note-book, -drew out a pencil and bit the lead. Having opened the book, he then -looked at a watch as ponderous as Clive's Waterbury and noted the time -down in his book with a business-like air which was most impressive. A -few scribbled lines were hurriedly added. - -"'At two fifty-two I was called by Mister Darrell and Mister Hugh -Seymour,'" he read. "'They was on bicycles.'" - -"Wrong," interrupted the latter. "We'd dismounted." - -"But you come on bicycles," the sergeant reproved him severely. "'From -information then received I learned that the said young gentlemen had -discovered four burglars, the same as did a robbery two weeks ago, and -the same most likely as has done others in these parts. From information -received----'" - -"You've said that once," said Clive impatiently. - -"And I'll have to say it again. It's the law," declared the officer -sternly. "It's the law, sir. 'Well, from information received, I learned -that the said burglars were armed, and that Mister Bert Seymour had been -shot.' Now, where's the place?" - -"The old tower that's haunted." - -"Ha! I suspected it. I've seed lights there of nights of late. People -says it's haunted; but I'd made up my mind to see what them lights -meant. It's lucky you went there first. I'd have been there to-night, -perhaps, young gents. So it's at the tower? And there's four of the -ruffians? That means that help's required. You young gentlemen come -along with me at once. There's no time to be lost. I'll pick up the -constable, and then get along to the Rector and Mr. Newdigate. They're -magistrates." - -Once more the officer dived into his cottage, to appear again armed with -a bludgeon and wheeling his bicycle. In a trice they were all three -mounted and racing away towards the cross roads, where the constable had -his quarters. By the time the Rectory was reached their excitement had, -if anything, increased, the more so since a dozen or more of the -neighbours had joined them. Stevens, the village butcher, followed in -his cart, a hay-fork gripped in one hand so as to be ready. There were a -couple of young farm labourers, the local sweep, a big lusty fellow who -might be expected to tackle at least two of the burglars. Ahead went the -Rector, mounted on his tricycle, and very soon the second of the -magistrates had joined him riding in his car, to which the Rector -transferred his person, loaning his own machine to Tom, a youth employed -about the village. By the time the cavalcade came in sight of Merton -Tower there were at least twenty followers, while the brace of shot-guns -resting in the back of the leading car showed that the band were bent on -business, and were determined to meet violence with violence. - -"If they shoots, why, of course, I shoot," the sergeant told Hugh -hoarsely as they came nearer to the tower. "I don't like bloodshed--not -me! But when there's desperate criminals to be dealt with, why, they has -to have what they deserves. Where did you say you left the road to get -at the tower?" - -The two who had given the alarm, and had helped to discover the -burglars, promptly pointed out the spot, and dismounted opposite the gap -through which they had passed with their machines. The car was brought -to a standstill instantly, and a boy who had attached himself to the -gang a little time before was left in charge. Then, headed by Clive and -Hugh, with the sergeant and the constable immediately behind them, and -followed by the Rector and his fellow magistrate, the whole party thrust -their way quietly through the cover of the wood which led to the base of -the tower. Very soon they were halted at the edge of the copse, with the -massive door within sight of them. - -"That's where we got in," whispered Clive, pointing to the window above, -and to the ivy growing thickly up to it. - -"You clambered up by the ivy!" gasped the Rector, turning pale. "What -recklessness! But we can't do that. Are the doors bolted?" - -"Fast," said Hugh. "But there's a postern in one, which is padlocked." - -"Then we'll soon make short work o' that," declared the sergeant, -suddenly taking the lead. "Now, gentlemen, we've got to take -precautions, or else we'll have these gaolbirds escaping. Constable, you -just slip round to the far side, taking a few of these lads with you, -and watch to see that no one breaks away. Take one of the guns, and -shoot if one of the four we're after lifts a weapon or refuses to -surrender." - -There was determination written on the face of the officer. Some of the -gaping rustics around turned pale beneath their tan. The Rector raised -one hand as if to protest, and then, realising the situation, refrained -from speaking. - -"Now," went on the officer, "I take the other gun. Bill Watson, you've -brought along that bar I asked for?" - -A burly fellow with a smith's apron around his middle came forward. "I'm -ready," he said. "If there's a padlock, it won't stand much from this -thing. But supposing they shoot?" - -"I'll be there beside you," said the sergeant at once. "Don't you fear. -If there's going to be hanky-panky, I'll be first with it." - -By now the constable had gone off to the far side of the tower, taking -some of the gang with him. All was in readiness for the attack upon the -stronghold of the burglars. The sergeant looked about him to make sure -that every avenue of escape was closed, and then led the way forward -from cover. The smith went with him, the Rector and his fellow -magistrate followed, while the rustics came in rear, some rather -timorously, some impelled merely by overweening curiosity, others -because of their natural courage. - -"Now, Bill Watson, do your duty," commanded the sergeant, when they had -reached the doors. "In the name of the King, break open that lock." - -Bill made short work of the matter. His bar was thrust at once into the -hasp of the lock. He put his weight into the business. There was a dull -snap, and at once the padlock fell from the door. Promptly the sergeant -pushed it open and made ready to enter. - -"Gentlemen," he said, turning to those who stood about him, "in the -execution of my duty I am bound to enter. I can ask, but cannot demand -your help." - -Hugh almost cheered him. The fellow was so cool, and so dignified. One -saw that he was ready if need be to enter alone, and brave the very -worst. But that, of course, was out of the question. Hugh pressed -forward and Clive with him. The Rector lifted his hat and stepped up to -the door, and then one by one they entered. It was dark within, but a -match which the officer struck showed that the way was clear. Guided by -Clive, he went in the direction of the chapel. They crossed the floor of -a huge room, passed through a wide passage, and then came to a doorway. -Ah! the space beyond was flooded with light. It was clear that here the -roof had fallen. - -"The chapel," whispered Clive. - -"And the burglars," said Hugh, beneath his breath, pointing to four -figures in the distance. - -"Forward!" ordered the sergeant sternly. "Rush 'em!" - -[Illustration: "'FORWARD!' ORDERED THE SERGEANT STERNLY. 'RUSH 'EM!'"] - -They started out into the chapel at a run. With a shout of triumph they -threw themselves upon the four men within, bowled them over before they -had recovered from their astonishment or could use their weapons, and -soon had them tethered in the corners. It was exciting work while it -lasted. Clive and Hugh tackled Peter, and were almost killed by the -frantic struggles of that burly ruffian. It took them quite three -minutes to recover their breath. Then they went to one of the corners, -where poor Bert lay huddled on the same iron bedstead which he and Clive -had noticed. - -"Merely stunned, not otherwise hurt," said the Rector, who was bending -over him. "It seems that he must have fallen from the floor above. I -will cross-question those ruffians." - -The three fellows whom Bert and his friends had decided must be swell -mobsmen stood at the far end of the chapel surrounded by a crowd of -exultant rustics, and now with hands firmly bound. A great noise came -from their direction, and going towards them Clive heard first one and -then another of the dishevelled rascals expostulating. - -"What's the meaning of this violence and of this extraordinary assault?" -the man whom Clive knew as Joe was demanding. "Answer at once, sergeant. -Why are peaceful people thus attacked and set upon by ruffians with an -officer of the law to lead them?" - -That officer might have been a mile away. He stood, note-book and pencil -in hand, and once more took the time by his watch. - -"I have to warn you that anything you say will be used in evidence -against you," he said coolly, having noted the time. - -"Humbug! Evidence indeed! You'll require that, my man," came the heated -answer. - -"I charge you with being notorious burglars, with lying here ready to -commit another offence. My witnesses, who overheard you discussing your -plans, are Mister Clive Darrell and Mister Hugh Seymour." - -Very pompously did the sergeant give the information. The man called -Joe looked as if he would explode, so great was his indignation. But -though the mention of our two young friends' names may have meant -nothing to him, they seemed to attract the attention of another of the -three who stood in the background till that moment almost unobserved. He -started forward, looked closely at Clive and Hugh, and then, to the -amazement of his comrades and all present, broke into a fit of -uncontrollable laughter. He almost grovelled in his ecstasy. The Rector -was really alarmed for the man's reason, while Bill Watson, the smith, -stepped farther away and raised his iron bar in readiness for -self-protection. It was Joe and the sergeant who first noticed the -curious change which had come over Clive and his young friend. They were -backing away. They looked horribly frightened. Clive had gone a fiery -red, while Hugh was almost purple. They looked, in fact, as if they had -seen the ghost said to haunt this ancient tower, and as if the sight had -scared them out of their wits. - -"I--I think we'd better be going," Clive managed to blurt out at last. - -"Er--yes," agreed Hugh huskily. - -"One moment, young gents," said the sergeant. "Why, if that chap ain't -still laughin'. See here, my man, you just cut it short, or----" - -He was interrupted by another gust. The burglar immediately in front of -the one so vastly amused joined him in his merriment. Then Joe saw the -fun, wherever it existed, and presently there were all three shaking -with mirth, while their captors looked on sternly. And then the one who -had set the fashion stepped to the front, torn and dishevelled after his -encounter. Clive and Hugh backed away, and would have bolted, but at a -glance from him stood rooted to the spot. - -"Sergeant," said the man, "I'm Mr. Canning, a master at Ranleigh School. -Ask those boys if they recognise me." - -No need to ask. The faces of our two young friends supplied the answer. -It was actually and decidedly Mr. Canning, the "Peach," as many called -him, because of his blooming cheeks, the master so fond of giving -"impots." Clive groaned aloud as he looked at him. Hugh wished the -remaining roof of the chapel might fall in and bury him yards deep. - -"Oh!" exclaimed the sergeant, looking glum of a sudden. - -"And these are my friends. Mr. Oxon here, whom we call Joe, is the owner -of Merton Tower. To proceed, there is a legend of buried treasure. He -has lately come upon a clue hidden away in an ancient family manuscript. -What more natural than that he should invite his friends to help him -search for the missing valuables? What more natural than that the -strictest secrecy should be employed? That these boys have discovered us -is unfortunate. The fact that we have been taken for burglars is readily -understood. It is a most excusable and humorous mistake. Allow me to -assure you that we are the most harmless of individuals. As to the boy -who fell into the chapel, he is merely stunned. We have been wondering -how he managed to get into the tower. I suppose I should have recognised -him. I didn't. As to the shots, we were merely amusing ourselves with a -six-shooter. There. You have a full explanation." - -Oh, the misery of it all! The stern looks of the Rector, the grins of -the rustics, the smothered anger of the sergeant and constable. Never -were Clive and Bert and Hugh more miserable than on the days which -followed. People laughed aloud whenever they met them. At church half -the congregation stared them out of face. While the thought that Mr. -Canning had been one of their captures made all three turn almost yellow -at the thought of the coming term at Ranleigh and the consequences of -their late adventure. The worst of all undoubtedly was the fact that -Masters managed to get wind of the business. - -"How's burglars?" he asked, ungrammatically, immediately on encountering -his old friends on their return to Ranleigh. - -There was strife for the ten minutes which followed. - - - - -CHAPTER XIII - -TRENDALL AND SOME OTHERS - - -After all, Masters had to have his joke, and knowing that -inconsequential and extraordinary young gentleman as we do now, we can -imagine that even the fierce ire of Hugh and of Bert and Clive had -little terrors for him. He harped on that stale old joke of the -burglars. - -"How's burglars?" he fired off at the unfortunate heroes of that late -adventure quite a dozen times within the first twenty-four hours of -their return to Ranleigh, and was promptly hustled. Then, too, think of -the bitterness of it all, the "Peach," the placid Mr. Canning, smiled at -them and winked. - -"Like his beastly cheek!" declared Clive indignantly, speaking in -undertones to Bert and Hugh. "See the beggar smile and wink?" - -"Grinned, the beast!" said Hugh, his lips pursed together. Hugh always -did that when he was annoyed. He appeared to be endeavouring to muzzle -himself, as if long experience of his temper warned him that an open -mouth would result in some very bitter sayings. "Grinned, ugh!" he -repeated. - -"After all," began Bert, in those aggravatingly droning and dreamy tones -of his, "you can't exactly blame the fellow, now can you?" - -"Eh?" asked Hugh sharply. Here was an opportunity to be taken. A few -more words from his respected brother would lead to a flare-up between -them. Hugh rather wanted that. It would clear the air and get rid of -some of his own irritability. - -"Sticking up for the Canning beast, eh?" he demanded threateningly. - -"No. Not quite, but--well, if you were in his shoes----" - -"I'm not," snapped Hugh. - -"But, if you were, you'd----" - -"Wouldn't deign to wear 'em, ever," declared his brother haughtily. - -"Oh, well, let's imagine someone else wearing them. He'd grin, wouldn't -he? It was mighty funny, you know--er--for Canning." - -"Oh, shut up!" shouted Hugh. - -"Let's talk of something else," suggested Clive. "I say, the school's -going to the dickens." - -"Without Harvey, yes," assented Hugh, forgetting his irritation for the -moment. "What'll we do? Who'll be captain of the school?" - -They looked blankly at one another. To speak the truth, a bomb had -fallen squarely into the middle of Ranleigh boys. Harvey, the head -scholar and captain of the school, had left suddenly. He was not to -have said good-bye for a couple of terms. But the Head had announced -within a few hours of their return that Harvey had been called abroad -suddenly to join his father in India. It was, without a shadow of doubt, -a terrible blow. - -"What'll we do?" asked Hugh blankly, appealing to the members of the Old -Firm, now gathered about him. "The school'll go to the dogs." - -"Not while the Old Firm's lively," said Masters. - -"Try me as captain," suggested Susanne, with one of his quiet grins. - -"Oh, do let's talk sense!" cried Clive pettishly. "It'd be ripping if -Sturton got it. He's in the running, he's a scholar, and he's splendid -at games. George! wouldn't he give some of the outside footer teams -socks if he were captain." - -But, till the point was cleared up, and the Upper Sixth had duly met -together to discuss this momentous question and elect a captain, there -was unusual despondency throughout the school. The Old Firm went about -disconsolately that afternoon after their arrival. - -"Nothing to do. Nowhere to go. Nothing decent," grumbled Hugh. - -"Except impots," said Masters, with a scowl. "I've still some unfinished -for that fellow Canning. A chap never gets clear of them at this -school. I complained to the Governor." - -"Ah. What happened?" asked Bert. - -There was silence for a moment. Masters looked anything but pleased at -the train of thought the question gave rise to. - -"Let's do something pleasant," he said. "My Governor don't understand a -fellow. To begin with, look at my allowance! A dog'd be disgusted. As -for the impots, he laughed--laughed, I tell you." - -Bert grinned. This question of impots was in the case of Masters quite -an amusing affair. Besides, whenever the matter was mentioned Bert's -mind always went back to the day when Clive's magic pen was brought into -requisition, and when Masters had conducted his work so skilfully that -he had contrived to ruin the tablecloth and drench himself in ink. But -to grin at this point was dangerous. Bert straightened his features -while Susanne changed the conversation. - -"Hullo! Here's Trendall," he said. "He and Rawlings don't speak -nowadays. I'm a bit sorry for that fellow." - -"So am I," agreed Bert. - -"Acted like an idiot. Might have belonged to the Old Firm if he'd -behaved," remarked Hugh magnanimously. - -"Let's invite him to feed," suggested Clive of a sudden. - -"I say!" cried Masters, hearing the words. "You know--well, I don't -mind, of course. In fact, glad to invite him. But Trendall's a fellow to -eat; it'd be expensive." - -"Hang expense! Hi, Trendall!" shouted Susanne, always the prince of good -fellows. - -The object of their regard was at that moment crossing the quad, looking -forlorn and unhappy. The new term had begun badly for him, in fact. He -was depressed like every other fellow at the thought of Ranleigh's loss. -And then, slowly but surely, and in some few cases rapidly and with -uncouth bluntness, he was being led to see that he was by no means a -popular individual. - -"Sit next one another in Hall?" he had asked Marsham, once quite a -friend of his. - -"Promised," came the surly answer. - -"But there's another side. I'll sit there." - -"Blandy's bagged it; you can't," Marsham told him sharply. - -Thereat Trendall swallowed his annoyance and went elsewhere. But what a -change it was to the commencement of the term before, when Clive had -first made the acquaintance of Ranleigh! Then Rawlings and Trendall had -grandly elected their table companions. No one had then been strong -enough to refuse their invitation. Still, Trendall had not yet had his -full lesson. - -"I say, Wilkins," he began, accosting one of his own form fellows, -"how'd it be if we went clubs with our grub this term? You know, I've -had a bit of a turn up with Rawlings, and you and I have always been -pals." - -Wilkins was a thin, hook-nosed individual, with sandy hair already -thinning at the temples, prominent cheek bones, a bent figure, and a -pair of curious pink eyes which long ago had given him the soubriquet of -the "Rabbit." He was one of those ill-developed youths who always appear -anxious and hungry. But he had his good points, plenty of them, and was -friendly with the majority. - -"What say, Rabbit?" added Trendall, with all his old assurance. - -"Thanks; not for me," came the chilling answer. "Try Parkin Tertius. -He's new this term. He don't know too much about you." - -"Look here!" ejaculated Trendall angrily. And then, recollecting the -change in his circumstances, and deciding that he could not afford to be -pugnacious, turned mildly upon Wilkins. - -"Don't be funny, Rabbit," he said in tones almost of entreaty. - -"Rabbit! Hang your cheek! I'm Wilkins to you, Trendall. Just see that -you don't forget it." - -His own particular friends would have smiled at Wilkins' fierceness. The -Rabbit was the very last person to act in this manner. A little while -ago he would never have dared speak to Trendall with such directness. -Not that he was taking advantage now of the downfall of that young -fellow. Wilkins was merely disgusted with him, just as were the majority -of Ranleigh, and meant to let him know it. And after all, perhaps the -Rabbit was doing Trendall a real service in thus dealing with him. For -bluntness at school brings its lessons. It is never pleasant, perhaps, -but it is more bearable there than in later life, when lessons are -assimilated less easily. - -Trendall turned sadly on his heel and went off dejectedly, his hands -sunk deep in his pockets. At the corner of the corridor he came face to -face with Rawlings, when the two passed one another without even -nodding. - -"Who funked after Guildford?" The gibe came floating down the corridor. -"Who sat tight so as to let Susanne and his crowd get a whacking for -you?" came with maddening distinctness. - -Rawlings stopped abruptly. He felt almost impelled to return to -Trendall's side as if to claim his support at such a moment. But -Trendall was already moving rapidly away. With cheeks aflame and despair -at his heart he raced from the corridor, leaving Rawlings to face the -tormentors. Flushed to the roots of his hair, his hands in his jacket -pockets, Rawlings strode majestically forward. He could see a bunch of -small boys at the far end of the corridor, and made no doubt that they -were the authors of those gibes. - -"Come here, Jarvis," he commanded huskily, singling out a lad somewhat -taller than the others. "What do you mean by shouting in the corridor?" - -"Shan't!" was the answer flung at him. "You're not a prefect now, and -I've as much right to shout in the corridor as you have." - -Rawlings lifted his hand threateningly. Jarvis dived swiftly, twisted -out of the grip of the bigger boy, kicked his legs from beneath him and -then bolted. - -"Who left Susanne's gang in the lurch?" came screaming down at Rawlings. - -"Look out!" shouted Jarvis, hugely delighted at the success of his -movements, and at seeing the bully sprawling. "Susanne's coming. Better -hop, Rawlings. Susanne's promised to give you a hiding." - -To return to Trendall, he dashed away from the corridor, hid his face in -his class-room for a while, and then sauntered aimlessly across the -quad, his chin sunk disconsolately on his chest, his hands once more -buried deep in his pockets. - -"Hi! Trendall!" he heard, and took no notice; doubtless it was those -kids again. - -"Little brutes," he growled. "All the same, we deserve it. Rawlings and -I acted like low-down cowards. We left Susanne and his crowd to stand -the whole trouble. We were found out, as I was sure would be the case. -It'd have been better to have owned up. I would have done but for -Rawlings. But there, we acted like hounds. Now they're making us pay for -it." - -"Hi! Trendall!" came floating once more across the quad. "Look sharp, -there's a good fellow." - -There was something kind about the voice. Trendall looked up and over at -the far side. His cheeks flushed instantly, for there were Susanne and -his friends beckoning to him. He hesitated. It was true that at the end -of last term he had made amends to the Old Firm, and they had -magnanimously shaken hands with him. But were they really inclined to be -friendly? Had the intervening holiday swept away such good intentions? - -"Well?" he asked doubtfully. - -"Come over here," shouted Clive. "We want to speak to you." - -"Rotten this about Harvey, eh?" began Susanne when at last Trendall had -joined them, and was standing somewhat shamefacedly near the group. -"Makes a chap feel like kicking the bucket. Let's have a feed, eh?" - -"You know, over by the tuck-boxes," said Clive, nodding vigorously. - -"Bert's got some ripping sardines," Masters informed the company. "And -there's a whole loaf of new bread in my box. At least, it was new two -days ago. Expect it'll be a bit hard now. But there's heaps of butter. I -sneaked a whole heap from the kitchen. You see, our cook's a perfect -ripper." - -"This way," pointed Hugh, leading the party off to the huge room wherein -tuck-boxes were stored. "We've fixed the whole business you know, -Trendall. It's to be a sort of feast of peace. Something after the style -of Red Indians smoking the pipe of peace. Susanne wanted it to be that -really, using a pipe he's brought from home with him. But eating's -better. Besides, there's a heap of stuff that must be tackled soon or it -won't be fit for consumption. Here, take a pew." - -Trendall was breathless. When one came to look at him now it appeared as -if he had lost a good deal of his usual flabbiness. His cheeks seemed no -longer fat and jowly. His whole aspect was more alert and pleasing. And -now there was positively a smile on his lips, a glad smile, a smile -almost of gratitude. - -"Awfully decent of you chaps," he said. - -"Rot! Try a sardine," cried Susanne, stripping the lid off and handing -the tin. "Sorry there ain't forks, Trendall, but then, fingers first, -eh? Hook one out with your penknife if you like. But it's easy enough -to get hold of a tail. They are splendid like that. You just eat them -like the Italians eat macaroni. Only look out. Sometimes the tail breaks -away, and an oily sardine makes a beast of a mess on a fellow's -breeches." - -"Ripping!" ejaculated Trendall, swallowing his second sardine. "But, I -say, I'm having more than my fair share." - -"There's heaps more," declared Clive instantly. "We want you to have a -real solid feed. Like those biscuits?" - -"Look here, you fellows," said Trendall, and then paused, as if he had -not the courage to continue. - -The Old Firm became silent for the moment, Masters because he could -hardly be expected to answer, seeing that his mouth was stuffed with -bread liberally coated with butter and jam. They looked at their old -enemy in a manner which showed their friendship. In fact, it was obvious -to anyone who cared to look, and to Trendall certainly, that this was -undoubtedly the Old Firm's method of showing their feelings. - -"Ham, eh?" asked Susanne, breaking a somewhat trying silence, and -offering their guest a huge slice hacked from a joint by means of -Clive's penknife. - -"Thanks. It's mighty kind of you chaps, but, really, I feel an awful -brute to take your things and enjoy your hospitality. I----" - -"Oh, that's all right," smiled Bert, looking straight at him. "Bygones -are bygones, Trendall. We're burying the hatchet." - -They were burying a good deal more to look at Hugh and Masters. The -enormous masses of food those two healthy youngsters were causing to -disappear threatened them with apoplexy. - -"And, you know," said Susanne, "we're jolly glad to have you with us. -The Old Firm don't like having enemies. This feast's to celebrate the -loss of one of 'em, and to offer him friendship." - -"Friendship! You--you don't mean----" began Trendall almost -breathlessly, and then, remembering the painful experience he had -already had, stopped abruptly. But Susanne's happy, open smile reassured -him. Clive improved the occasion by offering their guest an enormous -apple, while Masters bashed a hole in the lid of a tin of sweetened milk -and held it out invitingly. - -"You have first go," he said. "I daren't offer it to Hugh. He's such a -thirsty beggar, and Clive's no better. Better have the first shot, -Trendall. Then you're sure to get plenty." - -But their guest declined the invitation with a shake of the head. For -the moment his thoughts choked him. He gulped. Looking at him, Susanne -felt sorry for their late enemy, for he was so obviously overcome by -this cordial welcome. - -"We understand all about it, don't you know, Trendall," he ventured, as -if to save Trendall. "They're all bygones. We begin afresh here. You're -one of us." - -"You don't mean that you--want me to join you? That you would be glad to -have me with you?" gulped Trendall, perspiration now on his forehead, -the huge slice of ham on the lid of a tin box, serving as a plate, now -neglected. "I--I----" - -"That is, we'd like it, if you would," cried Bert, who had a knack of -always saying the right thing at the right moment. - -"You see," reflected Clive, "the Old Firm ain't a limited company. We've -powers always to add to our numbers. We go on the principle of 'the more -the merrier'--in reason, of course. Well, there's the invitation. Join -the Board. Become one of the unlimited." - -There were positively tears in Trendall's eyes. He pitched the tin lid -to the floor and stood up. Clive could see that his knees were actually -shaking. His face had gone a deadly pale colour. His breath came fast -and deep and in jerks. Bert was terribly afraid lest he should faint and -fall at the feet of those who were doing him this honour. Then a flush -came to the sallow cheeks. Those who had known Trendall in the old days, -the bad days when Rawlings dominated his thoughts and actions, would, -had they seen him at this moment, have declared without hesitation that -now they saw a vast improvement. The old sly, sneaking air was gone. -This young fellow was no longer filled with arrogance. And when he -smiled at Susanne and Clive and the others, genuine friendship looked -out of his eyes, even if the latter were somewhat blurred by the mist -which had risen so suddenly to cloud them. - -"I'll join gladly," he said, with a catch in his voice. "If only you -fellows knew how gladly! I've been a pig in the past." - -"Hush!" interrupted Bert. "Bygones, you know, Trendall." - -"Are bygones, and not to be remembered," cried Masters, having now got -rid of the huge hunch of bread which had obstructed his vocal organs. - -"Then let's shake hands again," said Trendall. "You can't tell how -decent I think it of you fellows." - -It was decent. When the Old Firm--that is to say, its first -members--came later on to discuss the matter, they agreed that they had -behaved nobly. - -"Of course, we might have kept the enmity up for a long while," said -Masters. "That'd have made Trendall sit up a trifle. But it's better to -be friends. And think how useful." - -"Useful. How's that?" asked Bert. - -"Well, to commence with, Trendall's a slogging good chap at classics. If -I'm in a hole ever----" - -"You're always in one," laughed Bert, interrupting him. - -"There's Trendall to help me," continued Masters, scowling at the -interrupter. - -"A nice way to look at a friendship!" jeered Susanne. "What next?" - -"Well, you know," said Masters lamely, "I used to sit within sight of -Trendall." - -"That's why you warned us that he was such an eater," cried Clive. "He -didn't do much this time, anyway." - -"It wasn't that I meant. But Trendall's a lucky beggar," said Masters, -his eyes opening at the thought of what he'd seen. "Talk about a spread -at table! Why, his people sent him a whole turkey last term, a turkey -ready cooked, with sausages. I just wanted that turkey. Wish my people'd -think sometimes that turkey's good for fellows at Ranleigh." - -Everyone, no doubt, have their own way of looking at the same matter. -Masters at the moment viewed the addition of Trendall to the Old Firm -from the point of view of what he personally would gain. Not that he -was really serious. It may be said, in fact, that Masters was above such -pettishness. Still, it was true enough that Trendall was first rate at -classics, while Masters was an utter duffer. A little help now and again -would certainly be an advantage. As for the turkey, well, it was known -that Trendall had ripping hampers. Why shouldn't the Old Firm rejoice at -their coming? - -It may be imagined, too, that this sudden accession of Trendall to the -ranks of Susanne and Clive and Company created quite a storm at -Ranleigh. That very afternoon they were seen for the first time -strolling arm in arm across the ground sloping down in front of the -school. They were laughing and chatting as if there had never been such -a thing as a disagreement between them. Then they turned into the -tuck-shop, and casual visitors there saw and marvelled at Trendall -treating fellows to apple tarts and cups of tea or coffee to whom, a -couple of months before, they could imagine his administering something -far less pleasant. That evening, in Hall, Rawlings saw the members of -the Firm gaily signalling to one another, while, as if to make matters -worse, there was Trendall seated comfortably between Hugh and Bert -Seymour. Rawlings scowled behind his cup. He kicked savagely at the boy -opposite when he remarked on this singular friendship which had arisen -so unexpectedly. And then he found his attention caught by the entry of -the members of the Upper Sixth. They came in in single file. There was -Sturton, tall and cool and unconcerned. Stebbins, the fellow next behind -him, a strong candidate for the captaincy, looked bored and sullen. -Fellows liked him at Ranleigh; but not as they liked Sturton. Then came -Bagshaw, "the oyster" as some called him, the poet, the leader writer, -pale of face, stooping and delicate, but with flashing eye and jovial -smile which were always captivating. You could knock poor Bagshaw down -with the greatest ease. A fellow in Middle School could defeat him -without the need to remove a coat. And yet Bagshaw was a power in the -school, a force there was no denying. The most muscular boy had been -known to tremble before him. It was said of Bagshaw that even Mr. -Canning felt less assurance when "the oyster" was his opponent at the -weekly meetings of the Debating Society. - -Slowly, one by one, they filed to their places, while the heads of all -at Ranleigh were turned to watch them. And then the figure of the Head -suddenly appeared on the dais, with the master of the week beside him. - -"Sturton is elected Captain of Ranleigh," he declared, and then -disappeared with a discretion there was no denying. - -"Hooray! Three cheers for Sturton!" bellowed one of his supporters. - -The boys shouted till they were hoarse. Bert and Hugh and Trendall did -their best to drown the shouts of those beside them. Susanne beat the -table with a knife till the noise was deafening. - -"Speech! Speech! Speech!" came thundering through the Hall; and--who -would have thought it?--it was Bagshaw the delicate who possessed that -enormously deep voice. Then Sturton popped up on the dais, and waited -there for silence. - -"You fellows," he began, his hands deep in his pockets, a habit at -Ranleigh as elsewhere, "I'm awfully sorry about Harvey----" - -Cheers. Counter cheers from opposite sides of the Hall. "For he's a -jolly good fellow," started by Masters, and dropped with suddenness when -that young gentleman found himself the only one chanting. - -"He was a rattling good fellow"--more cheers. "One of the very best"--a -perfect tornado--"and we all loved him. I say that he was one of the -best captains this school has ever seen"--more cheers. "You'll do as -well," was shouted from the far end of the Hall. "Hooray for Sturton!" - -"I'll do my level best, be sure of that," went on Sturton. "I want to -thank the Upper Sixth for choosing me, and you fellows for applauding -their selection. I'm going to work hard. I'm going to make you fellows -work hard too, I can tell you." "Shame!" from the end of the Hall. -Laughter throughout. "Not me," from the irrepressible Masters. - -"Yes, and Masters too," continued Sturton, at which there was another -outburst of merriment. "We're all going to work hard. We're going to -train steadily, and at the end of the term we're going to pull off that -footer cup we've been so long after. You fellows, three cheers for -Harvey!" - -They gave them with a vigour there was no denying. Ranleighans shouted -themselves hoarse in their exuberance. And then they filed out of the -Hall where many busy tongues commenced wagging. - -"Don't seem so bad after all," observed Clive. "This afternoon -everything was at sixes and sevens, and a fellow could have sworn that -we were in for a sickening term. Now it's A1. Sturton's Captain." - -It was a fine thing for Ranleigh too. Harvey had been a fine fellow and -a first-class leader. Sturton was to be as good. We shall see what he -did with the material he had to handle, and how he made ready for the -great day when Ranleigh was to fail or triumph. - - - - -CHAPTER XIV - -THE STRENUOUS LIFE - - -Sturton was as good as his word when he said he meant to work and to -make the rest of the school work with him. - -"A regular nigger-driver," grumbled Masters, his face as long as a -fiddle as he read the announcement on the board in the corridor close to -the quad. "Listen to this. Here's a oner." - -Very slowly, for he was not an expert at reading aloud, Masters gave the -crowd about him the contents of the notice. There was no doubt about it -either, bold though the innovation was. Sturton had put it down in big -black letters which there was no mistaking. - - "Notice!" it read. "In future, with a view to bringing those at - Ranleigh to a condition of fitness, there will be compulsory - exercise for all daily. The head prefect of each dormitory will - present a list to the Captain at the end of each week, setting out - against the name of each boy what exercise he has taken daily. It - will be left to the honour of individual boys to make a truthful - return. Exercise may take the form of football, fives, running, or - gymnastics. At least an hour and a half must be spent at one of - these. For football boys may join their own dormitory scratch - games. For fives they may make up a four as formerly. In the Gym. - they will be under the direction of the sergeant. On Saturdays - there will be dormitory football, save when there is a school - match. Once a week there will be a school run. - - "E. STURTON." - -There it was in cold letters. - -"When do we breathe and sleep?" gasped Masters, when he had assimilated -the whole of this momentous notice. "This means slavery." - -"Rot!" ejaculated Bert, who happened to be near him. "It'll mean a deal -less loafing, less guzzling at the tuck, or round where the tuck-boxes -are kept, and a deal more fitness about the fellows." - -"Hooray for Sturton! He means business." - -It may be imagined that the innovation was discussed from every point of -view. There were plenty of fellows at Ranleigh who eagerly welcomed the -change. - -"It's the best way of dealing with slackers without a doubt," said -Bagshaw. "Wish I could take part in the thing myself. By the way, of -course Sturton ought to put something about boys being excused who are -ill, and so on." - -A second notice was pinned beneath the first without delay, which made -the position perfectly clear, while it showed that the Captain had no -idea of altering his decision. - -"Those in the 'sick-room' will be shown as so in dormitory lists," it -ran. "Those permanently excused active exercise by doctor's orders will, -if fit for the same, carry goal-posts, referee, or otherwise make -themselves useful and interested in the games of their fellows. Absence -from the school will be the only other excuse taken." - -"And what if we kick and decline to be run about by this fellow -Sturton?" asked Rawlings, who had now managed to chum up with one named -Norman, head prefect of West Dormitory, a somewhat sulky, nerveless -individual. It was a matter for wonder, in fact, how he had contrived to -ascend to the post of head prefect of West. Certainly his own ambitions -and efforts had not carried him to that exalted station. But he happened -to be a brilliant mathematician, and by no means backward in other -branches of his studies, and had therefore soon arrived at the Sixth -Form. Force of custom rather than anything else had made a prefect of -him. As a consequence, West, once noted for its brilliance in games, had -not improved under his leadership. If Norman could have his own way he -would have allowed matters to go on much as they were before Harvey took -the lead. He had grumbled then at the added energy required. He -positively growled when he had read Sturton's notice. - -"What if we kick?" he repeated, for in Rawlings he found a ready and -sympathetic listener. "What'll he do? Can't kick the whole lot of us, -can he?" - -"Then he'd have to grin and bear it," smiled Rawlings sardonically. "One -would think we'd come to Ranleigh to be at Sturton's beck and call. -Supposing a chap hates games; he's got to play 'em simply because of -this idiot. What will you do? Cave in?" - -The question was artfully put. Rawlings made Norman believe that he -thought that such a course was only natural. In effect, he very strongly -hinted that Norman had no alternative, that he was too weak, and that he -was afraid of incurring Sturton's displeasure. And as may be imagined -with a sulky individual like Norman, opposed to active exercise of any -sort, sulkiness became swiftly stubbornness. From that instant Norman -made up his mind to oppose the captain of the school to the utmost -extent, in which decision he was secretly and actively encouraged and -helped by Rawlings. - -"Of course, I'll have to send in this bothering weekly return," said -Norman, after a while, when the matter came up again for discussion. -"But that doesn't say that I'm going to bother whether the fellows have -actually been playing footer or fives or--what's the other, there's such -a heap of 'em?" - -"Gym. Wonder it isn't skittles." - -"Well, I shan't bother, and you can let the fellows know that." - -West soon gathered the meaning of their prefect. For the benefit of that -dormitory, and to the credit of the majority of its members, it may be -stated that few availed themselves of the dark hints thrown out by -Rawlings. Sturton was a general favourite, and Ranleigh boys were wise -enough to see that a certain amount of exercise was good for everyone, -while it certainly helped to make them efficient in games and gave added -chances in school matches. _Esprit de corps_ was by no means dead in -West, and much to Norman's annoyance a goodly proportion of the boys -there followed Sturton's wishes to the very letter. A few did not. They -banded themselves on the side of Norman and Rawlings. At the Saturday -matches played between teams selected from individual dormitories the -play of the boys of West was marked by slovenliness on the part of some, -by desperate eagerness on the part of others. Even Sturton couldn't help -noticing the matter. - -"It's that fellow Norman, with Rawlings behind him," said Bagshaw, who -was the Captain's right-hand man, just as he had been in the case of -Harvey. Bagshaw was, indeed, a born organiser and leader. Had he been -possessed of health and strength there was not the smallest doubt that -he would have been Ranleigh's Captain. But none but an active leader is -understood of schoolboys. Ranleigh liked and admired Bagshaw. Often -enough he was feared. But he was never admired as were Harvey and -Sturton. - -"Pity, too," added Bagshaw. "Norman's a queer fellow, and wants -understanding. He can be as nice as possible if properly handled, and as -sulky as a bear if crossed. There's no doubt that he's made up his mind -to break this scheme you've started." - -"Then he must stand by the consequences. But I'd be sorry to have an -upset. Look here, Bagshaw," said Sturton, "take an opportunity to speak -to him. Persuade him in a friendly way, and not as if I wished it, to -play the game and help the scheme. Everywhere else it has been -swallowed. Fellows are as keen as mustard, and what is more, I'm sure -they are happier. For there's always something to do now. It's too early -to speak yet, but the Head says he thinks the boys look better. You have -a chat with Norman." - -No better envoy could have been selected. Bagshaw was a master of tact -and discretion, and it followed, therefore, that he allowed several days -to pass before accosting Norman, and even then it appeared to be a -purely accidental meeting. Moreover, the result of his tactful -discussion was, for the moment, excellent. Norman saw the error of his -ways. A strong character such as Bagshaw's easily appealed to and swayed -him. But there was Rawlings to reckon with, and that immaculate and -scheming gentleman rapidly set himself to work to upset all the good -Bagshaw had accomplished. - -"So you're going to work in with Sturton?" he asked, with a sneering -smile, when Norman had confided in him. "Congratulations!" - -"What else can a fellow do? He asked me," answered Norman lamely, half -apologetically, for Rawlings' sneers and gibes made him flinch. - -"What else? Oh, nothing. Of course he asked you," said Rawlings -meaningly. - -"Eh? Why?" - -"Well, he couldn't do anything else, could he? Sturton can't compel. -This is a free country. Supposing you kicked? Why, we then come back to -the very question you asked when this tomfoolery was first started. -Supposing you kick? What can Sturton do?" - -"Yes, I see; so we have. It's the same question over again," admitted -Norman. - -"Well, and what can he do?" - -Norman was floored. Rawlings had the peculiar power of always making him -feel as if he were a weakling and a fool, and as if others were getting -the best of him. He only wished that Bagshaw had had that discussion -with Rawlings, or when he was present. He felt angry with himself, and, -of a sudden, angry with Rawlings for his asserted superiority. - -"Look here! You always know best what to do. Or think you do," he stated -bluntly. "What'd you do if you were in my place?" - -"Not be led by the nose, that's one thing. Not allow the wind to blow me -both ways. Not give in as soon as I found out that a fellow was afraid -of me." - -"Afraid of me! Sturton? Not he." - -"Sturton, yes," said Rawlings, with another of those satirical smiles. -"Else why did he send Bagshaw to interview you? He knows you're kicking. -What can he do? He's floored. He's bound to send round and ask you to be -a good boy and help him." - -"But--but Bagshaw didn't say that," replied Norman desperately. "He -pointed out that it was a pity that I should be the exception. He asked -me to think of the school." - -"School be hanged!" declared Rawlings. "It's Sturton, Bagshaw's asked -you to think of. This is his pet scheme. Chaps have swallowed it because -they couldn't help. You hate it. Then why be a mug and let him win you -round with tales of the school and its honour, and so forth?" - -All the good that Bagshaw had effected was destroyed in a few moments. -Norman was, as we have said, one of those vacillating fellows whose -opinions a breath will change. And here was Rawlings persuading him -against his better feelings, and persuading him, too, without much -difficulty. It may be said, indeed, that Rawlings had a perfect mastery -in that direction. It was a pity that he did not use his powers to -better purpose, while for the one he so easily twisted round his -fingers, it may be said that it was a pity in his case that Sturton did -not at once deal severely with him. For discipline and force are also -persuasive powers. There are many youths and men also who, when left to -their own devices, pursue a crooked line, their course marked by -tempers, perverseness, and ill-feeling. But, if compelled by a strong -hand, one they recognise as strong, run a course marked by its -directness, and distinguished by eagerness for their task, enthusiasm -for their leader, and the very best of tempers. Norman had it in him to -behave like that. As a leader, even in a small way, he was worse almost -than useless. Driven if need be, or led if he were wise, he could be a -most excellent ally. - -However, for the moment he had been persuaded into opposing Sturton's -excellent scheme, and we must leave him and West Dormitory to their -devices. - -Discussion in the ranks of the Old Firm waxed furious when first Sturton -posted his notice. But a few hours' contemplation, and some heated -arguments, soon made converts of them. Even Masters grumblingly assented -to the scheme. - -"Awful nuisance, of course," he said. "But there's one thing." - -"What's that?" demanded Bert. - -"Exercise don't give time for impots. That beast Canning'll have to do -without 'em." - -But, strangely enough, Masters began to escape impots. Seeing the energy -with which his friends threw themselves into the Captain's scheme, he -had perforce to do likewise, and to his own astonishment he found the -inclination to work in form time greater, the temptation to misbehave -less, while he was distinctly less inattentive. But there was something -more. He and Clive were deadly in earnest where football was concerned. -They played respectively inside and outside right in the forward line, -and but a few days from the beginning of the term had been lucky enough -to attract Sturton's attention. - -"George!" he remarked to Bagshaw, always his close attendant. "Didn't -know those youngsters had it in them. At any rate, I didn't think -Masters could be half as fast. He stuffs so much one would think it -impossible. Look at 'em now. They've got the ball between them. Pretty!" -he shouted. "Well done, Masters and Darrell." - -You could have dug a pin in deep without Clive flinching. So greatly was -he elated that he would easily have borne any suffering; while, as to -the pain of a pin prick, that was nothing. It was part of the entrance -rites of the Old Firm that a member must bear the thrust of a pin till -it was buried to the head, and that without flinching. - -"Worth watching, those two youngsters. Good fellows," said Bagshaw, who -knew the inner history of every boy. "Might, one day, do for the team." - -Sturton looked the two youngsters carefully up and down. - -"Might," he agreed. "Two years hence, perhaps. They're real nippy -forwards, and ain't selfish. Just look at Susanne!" - -The latter attracted and held their attention for some while, for the -Frenchman was a promising player. Slow, but strong, he played an -excellent game at back, and had the weight and size for kicking. - -"In a year he'd be big enough and know enough of the game," said -Sturton. "Put him down, Bagshaw." - -That day, in fact, saw the names of four of the Old Firm entered in -Bagshaw's list of promising Ranleighans. For in the Gym they came across -Hugh disporting himself on the horizontal bar, where he performed -cleverly. - -"Yes, sir. Make a good gymnast. Been trained badly or not at all," the -sergeant told them. "But I'm watching him. This Mister Seymour'll be -good to watch and bring along. Ranleigh could do with another of those -challenge shields from Aldershot." - -He nodded across to the wall of the Gym, whereon hung the shield won -outright at the Aldershot public schools competition. - -A month made an indisputable difference to Ranleighans. Steady, daily -exercise told its tale without a doubt. The health of the school was -decidedly better. True, the Head had at first been astounded and almost -alarmed at the increased amount consumed at meal time. But then, the -tuck was less often visited. Boys who in past times had lolled the -afternoons away because there was nothing to do, now had no time to -slack over their tuck-boxes and gorge. It was becoming almost bad form -to gorge, though due allowance was, of course, made for the natural -capacity of growing boys. And then, throughout the school there had -arisen a friendly rivalry. The Head, with that discretion which marked -him, came forward with a dormitory cup for runs, and this was to be won -by the dormitory receiving the greater number of marks at the end of the -term for the prowess of its individuals. Another dormitory cup was put -up by a friend for football, and a third for gymnastics. - -But the chief inducement of all, the aim and object of the whole school -without exception, for even here Rawlings and Norman were in agreement, -was the great annual football match with Parkland School, on this -occasion to be played at Ranleigh. - -"Harvey did his best to win, so did others before him," asserted -Sturton, when six weeks of the term had gone and already a marked -improvement in the playing of football had been apparent. "We'll do our -utmost too, and choose our men carefully. I'm going to make a change -this time." - -"What's that?" demanded Bagshaw. - -"Choose my men early, play them constantly, and fill up gaps and the -places of those who go back in their play with reserves on my list. The -most important thing is to get our team playing together, so as to know -one another. Of course, we've a match against Ringham boys, and one or -two others. But we've always beaten them in past years, and will do so -again easily. So I mean to raise a team of masters and boys. Fortunately -there are a number of the masters who play keenly, and they with -selected boys will put up a game which will test the fellows we choose -for the big match. How's that?" - -The scheme, added to Sturton's other one, was, in fact, good, and, we -must add, one practised at many schools. By carefully watching the -dormitory games, and checking the playing of boys whose names had been -recommended by their prefects, Sturton soon had a list of likely -players. Two elevens were chosen from these, and a fine game played -between them, when the Head himself helped in the selection of the final -eleven. Then, once every week, and rather oftener as the great day -approached, this eleven played a strenuous game against another composed -of masters and boys, while Bagshaw coached them and refereed at one and -the same moment. A looker on at that game could not have helped admit -that one and all were in fine condition. After all, boys cannot take -part in a weekly run, the length of which was gradually extended, in -daily exercise of some energetic nature, in gymnastics and fives and -what not, without becoming wonderfully fit. There was also the regular -morning dip, which, though not compulsory, had now become a regular -habit with the entire school. So popular was the notion indeed, that -boys now descended by dormitories, times being arranged, and a limited -period being given for the bathing. - -Even West Dormitory had come up to scratch, while Norman, at first -grudgingly, and now with generous openness, expressed his approval of -Sturton's scheme, and applauded its success. But then, Bagshaw had had -something to say to that. There had been a discussion between himself -and Sturton and the Head, and as a result Rawlings had been promoted to -another dormitory. - -"On probation, you will please understand," said the Head, kindly but -seriously, when informing that lordly gentleman. "Last term I had the -painful task of degrading you. Now I am advised that it would be as well -to give you another trial. You will go to East, where I hope you will -remain next term as a prefect." - -As it happened, there was a sterling fellow in charge of East, a tall, -burly youth from Australia; one, too, in the habit of calling a spade a -spade, and intensely loyal to his school. - -"Just the fellow to sit on Rawlings if he wishes to belittle the new -scheme," Bagshaw had advised. "At any rate, he's not likely to come -under his influence. If the Head would move Rawlings there, on -probation, and say nothing to Harper, in East, why, no one'll be the -wiser, and Norman, left to himself, will see that he's been acting like -a fool, and will come into line with the others." - -The wise Bagshaw was of huge value to Sturton and to the school -generally. The plan he proposed, and which the Head adopted, worked -wonderfully. Norman regained his keenness of a sudden, while Rawlings -found himself in strange quarters. He despised this big Australian -Harper. But he took good care not to let him see that he did so, for -Harper was not the one to put up with nonsense. Rawlings was even wise -enough to keep his sneers and gibes to himself for a while, till he knew -exactly what his senior's feelings were. And on the first occasion, -when, imagining Harper to have cause for displeasure with Sturton, he -ventured to disparage that fine fellow, and belittle his scheme, Harper -turned upon him like a tiger. - -"That's your sort, is it?" he asked grimly. "Don't you let me hear you -say another word against Sturton or this scheme he's started. And look -here, Rawlings. I noticed you skulking last dormitory run. You'll lead -our fellows to-morrow, and I'll be with you." - -Thereafter Rawlings kept very much to himself. He hated Harper, hated -the exercise he was bound to take, and loathed Ranleigh. But, then, that -was because he was too arrogant and selfish for his fellows. If he were -disgusted, and if Harper's open contempt of him galled, there were -plenty of others at Ranleigh who loved the place, who gloried in the -improvement which Sturton had wrought, and who awaited the final test -with eagerness and no little assurance. - -"We'll lick those Parkland fellows hollow," declared Masters, as he lay -in bed one evening. - -"If we can," ejaculated Susanne, with caution. - -"If we can!" cried Masters indignantly, sitting up promptly. "There's a -thing to say! Why, even Sturton says we've a chance, and that's -something." - -It was a great deal, in fact. Sturton had taken pains to ascertain the -fighting strength of Parkland. Against that he weighed the prowess of -his own team. And, though unusually reserved in such matters, the -admission had been dragged from him that Ranleigh had a chance. That -chance the following Saturday was to see made absolutely certain or -dashed aside. Ranleigh awaited the day with a curious mixture of fear -and eagerness. - - - - -CHAPTER XV - -STURTON'S POLICY IS VINDICATED - - -The great day at length arrived, the day on which Ranleigh was to rise -to the giddy heights of success, or to fall once more beneath the -hitherto superior attack of Parkland boys. A cold wintry sun peeped in -at the dormer windows of the dormitories as the boys were rising, and -set them cheering. They started the noise in West, actually in West -Dormitory, where Norman, in place of scowling severely upon the -delinquents, even encouraged them. The cheering was taken up in all the -four South Dormitories, so loudly too, that the Head, still abed in his -own house close adjacent, turned out in a violent hurry. - -"What's that?" he demanded, appearing on the landing in dressing-gown -and slippers, a somewhat dishevelled object it must be admitted, and one -at the moment hardly likely to have awed the school had he come before -them. "What's that, Jarvis?" - -The latter was a youth employed about the house, at that moment on his -knees and supposed to be scrubbing the hall floor. But Jarvis was not -at work. He was listening intently, and just before the eager question -was flung at him he actually raised his scrubbing brush, waved it -violently overhead and gave vent to a cheer of his own. - -"Stop that nonsense!" commanded the Head. "What's this stupid noise -for?" - -Jarvis, still brush in air, gaped at him in horror. Then he grinned. -After all, those who knew the Head knew him to be a very human -individual, with an overpowering love for Ranleigh and all that went to -make the school a success. "Please, sir," he began, and then grinned -again, while a thunderous burst of cheering came through the open hall -windows and swelled past the ears of the waiting Head. "Please, sir, -it's the day," grinned Jarvis. "You've forgotten, sir." - -"Day! Of course it's day. It isn't night, stupid!" - -"But _the_ day, sir," came the answer. - -The Head stamped impatiently. No one was more anxious that Ranleigh -should win the coming match. But, for all that, he had other worries and -anxieties, those common to all headmasters, and for the moment he had -forgotten that this was the day of trial. Then he remembered and gasped. - -"To be sure! To be sure, Jarvis! But this noise is most unseemly. -I--er----" - -He paused for a moment and then disappeared. "Leave 'em to it," he told -himself, with a smile. "Boys will be boys. A little noise means -encouragement. Let 'em continue." - -Ranleigh boys did, with a vengeance. The fellows in North had taken the -matter up long ago. Any other morning they would have still been abed, -snuggled down till the very last moment, till they must rush to the -indoor bath there to take their dip. Now they were up, with towels -waving overhead, shouting to drown the cheers from South. As to East, -the lusty Harper himself set an example, which all followed, even -Rawlings, though somewhat feebly. And then, having had their dip, the -School dressed with unwonted care and elaboration. - -"Of course, you fellows will have to sport the School colours," said -Masters to the few smaller boys near him in the dormitory, boys with -whom his reputation was certainly enlarged since his addition to the -ranks of the Old Firm. "You haven't got any, Tompkins. Then you'll jolly -well have to find 'em. Sneak someone else's if you can." - -"Can't," declared the youthful Tompkins, looking about him helplessly. -"I've tried. Carter caught me in the act and swore he'd report me for -prigging." - -"Can't! There ain't no such word," said Masters severely, though he had -used it often enough himself. "Ah! Bright idea! Look here, young un. -I've two sets. I'll sell you one. Here we are. Dirt cheap! Two bob, -money down." - -That caused Tompkins to look askance at the great Masters. He had a very -shrewd idea that, whatever the condition of the tie he was asked to -purchase, he would certainly not be getting the best of the bargain. He -was sure of it a few seconds later, when the article was produced. It -was one which Masters had himself bought second, or more likely third or -fourth hand, and it bore unmistakable evidence of hard and long wear. -Tompkins turned his nose up. - -"That!" he exclaimed. "Two bob! Not me!" - -"Look here," said Masters. "None of your cheek, kid. It's a bargain; and -you'll be jolly well kicked if you don't sport colours." - -The end of the matter was that the seller deigned to take sixpence, the -same to be paid by weekly instalments of one penny, Tompkins being by no -means flush. Their dressing was hastily completed, when they rushed down -for call-over and Chapel. Later, at breakfast, heads were turned from -all directions to watch the various members of the team on whom the -honour of Ranleigh was to depend. Those lucky gentlemen were eating -stolidly and with satisfaction. It was clear that, whatever the ordeal -before them, their appetites were not impaired. As for Sturton, he was -positively boisterous. - -"We'll put up a game, at any rate," he told Bagshaw across the scholars' -table. "We'll give those Parkland fellows the game of their lives." - -"And don't forget," cautioned his friend, "steady does it. Training is -everything. If Parkland fellows are as fit as ours, why, then the -tussle'll be all the harder. But if they're not, then we should come -along well after half's called. That'll be the time to break up their -defence and run through 'em. So keep our chaps in hand at first. Let 'em -break out hard once the match is half finished." - -There was anxiety even on the faces of the masters. And why not? They -were every bit as keen as any of the boys. The Old Firm, usually so -truculent and full of spirits, was quite subdued during morning school. -The fate of the great day hung like a load upon their shoulders. - -"What'd we do if we were beaten?" asked Clive desperately. "Ranleigh'd -go clean to the dogs." - -"Rot!" came Bert's characteristic answer. "We'd just grind away again, -and beat 'em next time, certain. But Ranleigh's going to win. I've put -my bat against Masters' tennis shoes, and must have 'em. You'll see. -Sturton'll pull us through, and those tennis shoes fit me to a T." - -Susanne, the friendly Susanne, actually nodded to Rawlings on this great -day, while Trendall failed to scowl at him as had been his custom. As -for Rawlings himself, he was in a fever. He wasn't such a cur that he -didn't wish to see Ranleigh victorious. But, then, victory meant even -greater popularity for Sturton, for Norman, and for Harper and other -members of the school, and Rawlings was intensely jealous of anyone's -popularity. He would have been king of Ranleigh could he have ordered -it. He would have been the highest and the noblest, and then, what a -life he would lead some of the fellows! Susanne, for instance--yes, he -hadn't forgotten Susanne's behaviour, and how he had worsted him at -their first meeting. Norman, too, for he hated Norman now that he no -longer could control him, and Clive Darrell. He sneered as he thought of -the latter, but the sneer became a frown. Rawlings was not quite sure -what his own particular feelings were as regards our hero. In his heart -of hearts he rather feared him. And the secret knowledge he had, -knowledge unsuspected by Clive and his mother, but vaguely suspected -and hinted at by their old gardener, gave him added cause for fear. -Still, Clive had nothing to gain by this match against Parkland, and -therefore Rawlings betook himself to the playing-field with as cheerful -a face as he could assume, arm in arm with Soper, one of his own kidney, -a slacker--one, in fact, of Ranleigh's bad bargains. - -By two o'clock the field was crammed. Ranleigh boys wandered round and -round the touch line, cheering madly now and again when they met a crowd -of opponents. For Parkland was near at hand, and had sent every boy and -master to watch the historic contest. There was a terrific burst of -cheering when at length the Parkland eleven put in an appearance. Big, -hefty fellows, they came down to the field in a group, and, arrived at -the outskirts, Barlow, their Captain, a fine fellow, even when compared -with Sturton, took the practice ball and punted it. - -"My word!" groaned Masters, watching it soar. "He's a kicker! If they're -all like him what chance do we stand?" - -The question was answered within the minute. For having gone back and -forth, the ball was finally kicked again toward the entrance to the -field, for another group of players had suddenly put in an appearance. -It was Sturton and his eleven. The Captain caught the punted ball in -mid-air, stepped a couple of paces forward and sent it hurtling toward -the sky. A terrific cheer greeted the performance and the arrival of the -home team. Not that Ranleigh had stood still and silent when Barlow and -the Parkland team came on to the field. They gave them a lusty and noisy -greeting, while Parkland fellows, naturally enough, yelled at the top of -their voices. Ranleigh fellows were sportsmen ever, and could afford -such a welcome. Still, they had their own duties to perform, and they -let Sturton and his team know well, and Parkland fellows also, that -their undivided favour went in one direction. - -And now the touch-line was black with figures. Already Barlow and his -men were on the field, while Sturton was just entering the touch-line. -Clive felt a little cold thrill run down his spine as he watched their -Captain. Sturton, his head a little in the air, a cool smile on his -handsome face, led the way direct towards Barlow, and shook that fine -fellow's hand eagerly. Then followed Robson, a little shorter than -Sturton, but nicely built, with particularly well-made legs and thighs. -The back of his head supported his football colours, while issuing from -beneath the cap was an abundance of fair hair. Robson also sported on -his upper lip a line of similar-coloured fluff, much to Susanne's envy. - -There was Norman close behind, Harper, the big Australian, and Purdey -arm in arm, laughing heartily at some joke passing between them, Jenkins -Primus immediately behind them and the remainder of the eleven. There -was Bagshaw, too, dressed in a new suit of knicker-bockers, with a -muffler round his neck, a flag in one hand and whistle in his pocket. - -"Hooray for Ranleigh!" Masters started the shouting. The boys took it up -all round the field with a vengeance, while the players arranged -themselves. - -"Parkland! Parkland for ever!" the enemy retorted with tremendous -cheers, and then broke into the weirdest chant, something particular to -Parkland. - -"Hear 'em singing, or groaning, which is it?" said Masters, with huge -disdain. "We'll make 'em sing, I can tell you fellows! Hullo, Tompkins, -where's those colours?" - -His grammar was not always too correct, but his meaning was at any rate -evident. He pounced on Tompkins, tore his coat open and exposed his tie. - -"A beastly red thing!" he shouted, seizing it and pulling at it till -half the unfortunate Tompkins' shirt was dragged about his neck. "Here, -what's the meaning of this? Treachery, eh?" - -He eyed the delinquent fiercely. The wearing of this red tie was not -only an insult to Ranleigh on such a day, but it was clear disobedience -of orders. Had he not himself, the great Masters, commanded all the -small boys of One South to don the School colours? - -"Just you hop right off to the school, kid," he commanded severely. "If -you ain't back here in double quick time with that tie, why--well, -you'll see. Just fancy a Ranleigh fellow sporting a red tie on a day -like this! Here, hook it, my beauty." - -"But--but," expostulated the unhappy Tompkins--"but, Masters, I say----" - -"Don't you say it then," declared that young gentleman fiercely. "Just -hook it, quick." - -"But it's no good going to the school," said Tompkins, determined to -have a hearing. "You see----" - -"I don't. Now, look here," began Masters, getting red in the face, for -it began to look as if Tompkins would defy him, and already Bert was -grinning that nasty satirical grin of his which angered other members of -the Old Firm besides Masters. "I'm not going to stand your gas. You----" - -"I tell you it's no good," cried his victim stubbornly. "What's the good -of going to the school for a thing that isn't there?" - -"Not there? Here, you're kidding." - -"I'm not. Franklin's got the tie. He's wearing it now. He's got -something to say to you." - -Tompkins was beginning to regain confidence. Masters was as red as any -beetroot. The mention of Franklin brought something unpleasant to his -memory. If he could he would have closed this discussion promptly. But -his victim meant him to have the whole story. - -"You see, Masters," he said, "Franklin says he sold you the tie at the -beginning of the term. You were to pay ninepence for it. You never did. -Franklin says you gave him a fives ball, and that isn't anything like -worth the tie. So he's taken it. He wanted one, you see. He's wearing it -now. If you want me to have it you'd better ask him for it." - -Masters growled. He recollected the transaction. "Why, that beast -Franklin has got the tie and fives ball as well," he shouted. - -"And says you owe him ninepence still," grinned Tompkins, while Bert and -Clive and Hugh joined in the merriment. - -"Owe him ninepence still!" their unfortunate comrade exclaimed, with -every sign of righteous indignation. - -"Yes, for hire," grinned Tompkins. "And, of course, our bargain's off. -Franklin says he means to have his money, too, without waiting. He's -bigger than you, Masters. I'd pay it if I were in your shoes." - -Whereat the worthy Tompkins took himself off, secretly grinning, while -the great Masters nursed his wrath and put up with the gibes and fun of -his fellows. Not that he was ragged for long, for the two teams were now -in position. Bagshaw brought the new match-ball and placed it in the -middle of the circle marked in the very centre of the ground. Then he -retired towards the touch-line, inspected his watch, pulled his whistle -from his pocket, nodded to each Captain in turn, and then blew a shrill -blast upon it. - -They were off. Norman, playing centre-forward, kicked the ball across to -Sturton, next on his left. The latter dribbled it neatly past a couple -of the opponents and sent it on to Harper, on the outside left. The -latter, seeing a crowd converging on him, kicked it right across to -Bell, on the right of the field. But the enemy's half was down upon him -in a moment. The ball hurtled back towards the Ranleigh goal, was headed -by Jones Tertius, Ranleigh's half-back, so celebrated for his tactics, -was jogged on a little by Harper, and was then taken in hand by Riseau, -inside right, a quick and clever player. The watching crowds held their -breath as the leather was rushed up toward the Parkland posts. Riseau -passed neatly to his left, and well within the Parkland line Harper -centred. But there the rush ended. A huge fellow, one of the enemy's -backs, pounced upon the ball, lifted it a couple of yards high with a -neat movement of his foot, and punted it over the heads of the players. - -"Down on it, Parkland. Now's your chance!" bellowed the visitors, while -Ranleigh fellows looked on in terror. The rush in the opposite direction -was, in fact, swifter even than had been the previous one undertaken by -Ranleigh fellows. Barlow shouted to his outside left. The man centred, -and at once the Captain of the visiting team sent a shot at the goal -which, but for Moon, would have succeeded. But Moon was a treasure. -Ranleigh chaps shouted his name till they were hoarse. To this day, and -for many a day to come, his prowess in goal will be remembered at the -school. For Moon was a huge fellow, an ox in size and weight and -muscular development. His arms were of the size of the average fellow's -legs, and when he hit out his blows were terrific. See him then waiting -for that shot between the posts of Ranleigh's goal. Not flurried, not at -all, for Moon was an old hand. Watching eagerly and keenly, balanced on -his toes, ready to spring to the rescue. And see what followed. Moon's -right fist swung out, clad in its leather glove. Even Sturton could not -have kicked the ball harder. Moon's terrific blow sent it soaring away -over the heads of the players to the centre of the field, thus saving -the goal for Ranleigh. Ah! They know at Ranleigh how to encourage a man, -how to show their approval. The groan which went up from the lips of the -visitors, their grumbles at their want of fortune, were drowned out of -hearing by the shrill yells of Ranleigh boys, by their mad cheers and -cries of delight. It was magnificent! Clive felt quite overcome. Masters -declared that a testimonial must be given to Moon to mark this noble -occasion, and would, in fact, have commenced a collection at once had -not Susanne, knowing him somewhat thoroughly, declined to part with even -a penny. - -But the ball was being dealt with actively again. Ranleigh swept it well -out of their own ground and sent it over the touch-line within easy -distance of the enemy's goal. A moment later "Hands" was given against -the home team, while the rush which followed the free kick carried the -ball within the circle directly in front of Ranleigh goal. Then Moon -pounced upon the leather, slipped, and fell in the mire. The greasy ball -squeezed out of his hands as a pip shoots from an orange, there was -frantic kicking for some few seconds, and then, to the bellows of the -Parkland boys and groans of the Ranleigh fellows, it was kicked between -the posts by Barlow. - -Clive looked desperately at his fellows. "One to Parkland," he said. -"They're awful hot. Think we'll be able to stop 'em?" - -Susanne nodded his head cheerily. He was feeling just as anxious as the -rest. But cheerfulness was half the battle with the Frenchman. - -"You wait," he said, chewing a pencil. If he had been away from the -school and its surroundings he would have had a cigarette between his -lips. For the weed, he often asserted, consoled him wonderfully. "You -wait till after half. Sturton'll give 'em socks then. Our chaps haven't -started." - -It was evident enough that Ranleigh had on this occasion been taken by -surprise. The sudden rush of the enemy and the unfortunate slip of Moon -had resulted in their undoing. But Sturton showed no signs of dismay as -he led the men back into their own ground. - -"Go steady," he whispered to them. "No rushing after this. Of course, -push 'em for all you know, but keep well in hand. I'm going to stake -everything on the last half of the game. By then they'll be cooked if -they're not as fit as fiddles." - -When at length Bagshaw's whistle went for half-time, and slices of lemon -were brought out to the players, the score stood at three to one, -Ranleigh having secured but a single goal. - -"But you'll run up the score when we get going again," declared Bagshaw -hopefully, as he chatted with the men during the interval. "I'll swear -their chaps aren't as fit as we are. They've been going hammer and tongs -all the while, and have only two more goals than we have. You chaps must -push them hard. Make the running from the very commencement." - -If Bagshaw was hopeful, others of Ranleigh School were not. There was -now an air of depression about the fellows. The cheering of late had -hardly been so loud or so enthusiastic. Clive wrapped his overcoat a -little closer round him, for he felt positively chilly, while even -Susanne looked less cheerful. As for Masters, it was a bitter day. He -had hoped to be able to look down on Parkland fellows. If he were to be -hoarse for a week after, it would have been fine to shout them down, to -answer cheer for cheer. And now it looked as if they would do all the -cheering. Also, to add to his depression, Franklin found him at -half-time and became disgustingly insistent. - -"You'll just jolly well pay up that ninepence or get kicked, young -Masters," he said. "It's bad enough to have to lose a match like this, -for I suppose that that's what's going to happen. I ain't going to lose -money as well." - -"But--but I swapped a fives ball," pleaded Masters feebly. "That's worth -sixpence." - -"Most are; yours wasn't. It went to pieces first game; it was a -rotter," declared Franklin harshly. "None of your bunkum. That ninepence -or a kicking." - -It was no wonder that Masters welcomed the renewal of the game; though, -to be sure, he was now silent. But in a little while he had almost -regained his cheerfulness. For Sturton and his men were making the pace. -Instead of playing on the defensive, they were carrying the war into the -enemy's country. Within five minutes, in fact, they had scored a goal, -whereat Ranleigh applauded vociferously. - -"Just watch them closely, you fellows," Barlow cautioned his Parkland -eleven, as they went back into their own ground for the kick off. "That -was simply a rush. We got our first from them in the same way. Hold -together and keep the ball always in their half." - -"Well done," commented Sturton. "Don't let 'em rest. We're fit enough to -keep at it hard till the whistle goes. So push 'em, boys." - -How magnificently Moon used his fists! The shots which the Parkland team -made at the home goal might easily have succeeded. But Moon made light -of them. He always seemed to be in the right place and at the very right -moment, while his ponderous blows sent the ball flying far from the -goal. But if he had his work to do, so also had the keeper of the -Parkland goal. Within ten minutes of the recommencement of play, Harper -sent in a shot which struck one of the posts with a thud and scared the -visitors. It brought a howl of delight and encouragement from the -Ranleigh fellows. - -"Pitch 'em in hard," Clive found himself shouting frantically. "Bravo, -Sturton! Well done, Norman! Hooray for Ranleigh!" - -But time went on swiftly. In spite of every effort, and in spite also of -the almost obvious fact that Parkland men were hard pressed and none too -fit, Sturton and his team had not yet equalled the score of the enemy. -Ranleigh's score still stood at two, against three by Parkland, and time -was terribly short. - -"Play up, Ranleigh!" screamed the boys. "Stick to it, Parkland!" shouted -the visitors. Sturton looked about him coolly, though there was anxiety -in his eyes. He called to his men curtly. "Now, Ranleigh," he said. -"Time's almost up. Let's do something." - -They backed him up manfully. That brilliant little half who had nursed -his forwards assiduously all through the game got the ball when all -alone and dribbled it swiftly toward Parkland's goal. Ranleigh forwards -were then well in advance, and a well-placed kick sent the leather -neatly amongst them. Sturton passed with the rapidity of lightning to -Harper, at the same time stepping aside to evade the frantic rush of -one of the visitors' backs. Harper rushed the ball still closer to the -goal, passed it to his nearest man, had it sent back within the instant -and lost it. But that little half was there to support. He jogged the -leather upward. A Parkland man got in a punt, sending the ball to a -great height. There the wind caught it. Sturton, watching its flight, -rushed in to meet its fall. A man charged him. He slid aside, and just -in the nick of time headed the leather. A roar of cheering told him that -he had been successful. - -"A drawn game. Well, that's better than last time, when it was six to -two," said Clive. "But it's rotten luck. Our chaps are heaps the better. -Play up, you fellows!" he yelled, almost angrily. - -And Ranleigh did play up. The eleven had seen Bagshaw consulting his -watch with some anxiety and knew that there could now be but a couple of -minutes left in which to finish the game. Parkland fellows knew it also, -and were as keen to win as Ranleigh. Off went the ball again. Visitors -and Ranleighan spectators of the game kept up a continuous roar, which -might have been heard right down in the village. Scarves were waved -aloft. Fellows tore up and down the field at the back of the spectators. -Even masters were stirred out of their usual calm. But it seemed to no -purpose. The ball oscillated round about the centre of the field for -what seemed ages. Then the visiting team took it triumphantly along with -them, and sent a long shot at Ranleigh goal which plumped straight for -the centre. - -"Done!" groaned Clive, hardly daring to look. - -"Good old Moon!" shouted Susanne and Hugh together. "Moon's done for -'em. He's sent the ball back to our fellows." - -It was an old trick of the Ranleigh goalkeeper. It may be doubted -whether there are many goalkeepers who could put up a similar -performance, for, as we have said, the Goliath in Ranleigh goal could -strike with his fists harder almost than the average fellow could kick. -In any case, he gave the ball a terrific buffet, sending it spinning -back to the Ranleigh forwards. It was then that the fellows stood on -their toes in their anxiety. Harper had the leather and muffed it. -Sturton somehow managed to gain possession. It shot across to the far -left a moment later, was rushed forward by the outside left, dribbled -across to the inside man, and then sent flying between the Parkland -posts. Perhaps ten seconds later, while yells of delight still filled -the air, the whistle of the referee was heard blowing. - -"Look here, Franklin," said Masters, meeting him some few minutes later. -"Blow those colours. I don't care whether I owe you ninepence or nine -bob. Come to the tuck for a blow-out. Ranleigh's won, my boy. A chap -can't afford to quarrel about mere pennies on such a glorious occasion." - -They chaired Sturton from the field. A pack of juniors endeavoured to do -the same for Moon, but broke down under the ponderous burden. Even -Parkland fellows cheered, for they were sportsmen. - -"You played us a fine game and beat us handsomely," said Barlow, taking -Sturton's proffered hand with a smile of friendship. "I hope you chaps -will give us a return. My word, the improvement is an eye-opener!" - -"And due to the new method," said the Head of Ranleigh that evening, -when Sturton and the eleven took dinner with him. "This historic match -is an answer to all critics. The School has much to thank our Captain -for. The improvement in tone and fitness is wonderful." - -Well, the day was done, the battle was fought and won, and Ranleigh was -weary of triumph and happiness. - -"Good night," whispered Susanne to Clive. - -"Good night," came the answer. "Er--I say, Susanne." - -"Eh?" - -"There's one thing." - -"Heaps," was the sleepy response. - -"Yes, but I'm serious. I'm going to stick to footer till I get into the -team. Hear that?" - -"Mighty interesting," yawned Susanne. "Wake me up when you've got there, -and, by the way, don't forget to speak when you are Captain." - -Clive grew red with vexation. For he was serious, very serious indeed. -In his own secret mind he registered that night a resolve to grow up as -fine a fellow as Sturton, to fight his way into the football eleven, -and--the biggest resolve of all--to even ascend to the glories of -Captain of Ranleigh. - -"I'll do it," he mumbled as he fell asleep. - - - - -CHAPTER XVI - -A GREAT DISTURBANCE - - -Time waits for no one, and that statement was as true of Ranleigh boys -as of any others. Clive Darrell, in a mere twinkling as it seemed, had -become quite an old stager at the school. Since that momentous match -when Sturton had led his eleven to victory, thereby stimulating Clive to -declare the most ambitious of sentiments, two and a half years had -slipped by, two and half years which had seen great changes at Ranleigh. - -"But always the Old Firm hangs on and exists," reflected Bert, as he sat -on the table in Upper Sixth and stared into the fire. "I remember the -term when Harvey left." - -"One of the best," interjected Susanne, now no longer a gawky, -ill-dressed youth, given to smoking cigarettes on every occasion, but -spick-and-span, as immaculate as Rawlings, very English in appearance, -and looking quite twenty-one years of age, for the great Susanne sported -a moustache, and could, had he wished it, as he often declared, have -grown a beard even. - -"Better than any of the masters, too," he had said. "Awful bore, don't -you know, you fellows. A chap has to shave regularly now every day. That -means getting up half an hour earlier----" - -"Draw it mild," Hugh had cried. "Half an hour. That's enough for a dozen -shaves." - -Whereat Susanne had crushed his friend with a withering glance and an -air of superiority which made Hugh blush. - -"What do you know of shaving?" he had asked satirically, closely -inspecting his friend's smooth chin. "Not much. You're a baby." - -But the subject under discussion was the change which had come to -Ranleigh. Harvey had swayed the destinies of the school. Then Sturton -had come upon the scene with his new ideas of exercise for all every -day. Clive remembered the success of that innovation. Then Lawton, an -Upper Sixth fellow, had followed, and held the post for more than a -year. Later Franklin had ascended to the giddy height to which Clive -ventured to aim. As to the Old Firm, as Bert had said, it still clung -tenaciously together. - -"As big friends as ever," reflected Susanne. "That's something. Of -course, there have been rows, eh?" - -"Some. That one between Masters and Clive was a bad un. Remember it?" - -Susanne did. It was back in a past age. It had taken place long ago. But -in those days it had appeared excessively severe, and had threatened the -break-up of the partnership. And the cause was really so very simple. - -"All about a cricket ball," laughed Bert. "Masters had lost one." - -"Yes, Masters always does lose something," agreed Susanne. "Of course, -he discovered the exact article in Clive's locker." - -"Of course! And claimed it." - -"Refused all explanations. Almost went to the extreme of accusing Clive -of theft. In the end said he must have put the ball there himself in -mistake. They fought it out." - -That was where the seriousness of the thing came in. And yet, looking -back upon the event, there was little doubt that the tussle which had -resulted cleared the air wonderfully. For Clive and Masters went at one -another with their fists, and having struggled through half a dozen -rounds were declared to have made a drawn battle of it. Of course they -shook hands. In fact, within ten minutes of the finish of the contest -they were chatting in the old amicable manner and demolishing a cake -which had arrived at the school for one of them that very morning. - -"And the funny thing about it all was that the cricket ball--the one -Masters had lost--was discovered tucked away in a corner of his own -locker, where, no doubt, he himself had placed it," laughed Susanne. -"That's Masters all over. Flares out in an instant. Licks the dust -afterwards when he knows he's wrong, and makes the most ample apologies. -By the way, Bert, I wish that fellow Rawlings would take himself off. He -spoils our happy family here. No one wants him, and precious few trust -him. Besides, he's too old to be at the school any longer. He ought to -have gone up to the 'Varsity long ago." - -It may be said with truth and fairness that Susanne was by no means -prejudiced. He didn't like Rawlings, and never had done so. More than -that, Rawlings was decidedly unpopular, and had been so from the day -when the ranks of the Old Firm had been recruited. Had he been -different, more friendly and less underhanded, he would most certainly -have been captain of the school. As it was the Sixth voted _en masse_ -against him, a fact which Rawlings did not fail to perceive. It made him -furious. He hated his fellow prefects, detested the masters, and was -stupidly and outrageously jealous of them all. And the presence of this -unpopular fellow, older than any of the others in Upper Sixth, was a -damper to their enjoyment. He was a damper elsewhere. In East he was -head prefect, and a martinet. He seemed to air there all the -high-handed manners he loved so much, and which were forbidden in his -class-room. Why he remained on at the school was a problem which none -could solve. But there he was, barred by the Sixth, detested by the -juniors in his dormitory, and disliked by not a few of the masters. - -Clive, too, had ascended to the Upper Sixth. It may be said, indeed, -that his rise had been meteoric. Of a sudden he had taken most seriously -to work, had developed an acuteness hitherto unsuspected, and much to -the delight of Old B., who coached him, had rushed his way up the school -till now he was the youngest fellow in his form. A prefect also, he was -senior in his old dormitory, reigning where Sturton had once held sway. - -Masters had managed to crawl to the Lower Sixth, and was noted in the -school more for games than for lessons. His sturdy, genial figure -attracted the admiring eye of many a junior as he tramped the corridor, -and when we admit that he was still as much a boy as ever, we do no harm -to his reputation. Trendall, now an excellent fellow, was with Susanne -and Bert in the Upper Sixth, while Hugh, now Ranleigh's chief exponent -of gymnastics, was in the Upper Fifth. - -It seemed, in fact, that nothing more could be wanted by the Old Firm -and their fellows at Ranleigh to complete their happiness, and that -something approaching an earthquake would be needed to upset their -equanimity. However, it is the unexpected which always happens, and one -night Ranleigh was stirred to the very depths of its foundations. - -"Darrell--I say, Darrell," whispered a tremulous voice somewhere near -the hour of midnight, while a ghost-like figure bent over him. "Darrell, -please, are you awake?" - -Clive wasn't. He stirred uneasily at the touch of this junior's hand, -for Parfit, the boy who had stolen across from his bed to wake him, was -hardly eleven years of age. Naturally timid at the thought of disturbing -so august a person as the head prefect of his dormitory, Parfit quaked -as Clive rolled over on to his other side and snored. Then, as if forced -on by desperation, the lad shook him with a heavy hand. - -"Darrell, please," he called. "I--I----" - -"Hullo!" Clive sat up, gaping and rubbing his eyes. "Bell gone! Eh? Then -what the dickens----! Why, it's Parfit." - -"Please, Darrell," said the youth, "I'm awfully sorry for waking you, -but----" - -"You'll need your sorrow, young un," came the none too friendly -interruption, for Clive, like others, objected to be roused in the -middle of the night without due reason. Not that he was hard with his -juniors. Indeed, he was always jovial with them. - -"Well, what is it?" he asked, hearing the boy's teeth chattering, and at -once speaking to him kindly. "Been scared, eh? Been dreaming something -that's disturbed you? Well, cut along, young un, you'll be all right." - -But Parfit had no intention of cutting. "It's not dreaming, Darrell," he -said eagerly. "It's fire." - -"Fire!" - -"Yes, I--I think. I'm next to the door, and I feel sure I can smell -smoke. Please, Darrell, I hope you won't be angry, but I felt bound to -come and wake you." - -Clive was out of his bed like a shot, and getting into his dressing-gown -and slippers before Parfit could believe it. - -"You get back to bed, young un. I'll go and see. And don't talk of being -sorry. If you smelled smoke, or thought you did, why, of course, the -thing to do was to wake me. I'd have licked you if it had been a piece -of foolery. But, right or wrong, you can expect only thanks for what -you've done. So cut, there's a sensible fellow. I'll hop downstairs and -see whether there's anything in it." - -He slipped down the length of the dormitory while Parfit was thanking -him, and swiftly pulled the door open. - -"Yes, smoke," he told himself, sniffing. "And thick. I can see it coming -up the stairway." - -There was a gas jet on the stairs, kept burning all night, and sure -enough, by the light it gave, smoke could be seen filtering up the -stairs and whirling in thin wisps over the banisters. Clive shut the -door behind him, gathered his dressing-gown about his body, and ran -downstairs. - -"I can hear crackling," he told himself, stopping for a second or more -to listen. "That means a fire. George! This is serious!" - -It was more, as he discovered when he reached the foot of the stairs. -For there the smoke was dense and suffocating. It was swirling from the -opposite side of the wide corridor passing between the two staircases -leading to the South Dormitories, while beneath the one giving access to -Two and Three South the flash of flames could be seen through the dense -haze. - -"A fire under the stairs. Spreading fast, by the look of it," Clive -thought. "It'll reach the gallery above, perhaps, and then the fellows -in South Dormitories would be cut off and would have to clear out -through the door to West landing. What ought a fellow to do?" - -His inclination was to go tearing off up the stairs to his own -dormitory, there to awaken the boys, while he rapped hard at the door -of the room leading out of One South, occupied by Mr. Branson. And then -he thought of the excitement which would result once the alarm was -sounded. - -"Make sure that it's a bad thing first of all," he said. "I'm going to -squint in through that door and see what's happening." - -His eyes were shedding streams of tears by now, for the pungent smoke -attacked them remorselessly. Then, too, he was choking violently. To -cross the wide corridor below and open the door beneath the far -stairway, behind which the fire lay without a doubt, meant encountering -denser and still more choking fumes. But Clive did not think of the -discomfort or of the danger of the act. He thought of the welfare of -Ranleigh, of the commotion there would be were he to give an alarm, and -of the fact that action on the part of himself and others of the -prefects in South Dormitories might put an end to the fire, and that -without disturbing others. Wrapping the tail of his dressing-gown round -his mouth, therefore, he darted to the bottom of the stairs and raced -across the corridor, diving into a swirling cloud of choking vapour -through which he could not see. But the reflection of the flames within -the door he aimed for caught his eye. He felt for the handle and pushed -the door open. Instantly flames blazed out at him, while hot smoke -poured into his face, enveloped him completely, and went swirling up to -the roof. There was a perfect furnace beneath those stairs. He could -hear the woodwork all around crackling. It was clear that the -conflagration was of a serious nature and most threatening. Instantly he -banged the hot door to, and raced across for his own stairway. And in -the short time it took him to ascend he had made up his mind how to act. - -"Wake Susanne first. Let him do the same for the other prefects. Then -take towels, blankets, and water. If the thing can't be beaten out, -we'll wake Mr. Branson, and turn every fellow out of the dormitories. -Here goes for Susanne." - -But a violent fit of coughing doubled him up at the top of the stairs, -and for a while he was helpless. "Please, Darrell," he heard in the -midst of the attack, while Parfit's voice came feebly to him, "is--is it -smoke? Is there a fire?" - -Clive did not deign to answer. He shook off the fit of coughing with an -effort and raced into Two South. He knew exactly where Susanne slept, -and soon had that worthy along with him. In fact, in less than two -minutes every prefect in South was mustered. Taking their bath towels -with them and bearing cans of water they dashed down the stairs, while -Clive himself reached for the extinguisher kept on every landing. - -"We'll give it a trial," he said to Susanne. "If we don't make any sort -of effect on the fire we'll sound an alarm, collect all prefects, and -man the hoses. In fact, as only three or four of us can work below, I'll -get Slater and Gregory to mount the nearest there is. Come on, you -fellows." - -A word to the two junior prefects, Slater and Gregory, sent them off -post-haste to the nearest stand-pipe, near which a hose was coiled, -while Clive led the way down the stairs to the site of the fire. - -"Tie your towels round your faces," he gasped, for the smoke was even -more irritating now, and was denser even. "Now, we've half a dozen cans -of water between us. I'll open the door. Let my extinguisher play on the -flames for a while, and then finish the business with water." - -But though an extinguisher may be an excellent invention, and will -extinguish a fire swiftly, its successful action depends entirely on one -point. The contents must be delivered on the fire direct, and to that -end the one who grips it must approach sufficiently close to the flames. -Here, as it happened, that was almost impossible. For when the -staircase door was thrown open the improvised brigade was swept back by -an appalling gush of flame and smoke. Clive ducked his head, turned his -face away, and set the extinguisher going. But the effect was _nil_, for -the actual fire was situated round the angle of the door. Clive forced -his way nearer till he was within two feet of the entrance, and -endeavoured to direct the jet round the corner. And then Susanne dragged -him backward. - -[Illustration: "THE IMPROVISED BRIGADE WAS SWEPT BACK BY AN APPALLING -GUSH OF FLAME AND SMOKE."] - -"You can't do it," he said peremptorily. "Your clothes are on fire -already. Here, you chaps, help to beat them out." - -The effort to say as much set him coughing violently. But the words were -heard distinctly, and Martin and Fellows, two of the helpers, at once -attacked the flames which had taken hold of Clive's dressing-gown. A -moment later the whole party was forced into the outer corridor by an -even fiercer blast of flame, accompanied by pungent smoke. - -They gasped for breath, and then looked desperately at one another. - -"We must rouse the school," declared Clive. - -"Certain," came from Susanne. - -"Then let's do it. I'll take South. Susanne, will you go to North? -Martin can take East and Fellows West. Don't shout. Wake the chaps -quietly. I'm going to shut that door first, though, and see what -Gregory is doing." - -There was no time for discussion, for it was clear that they had a -serious fire to contend with. And though Ranleigh, like every other -well-managed school, where thought is taken for such a happening, was -equipped with extinguishers and hoses, while the boys were given fire -drill at regular intervals, it looked as if this outbreak might prove -too serious for them. Clive looked grave when he thought of what might -happen. - -"Couldn't expect much help from the village," he told himself. "The -whole place would be on fire before they could possibly get here. We've -got to fight this thing out ourselves. Ah, there's Gregory. Got it -fixed?" he asked, as that youth came panting through the smoke towards -him. - -"Nearly," came the answer. "We shall want another length of hose. I'm -going for the one at the end of the corridor. We'll have it ready in two -minutes." - -"Then I'll get up to the fellows in South. Look here, Gregory, I'm going -to shut that door now. When you've got the hose going, break the place -open and play direct on the flames." - -He dived through the smoke, his towel pulled up to his eyes, and, led by -the red glare of the flames, was soon near the door. But the heat was -now overpowering. Though Clive tried twice, he could not get near that -handle, while at the end of the second attempt his gown was again in -flames and he had to beat hard with his hands to extinguish them. -Meanwhile, the peace and tranquillity of Ranleigh's night was swiftly -being disturbed. A hum was coming from the dormitories. Clive found One -South in a condition of animation. - -"Turn out, you fellows," he said, as if this was the most natural thing -to expect them to do, and as if it were the usual time for rising. "Stay -here till I give you permission to move. I'm going into the other South -Dormitories. I shall want Peart and Godfrey and Offord when I get back. -You other fellows had better make a bundle of your things. There's a -fire below. I'll kick the first fellow who makes a shindy." - -One by one he awoke the dormitories, commanding the boys in Two and -Three South to gather their belongings at once and pass out through Four -South. By the time he reached his own dormitory again every boy was -ready, while those he had called for were standing in the gloom by the -door. - -"You others skip," said Clive, still in his ordinary tones. "Peart, go -along to the Head's house and ring till he answers. Tell him what's -happening. Godfrey, you get off to the Matron, and knock at her door. -Tell her not to be alarmed, but merely to make ready and warn the maids. -Offord, your job is to rouse the butler and the beakies, and tell old -Sant to cut the gas off at the meter. There, off you bundle." - -He seemed to have been giving directions for an age, whereas from the -commencement, when Parfit had wakened him, till this moment, but very -few minutes had elapsed. But those few minutes had made all the -difference to the conflagration. When Clive dashed out of the dormitory, -having wakened Mr. Branson, and descended the stairs, the opposite -staircase was blazing, the flames sweeping right up to the roof of the -corridor. The crackle of flames could now be distinctly heard, mingled -with a curious sizzling. In the far background, through the doors -leading to the quad, as a rule kept firmly fastened, he imagined he -could make out a group. Then thick volumes of smoke hid everything. He -felt someone step down beside him, and then heard Mr. Branson speak. - -"It's serious," he said. "You've called the Head?" - -"Everyone, sir," said Clive. "Gregory's out there, I think, with one of -the hoses. Fancy we could do something from here. I'll see." - -Unceremonious at such a time, he bolted up the stairs again and so to -the West landing. Five minutes later he and Susanne held the nozzle of a -second hose, and from the point of vantage which the stairs gave them -poured a torrent of water into the blazing mass on the opposite side of -the corridor. - -Meanwhile, it may be imagined that Ranleigh was in a condition of -disturbance, though thanks to the example which Clive had set in the -first place, and which Susanne and the others had so naturally copied, -there was no panic, nor even shouting. Perhaps five minutes after the -first alarm, when it had become obvious that the whole school must be -roused, every Ranleigh boy was assembled in the quadrangle, where, -pressing as close as possible, they watched Gregory and his friends -directing water upon the flames. They would have hampered the workers -even had not Masters and Trendall promptly taken a grip of the -situation. - -"Look here, you fellows," cried the former, "you'll all get back to this -line here. That'll give the brigade every chance to do their work. -Trendall, send along anyone who breaks the rule. I'll deal with 'em." - -There was something sinister in the speech, and hearing his voice -Ranleigh obeyed on the instant. For Masters was accustomed to speak in -jovial tones. With him an order came always as a request, such as, "Oh, -I say, Parker, just cut along like a good chap and bring down my cricket -togs," or, "You fellows here in Middle, there's a beastly noise. Go on -with your prep., do." - -And his requests were obeyed with promptness as a general rule. If not, -on rare occasions, Masters could become very insistent. But he was -seldom threatening, and hearing the threat in his voice now small boys -slunk back to the quad steps and, with bulging eyes, watched the fire -over the heads of their seniors. Fellows in the Upper School shuffled -backwards, eyeing Masters askance, while even those in Upper Fifth, -fellows soon to be prefects and perhaps a trifle jealous of the Sixth -and of those in authority, quelled their inclination to push to the -front. - -At this moment the familiar figure of the Head arrived on the scene. - -"Who's directing matters?" he asked of Mr. Branson, who stood beside the -group of boys plying their hose from the entrance to the quad. - -"Well, I am partly, and Darrell is mostly," came the answer. "Of course, -I haven't had time yet to learn how the thing was discovered. But when I -was awakened Darrell had made all arrangements. He and those with him, -Feofe and others, have behaved splendidly. There hasn't been a sign of -panic. Boys in South have cleared out with all their belongings." - -"Good. Where is he? What other directions has he given?" asked the Head. - -A gust of wind at that moment went swirling through the centre corridor -past the fire, sucking long tongues of flame along with it and carrying -them toward the chapel. But it also had the effect of sweeping the smoke -away, enabling those in the quad to see their comrades grouped on the -staircase opposite the one beneath which the fire raged. There they -were, sheltering behind the blistering woodwork which formed the closed -banisters, the heads of three of them, wrapped in towels saturated with -water, just appearing above the rail. A nozzle between two of the heads -gripped by a pair of hands sent a jet of water sizzling across the -corridor into the centre of the fire. The Head thought he could -recognise in one of those towelled faces the features of Clive Darrell. - -"Can I get through?" he asked, stepping toward the entrance of the -corridor. - -"Too hot, sir," Mr. Branson told him. "You must go round by West. I'll -stay here and direct matters. I think we are getting the better of the -flames." - -At once the Head of Ranleigh turned and hurried away, the boys collected -in the quad making way for him. And we must state it now with no small -degree of pride that he set as fine an example as had any of the -prefects. - -"Might easily have been a panic, with all the boys rushing here and -there shouting and shrieking," he told himself. "Everything is -wonderfully orderly. I must back these boys up. Coolness is what is -wanted. But I must also learn what steps Darrell and his helpers have -taken in other directions. That's essential. One has to consider what to -do supposing the flames beat us." - -It was therefore, in spite of his hurry, with measured tread and an -appearance of unconcern that Ranleigh's Head stalked through the -assembled boys and reached West landing. A minute later he was amongst -the prefects on the South staircase, watching that descending jet of -water pouring into the flames. - -"Which is Darrell?" he asked coolly, and at the sound of his voice one -of the group turned. Clive, for he it was, tore the towel from his face -at once and smiled at the master. - -"Getting it down, sir," he said. - -"Ah! You could leave for a moment? The smoke here makes one cough." - -Clive handed the nozzle to his friends and went up the stairs two at a -time. At the top the two stopped to discuss matters. - -"Now, tell me how the thing was discovered and what steps you have taken -to warn people," asked the Head. - -"Parfit smelled smoke," said Clive hurriedly, anxious to get back to his -task. "I came down and found the fire. Then I turned Susanne--er--Feofe, -you know, sir." - -"Yes, I know as well as anyone," smiled the Head. - -"I turned him and all the South prefects out. We tried to stop the fire -with an extinguisher and cans of water. But the thing had got too firm a -hold. It was really serious. Then we decided to call up the school and -man the hoses. Gregory and Martin did the last. I sent prefects round to -the various dormitories. Fellows from One South were told to call you, -the Matron and the butler and his men. Er--that's all, I think." - -"All? Then you haven't----?" - -"Oh, I forgot," said Clive hurriedly. "Of course, I told 'em to turn off -the gas, so as to save an explosion, and I sent for the butler. One of -the men got on to his bicycle at once and went off to call the village -brigade. But we'll be able to do without them, sir. Can I return now, -sir?" - -He was eager to get back, and the Head dismissed him with a hearty -shake of the hand. - -"You've done splendidly, Darrell," he said. "There really was no need to -call me. I shan't interfere. I shall watch, and if you get the fire -down, it will be all of your own doing. I'm proud to have such -prefects." - -Well might he be proud too. The seeds which Harvey and Sturton had sown -two and more years ago were now bearing fruit with a vengeance. Perhaps -at no previous period had Ranleigh been blessed with such a set of -prefects, and here was proof of it. The orderliness of the school under -trying circumstances was extraordinary. The coolness of those who had -taken the fire in hand, and their measures to warn all and sundry, were -really remarkable. No wonder the Head was filled with a glow of pride. -No wonder Ranleigh boys went mad with delight as they saw the flames -extinguished. And then how they cheered the fellows who had been -conducting the fight! - -The early morning found the Hall filled to overflowing. Masters were -there in full strength. Ranleigh was present without exception, some of -the smaller boys yawning widely. Even the village fire brigade had been -invited to partake of refreshments. And then they slowly filed off to -their beds, a whole holiday with late breakfast having been proclaimed -from the dais. But that holiday was one only in name for Clive and -Susanne and a few others. They collected in the Upper Sixth when the -school was almost empty, and Susanne shut the door and turned the key. - -"Now, Clive," he said, "you tell the fellows." - -At once eager glances were cast at our hero. Masters sat up abruptly. -Bert stood looking almost fiercely at his old friend, while Trendall was -obviously puzzled. Clive went to the fireplace, leaned against it, and -slowly glanced at each of his comrades in succession. - -"It's a beastly thing to have to say," he began, somewhat awkwardly. -"But I'm bound to tell you. That fire was started on purpose. Someone -wanted to burn the school down. I'm positive." - -"What! Positive! Surely there's a mistake," gasped Bert. - -"None. Susanne will tell you. I'm going to show the proofs to everyone -present, but only on a pledge of secrecy. You give it?" - -They nodded at him one by one. - -"You can trust us to a man," said Masters. - -"Then come. Ourselves and the village sergeant are the only people aware -of the business." - -"And, of course, the beggar who carried out the job," said Susanne -bitterly. - -Never before perhaps had a group of the school seniors looked so -serious. Jones Quartus, happening to meet them as they issued from the -Sixth and passed along the corridor, positively shrank away from them. -The group of curious youngsters gathered near the site of the fire -shuffled backwards. - -"Here, cut!" commanded Masters abruptly, and at the word they bolted, as -if only too eager to escape from the presence of their seniors. Then -Clive led the way. When he and his friends returned to the Sixth some -five minutes later, accompanied by the police sergeant, not the smallest -doubt existed in their minds that some miscreant had successfully -attempted arson, and that the fire had been started for some sinister -reason. - -"We've got to get to the bottom of the mystery," said Clive. - -"Yes," agreed Susanne. "But how? That's the difficulty." - -It was, in fact, an absolute necessity, for the two weeks which followed -saw no fewer than three other outbreaks of fire on the school premises, -all, however, happily extinguished after causing little damage. It was -no wonder, then, that the prefects of Ranleigh set themselves seriously -to work to discover the incendiary. - - - - -CHAPTER XVII - -WHO IS THE SCOUNDREL? - - -It was a saint's day, and Ranleigh made holiday once Chapel was ended. -Outside in the playing-fields the shouts and laughter of the boys could -be heard distinctly from the Sixth Form room. Occasionally there was a -clatter in the tiled corridors over which the feet of so many -Ranleighans had passed in the years gone by. Otherwise there was peace -and quietness in the school and the time was propitious for discussion. -And in the Upper Sixth Form room voices subdued and smooth exchanged the -views of various of the prefects. Trendall was there, watching Clive and -Susanne with a friendly smile of approval. How different from the -glances which he had once cast at them! Bert, cool and dreaming as of -yore, apt to indulge on every opportunity in satire, sat upon the corner -of the table staring thoughtfully into the fire. Masters stood propped -in one corner, nibbling the end of a pencil and glancing first at one of -his friends and then at another. By common consent Clive had been voted -to the chair. - -"We've got to do something, and at once," he said, commencing the -proceedings as soon as he had occupied the only chair in the room. "It -is up to us to act." - -"Hear, hear!" from Masters. He stopped nibbling for a moment. "Hear, -hear!" he repeated, and then went rather pink seeing the eyes of all on -him. - -"And at once," asserted Clive again. - -"Without delay, certainly," agreed Bert crisply. - -"That is, once we've come to a decision what shall be done. No use -acting without a plan," said the wise Susanne, an opinion which Trendall -applauded. - -"Then, it being agreed that something must be done, and at once, we come -to the crux of the situation." - -Clive looked at each in turn invitingly. "We want ideas," he went on. -"We've reached a crisis here. Has any fellow any plan to put before us?" - -There was silence. Masters took to nibbling his pencil violently. It was -obvious that he was very much disturbed in his mind. Susanne kicked the -worn floor boards impatiently, while Trendall and Bert seemed to have -all their attention centred on the fire. But no one accepted Clive's -invitation to speak. To tell the truth, no one had so much as an idea. -The situation with which Ranleigh was face to face was unique. - -"I'll recapitulate events," said Clive, for he was wont in these days to -use some terribly long words. The slang so common to his speech in -bygone days was now almost forgotten. Indeed, the manners and the ideas -of the Old Firm had changed wonderfully and very much for the better. - -"There was a fire two weeks ago." - -"Hear, hear!" cried Masters, whereat everyone glared at him. - -"Glad?" asked Bert, with cutting sharpness. "Perhaps you'd have liked to -see us all consumed!" - -It was Masters' turn to become scathing. - -"A fine thing to suggest," he cried. "You'll say I made the fire," he -retorted. "Go on, Clive. Bert's out of sorts this morning. There was a -fire. Right. Hear, hear! Let's get along with it. I've a right to say -hear, hear! Didn't the fire give us a chance of seeing what Clive's made -of, and the sort of chaps we have at Ranleigh?" - -He wore an air of triumph. The others present at this meeting applauded -loudly. - -"It was fine," said Trendall, his eyes sparkling. "The Ranleighan'll -have a fine tale to tell. Though I'm one of the prefects I'm bound to -admit Ranleigh did well. The Head said so; so did the 'Surrey Liar.'" - -It was the name given to a certain county paper which had come out with -a fine description of the fire at Ranleigh, and had eulogised the -behaviour of the boys. However, this was not getting along with the -discussion, and Clive therefore took the matter up again. - -"There was a fire; we checked it. It was put out," he said. "Of course, -there was an investigation, as a result of which we discovered that -paraffin had been thrown about in the big cupboard under the stairs. -There were some unconsumed shavings there, as well as a tin which had -once held paraffin. That tin came from the boot-room where the beakies -work." - -"Proving that one of the beakies was responsible for the business," -cried Trendall. - -"Not at all. The boot-room's open always. You or I could easily enter. -Still, it doesn't say that a beaky did not start the fire. This is -clear, however, that fire was maliciously set going by someone, and that -someone belongs to Ranleigh." - -"Either as boy or servant," said Susanne. "Of course, we rule masters -out. Such a thing is impossible with any one of them." - -"And boys too," suggested Bert. "Whoever heard of a fellow wanting to -make a blaze of his school? It's preposterous! So we come to the -conclusion that the miscreant is a worker here. In fact, one of the -many servants." - -There were enquiring glances between the debaters. In the end all turned -to stare at their chairman. But Clive's young face was inscrutable. He -neither supported nor opposed the statement for which Bert was -responsible. - -"What's the use of trying to narrow our suspicions down to a single -group?" he asked. "On the face of it, I admit that a servant may very -well have been responsible for that fire. But then, it might have been -anyone. There was a fire. That's good enough for us, and we know that it -was purposely set going. We know also that there have been others, and -that in every case there is clear evidence that an incendiary was at -work. Well, there's the position. You chaps have got to tackle it." - -There was, in fact, no need to add to his description. Somewhere about -Ranleigh there existed an incendiary. Who was he? Boy, master, or -servant? - -"Or lunatic," suddenly asked Susanne, as if he imagined that others were -following his train of thought. "That's it. Is the fellow who's doing -this caddish business merely a lunatic, and so irresponsible?" - -"Mighty likely," agreed Masters, coming closer and looking very earnest. -"But what if he is? Where's the difference? There's an incendiary all -the same, and wondering whether he's boy, master, or servant, and in any -case sane or mad, helps us not an atom. Let's stop jawing about things -that don't help and get to real business. I'm for watching." - -"Watching what?" asked Bert sharply. - -"The school, of course. Parading the corridors." - -"When? At night?" asked Trendall at once. - -"When have the fires broken out? Always at night time. Always between -the hours of eleven and one a.m. Then that's the time for watching." - -"And you suggest that the prefects do this watching?" asked Clive. "The -scheme is one that promises finely. As you say, every fire has occurred -in the hours you mention. If the place had been patrolled, then the -fellow responsible would have been discovered. So you suggest that the -prefects take it turn and turn about to watch? Isn't that it, Masters?" - -"Not a bit. I'll ask a question. Has any fellow here any doubt about the -others in this room? No? I can see you haven't. You needn't stare at me -as if I'd accused you, Bert. I merely asked a straight question. Well -then." - -"Yes, well then," repeated Susanne encouragingly. - -"Can any fellow here say that he's absolutely sure that the culprit -isn't to be found somewhere amongst the prefects?" - -They shook their heads slowly at him. - -"Masters is talking sense," asserted Bert, after a few seconds' silence; -whereat the great Masters flushed a beautiful red. It wasn't often that -Bert praised. And if he did, there was often enough a sharp sting -underneath his compliment. "He's talking sense," repeated Bert, "for -once in his life. I'm glad." - -"Ah!" gasped Masters. He would gladly have set upon Bert at that -instant. But then, everyone knew that Bert was always quizzing. He was -grinning even then. Why on earth couldn't he be serious sometimes and -forget his quizzing and his satire? - -"A fellow can't get along when he's interrupted by an idiot," growled -Masters. "Where was I? Oh, I remember. Well, you can't swear that this -lunatic isn't to be found amongst the prefects. All the same, I'm open -to stand treat to everyone here if a Ranleigh prefect proves to be the -fellow. Ranleigh prefects ain't that sort." - -He puffed his chest out and flushed red as he spoke. Masters took a -tremendous pride in his school and his fellows. "There's not one who'd -be such a cad," he declared. "Don't you deny it, Bert." - -"Certainly not. I'm in agreement. I'm only smiling at my thoughts. I was -just remembering the time when Masters wasn't a prefect. A bigger set of -cads and bullys then didn't exist, er--according to Masters. Of course, -I agree with what he says now. Ranleigh prefects are fine fellows. Ain't -we amongst the numbers?" - -There was a general tapping of feet on the floor. The men present were -getting impatient, and really it wasn't the time for wit. They glared at -Bert. - -"Shut up!" commanded Susanne. "Let Masters get along. Well?" - -"Well, there you are," said that worthy. "You ain't certain of all the -prefects. But you are of the lot here. Supposing we decide to watch. -Here are the watchers. We keep the thing to ourselves. Not a word to the -others." - -"And watch all night. A tough proposition," reflected Trendall. "There -are five of us." - -"Call it six," said Bert. "There's Hugh. He's not much good; but he'll -do." - -"Then six," Clive told them. "Two every night. That means one night's -patrolling in three. A fellow could manage that easily, and we can -always put in a sleep during the day. Then I suggest that we divide -ourselves into three parties, each consisting of two. Those two will -each take half the school premises, and will meet on their rounds every -few minutes. It'll help to keep 'em awake." - -"Awake! As if a fellow would care to sleep and so fail in his job," -cried Masters indignantly. - -"You wait," said Bert. "A chap gets awfully drowsy about midnight, -particularly if there's nothing doing. The suggestion Clive has made is -good. Get along, Mr. Chairman." - -"Then we divide into twos and patrol, each man meeting his fellow every -few minutes. Of course, we shall want rubber shoes and a dark lantern -apiece." - -"And a revolver?" asked Trendall eagerly. - -"No. Nothing. If a Ranleigh chap can't use his fists if there's -occasion, why----" - -"Better chuck the business now," said Susanne. "Clive's right. No weapon -is wanted. Once we catch sight of this chap we shall know how to deal -with him. So mum's the word. Not a whisper to the other fellows." - -"Tell no one, not even the Head," cried Bert. "Secrecy is of the -greatest importance. I suppose we start to-night?" - -"At once," agreed Clive. "Let's put the six names on strips of paper and -draw them from a cap. That'll give us our couples. We can toss to decide -who's to take the first patrol." - -They carried out this suggestion promptly, and within a little while -had the matter settled. - -"Susanne and Hugh together," said Clive, reading out the result. "Then -Trendall and Bert. Masters and I go together also. Now for first turn. -Up with your pennies." - -It happened that Bert and Trendall were to be the first to patrol, and -it may be imagined that there was a considerable amount of suppressed -excitement about those two worthies, as also amongst their companions in -the adventure, as the evening approached. But the Old Firm had had an -excellent training in smothering their feelings. To look at them that -evening as they took prep. in their several form rooms you would have -thought that they had no such thing as a secret. In Chapel Bert's face -was serene as he went to the lectern to read the lesson. And how well he -read! Sitting back in his place amidst the men of the choir, Clive could -not help but admire. His memory carried him back to that day now it -seemed so long ago when he himself, then small and puny, had for the -first time entered this handsome building. He recollected how he had -watched Harvey ascend to the lectern, with what awe he had regarded him, -and how he had trembled at the thought that some day he might be called -upon to carry out the same duty. And here he was, destined to read the -second lesson of the evening, cool and calm, nevertheless, admiring, as -admire he must, the smooth, even reading of his old friend Bert. - -Then they trooped out to the dormitories. There was the customary ten -minutes' silence, and then the hum of many tongues wagging. But -gradually the sounds died down, till there came the heavy-footed thud of -the beaky. Out went the lights. From many a bed came the snores of -sleepers. Clive lay with wide-open eyes listening and thinking. He -wondered what Trendall and Bert were doing, for it must be remembered -that the rise of the Old Firm in the school had resulted in a partial -severance. As prefects they were divided, Clive ruling it in One South, -his old dormitory. - -Ah! he heard someone stirring! A door opened. It was not in One South. -Where was it? - -"Old B. coming to bed," Clive told himself. "Then it's about eleven. -Those two will be slipping downstairs in a few minutes." - -Yes, it was nearly eleven. The big clock began to chime the quarters as -the door of One South was noiselessly pushed open. Clive lifted his head -and looked in that direction. The well-known and popular figure of Mr. -Branson entered the dormitory. On tip-toe, for he was ever thoughtful, -bearing a lighted candle in one hand, he gently closed the door and -slid across to his own room opposite. And in the years that he had been -at Ranleigh, how many boys had seen him going to bed? Not many, we trow. -Not because of the late hour, for Old B. did not hold with them. But -simply for the reason that boys sleep well, while Old B.'s steps were of -the lightest, in spite of his burly figure. The door closed after him, -the last stroke of eleven sounded. Silence fell upon Ranleigh school and -its surroundings. And then Clive's eyelids drooped. Like the other -fellows in the dormitory, he fell asleep and forgot for the moment all -about the task which he and his friends had set themselves. - -"Well? What happened? See anyone? Hear anything?" - -The questions were rained upon Trendall and Bert as soon as the Old Firm -were gathered on the following morning. - -"Not a soul. But Clive was right about a fellow getting drowsy," said -Trendall at once. "If it hadn't been for the movement and the need to -meet Bert I'd have dropped off on many an occasion. I met him five -minutes after the hour of eleven had struck. We went off to bed at two -o'clock precisely." - -"Then Bert? Well?" asked Clive of that young fellow. Bert grinned. -Evidently he had contrived to gather some fun out of the adventure. - -"Jolly nearly made an awful ass of myself," he grinned. - -"Where's the difficulty?" asked Masters, with unaccustomed satire. -"Ain't it pretty usual?" - -"Shut up!" cried Clive. "You chaps are always sparring. Now, Bert." - -"Masters would have landed us finely in the soup if he'd been there," -continued the one addressed. "You see--well, is it necessary to explain -why he'd have done the usual? No. Well, then, I started with Trendall, -and just ten minutes after twelve heard someone moving." - -"Ah! Go on," gasped his listeners. - -"Someone moving! Who?" asked Hugh eagerly. - -"I'm coming to it," said Bert coolly. "It was somewhere close to the -spot where the fire first took place. I crept in that direction." - -Clive felt a queer little sensation about his spine. Bert's narratives -were always a little uncanny. He could imagine him creeping like a snake -towards the point where he had heard someone moving. "Do get on!" he -cried impatiently. "You do take such a time to tell what happened." - -"And you're always in such a violent hurry. Well, I crept there. I was -in the quad, of course, and as all the corridor windows are open I -could easily look in. There was a step in the corridor. Some fellow was -creeping along. But he wasn't silent altogether. Now and again his boots -made quite a noise. I slid along parallel with him." - -The faces of the listeners grew eager. They pressed a trifle closer to -Bert, wondering what was coming. - -"At the corner of the quad, where the corridor turns, the fellow came to -a sudden stop," said Bert. "Things looked fishy. I could hear him -rummaging in the boot lockers standing there. I wondered whether I ought -to open my lamp and take a squint at him. You see, I wasn't at all sure -who it might be." - -"Of course," agreed Susanne. "You wanted to get some idea. You didn't -want this beggar to know that you were there till you were fairly sure -what he was up to. You see, we're watching for an incendiary. We ain't -out for any other purpose." - -"I'd have collared the chap at once," declared Masters, who was nothing -if not impetuous. - -"Ah, yes, _you_ would," Bert told him, smiling pityingly on him. "That's -just my point. Here was a splendid chance for a fellow to make an utter -hash of the business and an ass of himself into the bargain. Masters -would have collared the beggar. I didn't. That's the difference. You -see, it wasn't an incendiary." - -"Then who was it? Tell us," demanded Clive. - -"Only Raleigh, stinks master," grinned Bert, whereat there was a roar of -laughter. Masters even grinned, though he felt really angry with Bert. -Then, suddenly remembering the episode of the burglars, he smiled -sweetly at him. It would do for next time, he thought. When compliments -were flying around again, and there was need for gentle repartee or a -stinging retort, he had it ready. Asses indeed! Bert needn't talk after -such a business. - -"You see," went on Bert, "he'd been out to supper with some people, I -suppose. Ain't he rather gone on that Miss Daisy?" - -There were nods from the circle. It was a well-known fact that the -science master was paying his addresses at a house in the village. Miss -Daisy often took part in Ranleigh concerts, and was decidedly popular. -So that, if it were any relief to Mr. Raleigh, he had the good wishes of -all at the school. - -"They're engaged," Trendall told the company. "They'll be married in the -summer." - -"Then good luck to 'em!" cried Bert. "Well, there he was, and all the -fumbling was for a candle. He found it after a while, just when I -thought he must have laid his train and splashed the petroleum about in -preparation for a fire. In fact, I was within an ace of flashing my lamp -on him when there was the scrape of a match. It made me feel quite -funny, I can tell you. I thought he must be about to start the fire. And -then, when the flame burned up I saw Raleigh's features plainly. He lit -his candle, stamped on the match, and went up the stairs to his room -whistling quietly. There, you've got my report. I was getting a bit sick -of watching when the time came along to give up. Masters, just you take -warning by what happened. It's lucky we're not going to take revolvers. -You'd have shot poor Raleigh at once, and then Miss Daisy'd have been a -widow before she was married." - -Bert was perfectly right in repeating the warning, and perhaps it was -stupid of Masters to listen to it so unkindly. But then, had he been -impetuous, Mr. Raleigh would have become aware of the watching, and, no -doubt, every one of the masters as a consequence. However, no mischief -had been done, and the secrecy so important to the success of the -business was still maintained. That second night Susanne and Hugh took -their posts in the corridor, prepared to watch the security of Ranleigh. -Nor had they much to report when again the Old Firm was assembled to -hear them. - -"But it's a bit of a joke, all the same," laughed Susanne. "Wonder what -the masters would say if they knew how we were watching? One generally -supposes them to be abed at a respectable hour. But they ain't always. -It was Raleigh's turn last time. Hugh and I saw two of them creep in -between twelve and one while we were watching. Who knows? Perhaps Clive -and Masters'll have the pleasure of welcoming the return of the Head -from a supper party." - -That made them grin. Bert jogged Masters' elbow. "What a lark it'd be!" -he said. "Of course, you'd collar him. My word! The scene would be worth -watching." - -Perhaps it was as well that the members of the Old Firm saw every atom -of fun that was going, for the task they had set themselves was destined -to prove monotonous. After all, once the novelty of patrolling a huge -place wears off, it has few attractions. Then, too, a cosy bed pulls -hard after a long day's exercise. A whole fortnight passed, in fact, -without anything unusual happening. - -"Someone's twigged what we're doing, eh?" asked Susanne. - -"No," said Clive. "I'm certain. But whoever set those fires going is too -canny to be caught easily. They say that lunatics are awfully artful. -This chap's stopped for a while. We've just got to be patient." - -And so for a few more days they continued watching, shadowing many a -late-returning master. It was almost three weeks from the date of the -commencement of this duty that Clive heard sounds that roused his strong -suspicions. Someone was moving in the corridor, someone who had not -entered the school through the front door as had been the case with -masters. A figure glided past him as silently as a ghost. This was -something entirely different from what he had experienced in the whole -course of his watching. - - - - -CHAPTER XVIII - -TRACKED DOWN - - -Clive stood as still as a post, watching and listening. Overhead there -was a small crescent of the moon floating over the school and partially -illuminating the quad. But the corridors were plunged in stygian -darkness. Had he actually heard anything? Had someone really passed him? - -"Well, I'm jiggered," he observed to himself, clinging doubtfully to one -of the cross-bars placed across the usually open windows of the corridor -by a thoughtful directorate, and with a view to keeping small boys from -clambering through them. For it was the custom at Ranleigh to indulge in -an ample measure of fresh air, and those corridor windows remained free -of glass until the depths of winter. - -"Feel certain someone went by," thought Clive. "Felt rather than heard -him. But--but where's he gone? Is he just opposite me. Ah!" - -No wonder he was puzzled, for as we have intimated, whoever had gone -down the corridor had made not the smallest sound. Recollect that it was -a little past midnight, that the school was plunged in slumber, and -that, to the best of Clive's belief, he and Masters were the only two -about the premises. Remember that the circumstances provided an intense -stillness, and that at such times sounds usually inaudible come to the -ear with certainty. He had heard something, he was sure. - -"As if a fellow had a dressing-gown on and the gown were trailing on the -ground," he told himself. "The merest whisper. It may have been a man's -deep breathing. But there's not a sound now. Not a single sound." - -But there was something else. There came the flicker of a light away to -his right, a mere flicker, and then the same all-pervading darkness. -Clive slid off in that direction at once, halted when he judged he had -reached the correct position, and strained his ears and eyes to detect -the author of that sudden glimmer. And what a job he had to be sure to -drown the sound of his own breathing and his own thudding heart beats! -That was the worst of such intense stillness, and of excitement, for he -was excited. - -"The chap took me by surprise," he muttered beneath his breath, as if by -way of excuse. He struggled against the feeling of excitement, but -failed hopelessly. His heart still thudded against his ribs, beating -with unusual rapidity. And then, worse than all, a sudden tickling -sensation at the back of his throat assailed him. He was going to cough. -He was---- - -No. He beat the feeling down, and of a sudden once more had all his -attention engaged elsewhere. For from a spot some ten feet to his right, -from the centre of the inky darkness of the corridor, a jet of light -swept across to the far wall. He could see the actual point from which -it arose. There the beam glowed brightly, perhaps an inch and a half in -depth. It spread itself gradually through the darkness, till it obtained -much greater dimensions and finally settled on the brick and stone inner -wall of the corridor in a wide ellipse of light. Silently it stole along -the brickwork till it fell upon a door. - -"The Head's entrance to his house. This is queer," Clive thought, while -his excitement rose. Let us be brutally frank about this young fellow. -He was no coward. He was noted for dash and courage at Ranleigh School. -But, like every other fellow there, he was susceptible to outside -influences. And here was one decidedly uncanny and out of the ordinary, -one which affected him most strangely. Clive felt positive pain in his -scalp. His hair bristled beneath the school cap which he had donned for -this adventure. He felt almost scared. Raising his hand he thrust the -fingers beneath his cap, and instantly the beam of light vanished. It -was there one instant. It was gone the next. There was merely dense -blackness, and silence. - -"Phew!" Perspiration trickled over his brows. His palms were moist and -clammy. He began to wish that Masters would turn up, only that would be -awkward. - -"Give the whole show away," he told himself. "This is beastly ghostly -and uncanny, but I ain't going to be funked. There's something mighty -suspicious here, and that beam comes from an electric hand light. Then -there is someone operating it. Ghosts don't have such things. Don't need -'em." - -The very thought tickled him vastly. It was queer at such a moment to be -struck by the utter absurdity of the suggestion that a ghost should -require a lamp, and should be so up-to-date as to have adopted an -electric one. Still, the deathly silence gave a most undoubted ghostly -appearance to the whole transaction, and we must excuse Clive if he was -impressed by it. - -"He ain't moved. Shall I show him up with my lamp?" he asked himself. -"No, I'll wait. Ten to one this is the beggar we're after. But he's done -nothing yet. I'm out to catch an incendiary, and if this is he, why, I -sit tight till he's got to the business." - -Ah! The beam flashed again, alighting on the tiled floor of the -corridor, and stealing along it to the foot of the Head's door. It -slowly climbed it till it reached the keyhole, concentrated itself upon -that orifice, and then gradually grew smaller and more brilliant, while -the point from which it originated approached the door ever so slowly, -the beam shortening in proportion. Click! There was the faintest of -sounds in the distance. The beam disappeared, strangled by the hand -which operated the lamp. - -"Masters making his round and coming along to meet me. He'll alarm this -beggar," thought Clive. "Better get off and warn him. I'll get him to -watch the far end of the corridor." - -He went off like a ghost himself across the quad, entered the corridor -by the open doorway below the entrance to East Dormitory, and halted -outside the Bursar's office. Yes, there was the gentle slither of an -almost noiseless footfall. Clive whistled gently. - -"That you, Masters?" he asked in a hoarse whisper. - -"Yes. What's up? You've seen something?" - -"Just now. The fellow's got an electric lamp, and he's along there in -the corridor. I'm not sure that he's our man, and I came back here to -warn you not to make a sound. Look here, watch along there by the steps -leading to the washing rooms. I've just thought this beggar may be an -outsider who breaks in, or makes his way into the school by the back -doors. You'd catch him at the turn of the corridor, and in any case -you'd be within hearing and I could call you. That right?" - -"I'm off. Yell if you want me," answered Masters. "Look out in case the -fellow's armed. George! I never thought of that possibility of a man -getting into the school from outside and doing this firing business. -Hope it'll turn out so. Ranleigh don't want such scum about the school." - -He went off without another word, while Clive slid into the quad again -and stole along by the corridor windows. In a little while, having used -the greatest caution, he had reached the spot he had stood in before, -and straightway leaned against one of the barred windows and stared in. -There was not a sound. No beam of light helped him to discover the -whereabouts of the ghostly stranger parading the corridor. - -"Gone! Slipped off on hearing that sound," Clive told himself. "Bad luck -to it! He's beaten us again." - -He fingered his own electric lamp, with which Masters was also provided. - -"Shall I, or shall I not?" he wondered, his finger on the sliding -trigger. "Supposing he's over there, still waiting and listening? -Supposing he's slid off and is at work elsewhere?" - -It was a dilemma. There are very many placed in the same position of -responsibility and under the self-same circumstances who would have -hesitated, and rightly so, who would have determined to do nothing that -savoured of rashness, and who would have decided to curb their -impatience, risking everything lest by premature action they should -wreck the whole enterprise. Still Clive swung badly between the two -decisions. He brought his electric lamp out of his pocket, presented it -across the corridor, and then tucked it back in his pocket again, just -as he had done a few moments before. It gave him a start, a minute -later, when he again had his lamp in position, though the trigger was -not yet moved, suddenly to perceive a ray of light opposite. - -"Why, he's opened the Head's door," he told himself. "That light's -shining from the inside. The beggar's managed to get into the house. -What's his business?" - -It was something dishonest and underhand, in any case, else why such -silence? why this flitting in the depths of night, when the school and -its residents were sunk in slumber? - -"Frightfully fishy," Clive told himself. "Either a burglar or the -incendiary we're after. I'm going across to that door to take a look in. -No, I'm not." - -He bobbed down like lightning, his head below the window frame through -which he had been staring. For the light within the half-open door -increased. It swung across to the opposite side of the corridor, and -then, through the surrounding darkness, Clive saw the bull's-eye orifice -through which the beam was projected. Nothing more was visible. The hand -which operated the lamp, the man behind might not have been in -existence. He was invisible. It looked, indeed, as if the torch were -supporting itself, and swaying from side to side by its own efforts. And -then, of a sudden, the beam died out. - -"Beggar felt it necessary to come out of the house into the corridor so -as to make sure no one was about," Clive whispered to himself. "Now, is -he still outside the door, listening and waiting, or has he gone in -again? I'm not going to wait much longer. This cad means business, and -if he's up to the old game, why, the sooner I nab him the better. -Supposing he's already made a fire!" - -That caused his heart to increase its exertions again, for his -excitement had abated a little after his first discovery. But as he -thought of this serious possibility, his pulses stirred with a -vengeance. Why, the whole fate of the school might be in his hands! -Delay and hesitation at this moment might see old Ranleigh, the place -which he and hundreds like him loved, some young, some growing to -manhood, some already arrived at that stage in life's progression, and -getting rather on the seamy side, might see it burned to ashes. The -thought sent a chill through his sweating frame. Clive moved quickly in -the direction of the open door at the west end of the quad and crept -into the corridor. Was that a flash of light he saw from beneath the -door? - -"Jolly like it. Believe he's gone in again. I'm going to chance -matters." - -He touched the trigger of his lamp and sent a flood of light on the -half-open door. The corridor was empty. There was no figure beside the -door. Clive darted over to it, and stood at its edge, peeping round into -the passage leading to the Head's own study. It was a dismal place at -any time, badly lighted in the most brilliant day, and now sunk in the -depths of impenetrable darkness. It was a heart-breaking sort of -passage, with uncompromising and unsatisfactory walls, which gave not -the smallest encouragement to a malefactor. And here it was that -malefactors gathered. Not the class of malefactor that Clive was now -after, but wretched Ranleighans, haled before the Head, sent there often -enough with the politest of notes by one or other of the masters--notes, -too, which the wretched victims had themselves to bear. They were almost -like death warrants. Clive had experienced the dreadful feeling of -bearing one. He had waited in that depressing passage while another -sinner preceded him. He had listened to the drone of voices behind the -Head's door. And then had come the sound of tribulation. Staring into -this dark pit brought his early days at Ranleigh back to his mind. What -a thrashing he had had on that occasion when he and Masters had broken -bounds and contrived to stampede two of Squire Studholme's finest -horses! - -Then his thoughts were just as suddenly switched from old recollections -to present events. He was on the point of flashing his own lamp into the -passage when the darkness was illuminated from the direction of the -Head's door. That, too, was half open. The miscreant was inside. Now was -the time to lay hands on him. - -"Catch him nicely in a trap. That'll do," thought Clive. "He's coming -out, though. What's he up to?" - -The reflection from the walls of the passage threw into relief the -figure of a man, gowned in something loose. - -"Overcoat," said Clive. "Hat crammed on his head and rubbers on his -feet. He's--he's pouring something along the sides of the passage. -Paraffin. I can smell it! Jingo! Then this is the beggar! I've got him -right in the middle of the act. This is what we've been waiting and -watching for." - -Yes, there could be no doubt now, for the penetrating odour of the oil -was already filling his nostrils. But how silently the rascal worked! -But for the faint whisper the tail of his coat made now and again as he -stepped along the side of the passage there was not another sound. Clive -watched the fluid pouring from the spout of the fellow's kettle as if he -were fascinated. It spread slowly and greasily, as paraffin does -invariably, across the woodwork and matting of the floor. It ran freely -from the receptacle in which this rascal had brought it, and then slowly -became less in quantity, till it merely dribbled from the spout. And all -the while an elliptical, bright ray of light fell on the particular spot -upon which the fluid was falling, the mere outline of the bending figure -of the man being visible to the watcher. Suddenly the light went out. -There was a faint scraping noise, as if the kettle had hit against the -wall. Then the light flashed for a second again, and once more -disappeared. - -"Gone back into the Head's room. Now I have him," said Clive, whetting -his lips. "It'll be a business, but I ain't going to be funked. This is -a matter concerning the whole school, and I don't shirk it. All the -same, I wish Masters were closer." - -He rounded the door, flashed his own lamp for one instant so as to give -him a view of the passage, and then went noiselessly onward. Outside the -study door he waited and listened. Yes, someone was moving inside. He -heard the faint rustle of papers. The fellow no doubt was piling them -upon the pool of paraffin he had poured on to the floor. Or perhaps he -was scattering the fluid broadcast. It was the moment to nab him. Clive -stepped into the doorway and---- - -A blinding flash of light blazed right into his eyes. The bull's-eye of -this ruffian's lamp was within ten inches of his face and suddenly -opened upon him. There came a startled cry, a sudden movement, and the -clatter of a kettle falling to the floor. Then Clive was dashed backward -into the passage with terrific violence, and stumbling on the mat -outside the study door, fell heavily on his back, his own electric torch -clattering away into a corner. He felt the sweep of the fellow's gown or -overcoat across his face and gripped swiftly for his legs. His hand -closed on something, trousers perhaps, though the material seemed -extraordinarily thin. Then he was kicked savagely, though the softness -of his assailant's soles caused but little damage. But it threw his grip -off, and in a moment the fellow was fleeing. - -"Beaten me after all," thought Clive as he sprang to his feet and -groped for his torch. "Ah, here's the thing. Now, which way did he -bolt?" - -He was out of the passage like a flash of lightning, and turned into the -corridor. At once his finger went to the trigger of his torch and sent a -beam ahead of him. Yes, there was a flying figure in advance, going at -full speed down the corridor, and without making even the smallest -sound. Clive gave chase instantly, first with the help of the light -given him by his torch, and then in total darkness, for his finger had -slipped from the trigger. But he had it on again in a moment. There the -fellow was, plainly visible, his clothing blowing out behind him. - -"I'm gaining on him," thought Clive. "We're bound to have him nicely, -for he's going straight for the corner. He'll be round in a jiffy, and I -shall be after him. Masters will see my lamp from the post he's taken -and will be in splendid position to stop him. Bother the torch. My -finger's slipped again." - -A second earlier the flying figure had arrived within three feet of the -end of the corridor, where it turned abruptly to the left. Clive reached -the spot perhaps ten seconds later. He flashed his light round the -corner and along the other corridor. There was nothing visible. Not a -soul was in sight. Even Masters was not present, and was doubtless -waiting round the corner at the far end. But where had this fugitive -gone? Into the archway leading to the Bursar's room and to East -Dormitory, or through the opening to the quad? Clive flashed his torch -through the latter. No. There was no one in the quad. Then elsewhere? He -sent the beam against the banisters of East Dormitory. No. There was no -one. This fugitive seemed to have been actually swallowed by the -surrounding walls. Clive was sorely puzzled and perplexed. He retraced -his steps to the corner of the corridor, and peeped into a boot-room -there. That, too, was empty. The man had been too clever for him. He had -gone. - -"Dived into that boot-room, without a doubt. Waited for me to pass and -then went off back along the same route towards the Head's door. I'll go -along there after him. Wonder whether he fired that paraffin? Must find -that out. Why, even now a fire may be blazing. My word! To think that a -chap could go in for such a caddish business." - -But who was the man? Did Clive know? Had he recognised that fleeting -figure? - -There was a deep furrow across our hero's face. Even as he raced back -along the corridor he was conscious of a feeling of unusual distress, of -sadness almost, of despair at the thought of what must inevitably follow -his discovery. For the miscreant was without question a Ranleigh boy. -Clive had not seen his face--had seen little else, in fact, but legs -rapidly moving and a flowing gown, above which was a head hidden beneath -a hat pressed closely down upon it. But even figures have their own -special features. Every individual almost has his own particular -movements, something, however small, which differentiates them from -others. And Clive knew the special run of this fugitive well. In a court -of law, perhaps, his evidence was useless. Here, at Ranleigh, perhaps it -was little better. Were he asked at that moment to say who the miscreant -was he could merely shake his head. - -"Couldn't actually dare to declare the fellow's name," he told himself -as he raced up the corridor. "I feel sure. But others would doubt. -They'd doubt naturally, and considering the circumstances, the -excitement, the intermittent light, why, I may easily be mistaken. I -daren't wreck a fellow's future on such flimsy evidence. Perhaps I'll -nobble him yet. At any rate, I'll try my best. My word, what a slippery -beggar!" - -He was back at the Head's door now, to find it wide open, where no doubt -he had flung it as he raced after this mysterious incendiary. The -passage within was empty. He searched every corner with his torch. The -corridor outside the Hall was equally vacant, and there was no one on -the stairs leading to West and certain of the masters' rooms, nor on -those giving access to North Dormitory. - -"Then the beggar's back in the Head's room," he thought. "I'll go right -in this time, close the door so that he can't try the same sort of -business, and then nail him. George! The place smells of paraffin. He -meant to have a proper flare while he was about it. Now, is he in the -Head's study or not?" - -No, he wasn't. At least, the place seemed empty. But a combination of -misfortunes was pursuing Clive on this adventurous evening. To commence -with, he had been taken by surprise by the crafty fellow he was -watching, and had been tripped up nicely. And now, perhaps because the -fall had injured it, his torch failed all of a sudden. Clive groped for -a match-box, upset some ornament on the mantelpiece, felt his fingers -light upon something remarkably like a match-box, and gripped the -latter. Then he rapidly withdrew one of the matches and struck it -against the box. A candlestick was within easy reach, and in a second he -had the wick burning. It was giving off a good light, and he was holding -it above his head so as the better to see his surroundings, when the -door was pushed swiftly open, a figure bounced into the room, and in a -twinkling our hero found himself gripped by the collar. - - - - -CHAPTER XIX - -A MONSTROUS ACCUSATION - - -It was a terrible moment for Clive. In the midst of his own vexation and -chagrin at the failure he had made, and at the knowledge that he had -just missed laying hands on the criminal who had been setting fire to -the school, to be pounced upon of a sudden, gripped with suffocating -firmness and shaken like a dog, was disconcerting, to say the least of -it. It was positively maddening. - -"Let go, you fool! Clear off, and let me go on with the business," he -cried in tones of anger. "Do you hear? Let go." - -Clive was no saint. He had as many faults as the average fellow, and -perhaps more than some. But they were honest faults, faults seen in the -light of open day. Not the low, mean ones affected by some fellows -behind the scenes, to their own shame and the abhorrence of all -right-thinking people. Clive had never been one of those fellows who -sadly upset the discipline and more of a school. He was a rock to lean -on where questions of principle and honour were concerned. The Head -knew it. Old B. knew it better still perhaps. The masters and the school -thought quite well of our hero. But he had a temper, and showed it now. -He struggled and fought like a madman. But still those iron fingers -gripped his neck. - -"At last!" he heard in the deep, cross tones of Mr. Axim. "At last the -wretch who has troubled us so long is run to earth. Stir an inch, sir, -and I'll deal sternly with you. There'll be no trifling, I can assure -you. Though you are a Ranleigh prefect, and not yet a man, you can -expect the roughest handling." - -That was Mr. Axim all over. He was, perhaps, the most unpopular of all -the masters. In fact, we may state that Ranleigh had seldom been so -unlucky. Mr. Axim seemed indeed to have been born with a natural -antipathy for boys, and it was ill luck that he should have come to -Ranleigh, or, for the matter of that, to any school. To him boys were -unnatural animals. He was ever suspicious of them. Their overflowing fun -and humour he could not understand, while boyish forgetfulness and want -of care were, in his eyes, unpardonable offences. Was it fate, too, -which had made him Clive's one particular _bete noire_, almost a -persecutor? For friendship between them had never existed. The merry, -light-hearted Clive, so serious when it came to mechanics, so studious -when he was interested, was with this Mr. Axim a sulky dunce, unable to -grip even simple rudiments. But then driving never agreed with our hero. -A little sympathy, a little human friendship, and he was your best -supporter, ready to "swat," as the boys termed it, ready to work his -fingers almost to the bone so that he might give satisfaction. With Mr. -Axim he had, in his earlier days at Ranleigh, been for ever in trouble, -and since then the two had avoided one another as far as possible, each -unmistakably disliking the other. - -"At last, and the Head's pet prefect!" said Mr. Axim, laughing -satirically, and with an air of triumph in his voice. "Let us see what -he has to say to this capture. Pet prefect indeed! Pet hypocrite, I -think. And to think that I warned him of you! To think that the one who -did so nobly in putting out our first fire should have set it going. Ha! -ha! I suspected the game. You should have thought of me, Darrell, when -you went into this scoundrelly business." - -Clive was too astounded to make any reply, and if he had wished, the -grip compressing his neck behind made speaking almost impossible. His -wits were whirling. He felt inclined to shout, or to break out into -hysterical laughter. It was bad enough to have missed the man he was -after, when he and his friends had taken so much trouble. And now, to be -accused of the deed himself, to be told that he had been caught -red-handed, was half maddening, half ludicrous. Had it been anyone else -but Mr. Axim, Clive would have explained. But this master's obvious -triumph, his satire and biting sarcasm kept our hero's lips silent. - -"So," said Mr. Axim, as if gathering his ideas and thinking the matter -out, "so, returning from a pleasant evening in the village we accidently -discover Darrell as the much-wanted incendiary. Good! We now proceed to -disillusionise the Head. We will ring this bell and awake him." - -He tugged at the cord promptly, and somewhere far away in the depths of -the house Clive heard an answering clang, repeated some five or six -times. Mr. Axim went to the door and closed it, standing afterwards with -his back to it. - -"I'll not soil my fingers any longer," he said. "You can stand over -there in the opposite corner. No. Leave the candle. A desperate young -ruffian such as you are might easily complete the job I managed -fortunately to disturb. Now, a clean breast of the whole business will -be the only course for you to follow." - -Clive scowled at him, and then closely inspected his surroundings. As -he had suspected, there was a pile of papers in one corner, from which -came the strong odour of paraffin. Everything, in fact, was ready for -the conflagration. It merely wanted the match, and that at least he had -been instrumental in preventing. Suddenly there was a tap at the door. -The Head of Ranleigh entered. Slowly his eyes passed from the figure of -Mr. Axim to that of Clive. He sniffed heavily, turning his head in all -directions. Then, as if he had more than half gripped the situation, his -pale and impassive face became suddenly paler in the candle light, while -he wore an unusually stern expression. Crossing to the wide table on -which his papers were neatly arranged and ticketed, he drew his writing -chair nearer and sat down, resting his forehead on his hands. And thus -he remained for a few moments, as if anxious to put his thoughts from -him. It was with a fierce "Well?" that he finally addressed Mr. Axim. - -"This is the end of the trouble," said the latter. "You have had fires -at the school. The matter has been a mystery. There is the culprit. -Clive Darrell." - -"And you?" asked the Head severely, turning upon our hero. "You admit -this fact? You agree that Mr. Axim discovered you in the act of setting -fire to these premises? Answer at once. Are you responsible for the -whole of this wicked business?" - -"Decidedly not. There has been a mistake, sir," said Clive, hardly -knowing where to commence his story. - -"A mistake! Of course," laughed Mr. Axim hoarsely. "There always is an -error in these affairs, no matter whether the culprit be discovered -candle in hand, in the midst of heaped-up papers saturated with -paraffin!" - -"You were found like that, Darrell?" asked the Head, sadly enough. - -Clive nodded. He glared across at Mr. Axim defiantly. "I admit the -fact," he said curtly. "But I am not the culprit. Mr. Axim has been too -clever, for he has merely come upon the scene after I had discovered -what was happening. I followed someone here. I wasn't sure what was -happening, though I had my suspicions. I came down the passage and was -about to enter the room when this fellow suddenly put his electric torch -on me. There was darkness a second later. He knocked me over, and sent -my torch flying. I chased him down the corridor and then lost sight of -him. Thinking that he might have returned here, I came back again. That -was the moment when Mr. Axim proved so clever." - -The latter gasped. Clive's effrontery made him positively giddy. - -"A pack of lies," he cried. "If there had been a struggle you would have -heard it. Of course he lost sight of this fellow in the corridor, simply -because he never existed." - -"Silence, please," commanded the Head, lifting a shaking finger. "Clive -Darrell, you state that you discovered an incendiary at work. You had a -torch. You chased this man. You no doubt saw him. Then give the name. -Was it one of my Ranleighans?" - -"Yes," came the prompt answer. "I feel sure it was one, though I'm sorry -to have to admit it. But who, that's another question." - -Mr. Axim sniggered. Clive could willingly have kicked him. The Head's -pale face took on a sterner appearance. - -"You saw and followed, and admit that this miscreant was a Ranleighan," -he said icily. "Then you can also give the name of the individual." - -"No. I refuse. In my own mind my suspicions are so strong that I feel -certain. But I never saw his face. I'll condemn no one on such evidence. -I regret I am unable to give you the name of the fellow." - -Mr. Axim laughed again, causing the Head to frown. Clive crossed his -arms over his chest and confronted his questioners. And then the master -who had come upon him stepped up to his side, took the candle and slowly -inspected him. - -"Rubber shoes, for silence of course," he reported. "Got a sweater on, -for warmth, ditto a dressing-gown. Smells strongly of paraffin, and has -a box of matches in his pocket." - -His elevated eyebrows were more than expressive. He looked at his senior -as much as to say, "The evidence is conclusive. This boy is a liar." - -But Ranleigh's Head was not the one to condemn without a searching -investigation. He had thrown himself back in his chair, and was staring -now at the candle. He was terribly grieved, if the truth be known, most -terribly disappointed. For Clive was an especial favourite. He could -have sworn that the young fellow was honest and upright. Besides, this -was the act of a fanatic. Clive wasn't that. He was a decidedly -level-headed fellow. - -"You refuse that name?" he asked after a while. - -"Yes, sir." - -"You have no other explanation to offer?" - -"Most certainly!" - -"Ah!" smiled Mr. Axim, and then, _sotto voce_, "More lies, I suppose. -Hear him!" - -"Then let me hear it." - -"These fires have naturally upset Ranleigh fellows. We felt it a duty to -discover the culprit. We decided to watch the premises during the night. -Masters and I were on duty at eleven to-night. You will find him down -in the far corridor." - -Mr. Axim's face fell. The Head's took on a happier expression. - -"Fetch him here, please," he said, turning to the master. "We will wait -for your return. Be quick, please." - -He aimlessly turned over the papers on his table while Mr. Axim was -absent. But very soon the latter was back, bringing a very startled -young fellow with him. - -"You were watching with Darrell, then?" asked the Head. - -"Certainly. We decided to see into this jolly business and catch the -cad--er--the fellow that was doing it. Er--Clive and I were for duty -to-night." - -"Together?" - -"No, sir. Separate. We were to meet every few minutes." - -"You met then?" - -"Often. At last Clive crept along and told me there was someone about. -He asked me to watch at the far end of the corridor." - -The Head nodded. Mr. Axim gave vent to a malicious chuckle. - -"Well out of the way there, I think?" he asked. "Did you see anything of -this chase which we are told followed?" - -"What chase?" asked Masters, looking across at his friend. "I don't -understand. I've been waiting there ever since in case Clive's man -bolted. What's happened?" - -There was an impressive silence for one whole minute. - -"Only I'm accused of preparing a fire here," said Clive. "Mr. Axim -caught me." - -"Red-handed," cried the latter. "Matches in pocket and candle in hand. -Now he has the impudence to declare that he himself disturbed a fellow -here. He chased him down the corridor, when the culprit disappeared. But -you neither saw nor heard them! That's significant. More than that, -Darrell saw this wretch, recognised him, he believes, but will give us -no name. Queer, a little, don't you think, Masters? But let us go a -little deeper into the question. That first fire commenced close to One -South. Darrell was the one to discover and quench it. It was marvellous -how he had managed to think out all the details of the business." - -"Wait! Parfit woke him first. He gave the warning," cried Masters, his -face flushed with anger and distress at the accusation aimed at his -friend. "When you begin to dig deep, Mr. Axim, we'll have all the -details, please. Just remember what I've mentioned." - -"I do," came the cutting and sharp answer. "Parfit announced smoke. The -smell had awakened him. Agreed. But there's no fire without smoke. -Darrell had ample time to do his work and get back to the dormitory. My -argument begins to tell, I think." - -He looked searchingly at the Head, while Masters stared at Clive as if -he were stricken speechless. - -"We go further now," said Mr. Axim, a note of exultation in his voice. -"The post of School Captain falls vacant next term. Darrell is a -candidate." - -"Yes," nodded Masters. - -"That fire and his management of the boys made him first favourite. It -gave his popularity a tremendous fillip. But who was chiefly -instrumental in discovering and controlling the fires which followed? -Clive Darrell!" cried Mr. Axim, pointing a condemning finger at our -hero. "Who would have had all the kudos here to-night, once this fire -had started? The wretch stands there. Clive Darrell, being conveniently -on watch, and having thoughtfully got rid of his companion, prepares for -a flare, makes ready to set it going, with the one idea of waiting for -the flames to become sufficiently serious. Then he makes the discovery. -Wakes the school, oh so gently, and descends to-morrow morning even a -greater hero than he was before. In fact, he becomes certain King of -Ranleigh. There, sir, you have the case clearly. There is clear motive -for such conduct. Clive Darrell is the one you are after." - -Very carefully had the Head followed this argument. He didn't like Mr. -Axim overmuch, but he knew him to be a shrewd fellow. For the life of -him he could see no fault in this argument. It was a terrible -indictment. Everything seemed to argue against the truth of Clive's -story. Everything? No. Let him declare the name of this fellow he had -chased. Then let them confront him. That would clear his name -absolutely. - -"Clive Darrell," said the Head sternly, though kindly, "you have -followed Mr. Axim? The evidence looks black against you. As to the -motive, I find it harder to believe that you would play to the gallery -for any post than I do to conceive of any reason for your firing these -buildings. One thing alone can clear you. Give me the name of this -person you followed. Let us bring him face to face with you." - -There was dead silence. Mr. Axim actually smiled. Masters looked -terribly distressed, while the Head seemed thoroughly miserable. - -"You refuse?" he asked. - -"Yes." - -"Then go to your dormitory. You will be expelled in the morning." - -It was a disastrous ending to the ambitions of our hero. - - - - -CHAPTER XX - -THE OLD FIRM HANGS TOGETHER - - -There were white faces amongst the members of the Old Firm on the -morning following Clive's arrest by Mr. Axim, and the sentence which the -Head had passed on him. The school itself was agog with the news. - -"Darrell's bunked! Heard it? What's he done?" was passing on every side. - -The prefects discussed the matter for the most part sorrowfully and a -little shamefacedly. It was a terrible blow to them to find that amongst -their number there was such a criminal. - -"It's more than a bunking business," said Roper. "It's a case for the -criminal courts. Darrell'll get years of imprisonment. Arson is a most -serious offence. I wouldn't have thought it of him." - -"I don't believe it. There's some mistake, I'm positive," declared -Jenkins, one of Clive's particular friends. "Hear what the Old Firm have -to say." - -But that the Sixth were not likely to have an opportunity of hearing, -for Bert and Hugh and the others were collected together at that moment -in the Gym, whither they had departed so as to have peace, and so as to -be able to discuss matters in private. Hugh, as if habit were too strong -for him, sat across the horse. Bert, his face unusually stern, leaned -against the same apparatus. Susanne stood close at hand, his broad -shoulders stooping to a marked degree on this fatal morning. As for -Trendall, there was grief written unmistakably on his decidedly pleasant -features. Then Masters joined them. They were awaiting his coming, and -gave vent to sighs of relief as he came through the Gym doorway and -walked toward them. But it was a weary, despondent Masters. There was -not the usual elasticity about his step. This fellow, apt to see fun in -almost anything, and very seldom down-hearted, might have been at this -instant preparing to attend his own funeral. - -Susanne beckoned him forward. - -"Now, tell us all," he said. "Everything, so that we may judge." - -"Then I'll start at eleven last night, when we met in the corridor and -commenced our patrolling." - -Very rapidly he narrated the events of the night, unimportant in his own -case till the latter part. Still, he missed nothing, giving them the -closest details. Each one of the Firm stretched a trifle closer when he -came to that portion of the narrative when Mr. Axim called him, and he -discovered Clive face to face with the Head. He even told them what -words had passed, how Mr. Axim had summed up the matter, how Clive had -refused to give the name of the boy he more than strongly suspected. - -"There's the whole case," he said at last. "I grant you it's black. -Things somehow seemed to have worked round to incriminate Clive. It's an -awful business. I hate that fellow Axim. He's a howling bounder." - -They agreed with him at once. - -"And we all trust Clive," said Susanne impressively. "He's the victim of -circumstances." - -"Anyone could sum up the case blackly against him," cried Bert. "Listen -to this. Because a fire breaks out in the neighbourhood of South -Dormitory Clive must be the culprit. That's Axim's argument. Why not -Susanne, then? Because Clive is a candidate for Captain of the School. -But so am I. So's Susanne, so's Masters and plenty of others. But listen -again to Axim's reasoning. Clive must be the culprit not only because -he's a candidate for Captain, but because he engineered the brigade -which stopped the fire, and because he managed to think of all sorts of -issues, sent to have the gas cut off, sent for the fire brigade, etc. -Pshaw!" - -He stamped his foot. Looked at quietly one could see the fallacy of -such reasoning. Why because Clive had done his best should he -necessarily have had an eye to his chances of being elected as Captain -of Ranleigh? - -"The suggestion's preposterous. I wonder the Head hasn't seen it!" said -Trendall. "Because a chap does well, is he therefore necessarily to have -an ulterior motive? The argument's rotten. If persisted in it would soon -kill initiative in an institution. A chap would be afraid of being -accused of all sorts of things. Of course, what clinches a bad argument -is Clive's admission that he saw this chap, believes he knows the fellow -in spite of not seeing his face, and yet won't give the name. He -refused." - -"Bluntly," said Susanne, almost with a sob. "We interviewed him early -this morning, Masters and Bert and I. Refused curtly. We asked him why." - -"And what's the answer?" demanded Hugh. "Mind you, Clive's a queer -beggar. He loathes Axim. Axim tried to drive him, and that's quite -enough to make Clive shut up. Then he's got queer ideas of honour and -all that. What did he say?" - -"Refused to discuss the matter. Simply said he wasn't sufficiently sure -of his man to launch such an accusation against him. Then shut up and -got quite angry." - -"School's summoned in Hall for eleven," said Bert. "I propose we go -again and see Clive. He must give way; we'll compel him." - -The idea was one which appealed strongly to them, and since if all went -numbers might defeat their object, Hugh and Susanne were selected for -the interview, and at once went off to the Bursar's office where Clive -was incarcerated pending his departure from Ranleigh for the railway -station. Ten minutes later they were back, their faces almost haggard. - -"He's gone--hooked it!" cried Susanne, looking round at his friends with -anxious eyes. - -"Gone! Bolted?" asked Bert, bewildered. "Why?" - -"Wouldn't stand to be bullied any longer. Wouldn't have the Head and -others constantly coming to demand the name of the fellow he'd seen. -Said that since they openly disbelieved his story they'd better sack -him--in fact, that he'd sack himself. He left a note to tell 'em what he -was doing." - -Clive had indeed launched a thunderbolt at all at Ranleigh. The anxious -and harassed Head found his troubles vastly added to by this unforeseen -event. For days past his had been an unenviable existence, and had the -Old Firm but known it, he had taken steps to have the outside of the -school closely patrolled every night, while various of the servants had -been watched. In fact, the Head had scorned the idea that this -incendiary was one of his own community. Advised by the village sergeant -of police, he had come to the conclusion that it must be some madman -living in the neighbourhood, or someone outside with a grudge against -the school, someone probably with an intimate knowledge of the -buildings. Strong suspicion, in fact, fell upon one of the men employed -about the place a few weeks before, and summarily dismissed for -misconduct. - -And now he knew it to be a Ranleigh boy. One had been taken actually -red-handed. But that boy was Clive Darrell. Even now, with the evidence -so strong against him, the Head could not believe it. And yet, after -full discussion, he could see no room for error. It seemed certain that -not only had Clive done this thing and thrown dust in the eyes of the -police and the school officials, but he had also hoodwinked his own -special companions. That system of patrolling was but a ruse to disarm -suspicion. It was strange, more than strange, that Clive should always -be at hand on these occasions when fire broke out, while, if he were the -guilty person, as Mr. Axim proved so easily and conclusively, then the -motive was plain if despicable. - -It may be imagined, too, that this train of argument cut the ground from -beneath the feet of Susanne and his friends. What could the Old Firm -bring to controvert such evidence? Merely the stubborn refusal to -believe Clive guilty. Merely to scoff at the idea that he had made fools -of them. - -And now he was gone. If his tale were true, one event and one only could -clear his name and bring him back to Ranleigh. That boy whom Clive -refused to name could come forward and declare the true facts of the -case, and so clear his comrade. - -"Axim don't believe there is another fellow in it," said Bert bitterly, -when the news of Clive's going was brought to them. "The Head would like -to, but the evidence is too strong for him. But I'm still positive that -Clive's straight and honest. He'd never dirty his fingers with such a -business." - -"And I'm going to find him and this other beggar," declared Hugh. - -"Bravo! We'll all help," came from Susanne. "Now, look here, you -fellows, I've a proposition. We don't want to worry the Head or break -regulations, do we?" - -"Certainly not," from Trendall. - -"Regulations, no. I'd break that fellow Axim's head," growled Masters. - -"At the same time, we believe our biggest and best friend to have been -wrongfully accused of this crime of arson." - -"Yes," said Bert emphatically. "He is a victim of circumstances." - -"And since his future and his fair name concerns us more than school -regulations, I'm going to break 'em. I'm going off at once to find -Clive. Hugh'll come with me, also Masters and Trendall, if they like." - -Each one mentioned eagerly accepted. "It's the least we can do," said -Masters. "How'll you set about it?" - -"One moment," cried Susanne, lifting a hand. - -"What about me, then?" asked Bert. - -"You will have just as important work. You will read our manifesto. -We'll draw it up now, put the full facts in it, and declare our -intention of searching for Clive. At eleven, when the school meets, and -the Head comes in to announce Clive's expulsion, you'll stand out and -demand that this decision be delayed for a while, till we've -investigated the matter. He won't refuse. He's far too decent a fellow. -Meanwhile, we shall move off. I'll hire that new car they've got at the -'Green Man' down in the village, that is, as soon as we've made sure he -hasn't taken the train. Then we'll run round in all directions asking -for information. It's nine now. Let's get the manifesto written and -signed, and then slip off. Bert will see what can be done here to pick -up some crumbs of evidence." - -Without discussion, without further thought indeed, the Old Firm adopted -this proposition. They may not have been right. It would have been -better, perhaps, had they started on their own ground by seeking further -evidence in the school, instead of delegating that task to Bert. But -then, the Old Firm was notorious for its impetuosity and also for -warm-heartedness. They were true friends ever, and here they meant to -prove it. If Clive were innocent, then he should be found and brought -back to the school. If he were guilty, why, not one of the Old Firm -would believe it till he himself had admitted it. - -And so that manifesto was drawn up by Bert, when all signed it. Then he -watched them depart from the school, and went off himself to sift the -matter to the bottom. It may be imagined what a sensation his presence -caused some two hours later, when, the Head having come before the -assembled school and mounted the dais to make his painful announcement, -Bert walked from amongst his fellows and coolly--for he had braced -himself for this trying ordeal--stepped up beside him. - -"Boys of Ranleigh," began the Head, not having noticed Bert, "I have a -most painful announcement to make. You are aware that fires have -occurred in the school of late, fires caused by an incendiary. The -culprit has now been found. I regret to say that it is Clive Darrell." - -There was dead silence in the Hall. The Head stood with his shoulders -thrown back, his eyes firmly closed as was his wont, looking positively -miserable. It was, in fact, a miserable business. Here was a promising -boy's future ruined. The only little solace, and it was likely enough -only a temporary one, was the fact that Clive had bolted. There was a -warrant out already for his arrest, and to see him in the police court, -to witness his trial and condemnation would be the very last straw. -Ranleigh's unhappy Head would have given thousands could he have undone -the whole matter, thousands to save Clive Darrell, for he liked the -young fellow, and thousands also to save the honour of the School. He -opened his eyes then, heard a step beside him, and saw Bert for the -first time. Mr. Axim had seen him a minute earlier, for all the masters -were present, as was the custom on such occasions, and had officiously -attempted to arrest him. But Bert shook his hand off peremptorily, and -now advanced to the Head's side. - -"I have to ask pardon, sir," he began. "Clive Darrell is an old friend -of mine, and I come here to support him in his absence. I have here a -paper recapitulating the evidence against him, which I and Clive's best -friends have drawn up. We feel sure that you are too fair not to allow -us to put it before the School. May I read it?" - -There was surprise on the Head's face. Mr. Axim was openly scoffing. But -a partisan of Clive's down at the end of the school boldly set up a -cheer. Feeling was indeed running high. Ranleigh still could not believe -Clive Darrell guilty, and now by their cheers they openly demanded to -hear the evidence in full. It was, indeed, a novel situation. The Head -grappled with it magnificently. He stood aside, and then held up his -hand. - -"We pride ourselves on fair play at Ranleigh," he said. "Let Seymour -Primus and his friends prove Clive Darrell innocent, and I shall be the -first to thank them. Read the paper." - -Bert did, slowly and impressively. Perhaps Susanne could not have chosen -a better man to put those facts before Ranleigh. The boys seemed to grip -the situation instantly. There were cheers as he reached the end of his -manifesto, and then dead silence. Bert had still something to say. - -"Sir," he said, turning to the Head, "there is a Ranleighan here who is -the really guilty party. Who set fire to the school? I beg that you ask -him to come forward, and I ask also that you defer Clive Darrell's -expulsion till we have had time to sift certain evidence. We have a -clue. Fair play, sir, is all that we ask of you." - -You could have heard the smallest pin drop on the tiled paving of the -Hall. Even the smaller boys failed on this momentous occasion to shuffle -their feet, an irritating habit they often acquire, while the seniors of -Ranleigh School moved not a muscle. There were none of those sharp, -barking coughs so noticeable in class-rooms, or in Chapel, which -distract the attention of the reader and make his voice almost -inaudible. There was a deep and impressive silence. As for the faces of -those collected in Hall, they wore a hundred different expressions. The -Head's fine, impassive features were heavily lined. He seemed to have -actually aged. Mr. Branson, that genial giant so deservedly popular, -showed utter misery on his somewhat heavy face. For Old B. had a tender -spot in his heart for Clive Darrell, just as he had for many another -boy. He had seen him arrive at the school, a mere mischievous chicken. -He had watched him grow up, had coached him in his work and in cricket, -where Clive did not shine as Bert did. Often had a smile or a word from -Old B. encouraged our hero. And here was the end of it all--disgrace, -dismissal; perhaps imprisonment. - -"A better fellow never came to Ranleigh," he was muttering. "I don't -believe this tale. There's a fault somewhere. Clive's a stickler for -honour. Why should he give the name of a boy whom he believes he saw, -but whose back was always towards him? Then, too, the only light he -possessed was an electric torch, and that went out when his finger -slipped off the trigger. I grant that many would have given the name. -It's just the sort of occasion when Clive would refuse, partly because -it's a point of honour with him to protect the name of all Ranleighans, -mostly because there is just a doubt in his mind as to whether he can -have been mistaken, and he will not therefore fling an accusation of -such a serious nature at anyone on such evidence." - -Old B. went scarlet in the face. His eyes flashed. He lifted a hand in -protest, and stepped forward. "I----" he began, but the Head waved him -back peremptorily. - -"Wait," he asked a second later. Then his eyes closed. He threw himself -into his characteristic attitude, while a deep frown furrowed his brow. -From his position on the dais Bert slowly watched the expressions on the -faces of those assembled, watched and waited. There was positive fear -and alarm in the case of many of the youngsters. Middle School fellows -were obviously stirred, though the presence of so many masters, and of -the Head in particular, quelled any outburst. But the seniors were not -so vastly impressed. There was resolution on some of the faces, -indignation on others, and nowhere could he detect a sign of triumph at -Clive's downfall. Nowhere. Jenkins stood with clenched fists, biting his -lips and deep in thought. Roper appeared to be on the point of bursting -into speech. His cheeks were puffed out and reddened, while his breast -was absolutely swelling at the thought of the injustice which he -considered had been done. Even Rawlings, the oldest boy present, looked -sorry. There was none of the old truculence, the open scorn of his -rival, for Clive had now become in every way his rival. More than once -in the last year had Rawlings aspired to take the post of Captain of -Ranleigh, but, as we have said, his unpopularity was too pronounced. And -now that an election was imminent, it was certain that Clive, were he at -the school, would have gained the coveted honour. That was Rawlings' -fault. He should long ago have cultivated the friendship of his fellows. -Now he had lost it for good, and without doubt should have left the -school long ago. Why he remained on was never quite understood, though -it was rumoured that some family trouble had caused him to stay. Be that -as it might, he was still a Ranleighan, still unpopular, while of late, -perhaps because his own bosom friends had left, he had become silent and -taciturn, given to long fits of brooding, and sometimes to outbursts of -passion. - -No, there was merely sorrow on Rawlings' features, sorrow and a -curiously dazed expression. And elsewhere only on the face of one was -there any expression hostile to our hero. Mr. Axim scowled. He felt that -he himself now stood as prisoner in the dock. For he it was who had -caught Clive, he it was who had scoffed at his declaration of innocence, -had summed up the evidence, had produced a motive for the acts, and had -thus impressed the Head. And here was open rejection of his decision, of -his arguments and of Clive's sentence. The position was, in fact, unique -in Ranleigh's annals, unique perhaps in the annals of almost every -school in existence. - -"Monstrous!" he was muttering. "The evidence is clear. These people will -be accusing me of the crime next. As if I were swayed by animus! As if -it were not absolutely clear that Darrell is the guilty party. - -"I--I protest," he cried, and then was silenced just as had been the -case with Mr. Branson. The Head actually scowled at his assistant -master. - -"Allow me, if you please," he said, with acrid emphasis. And then he -faced the School. Slowly he allowed his gaze to pass down the lines of -boys assembled at their tables. He seemed to look closely into every -face, seemed almost to ask the question on every occasion. Then he threw -his head back and closed his eyes. But they were open a second later -when he addressed the School in tones more solemn than any had ever -known him to employ before. - -"Ranleighans," he said, "I beg of you to listen to what I have to say. -One of your old comrades has been declared to be guilty of the most -dastardly conduct. I need not say more on that point, for the -particulars are thoroughly known. Last night the evidence against him -seemed to my mind to be conclusive. There was no fault that I could -discover, and though Darrell himself denied the acts he still declined -to give the name of one he suggested was the author of those fires. Now -Seymour Primus demands a respite. I give it freely, willingly. If there -be a doubt in this case, if delay may produce some evidence to clear -Clive Darrell, then, in Heaven's name, let us delay. But let us also -search our own consciences. That one whom Clive Darrell suggests is -guilty, whose name he refused to give, is a Ranleigh boy. I beg of that -boy to come boldly forward for his conscience' sake, for the sake of -Clive Darrell." - -The silence was positively trying. Bert felt almost as if he would -explode if something did not soon happen to lessen the tension. Boys -stood at their places absolutely pale and over-strung, unmanned almost -by this ordeal. But none spoke. Not a boy came forward to proclaim his -guilt and Clive's innocence. There was not so much as a sound for one -full minute. And then there came a startling crash from the far end of -the Hall. The clatter of feet was heard, the double doors were burst -open, and there entered a small procession. - -Susanne led the way, with Masters close behind him. Then came Hugh arm -in arm with Trendall. The village sergeant of police followed closely, -looking wonderfully important and just a little nonplussed at finding -himself for a few brief moments the observed of all observers. But -interest passed almost at once from him and those who led the -procession. A solitary figure marching behind became the target for all -observers. - -"Clive Darrell!" shouted Bert. "Hooray for Clive Darrell!" - - - - -CHAPTER XXI - -KING OF RANLEIGH - - -Such a scene had never before been witnessed at Ranleigh. Boys -positively became frantic. They cheered and cheered as if they would -keep on for ever. As for Bert Seymour, he waved his arms overhead and -danced in his excitement, surely an unusual state of affairs with one so -noted for sedateness. - -And through the noise and the lanes of Ranleighans processed Susanne and -his followers. There was a curious air of suppressed excitement and -determination about them all. They turned neither to left nor to right, -and acknowledged none of the frantic greetings thrown at them. Clive -himself marched to the dais hands in pockets, not even deigning to -glance at Mr. Axim. The latter's face was indeed a study. - -"What's this?" he had asked himself at the commencement of the commotion -which had ushered in this strange procession. "Feofe? Ah! One of -Darrell's special chums, and, of course, the others close in tow. -Members of the Old Firm. Can't help admiring the way they stick to a -friend, but it's wasted labour." - -The distraction was, in any case, at the very commencement welcome to -him. We must be absolutely fair in our dealings with this master, and -declare that indignation at the doubt cast on his own shrewdness and at -Bert's open criticism of his method of summing up the evidence against -Clive Darrell was beginning to give way to something approaching doubt -of himself. Had he been absolutely impartial? Had he flown to -conclusions, and taken too little heed of Clive's persistent denials and -dogged refusal to discuss matters with him? - -"Ought to have taken the fellow's nature into account," Mr. Axim was -telling himself, for he wasn't at heart an unkindly master, nor even -unfair. He was hasty, no doubt, and apt to allow prejudice to control -his thoughts and actions. But when all was said and done, Mr. Axim was a -Ranleighan, and at Ranleigh they go in for a fine stamp of master. And -to the credit of this particular one, let it be stated that he was -already discounting the wisdom of his late efforts. - -"Supposing I'm wrong, and Clive's innocent? Supposing I've been hasty?" -he asked himself. "Pshaw! We never got on well together. Didn't -understand one another, I suppose. But that shouldn't make me unfair in -my dealings with him. I--I----" - -"You've acted like a hasty fool!" Old B. told him bluntly, for Mr. Axim -in his agitation was speaking in a loud whisper. "You've been hard on -the boy. He's innocent. I'll--hang it, man! I'll back him yet to be King -of Ranleigh." - -"But--but----" - -"There isn't one. Did ever you see a guilty boy return to face his -school after committing a crime of this nature? Never! Does that police -sergeant look as if he had a possible prisoner behind him? Humbug, Axim! -Susanne's face is sufficient to inform you that he has a tale of his own -to tell us." - -And Susanne had. The tall, broad-shouldered Frenchman looked positively -brimming over with happiness, though there was an air of seriousness -about him which showed that he also had some trouble. The same might be -said of Trendall. But Masters was ever notorious for the openness of his -feelings and opinions. He was absolutely truculent at this instant when -the procession had arrived at the dais. He transfixed Mr. Axim with a -glance which made that unfortunate and ill-advised gentleman wish that -he had never had any dealings with this matter. Then all eyes were -turned on the Head. - -"With your permission, sir," said Susanne, halting at the edge of the -dais and addressing the master with becoming respect, "with your -permission we will mount the dais. We have information to give you. But -first it would be as well to tell us what has been passing here in our -absence." - -The Head waved him up with a quick gesture. The lines were still drawn -deep across his forehead, but there was, nevertheless, something -approaching a look of relief. "You've arrived in the nick of time," he -said. "Let me explain what has happened. I have made an announcement as -to Clive Darrell. Seymour Primus, applauded by the School without -exception, has traversed the evidence against him and has demanded delay -in this unfortunate matter. To that I have agreed. Then, but a few -seconds before your arrival, I begged that if any boy were present here -who knew himself guilty he should for his conscience' sake and for Clive -Darrell's honour at once come forward. Not a boy has stirred. That is -the position." - -Susanne mounted the dais slowly and deliberately. Those who knew him -would have sworn that he was reluctant to speak, and yet he had -information to give which would clear Clive's character entirely. He -glanced down those expectant lines thoughtfully. - -"Er--you fellows," he said, "I've--that is, we went in search of Clive. -We were dead certain he was innocent." - -Someone started a cheer just to encourage Susanne, for he was but a poor -speaker. - -"He was supposed to have bolted from the school with the idea of hiding -himself. He hadn't. He went direct to the police station." - -There was silence. Boys looked at one another. Some of the seniors -wagged their heads. - -"Bravo, Clive!" cried Mr. Branson, unable longer to contain himself, and -then subsided, for the Head had fixed an indignant gaze on him. The -police sergeant at once stepped forward. "Fact, gentlemen," he said. "At -eight fifty-two he turns up. Of course I had heard of the night's -happening. 'Arrest me, sergeant,' he says. 'I've been expelled for -setting fire to Ranleigh.' Gentlemen, I didn't believe him." - -Ranleigh howled its appreciation of the magnanimous conduct of this -officer, Mr. Axim positively squirmed, while the Head looked more than -uncomfortable. However, the sergeant had not yet finished. - -"I arrested Mr. Darrell," he said. "On talking the matter over with him -I suggested investigation. Mr. Darrell stoutly denied the crime for -which he had handed himself over to my keeping." - -"Ah! Investigation," gasped Mr. Axim. "How? On what lines? Surely we -looked into everything?" - -The sergeant withered him with a look of scorn. He produced from beneath -his cloak a paper parcel and slowly unwrapped the paper. - -"That was worth looking into," he said. "It's the first clue that would -occur to a baby. That's a kettle, sir, an ordinary kettle. See it?" - -He held it up so that all could see, while he glanced sideways at the -unhappy master. Nor was the worthy sergeant disrespectful. There was -merely mild indignation in his manner. But then he happened to have a -lad of his own of Clive's age, and could thoroughly sympathise with that -young fellow. His experience also of the law told him that Mr. Axim's -deductions had been hasty and entirely misleading, for he had rushed to -conclusions without searching for obvious clues and following those -thoroughly. At arm's length overhead he now held a common kettle. - -"That's a kettle, sir," he said again, "and that's paraffin." - -Slowly he tipped it till a clear fluid trickled from the spout, and -falling on the wooden boards of the dais began to spread into a dark, -oily patch. - -"And paraffin's what this incendiary was pouring along the passage," -continued the sergeant. "That kettle was in the Headmaster's study. Were -you in the habit, sir, of keeping an article like this in that part?" - -It must be frankly admitted that the Head looked thoroughly startled. - -"A kettle! Certainly not! Such articles are kept in the proper -department. But I follow your reasoning, sergeant, we ought to have -investigated this matter." - -"And so you would, sir, if you hadn't been led off the path in the wrong -direction. The detection of crime ain't only a matter of reasoning. It's -a question of facts often enough, and this here kettle's a fact. Now, it -don't belong to your people. I've asked the maids and the boy. They -don't own to it. Then I searched elsewhere. It was about that time that -I ran against Mr. Feofe and his friends. They'd been down to the station -making enquiries." - -The Head looked intensely surprised. Such an act was a direct breach of -school rules and discipline. It amounted almost to a breaking out of the -school, and was a crime he would, as a rule, punish severely. But, as a -matter of fact, he had not even missed these boys from the collection of -Ranleighans. He had no suspicion that they were not present, and the -fact can be understood considering the nature of the business which had -brought him to meet the assembled school. Nor was this the moment in -which to discuss their breach of Ranleigh rules. He motioned to the -sergeant to continue. - -"They'd learned he was along at my cottage, fixed up in the station, and -insisted I should fetch him so as to follow the clue I've put before -you. Well, gentlemen, there wasn't a doubt as to the owner. We know him. -He knows that we know him. He's here present. He's the guilty party." - -No one stirred. If the Head expected that now one of the boys would -stand forward he was much mistaken. Not one attempted to move. More than -that, though he searched the lines of faces, there was not a boy present -who looked conscious or guilty. Was the sergeant mistaken? Was it he who -had gone astray from the path, and got upon a wrong line of reasoning -and evidence? Mr. Axim started. He wanted to prove Clive innocent just -as much as anyone else. He was honest enough not to care even if his own -deduction proved childish. But, if clues were to be followed, they must -be followed with intelligence. - -"One moment, sergeant," he said. "This kettle." - -"Yes, sir." - -"You know the owner?" - -"Without a shadow of doubt, sir." - -"But do you know that it was the owner who made use of it last evening? -Can you prove that fact? Can you show that Clive Darrell did not himself -borrow it for this unfortunate business?" - -Every eye turned upon the officer. He cleared his throat with a husky -cough and returned the frank and anxious stare of Ranleigh with one of -confidence. - -"I can," he answered, with decision. "The dressing-gown belonging to the -owner of that kettle has the tails of the skirt wet with paraffin." - -"But--but----" began Mr. Axim. - -"But you can say the same for the dressing-gown belonging to Mr. -Darrell. It's saturated. You see, he was bowled over in the passage -where the stuff had been laid; at least, sir, that's his story." - -"Yes, his. He told me that at once." - -"But you didn't believe him. I did," said the sergeant sharply, whereat -there was a stir amongst the boys. They were on the point of bursting -out. That sergeant had become wonderfully popular. - -"One of the best!" Masters was observing to himself, while he scowled at -Mr. Axim. Not that he meant much by that. Masters had changed his old -ideas by now. The teaching staff at Ranleigh weren't such bad fellows, -and decidedly not tyrants. But then the days of Masters' impots were -long since finished. "One of the best!" he repeated, looking at the -sergeant. "I've got a whole quid in my pocket. The Governor actually -stumped up to that extent. Blessed if I don't tip the sergeant a -sovereign." - -"So we've got no further at the moment. Now, sir," went on the officer, -addressing the Headmaster, "I'd been making enquiries round the village, -and as a result I've learned that there was someone up here buying -paraffin. You see, after that first fire, school stores were safely -locked away, so that anyone who wanted the stuff had to look elsewhere -for it. That paraffin was carried away by a gent who's the same as the -one owning the kettle." - -There was a deep hum in the Hall. And then a hush which was almost -awe-inspiring. - -"But that wasn't quite all I wanted. I looked for more. I looked where -anyone else might have looked who'd followed the clue of that kettle. I -searched the locker and boxes of that individual. I found there a diary, -in which each fire is recorded, while the words make it clear that the -writer was the man we're after. Now, sir, is there anyone here who -doubts longer that Mr. Darrell can be innocent?" - -Not one. Their faces showed it. But not a boy spoke, nor even a master. -The moment was far too serious for that, for a tragedy lay still before -them. Clive was cleared, even to the satisfaction of Mr. Axim. But there -was still a guilty party. He was one of the Ranleigh boys, he was there, -actually amongst them, and added to the enormity of his crime was the -fact that he had failed to come forward. All eyes were on the sergeant. -He was looking thoughtfully down the Hall, and seemed to glance at no -one in particular. Then the boys turned their attention to the -Headmaster, to Susanne, even to Masters and Trendall. Someone stirred. -It was Clive. He stepped swiftly across to the sergeant, and then to the -side of the Headmaster, whispering to both of them. The School was -electrified a moment later when it received a sharp order. - -"That will do," said the Headmaster. "Boys will at once go to their -class-rooms. This matter is happily ended, and we rejoice that Clive -Darrell is still amongst us, an honoured member of Ranleigh." - -There was amazement on all faces. Obedient to the order the School at -once filed out of the Hall, while questions shot from one boy to -another. Susanne went off arm in arm with Masters. Trendall followed our -hero, while the latter actually stepped up to Rawlings and took his -arm. - -"Come on, old chap," he said kindly. "Let's be going. The Head has -dismissed the School." - -The fellow was dazed. Anyone who had taken the trouble to watch him -almost from the commencement of this business would have noticed that -Rawlings stood as one in a dream. He seemed unable to follow the -discussion taking place on the dais. His eyes were staring, his mouth -half open, while his gaze was fixed on Clive Darrell, and now he was -babbling and grinning in extraordinary fashion. They led him gently from -the Hall to the sick-room, where the doctor was soon in attendance, and -that afternoon the School had another sensation. Rawlings had lost his -senses. He had become insane, and was no longer responsible for his -actions. More than that, it was he who had set fire so often to the -school premises, and with the cunning of one who is insane had managed -so long to elude his comrades. And now his curious behaviour of late -came to be understood. Fellows wondered why they had not noticed his -strange ways, his taciturnity and silence. They were, in fact, the early -symptoms of the misfortune which had attacked him. Clive, however, was -destined to learn more of this extraordinary matter. It appeared, -indeed, that for some while Rawlings had been troubled with home -matters. Somehow he had discovered that his father was none too honest, -and, in fact, had committed a forgery. That act had enabled him to -become possessed of the estate which had once been Clive Darrell's -father's. And the antipathy which Rawlings had from the first taken to -our hero had persuaded him to put aside this most important discovery. -But he was not all bad. The fear of a downfall, of loss of dignity, and -of poverty had encouraged him to make the utmost of the benefits which -his father's fraud had provided at the expense of Clive's people. And -then his better nature and his conscience swayed him in an opposite -direction. What was he to do? Expose his own father? Bring ruin on him -and disgrace, with a long sentence of imprisonment? The responsibility -of such a position can be well imagined. The youth was harassed. The -matter preyed on his mind, and this breakdown was the result. - -"It was rough on Rawlings," said Clive, when he talked the matter over -with his old friends. "I'm sorry for him, awfully. And it's really lucky -that the father died. Of course, we've come back to our own again. I'm -glad for my mother's sake. But I'm sorry for Rawlings." - -"And about that fire. You knew it was he?" asked Bert. - -"Yes. I felt certain." - -"And you wouldn't speak. Why?" - -"Because I caught only a glimpse, and because I hated to be the one to -ruin him." - -That was the sort of spirit at Ranleigh. Perhaps not always employed -wisely and in a right manner. But it did the School honour. At any rate, -the boys were sufficiently satisfied with the honour and wisdom of Clive -Darrell that they straightway elected him as King of Ranleigh. - - - PRINTED BY - WILLIAM BRENDON AND SON, LTD. - PLYMOUTH - - - -***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK KING OF RANLEIGH*** - - -******* This file should be named 42862.txt or 42862.zip ******* - - -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: -http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/4/2/8/6/42862 - - - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions -will be renamed. - -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no -one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation -(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without -permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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