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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..d7b82bc --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,4 @@ +*.txt text eol=lf +*.htm text eol=lf +*.html text eol=lf +*.md text eol=lf diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6312041 --- /dev/null +++ b/LICENSE.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11 @@ +This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements, +metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be +in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES. + +Procedures for determining public domain status are described in +the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org. + +No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in +jurisdictions other than the United States. Anyone seeking to utilize +this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright +status under the laws that apply to them. diff --git a/README.md b/README.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..87b3774 --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for +eBook #60604 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/60604) diff --git a/old/60604-8.txt b/old/60604-8.txt deleted file mode 100644 index cf9f105..0000000 --- a/old/60604-8.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,8969 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg EBook of Under Honour's Flag, by Eric Lisle - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most -other parts of the world 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. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have -to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. - -Title: Under Honour's Flag - -Author: Eric Lisle - -Illustrator: G. H. Evison - -Release Date: October 31, 2019 [EBook #60604] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK UNDER HONOUR'S FLAG *** - - - - -Produced by Tim Lindell, Martin Pettit and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net - - - - - - -+-------------------------------------------------+ -|Transcriber's note: | -| | -|Obvious typographic errors have been corrected. | -| | -+-------------------------------------------------+ - - -NEW POPULAR BOOKS FOR BOYS. - -Uniform in size with this Volume. - - -_By H. ESCOTT INMAN._ - -DAVID CHESTER'S MOTTO-- - -"HONOUR BRIGHT." - -With 16 Original Illustrations. - -LOYAL AND TRUE. - -With 16 Original Illustrations. - -THE SECOND FORM MASTER OF ST. CYRIL'S. - -With 16 Original Illustrations. - - -_By J. HARWOOD PANTING._ - -CLIVE OF CLAIR COLLEGE. - -With 16 Original Illustrations by RAYMOND POTTER. - -THE HERO OF GARSIDE SCHOOL. - -With 16 Original Illustrations by ERNEST HASSELDINE. - - -_By M. B. MANWELL._ - -THE BOYS OF MONKS HAROLD. - -With 16 Original Illustrations. - - -_By S. WALKEY._ - -KIDNAPPED BY PIRATES. - -With numerous Illustrations by PAUL HARDY. - - -_By EDGAR PICKERING._ - -THE CRUISE OF THE ANGEL. - -With Original Illustrations by LANCELOT SPEED. - - -_By the REV. ERIC LISLE._ - -UNDER HONOUR'S FLAG. - -With Original Illustrations by G. H. EVISON. - - -LONDON: FREDERICK WARNE & CO. - -AND NEW YORK. - - - - -UNDER HONOUR'S FLAG - -[Illustration: "FORGETFUL OF ALL PRECAUTION ELGERT STRUCK A SAVAGE -BLOW AT HIM." _Frontispiece._ [_see p. 257._] - - - - -Under Honour's Flag - - -By the -REV. ERIC LISLE - - -WITH ORIGINAL ILLUSTRATIONS BY -G. H. EVISON. - - -[Illustration: Logo] - - -LONDON -FREDERICK WARNE & CO -AND NEW YORK - -(_All rights reserved_) - - - - -BUTLER & TANNER -THE SELWOOD PRINTING WORKS -FROME AND LONDON - - - - -CONTENTS - -CHAPTER PAGE - I A STRANGE AFFAIR 1 - - II A CRUEL IMPLICATION 15 - - III MR. ST. CLIVE PROVES HIMSELF A TRUE FRIEND 25 - - IV RALPH'S FIRST DAY AT SCHOOL 35 - - V MAKING THINGS STRAIGHT 45 - - VI AN EARLY MORNING SPIN 55 - - VII HORACE ELGERT GOES A LITTLE TOO FAR 65 - - VIII A MYSTERIOUS MIDNIGHT VISITOR 75 - - IX ALTOGETHER BEYOND EXPLANATION 84 - - X COUNSELS AND PROMISES 94 - - XI GOING IN FOR GRINDING 103 - - XII THE STOLEN BANKNOTE 113 - - XIII DIVIDED OPINIONS 122 - - XIV BY THE RIVER SIDE 131 - - XV THE LOST POCKET-BOOK 140 - - XVI THINGS LOOK BLACK FOR RALPH 150 - - XVII THE PLOT THAT FAILED 159 - - XVIII WHERE THE BANKNOTE WENT 168 - - XIX THE LAME HORSE ONCE MORE 177 - - XX TO MR. ST. CLIVE'S 186 - - XXI A HOUSE OF REFUGE 195 - - XXII AN AFTERNOON RAMBLE 204 - - XXIII THE RUIN AND THE LONELY HOUSE 213 - - XXIV FOR THE SAKE OF REVENGE 222 - - XXV JUST IN TIME 231 - - XXVI TOM WARREN SPEAKS HIS MIND 240 - - XXVII IN THE DEAD OF THE NIGHT 249 - -XXVIII THE NEXT DAY 259 - - XXIX WHAT TINKLE AND GREEN CAUGHT 268 - - XXX WHAT DETAINED RALPH REXWORTH 277 - - XXXI THE TABLES ARE TURNED 286 - - XXXII FLOGGED AND EXPELLED 294 - -XXXIII CONCLUSION 303 - - - - -UNDER HONOUR'S FLAG - - - - -CHAPTER I - -A STRANGE AFFAIR - - -The late autumn afternoon was rapidly drawing in, closing ominously and -sullenly, as if rebelling against the approach of the winter, and the -nearer coming of the night. - -Great banks of purple vapour rose in the west; and sinking towards the -earth, spread abroad in hazy wreaths, which seemed to possess, in a -fainter degree, the hues of their parent clouds above. - -The air was heavy with moisture, which condensed and dripped from the -red leaves of the sycamore, the brown of the beech, and the yellow of -lime and poplar. It glistened on the rich green of the crimson-berried -hollies; it begemmed the festooning webs of the weaving spiders; and -brought with it a chilling breath which seemed to strike through one. - -In that gloaming hour a man and youth toiled wearily up the steep hill -over which the main road runs before it descends into the quaint old -town of Stow Ormond; yet as they reached the summit they hastened -their steps, with the air of those who were drawing near to a welcome -resting-place. - -The man was tall and refined-looking; and though a crisp, curling beard -and full moustache hid the greater part of his face, the features -visible revealed determination and strong will, and their bronzed hue -showed plainly that their owner had lived beneath warmer skies than -those of England. And yet, despite health and good looks and strength -of will, an expression of anxiety was there; and as he walked along he -appeared to be more occupied with his own thoughts than in attending to -the remarks of the lad by his side, whose questions he frequently left -unanswered. - -The boy was so like the man that there could be little room for -doubting that they were father and son; a well-built, handsome youth, -with the same bronzed cheek, but with an expression on his face which -indicated the utmost disgust with his surroundings. This was his first -experience of a damp, chill autumn mist, and he did not like it in the -least. - -Both the travellers were comfortably clad, though their clothes seemed -cut more for comfort than with a regard to fashion; indicating that -they certainly were not from the workshop of any fashionable tailor. - -Reaching the top of the hill, the two wayfarers paused; and the man, -pointing down into the town which lay before them, said, with a sigh of -relief: - -"There you are, Ralph! That is our destination for to-night; it may be -our haven for many days." - -"Funny looking place," laughed the boy. "But all these English towns -are funny, after the plains and the mountains. And it is funny," he -added, "that I am an English boy, and yet am talking like that." - -"Not funny, lad, seeing that you have never set foot in your native -land before. Ah me, it is not funny to me! It comes back like the -faces of old familiar friends. The scenes of childhood's happiness, -and youth's hopes and follies. All changed, and yet nothing changed; -and I myself unchanged, and yet most changed of all! Come," he went -on, "you are tired, for we have walked a long way, and have had a long -railway journey into the bargain. Unless things are altered down there, -we shall find a comfortable old inn where we can put up, Ralph--a real -old English inn. Quite different from the hotels where we have stopped. -Come on, lad!" - -Changing his handbag from one cramped hand to the other, the lad obeyed -the call, and trudged forward briskly with the strong, elastic step of -buoyant youth. At first he poured out a string of questions relative -to life in English towns; but one or two being unanswered, he glanced -towards his father, and perceiving him buried in thought again, he -walked on in silence, yet keen-eyed, noting everything around. - -A few scattered cottages and outlying buildings passed, the pair -were in the precincts of the town itself; and almost one of the first -houses they came to was the one the father sought--a quaint, thatched, -many-gabled old place, with commodious stabling and a great creaking -sign-post near the horse trough, giving the information to all who -cared to possess it that this was the _Horse and Wheel Inn_, wherein -might be found accommodation for both man and beast. - -"Just the same! Nothing changed!" murmured the man as the two arrived -at the spot. "Twenty years have brought no revolution here. Come, lad!" -And he entered the old hostelry. - -A bonnie waiting-maid met them; and in response to the man's query if -they could have a room she called the landlord, a portly old fellow, -with bald head fringed with grey hair, a pair of twinkling merry -eyes beneath overhanging brows, and a face wherein all the principal -features seemed to be entered into a competition as to which could look -the ruddiest. - -"Have a room, sir?" said this individual, in a voice which seemed to -proceed from his boots. "Ay, that you can, sir, and all else that you -require. Here, Mary girl, show the gentleman to Number Ten! Have the -bags carried up, and serve their dinner in the private room." - -"Number Ten!" said the guest, as he heard the number given. "Come on, -Ralph, I know the way!" And he led his son upstairs with the air of -one who did indeed know, much to the worthy landlord's astonishment, -who murmured to himself as he waddled off to attend to some waggoners-- - -"He must ha' been here before; but I don't remember his face in the -least." - -"He does not recognize me," mused his guest, in his turn. "How should -he, after all those years? Poor old Simon, he has not changed much! A -little stouter, a little huskier, and more shaky; that is all. Time has -dealt gently with him!" - -The meal, which was ordered and duly served, proved that the _Horse -and Wheel_, whatever it might do for beasts, claimed no more than its -due when it came to accommodating the beast's master, man; and the -appetites of the travellers enabled them to do ample justice to the -food, served in a room rendered all the more cheerful by the roaring -fire--a good, old-fashioned English fire--which blazed away in the -capacious fireplace. - -But the meal over, the gentleman rose and donned hat and coat, turning -to his son when he had done so. - -"Ralph," he said, "I am going out by myself. I have not brought you -across the ocean and to this place for nothing. I have business to do -here which may affect all your future life. What that business is, lad, -I cannot tell you just now; but you shall know of it presently. I shall -not be away long--not more than an hour or two--and you can spend the -time as you like. I do not suppose that you will find much in the shape -of literature here, beyond a copy or two of some local paper or an -agricultural magazine. They won't interest you much, so you must occupy -the time as best you can. Prospect around a bit, but don't miss your -way, or you will find it harder to pick up trails again here than you -would out yonder where we have come from." - -"I shall be all right, father," the boy answered, rather pleased than -otherwise to be left alone for a little. Every lad of fourteen with any -spirit in him rather likes that kind of thing. - -"Of course you will be. You cannot very well get into harm, and you are -not the boy to get into mischief. Well, good-bye, my lad, and to-morrow -if all is well, I will show you what English rural scenery is like, and -you will find it is more beautiful than it has seemed to you yet." And -with that the gentleman went out, leaving the boy alone. - -At first Ralph wandered round the rooms and examined all the funny, -old-fashioned pictures, and frowned at some old-time Dresden ornaments -of shepherds and shepherdesses in Court attire, as though he was not -quite sure whether they were intended for pagan idols or not; and then, -getting tired of this, he put on his hat and strolled down into the inn -yard, where he found more to interest him in an ostler who was busily -grooming a couple of powerful waggon horses. Ralph had never seen a -real cart-horse before, for the horses he had been accustomed to were -little, thin, wiry creatures, all sinew and bone, and spirit--horses -that could go, and would go, until they dropped, but pigmies compared -to these mighty creatures--the largest of all the species. - -Then he picked up a long coil of rope lying near and examined it -with critical eye, which yet seemed to disapprove of its texture and -quality; and then, idly fashioning a running noose at one end, he -coiled that rope up, and sent it with a flying jerk over a post thirty -feet away. - -The man stared and paused in his work. - -"Ay, but ye couldn't do that again, sir," he ventured; and Ralph, with -a little flush of something like conceit, immediately repeated his -performance. - -"That be main clever," said the man, and he shambled off to get "Tom" -and "Garge" and "Luke" to come and see the young gentleman's wonderful -deed. - -Ralph was delighted, and he varied his work by sending the noose over -one of the men as he ran at full speed across the yard. It was nothing -to him; he had handled a rope as soon as he had handled anything, and -he wondered at the surprise the thing caused to these men. - -[Illustration: "SENDING THE NOOSE OVER ONE OF THE MEN AS HE RAN AT -FULL SPEED ACROSS THE YARD." p. 7] - -A drove of cattle passed, and Ralph paused and regarded them with -interest. They were good beasts, but nothing like the troublesome -wild cattle which he had known. They seemed perfectly contented with -everything in this life. - -"They are very quiet," he observed, and the man nodded. - -"They be quiet enough, sir, but there be a bull in yonder paddock; ye -will see him in a minute, for they will be coming to drive him back to -his shed; and he be very savage. He ha' killed two poor chaps now, and -it be a risky job dealing with him. He be quiet enough as a rule; but -when his temper is bad, then he is bad, too--and very bad." - -"I would like to see him," was the boy's answer; and almost before -the words were out of his mouth he had his wish granted; for a fierce -bellow of deep-voiced rage was heard, and rushing along, a broken -halter streaming behind, there came a magnificent black bull, while -in his rear, shouting and waving their arms in distress, ran two men, -who had evidently been engaged in bringing the monster home when he -had turned upon them, and sent them spinning this way and that ere he -darted off. - -Every one in the way rushed to the nearest cover without ceremony; and -then a wild scream of terror broke on the air, and Ralph saw, directly -in the fierce creature's path, a pretty girl, seemingly but a year -younger than himself; a girl transfixed with fright, standing there, -directly in the pathway of horrible injury, if not death! - -And what could he do? He who had been used to cattle was the only one -who kept his courage. Had he been in the saddle and armed with a good -stock whip the thing would have been touch and go; but he had nothing, -and he could not tackle the bull empty-handed. - -Stay, there was one thing--the rope! A chance, but a slender one. Quick -as a flash he put a couple of turns round the post he had been aiming -at and gathered the noose for a cast. The bull came thundering along -the road, head down, tail out, snorting with rage and defiance. If it -kept on like that it would pass quite close to him. He put another turn -round the post. The shorter the rope the better the chance; and then, -hand and eye acting in unison, he sent the noose round his head and -made his cast. If he succeeded the bull would be over, if he failed the -girl must go down. - -And succeed he did. It was to him quite an easy throw. The noose -settled fairly over those curving horns. There was a jerk, a roar of -rage and fear, and the great struggling creature was hurled forward so -violently, through the force of its flight, that it fell in a cloud of -scattered mud and stones, and lay half stunned and wholly bewildered. - -Ralph, with a cry of thankfulness, ran forward, and pulled the girl -from her dangerous proximity to its mighty legs, just as a gentleman, -pale with terror, rushed from a shop near by, where he had been giving -some orders. - -"Irene!" he cried. "My little Irene! Thank Heaven that you are safe!" -Then, as he saw the bull still noosed, and now in the hands of several -men, he went on-- - -"But who did that? Who stopped the bull in that way?" and a dozen hands -pointed to Ralph, who stood there feeling rather confused and awkward, -and wishing that he could run away. Young ladies were more terrible -things in his eyes than were angry bulls; and this young lady was -thanking him so prettily, while her father, for so the gentleman was, -kept shaking his hand, hardly able to voice his gratitude. He seemed -overcome with a sense of the good hand of Providence in the matter. - -"You are staying at the inn," he said. "I must return and express my -thanks to your father. I will take my little daughter home first and -then come back. Perhaps he will be in by then. What is your name, my -dear young gentleman?" - -"Ralph Rexworth," the lad answered. And the gentleman answered-- - -"And mine is Hubert St. Clive, and if ever I can be of service to you I -shall think nothing too much to enable me to show some return for what -you have done for me and mine this evening." - -It was really a relief to Ralph when Mr. St. Clive had gone, and he was -glad to get back to his room and escape the curious and admiring crowd, -though even then he could not shut the landlord out, nor prevent the -admiration of the maid, who would come in on all sorts of pretexts just -to have a peep at him; and so the evening wore on, and the time for his -father's return drew near. - -But no father came, and at last Ralph began to grow anxious. He could -not tell why, but he felt nervous. Had he been alone on the great Texan -plains, where his boyhood had been passed, he would not have cared in -the slightest; but here he was so lonely, everything was so different. -His father had been gone nearly five hours, and Ralph did not know what -to make of it. - -And ten came and went, and eleven; and the landlord looked in -restlessly, for the old fellow was beginning to have uneasy suspicions -that his guest had gone off and did not mean to return again, and there -was the dinner unpaid for. - -Still, he could not turn this lonely boy out, so he suggested at last -that Ralph should go to bed. - -"Most like your father has been detained, sir, and he won't be back -till the morning," he suggested. "Even if he does he can ring us up. We -likes to get to bed as soon as we can after closing time, for the days -are long enough, and we do not get too much rest." - -So the landlord said, and Ralph took the hint and went to his room. -Throwing himself beside his bed, he prayed as he had never prayed -before, asking his Heavenly Father to quickly send back to him his own -dear parent. - -To bed, but not to sleep. What could have happened to his father? Had -he met with any accident? A thousand fears and questions presented -themselves to the boy's mind, until at last he fell into a restless -sleep, to dream that his father was calling to him for aid; and when -he awoke it was to the alarming knowledge that he was still alone--his -father had not come back. - -His distress was now intensified, and old Simon, the landlord, was -very perplexed; but he was a good-hearted old fellow, and he saw that -the boy was provided with a good breakfast, reminding him that Mr. St. -Clive would be certain to be round in the morning, as he had not come -the evening before, and that then they could consult with him as to -what was best to be done. - -"You have your breakfast, anyhow," he said. "No one is worth much -without their food. Mr. St. Clive is a very good gentleman, and he owes -you a lot for having saved his little daughter. I am quite sure that he -will be ready to advise you." - -"But where can my father have got to?" asked Ralph, and the old man -shook his head. - -"It is more than I can say, sir. Perhaps he will be back soon." - -But no father came; and when Mr. St. Clive arrived, which he did soon -after breakfast was over, he was informed of Ralph's trouble, and he -looked very grave indeed. - -"Run away! Nonsense, Simon?" he said to the landlord, after he had been -told. "That is absurd! If this gentleman had desired to do anything so -base as desert his son, he would never have brought him all the way to -England in order to do so. I will see the young gentleman." - -"My dear lad," he greeted Ralph, when he was shown into the room where -the boy was. "I was unable to return last evening, but I understand -that it would have been no use had I done so. Your father has not come -back, I hear." - -"No, sir," replied Ralph; "and I feel very troubled, for I cannot -imagine what has kept him away. He said he would only be a short time." - -"You do not know where he was going, or whether he knew any one in the -locality?" - -But Ralph shook his head. - -"I do not know, sir. Father did not tell me anything. We have lived all -my life on the ranch in Texas, and when mother died last year father -sold the ranch and brought me to England; but he did not tell me why." - -"It is strange; but still, it is foolish to make trouble. He may have -found his business take longer than he anticipated, and--well, Simon?" - -"Beg pardon, Mr. St. Clive, but one of the men from Little Stow has -just come in, and he has brought me this. He says that he found it in -Stow Wood, just by the Black Mere." - -And what was it that he had found? What was it that should wring a cry -of grief from Ralph Rexworth? Only a hat--broken, as from a blow, and -with an ominous red smear upon it. Only a hat; but that hat was never -bought in England. It was the hat which his father was wearing when he -left the inn the previous evening; and there it lay now upon the table, -a grim, silent explanation of why that father had not returned. - - - - -CHAPTER II - -A CRUEL IMPLICATION - - -"My dear lad, it is foolish to give way to grief before you are sure -that there is cause for it"--so said Mr. St. Clive to Ralph Rexworth, -trying to comfort the boy and restore his confidence. "I admit that -this, coupled with your father's absence, looks serious; but still, -we do not know what explanation there may be to it. Come, try and be -brave; trust in God, even though the very worst may have befallen; idle -grief is useless. Let us go to Stow Wood and examine the place; perhaps -we may discover something which this man may have overlooked. Pluck up -your courage, and hope for the best; and Ralph, remember, that whatever -happens you have a friend in myself, who counts it a privilege to be -able to do anything to show how grateful he is to you for what you did -yesterday." - -Ralph, with an effort, subdued his feelings, and replied gratefully-- - -"You are very kind to me, sir. Let us do as you suggest. Will you -take me to the place? I do not know anything of the country here, of -course." - -"I will go with you, and we will have this man accompany us, and show -us exactly where he found this hat. Come, we will start at once." - -Stow Wood was about a mile and a half from the inn, a rather -dismal-looking place, where the grass grew long and dank, and where -stoats and rats found a safe retreat from which to sally forth at night -upon their marauding expeditions; and the grimmest, most lonely spot -was around the deep pool, known locally as the Black Mere. - -A dark, motionless pool it was; in some parts covered with green weed, -surrounded by coarse grass. - -Local superstition said that it was haunted, and though sensible people -laughed at that, still the appearance of the spot was enough to give -rise to such a legend. - -"I found the hat just here, sir," said the man, bending down and -pointing to a clump of blind-nettle. "You can see where it was lying, -sir." - -Mr. St. Clive and Ralph stopped and examined the place. It was clear -that something resembling a struggle had taken place here, for the tall -grass was trampled and beaten flat, and, in some places, the earth -itself had been cut up, as though by the heels of boots. Mr. St. Clive -felt very grave--if ever anything seemed to tell of a tragedy, this -did--and he said to Ralph-- - -"My poor boy, I must own that there seems every appearance of foul play -here. We shall have to see the police. You are quite sure that your -father told you nothing, however unimportant it may seem, which might -give us an inkling of where he was going?" - -"He said nothing, sir," answered Ralph sadly. "It is all a mystery to -me. But now we are here we may as well learn all that we can." - -"What more can we learn, Ralph?" asked Mr. St. Clive. "This silent spot -will not speak and tell us what happened." - -"Not to you perhaps, but it will speak to me, sir. I have been brought -up on the plains, remember, and grass and trees may tell me more than -they can tell to you. First, sir, is this a direct road to anywhere? I -mean, is it a general thoroughfare?" - -Mr. St. Clive shook his head. - -"No, Ralph. It is a rarely frequented spot. The village people are half -afraid of it. It is a short cut from Stow Ormond to Great Stow, and it -would argue that your father must have been familiar with the place for -him to have taken it." - -"Where else besides Great Stow does it lead to, sir?" - -"Why, my lad, to nowhere in particular. It takes you out the other side -of Stow Common, and, of course, from there you can go where you will." - -Ralph nodded. - -"So that we may suppose that any one crossing here would be going to -Great Stow?" - -"Yes. It would save him going all round through Little Stow." - -"Very well, sir. Now we will go to the side of the wood nearest to the -inn." - -"Why?" asked Mr. St. Clive in surprise. - -"Because I want to know whether my father crossed this place in going -from the inn; and if so, I want to try and see where he went to. There -is a lot to learn here, sir; but I must start at the beginning." - -Mr. St. Clive was impressed, though he could not understand what Ralph -meant; and so together they went back to that part of the wood which -bordered upon Stow Ormond, and here Ralph began to walk to and fro, -carefully surveying the grass, until presently he stopped and said-- - -"My father did cross here. He got over that stile." - -"How do you know, Ralph?" asked Mr. St. Clive. "I confess that I see -nothing to indicate it." - -"Why, it is quite clear, sir," answered the boy. "See, the ground here -is soft and muddy, and this is the imprint of my father's foot here -in this soft red clay. That has taken the mark like wax. That is his -square-toed boot." - -Mr. St. Clive had to admit that so far the boy was correct. Some one -wearing a square-toed boot had stepped into a little heap of clay, and -the footmark was quite clearly defined. - -"Now," Ralph went on, pointing to the stile, "here is a mark of clay on -the stile, so he must have crossed here, and here the grass has been -trodden down as he went on." - -This latter sign was nothing like so clear, but the boy, used to -reading tracks in the far-off West, showed the man how the blades of -grass were turned from the weight that had trodden on them; and as -they walked forward the traces became even plainer, leading past the -pool, and on towards the common; and Ralph gave a cry as he studied the -ground. - -"Here are two people walking now," he said; "and one wears pointed -boots!" - -"The man who brought the hat to us," suggested Mr. St. Clive. - -"No, sir. He wore big boots, with nails in them. You can see the marks -of those quite plainly, and he came here last of all." - -"How do you know that?" demanded Mr. St. Clive, very interested. - -"Because the marks that he has made are over all the others," was the -explanation. "Let us go on." - -They followed the traces, faint though they seemed, until they reached -the common; and here, though Ralph studied the ground for nearly an -hour, he could discover nothing. Several roads crossed the common, -and the men must have traversed one of these, but which one there was -nothing to show. - -Back to the pool they went, and here Ralph paused; and Mr. St. Clive, -looking at him inquiringly, said-- - -"Well, what now, my boy? Have you learnt anything?" - -"Yes--a lot, sir; but I do not understand it. Let me tell you what -these signs tell me. My father crossed here alone, and went somewhere -across the common, and I do not think that it could have been very far -away. Then he came back alone----" - -"But the second man?" queried Mr. St. Clive. - -"One moment, sir. He came alone, and he stopped to light another cigar -just here. Look, here is the match half-burnt, and the stump of the one -he threw away." - -"Yes; go on," said Mr. St. Clive, nodding his head. "You have reason -for what you say." - -"Now, some one followed my father back, and he wore rather small boots -with pointed toes----" - -"Plenty of gentlemen do that. I wear such boots myself, you see." - -"I know, sir. This man was dodging my father, and when he stopped to -light his cigar the man stopped too, just over there behind that hedge." - -"My dear lad, what makes you say that?" - -"The mark of his feet are there, and I think he fired at my father more -than once. He fired once and missed, I know, because this tree has -got a bullet in the bark, and I am going to have it out! Then he ran -forward, and there must have been a fight, and father fell just here. -Look, you can surely see where he lay? See the length where the grass -is crushed; and see these two marks--a heel and a toe; that means, -that some one knelt beside him, and----. Look, look, sir!" - -A glimmer of something bright in the long grass caught Ralph's eye, -and, stooping, he picked up a watch and chain, and a purse, which had -evidently been thrown hastily aside. - -"Whoever killed my father searched him, and wanted something in -particular. It was no robber, for then he would have taken these and -not thrown them down." - -Mr. St. Clive could only look on in silence. There was something very -strange in the boy thus unfolding the incidents of a strange mystery, -reading them from almost invisible signs upon the grass. And Ralph -continued-- - -"Then the man ran away and came back with a cart--you can see the marks -of the wheels. See, they come close up here! And here he drove off -again. I suppose that father was in the cart--that is what he brought -it for. The horse went a bit lame, too, in the off forefoot. That is -all the place can tell me, sir." - -All! Mr. St. Clive was amazed that the boy was able to see so much, and -he followed his reasoning, noting how one footmark partly obliterated -another, proving that it had been made after it. That a strange meeting -had taken place in that lonely wood seemed indeed all too likely, but -beyond that all was mystery. Why had Mr. Rexworth entered this place, -whither was he going, and who was the man who had come after him? - -Ralph had his knife out, and was busily cutting away the bark of one of -the trees which stood close by. His action proved that he had not been -wrong in his conjecture--a flattened piece of lead was embedded there, -and Frank put it into his pocket. - -"Perhaps one day that may tell me some more," he said. - -But there was nothing more to do there, though Mr. St. Clive said that -he would see that the wood was searched through, and that the mere -was dragged; and then, trying to speak comforting words to Ralph, he -returned with him to Stow Ormond. And as they entered the inn, a tall, -handsome gentleman, with one hand in a sling, came out, and seeing Mr. -St. Clive, greeted him with: "Hallo, St. Clive, I hear that your little -girl had a narrow escape last night!" - -Mr. St. Clive frowned. - -"Yes, from your bull, Lord Elgert. You ought to have the brute properly -guarded. If it had not been for this young gentleman, Irene might have -been killed." - -Lord Elgert stared at Ralph, and his look was not pleasant. - -"Oh, is this the young man who noosed him? Well, he has broken the -bull's knees; but, however, it is fortunate that he was at hand. By the -way, what is this that Simon tells me. Something has happened in Stow -Wood?" - -"I fear so," replied Mr. St. Clive; and he narrated briefly what they -had discovered. - -Was it fancy, or did Ralph notice that handsome face turn a shade paler -when mention was made of the bullet cut from the tree? Somehow the boy -did not like this wealthy gentleman, though he knew not why he should -regard him with enmity. When Mr. St. Clive had concluded, Lord Elgert -said-- - -"Dear, dear! How strange! But still, you do not know that anything -has happened. You will tell the police, of course. Can you give a -description of your father, my boy?" - -"I can show his likeness, sir," replied Ralph, taking out his -pocket-book. "Here it is!" - -Lord Elgert took the photograph, but as he looked at it he gave a -whistle of surprise. - -"So this is the missing man?" he said. "St. Clive, perhaps, I can tell -you something of interest. Last night my place was broken into, and -I woke up to hear a man in my study. I went down and switched on the -electric light, so that I could see the rascal quite plainly. He turned -and tried to bolt, but I closed with him, and in the rough-and-tumble -he managed to cut my hand open and clear off. St. Clive, I am positive -that the man was none other than the original of this likeness, and----" - -He was interrupted by a passionate cry of pain and anger, and Ralph, -snatching the photograph from his hand, stood confronting him with -blazing eyes. - -"It is false!" he cried. "You know it is false! I believe that you are -responsible for my father's disappearance!" - - - - -CHAPTER III - -MR. ST. CLIVE PROVES HIMSELF A TRUE FRIEND - - -"I believe that you are responsible for my father's disappearance." - -So did Ralph Rexworth cry in his anger; and Lord Elgert started, and -his face grew dark with rage. - -"You impudent young dog!" he shouted, raising his stick; and the blow -would have fallen, had not Mr. St. Clive stopped it with his arm. - -"Lord Elgert," he said sternly; for he was shocked at the callous way -in which the charge had been made, "I cannot stand by and allow that. -You have made a very serious charge----" - -"Nothing so serious as that young rascal has made. I am surprised -that you stand by and listen to it, St. Clive; but you always were -antagonistic to me! I assert what is fact. My place was broken into----" - -"Did any one but yourself see this man?" - -"An absurd question! Who was there to see him? By the time the alarm -was given he was gone. I shall have to tell the police of that -photograph; it will be wanted to help in tracing him. I expect this -story is all nonsense; and upon inquiry it will be found that the -farthest these two have travelled is from London. Most probably this -boy, who makes such unfounded charges, knew well the business which -brought his father here. The story of what happened in the woods is -really too romantic. If two people were there, the second was most -likely an accomplice; and they have gone off, leaving the boy here to -see what he can learn, or pick up. You are easily deceived, St. Clive." -And Lord Elgert turned upon his heel with a mocking laugh. - -But ere he could go, Ralph stood in his path, regarding him with a -fixed stare. - -"I do not know you," he said. "I never saw you before; but I can tell -friend from enemy, and you are an enemy. I am only a boy; but one day I -will bring your words back to you, and make you prove them." - -"Out of my way, you young rascal!" came the answer, "or I will have you -in prison before long. St. Clive, I wish you joy of your young friend. -Take my advice, and keep a sharp eye on the silver, if you suffer him -to enter your house." - -Ralph would have surely been provoked into some foolish action had not -Mr. St. Clive laid a gentle hand upon his shoulder, and led him back -into the inn; and then the boy quite broke down. - -"Oh, sir! Oh, sir!" he cried. "To say such things about my dear -father--my dear, kind father! But he shall prove them," he added -fiercely. "I will make him prove them. I believe that he knows -something." - -"Ralph," answered Mr. St. Clive quietly, "because Lord Elgert has been -both unkind and foolish, that is no reason why you should talk wildly. -To say that Lord Elgert has had anything to do with your father's -disappearance, seems to me to be the very height of folly. He is a rich -man, and one of our justices----" - -"Where does he live, sir?" queried Ralph suddenly. - -"At Castle Court, near Great Stow. Ah," he added, as he saw Ralph's -look, "I know what you are thinking--that it is in the direction -whither your father was going! But remember, that will be equally -applicable to Lord Elgert's story that your father was going there. -It is most likely that some one in a measure resembling your father, -did break into Castle Court--we have not the slightest reason for -discrediting Lord Elgert's statement--and in the confusion of the -struggle, he did not clearly distinguish his opponent, and so says that -he resembles this photograph. Mistaken identity is a common occurrence, -and----" - -"You do not believe his story, sir? I could not bear to think that." - -"I do not, Ralph. If I did so, I should still feel my debt of gratitude -to you; but I do not believe it. I am not so foolish as to mistake -between a gentleman and a thief; and though I have not seen your -father, I think that I can see him in you and your manner. Now be -brave, and do not trouble about what his lordship said. He was angry -because you spoke as you did; and though it was natural, your language -was not very polite." And Mr. St. Clive smiled slightly. "Now let us -talk sensibly. First, you cannot stay here by yourself; therefore, -disregarding the warning I have received, I invite you to be my guest -for the time, until we can see what is best to be done. What money have -you of your own?" - -"Only a few shillings, but there is the purse, sir." And Ralph opened -the purse which they had picked up in Stow Wood. "Here are five -sovereigns, and two five-pound notes, sir." - -"Then we had better pay the innkeeper and make a start. Simon"--as the -old fellow came in answer to the bell--"I am going to take this young -gentleman home with me. If his father should return, or if letters -arrive, you will let us know. Make out your bill. And, Simon, I suppose -that you did not recognize Mr. Rexworth at all?" - -"Why, no, sir; I cannot say that I did! But he knew the place, sir; -and when I told the girl to show him up to No. 10, sir, he just went -straight up to it. He knew the _Horse and Wheel_, sir." - -"Well, get your bill ready." - -The old man went out. It was something of a relief to know that he -was going to be paid; for he had begun to have some doubts about the -matter. - -So it came about that Ralph Rexworth was taken home by Mr. St. Clive; -and there he was received with kindness and warmth by that gentleman's -wife, while little Irene smiled shyly, and put out one dainty little -hand for him to take in his brown palm. - -"I thank you very much," the little lass said. "I think that horrid -bull would have killed me if it had not been for you." And Mrs. St. -Clive shuddered as she listened; for her husband had told her how great -was the peril from which Irene had been rescued. - -Leaving the two young people to make friends, Mr. St. Clive took his -wife aside and told her of the strange position in which their young -guest was placed. - -"The boy does not seem to have a friend in the world," he said. "And he -is undoubtedly a gentleman, Kate. What is to be done? His father may -return; but I confess that it looks as if a tragedy had taken place. It -was wonderful how the lad pieced together traces which were invisible -to me. I fear that something bad has occurred. As to Lord Elgert's -idea, I do not put much faith in it. Elgert is too fond of thinking -evil of people--he is one of the most merciless men on the bench. What -shall we do, Kate?" - -"Do?" replied his wife, with a fond smile. "Why, Hubert, you have -already determined what to do!" - -Her husband laughed pleasantly. - -"I confess that I have. Still, I like to have your desire run with my -own. You want this lad to stay here?" - -"Yes, Hubert. If he is lonely and friendless, let us be his friends; -for had he not rescued her, our dear little daughter would have been -killed." - -So husband and wife agreed; but when they went to Ralph they found that -he was not quite willing to accept the invitation. - -"I know how kind it is of you," the boy said. "And it is true that -I have no friends, and nowhere to go; but I--I cannot live on your -charity. I want to earn my living somehow." - -"That is good, Ralph," was the hearty reply of Mr. St. Clive; "but you -must be reasonable. There is such a thing as unreasonable pride. You -cannot earn your living in any calling as a gentleman, without you are -fitted for it. Your life on the plains, and life here, or in London, -would be very vastly different. If you had friends in Texas we might -send you back again----" - -"No, no, sir!" cried Ralph, interrupting him. "I could not go back. -Here I must stay for two reasons. I must live to find out what has -become of my father, and I must clear his name from the accusation that -man made." - -"Your first reason is good; your second I do not think that you need -worry over. Then you will stay? Well, then, you must certainly let the -wish of my wife and of Irene conquer your pride. I want to help you -all I can; and if presently it is better for you to go, I promise you -that I will not seek to detain you." - -"Do stop, Ralph," added Irene, who, pet as she was, had stolen into -her father's study, and heard what was said. "I want you to stay; and -I want you to teach me how to throw a rope like that, though I should -never dare to throw it at a bull. Please stay." - -And somehow Ralph looked down into that upturned little face, and he -could not say "no." - -"It is very good of you, sir," he murmured, to Mr. St. Clive, -"especially after what Lord Elgert said----" - -"My lad, do not be so sensitive concerning that." - -"But I cannot help it, sir. He first called my father a thief; and -he--he--you know what he said about your silver?" - -And Ralph turned very red. - -Mr. St. Clive understood, and sympathized. He liked Ralph all the -better for being keenly sensitive about it. - -"There, let it go, my dear boy. Now, once more, business. Have you any -luggage, save these two handbags?" - -"In London, sir. Two great trunks. Father left them at the station. -Here are the papers for them." And the boy took a railway luggage -receipt from his pocket-book. - -"This is important. We may find something to help us in those trunks," -cried Mr. St. Clive. "Of course, I am not legally justified in touching -them, Ralph; but, under the circumstances, I think that I might do -so. We must have them here, and examine their contents. We may then -discover what brought your father to Stow Ormond; and that, in its -turn, might give us some clue as to what may have happened." - -"I do not think there is much doubt as to what has happened," sighed -the boy. But Mr. St. Clive would not listen to that. - -"Never look at the darkest side, lad. There is a kind Providence over -all, and we must never despair. Now, our very first task must be to -obtain your travelling trunks without delay." - -Mr. St. Clive lost no time in putting this resolution into practice. -The trunks were got down from London, and opened; but, to their -disappointment, their contents revealed nothing which tended in any way -to throw a light upon the mystery--clothing, a few mementoes of their -Texan home, and--and in view of Ralph's future welfare this was most -important--banknotes and gold to the amount of £3,000! - -"No need to feel yourself dependent upon any one now, Ralph," was the -remark of Mr. St. Clive, as they counted this money; "and no need to -give another thought to Lord Elgert's suspicions. People possessed of -so much money do not go breaking into houses, risking their liberty -for the sake of what they may be able to steal." - -Now, though Irene St. Clive was delighted, and would have been quite -content for Ralph to have stayed as her companion, her father did -not look at matters in that way; and he had a serious talk with -Ralph, having first quietly questioned him in order to ascertain his -acquirements. - -"You see, Ralph," he said, "what a man needs in England is quite -different from what he may need abroad. You can ride, shoot, and round -up cattle; but that is no good here. Your father has given you a -general education, so that you are not a dunce; but it is nothing like -what you will need as a gentleman here. Knowledge is power and your -desire to clear up the matter of your father's disappearance demands -that you should acquire all the power obtainable. My advice--I have -no right to insist, remember--but my advice is that you should spend -a couple of years at a first-class school--we have a splendid one -here--and if you work honestly during that time, with your intellect -you ought to have made a good headway. What do you say?" - -The boy knit his brows. To one who had passed his days in a wild, free -life, such a prospect did not hold out many charms; but then Ralph was -fond of learning, and had sometimes sighed that he could not learn -more. Besides, his one object in life was to solve the matter of his -father's disappearance, and clear his name from any foul charge. In -his heart, Ralph had resolved ever to live under honour's flag. He -looked up, and answered frankly-- - -"I will be guided entirely by you, sir, unless my father comes back; -then, of course, I should do whatever he directed." - -"My feeling is, that had your father elected to remain in England he -would certainly have sent you to school. Now, Ralph, I am going to be -frank with you. We have, as I have said, a splendid school near here; -but amongst its pupils is Horace Elgert. I fear that he takes after -his father somewhat; and if Lord Elgert has said anything, or does say -anything to him when he knows you are there, young Horace may try to -make it unpleasant for you. Do you understand?" - -"Perfectly, sir," replied Ralph. - -"And will you go there?" - -Ralph looked Mr. St. Clive in the face, and he answered firmly: - -"Yes, sir. The boy's being there is nothing to me. I will go." - -"Good!" replied Mr. St. Clive, with a nod of appreciation. "We will go -over and see the Headmaster to-morrow." - - - - -CHAPTER IV - -RALPH'S FIRST DAY AT SCHOOL - - -"He is a fine young fellow, but his past life has been spent amidst -very different scenes, and he is far from having a fitting education. -But he is very intellectual and will acquire knowledge quickly. His -father must have been a gentleman, and he has taught his son to be one -also." - -It was Mr. St. Clive who spoke, and his words were addressed to Dr. -Beverly, the principal of Marlthorpe College--the best school in all -the county. - -A fine-looking man was the doctor, tall, erect, dignified, with firm -face and piercing eyes--eyes which could look terribly severe when -their owner was angry, but which otherwise were gentle, and even -mirthful. - -Dr. Beverly was proud of his school, but prouder still of his work. He -did not labour to make scholars only, but also to build up men--good, -noble men--who should be a credit to the old school, and a blessing to -their country. Work or play, the doctor believed in everything being -done as well as it could be, for his watchword was "Whatever you do, do -it to the glory of God," and nothing can be done to God's glory that -is not done as well as it possibly can be. - -Mr. St. Clive had explained how Ralph came to be under his care, -and had told the doctor how much he owed to him; and he finished by -mentioning the cruel statement which Lord Elgert had made, and the -angry way in which Ralph had answered it. - -"I tell you this," he said, "that you may know everything. I attach no -weight to Elgert's statement myself--it is too absurd, but you must -exercise your own discretion," and the doctor smiled slightly. - -"Lord Elgert is rather prone to make rash statements," he said. "I -shall be quite willing to receive your young friend, and I will do my -best to turn him into a good man." - -"That I am sure of," was the hearty reply, "and I am also sure that you -will have good material to work upon. Then I will bring Ralph over." - -"And do you propose that he shall board here entirely, or return to you -every Saturday, as most of the lads do?" - -"Oh, come home. That is how I did in my day--you know I want to watch -the boy. Good-day, doctor," and Mr. St. Clive came away. - -Marlthorpe College was a splendid old building, with large playing -fields at the back, and a great quadrangle in front, to which entrance -was gained through a pair of great iron gates, against which the -porter's lodge was built. - -The school itself was at the other side of the quadrangle, directly -facing the gates--a two storey building, with the hall, in which the -whole school assembled upon special occasions, below, and with the -classrooms above. It had two wings; the one to the right being the -doctor's own residence, and that on the left the undermaster's quarters. - -At the back there were again buildings on the right and left--on the -left junior dormitories, the dining-hall, and matron's rooms; and on -the right senior dormitories and studies. - -Mr. St. Clive drove home and told Ralph the result of his visit. - -"I am sure that you will like the doctor," he said, "and you will find -your companions a nice lot of fellows. Of course there will be some -unpleasant ones; and Ralph, if things are as they used to be, you -will find that there are two sets of fellows--those who mean to work -honestly, and those who never intend to take pains. I need not ask -which set you will belong to," and Mr. St. Clive smiled. "But now," -he added, "I want you to try and be brave. You have a very terrible -sorrow, I know; and it is hard to put it from my mind----" - -"It is never from my mind, sir," interrupted Ralph sadly. "I am always -thinking of it." - -"But you must not brood over it. To do that, will unfit you for all -else. Leave it with God, Ralph, and do not let even so great a grief -interfere with life's duties. Will you promise me to try and remember -this?" - -"I will indeed, sir," answered Ralph. "If I have lost father, I mean to -try and think that he knows, and just do that which would please him." - -"That is good; but still better is it to remember that we have to -try and do that which shall please our Heavenly Father. Now, Ralph, -I suppose that out where you made your home, blows often were the -only way of settling troubles. I do not say that blows are never -justifiable, for sometimes we are placed in such circumstances as -warrant fighting, but do not be too ready to quarrel, or to avenge -every fancied insult with your fist. But there, I am sure that I can -leave that to you. Now come to lunch, and then we must see about -starting." - -"I am so glad that you are coming home every week, Ralph," so said -Irene St. Clive, when she heard of the arrangements which her father -had made. "My own lessons are finished on Friday, and we can have all -Saturday to ourselves. I shall count all the days until each Saturday -comes." - -So with kindly words to cheer him on his way, Ralph started off with -Mr. St. Clive, and was introduced to Dr. Beverly; and Ralph felt that -he liked the doctor from the very first moment that he saw him; and he -determined that he would do all that he could to get on and prove to -Mr. St. Clive that he meant to keep his word. - -Then when his friend had gone, the doctor questioned Ralph to see just -what he knew; and at the conclusion of the examination he laid his hand -on his shoulder. - -"My boy," he said, "it is my desire always to have the fullest -confidence in my scholars, and also to enjoy their confidence. I want -you to remember that I desire to be your friend as well as your master, -and that out of school hours I am always glad to see any of my boys who -want to talk with me. I do not mean who want to come tale-bearing," he -added, and Ralph smiled as he answered-- - -"Thank you, sir. I think I understand." - -"You will have to be in the Fourth Form at first, that is the lowest -Form in the Senior House," the doctor continued. "But if you work well, -you will soon be in the Fifth. Now, if you will come with me I will -introduce you to your master, Mr. Delermain, and I think you will find -him ever ready to help you in any way he can." - -Ralph thanked the Head again, and followed him, with more of curiosity -than of nervousness, to make the acquaintance of the boys with whom he -was to study; and twenty pairs of eyes glanced up as the Head opened -the door, and then dropped as quickly when they saw who had entered. - -But the master rose from his seat and came forward to meet the doctor, -who said, patting Ralph on the shoulder-- - -"I have brought you a new scholar, Mr. Delermain. This is Ralph -Rexworth, and he is the young gentleman of whom you have heard--the one -who saved Mr. St. Clive's daughter." Hereat the eyes were stealthily -raised, and glances of something like respectful awe followed. Of -course every one there had heard of the incident about the bull, and of -the disappearance of Mr. Rexworth. - -"Rexworth is rather backward," the Head continued. "His life has been -spent abroad, and he has not had the opportunities for study; but I -believe that he will soon pick up." And with this Dr. Beverly went, and -Mr. Delermain, having spoken a few words of welcome, beckoned to a boy -to come forward. - -"Warren, let Rexworth sit beside you this afternoon, and give him a set -of the sums we are doing. If you find them too difficult," he added to -Ralph, "do not hesitate to come to me." - -But Ralph did not need to ask for aid, he could do the sums and the -exercises that followed. Indeed, he did better than some who had been -there longer, notably one big lad with a sickly flabby face, who was -seated at the bottom of the class, and who received a reprimand from -his master for his indolence. - -"It is shameful, Dobson! Here, a new boy has done better than you have. -Your idleness is disgraceful." - -A writing exercise followed; and Ralph was bending over his book, when -flop!--a wad of wet blotting-paper hit him in the cheek. He looked up, -but every one seemed busy with their work, so wiping his cheek he put -the wet mass on one side, and went on with his task. Flop! A second -wad came. Ralph noted the direction, and saw that at the end of the -form Dobson was seated, and Ralph had his suspicions. Pretending to -be absorbed in his work, he kept a covert watch; and presently he was -rewarded by seeing Dobson extract a third wad from his mouth, where he -had been chewing it into a convenient pellet, and under cover of the -boy in front of him prepare to fire it by a flick of his thumb. Ralph -raised his eyes and looked him full in the face, and, somehow, Dobson -seemed confused. He turned red, and bent over his work hastily; and no -more pellets were fired at Ralph that afternoon. - -It seemed rather a wearisome afternoon to the boy, used as he was to -his open-air life, but he worked away with all his might; and presently -the bell rang and work was over; and then Warren, the boy beside whom -he had sat, came to him and held out his hand. - -"I am first monitor of our form," he said, "and I hope that we shall be -friends. If you come with me I will take you round the school." - -"Rexworth." - -Ralph turned as his name was called; his master stood there. - -"I want you a few minutes. Warren, you can take him round afterwards. -I want to arrange about his study." - -"We have only got one vacant, sir," the monitor said. "Charlton has -that." - -"I know," was the quiet answer; and then, when Warren ran off, the -master turned to Ralph. - -"Rexworth," he said, "I must explain that in our form every two boys -have one study between them, and as you heard Warren say, we have only -one study that is not fully occupied. A lad named Charlton has it, and -you must chum with him. It is about him I want to speak to you." - -"Yes, sir," said Ralph, wondering why his master spoke so gravely. - -"Rexworth, I am sorry to say that Charlton is not quite in favour -with his schoolmates. His father got into some trouble and has -disappeared--it is supposed that he is dead--and the boy managed to -gain a scholarship at another and poorer school, and has come here. -He is a real nice lad, but very weakly and timid, and the others put -upon him, partly on that account, partly because of his father's -disappearance, and partly because he is poor--a sad crime in the eyes -of many. It would have been wiser, I think, if he had not come here, -but Dr. Beverly wished him to do so. I wish, Rexworth, that you would -try to be his friend, for he needs one; some of the lads are nice -enough to him, but he seems so very much alone." - -"I would like to help him, sir," was the ready answer. And the master -smiled. - -"I thought that I was not mistaken in you," he said. "Look, there the -lad is. Charlton, come here." - -The lad came up. He was a pale boy, very delicate in appearance, and -with a sad, wistful face. - -"Yes, sir," he said. - -"Charlton, there is only one vacancy in our studies, and that is with -you. Rexworth will have to chum with you." The boy cast a startled -glance at Ralph. "Take him and show him where it is, and try to make -him feel at home." - -"Yes, sir." The boy beckoned to Ralph. "Please come with me," he said, -in troubled tones, as if he doubted whether Ralph would care about -sharing the study with him. - -"Have we got to be chums?" asked Ralph; and the other boy nodded. - -"Yes. That is what we call it. It means sharing studies; but you need -not speak to me if you don't want to, and I will not be in the study -much. I am not as it is, for they are always disturbing me and spoiling -my things." - -"They! Who?" demanded Ralph; and the lad answered-- - -"The other chaps and the Fifths. Dobson, in ours, and Elgert of the -Fifth, are the worst. They go in and spoil my things." - -"They have no business to, of course?" - -"Go in? No, of course not--only the two who chum have any right in it. -Here we are, and--there, they are in now!"--as a scuffling and burst -of laughter came from the inside of the study before which the boy had -halted. "Oh, what are they doing! Will you stop until they have gone?" - -"Not I," answered Ralph grimly. "That study is mine as well as yours, -and I mean to see that we have it to ourselves, Charlton. Come on, and -we will see what is up." And saying this, Ralph threw open the door and -walked into the little room, followed by his companion. - - - - -CHAPTER V - -MAKING THINGS STRAIGHT - - -A burst of laughter greeted Ralph's ears as he opened the study door, -and some one said: - -"Look sharp. Here he comes! Hurry up there, Elgert!" - -But the laughter died away somewhat awkwardly when the boys saw that -Charlton was not alone, and one or two of the boys came up to Ralph. - -"Hallo, you new fellow! They surely haven't put you to chum with -Charlton, have they? What a shame! I should kick against it. Some one -else must make room for you." - -Such were the remarks of those who had taken a fancy to Ralph, but he -paid no heed to it all. He just calmly gazed round, as if counting the -number of boys there and taking their measure; and then he quite as -calmly shut the door, locked it, and put the key in his pocket. Those -present looked in surprise for a moment--some laughed, and one, a tall, -handsome boy, came haughtily up to him. - -"What do you mean by that?" he demanded. "How dare you lock that door?" - -Ralph regarded him with the utmost coolness. No one had told him who -the boy was, and yet he seemed to know--he felt sure that this was none -other than Horace Elgert himself. - -"Wait a bit," he said calmly. "So far as I understand, this study -belongs to Charlton and myself. We have a perfect right to lock the -door." - -"But not to lock us in," retorted Elgert. "Open it at once, and think -yourself lucky that you don't get a licking for your impudence!" - -"Steady!" was Ralph's answer. "It seems to me that if you had not been -where you have no right to be, you would not have got locked in; and -now that you are here, you must wait my pleasure as to going out." - -This was beginning school life with a vengeance, but Ralph believed in -settling things once and for all, and his indignation was hot as he saw -what these half dozen lads had been doing. - -But Horace Elgert was not a boy to be spoken to like that, and he came -striding up to Ralph to take the key by force. - -"I will soon settle you," he began, and he aimed a blow at this -impertinent new boy's head, only somehow the blow did not get there. -Ralph adroitly stepped aside, and the Honourable Horace Elgert stumbled -to the ground violently. - -"A fight! A fight!" cried the rest; but Ralph smiled and shook his -head. - -"Oh, no, my friends. I have something better to do, and this is not the -place for fighting." - -They were staggered. They could not understand this coolness and, -moreover, they had all heard about Ralph having tackled the bull, and -the story had grown somewhat. They stood considerably in awe of this -boy from the Western plains, and they began to wish that they were -anywhere else than in his study. - -Horace Elgert got up, his face white with passion but he made no more -attempts to take the key from Ralph. - -"You are right," he said, in suppressed tones; "this is not the place -to fight. Open the door, and we will soon settle things." - -"Presently," was all the answer he got. "Now, then, let us see what you -have been up to." - -He glanced round at the books tumbled on the floor, at a desk upset, at -an ink-bottle on its side, and then turned to his chum. - -But Charlton was standing, looking very white, and staring at a picture -on the wall--the picture of a lady, and beneath it some one had -written-- - -"This is Charlton's mammy. But where is his daddy? Puzzle--Find daddy, -and tell the police." - -Ralph felt his nerves tingle. He felt sure that Elgert had done that, -and he remembered the words of Lord Elgert respecting his own father. - -"Who did that?" he said, and no one answered. He went up to Elgert. -"Did you do it?" - -"Well, if I did, what is it to do with you? Mind your own business!" - -"Take that scrawl down. Quick, or I shall lose my temper, and then I -fancy some one will get hurt! Down with it! That is right"--as the -other, considerably startled, pulled the writing down. "Give it to me." - -It was remarkable how the daring of the one lad held the half dozen in -check. Elgert handed him the paper, and Ralph tore it up and threw the -fragments into his face. - -"Now then, you have upset this room. Just put it straight again, -and look sharp about it!" he said. "And please to understand that -Charlton and I are chums, and mean to stick together. Oh, and I want a -word with you"--and he walked up to Dobson, who turned a trifle more -pasty-looking than before. "Do you know what these are?" - -Ralph produced two wads of chewed blotting-paper from his pocket as he -spoke, and Dobson blustered-- - -"You keep to your chum, since you are so thick with him. I don't want -anything to do with you. I say, you chaps, are you going to let him -crow over you like this? Rush him!" - -"Good advice; only, why don't you do the rushing first?" said Ralph. -"I asked you if you recognized these. If you don't, I will tell you -what they are--they are pieces of blotting-paper, which you chewed -and then threw at me. They came out of your mouth, and they are -going back there again--when I have mopped up this ink which you have -spilt." Ralph suited the action to the word, and presented the two -unpalatable-looking objects to Dobson, who was at once a coward and a -bully. "Now, then, open your mouth!" - -"I won't! Who do you think that you are? I---- Oh!" - -For Ralph did not argue. He grabbed hold of Dobson, and with a quick -jerk sent him backwards across the little study table. - -"Oh, oh! You are breaking my back!" howled the bully. - -"Open your mouth!" - -"I won't! Oh, help me, you fellows--he will break my back! Oh! Ugh! -Ow! I am choking!" For, just as he opened his mouth to yell, Ralph had -pushed both those pieces of blotting-paper in. - -"Now, then, take them," he said. "Quick, or it will be the worse for -you!" - -Dobson, with many queer grimaces, had to comply--it was the most -unsavoury morsel which he had tasted for many a day. - -[Illustration: "DOBSON, WITH MANY QUEER GRIMACES, HAD TO COMPLY." p. 49] - -"Now! Ah, I see that you have straightened things!" Ralph went on. "Now -you chaps can go, and the next time you want to come into our study -take my advice and ask leave, or there will be more trouble. Clear out!" - -And he unlocked the door and flung it open. - -And out those half dozen boys went, looking considerably crestfallen -and stupid, and knowing also that they were cowards--they were all -frightened by Ralph, so greatly does one of dauntless bearing affect a -number. - -But one boy turned, and that one was Horace Elgert, and he came back -and gave Ralph look for look. - -"Look here, you new fellow!" he said, "you have been very clever, but -you have done a bad day's work for yourself. You have made one enemy at -least. As for that insult which you offered me, you will have to fight -me for it; and as for you, you miserable cub"--and he turned towards -Charlton, who cowered back before his raised fist--"as for you, I -will----" - -"Hold hard--you will do nothing!" answered Ralph, with the utmost -good humour. "You are talking tall, that is all about it. Now, take -my advice, and go; and when you are calmer, you will see things -differently. And then, as to fighting--well, I shall not run away in -the meantime. Clear!" - -And with that he shut the door and locked it behind his discomfited -foes. Then, seating himself, he looked at the bewildered Charlton, and -laughed again as he saw the look of admiration in his face. - -"There, I think that has taught them a lesson! We shall not have them -upset our study again," he said. "One must maintain one's rights, and -we may as well begin as we mean to go on. So this is our study, is it?" - -"Yes, if you will share it with me," the other boy said. And Ralph -answered-- - -"Share it? Of course I shall share it with you! Did not you hear Mr. -Delermain say that we were to share it?" - -"But most fellows don't like me, because--because----" - -"Never mind why," interrupted Ralph, anxious to spare the boy's -feelings. "I heard something about your father being gone; well, my -father is gone, you know"--and Ralph's voice shook a little--"and so we -two ought to be chums, and help each other. Then, I suppose that you -know more than I do; for, except at roping a steer or rounding up a -herd of cattle, I am afraid that I am not of much use. You will be able -to help me on no end." - -"What! I help you?" gasped Charlton. "How can I do that?" - -"You know Greek and Latin, and goodness knows how much more, that I am -only just at the beginning of, and you will be able to give me a hand -with it. I want to get on and pick up things as quickly as I can." - -"I might help you that way, if you would let me," the boy said -doubtfully. And Ralph laughed. - -"What a chap you are! Have I not told you that I shall be downright -thankful: and there you keep on about if I will let you. Come, shake -hands upon it! Charlton, we two are chums, and we are going to stick -together and help each other. Is that so?" - -"Yes, if you will. I shall be so glad to have a chum, because it has -been rather lonely sometimes; and then, you see, I am not very strong, -and I am not brave like you, and the fellows know it, and they try to -play all sorts of tricks upon me. Do you really mean to be my chum, -Rexworth?" - -"Really and truly! Now, let us go down, and then you can show me what -the place is like," was Ralph's answer. And the two, descending to the -playground were met by Warren, who stopped and looked from Ralph to -Charlton, and then asked-- - -"I say, Rexworth, what have you been up to so soon? There is Dobson -declaring that he will do all manner of things to you. You seem to have -been having some fun already." - -So Ralph explained what had happened, and the monitor laughed until the -tears ran down his cheeks. - -"Well, all I can say is that you are a cool hand," was his comment, -"and I am not sorry that you have taught Dobson a lesson. You have not -much to fear from him, but you will find that Elgert, for all he is an -Honourable, has precious little honour about him. He will pay you back -if he gets the chance, be sure of that. However," he went on, "I am -glad that you two are chums, for I think you will like each other; but -there is the bell for tea. Come on, or we shall be late." - -The rest of that day passed without further incident and at last the -boys--evening preparation and supper over--went trooping to their -dormitories, there to laugh and chat as they undressed; and many -glances were bestowed upon Ralph. His exploit of that afternoon had -been spoken of, and there was no attempt to play any jokes upon one who -was prepared to take his own part so vigorously. - -But presently the laughing suddenly stopped, and something like a -hush of surprise succeeded the noise. Warren seated on the edge of -his bed, looked round to see what had happened--he thought that one -of the masters had come in unexpectedly; but he saw his companions -standing glancing across towards the spot where Ralph's bed was, and -he, following their gaze, saw that the boy who was ready to face half a -dozen of his companions, was down on his knees, his head bent upon his -hands in prayer. - -Warren felt a thrill of shame. He was a real good lad at heart, but -somehow he did not do that--none of them did--they thought that public -prayers were enough; and yet he had promised his mother that each night -he would kneel alone in prayer. - -Some of the boys were tittering, some looked grave. Warren suddenly -found himself resolved. "If a thing should be done, do it at once," was -his motto. He gave one hasty glance round, half ashamed, half defiant, -and then, in the sight of all his companions, the Fourth Form monitor -also knelt down by his bed, following the brave example set by Ralph -Rexworth. - - - - -CHAPTER VI - -AN EARLY MORNING SPIN - - -It was quite a common thing for new boys at Marlthorpe College to be -made the victims of practical jokes during their first night in the -school; but such was the impression which Ralph Rexworth had made, that -no tricks were attempted with him. A boy who could take his own part so -vigorously was not the sort that it was safe to take liberties with. - -Nor was that the only reason. With Dobson and his friends it was quite -sufficient, but with the better boys, that quiet kneeling down to pray -had not been without effect. Some of them recognized that to do that -might require more courage than to deal as he had done with those who -had invaded his study--a moral courage, far greater and better than a -physical; and they realized that a boy who possessed that courage was -not a fit subject for stupid jokes. - -So Ralph slept peacefully until the morning, when, used to early rising -all his life, he opened his eyes before any of the other boys were -awake. - -At first he felt puzzled with his surroundings, but he soon remembered; -and propping himself upon his elbow he lay watching the faces of the -others, wondering what sort of lads they would prove to be, and how he -should get on with them, and whether he would be able to master the -lessons which they were engaged upon. - -Then he looked at Charlton, and thought how sad he looked, even in his -sleep; and he noted how often he sighed. Perhaps he was dreaming of his -father. - -That sent him thinking of his own father, and the mystery of his fate; -and he pondered whether it would ever be possible for him--a lonely boy -in this strange land--to find out the truth concerning his parent's -disappearance. But he was not altogether alone; it was wrong to think -of himself in that light. God had given him a friend in Mr. St. Clive, -and another in Mrs. St. Clive, and yet a third--a very nice, lovable -third--in Irene! Ralph, who had never had anything to do with girls, -thought Irene the sweetest, dearest little friend that it would be -possible to find. - -A bell rang, and his companions stretched and yawned and opened their -eyes; and though some grunted and turned over again, determined to have -every minute they could, several jumped up at once, and hastily pulling -on their clothes began sluicing and splashing in good, honest, cold -water. - -"Hallo! Awake? Slept well?" queried Warren seeing that Ralph was -preparing to follow the example of these last boys. "Any one try any -games with you in the night?" And he came and sat down on Ralph's bed, -and grinned when the new boy answered that he had not been disturbed. - -"I suppose they thought better of it. That is your basin!" he added, -pointing to one washstand. "Mind that they don't take all the water, or -you will either have to sneak another fellow's, or go and get some more -for yourself. Look sharp, and then we will go and have a turn with the -bells, and a spin afterwards, I like to get all I can before breakfast; -it seems to set a fellow up for the day." - -Ralph nodded, and began vigorously sluicing and polishing; and the -boys, too busy about their own business, paid no attention to him. He -was quite capable of looking after himself, in their opinion. At last, -all ready to accompany the monitor, he quietly repeated his action of -the previous night--he knelt down in prayer. - -That staggered even Warren. As a whole, the boys were good lads, but -even those who had been accustomed to evening prayers in their homes -did not seem to think that morning prayers were quite as important. -They wanted to scramble off to play as quickly as possible. The Head -always read prayers in school, and that was enough; and here was this -new fellow wasting precious time in this way! - -A few sneered and giggled; some shrugged their shoulders, and ran off; -some looked grave; and Warren sat nursing his foot, and pondering; -while Charlton turned red. - -But they made no remarks; and when Ralph rose from his knees, the three -went out together. Warren was turning over a decidedly new leaf. If he -had not annoyed Charlton before, he had left him pretty much alone, and -now he was admitting him to his company. Well, Charlton was Rexworth's -chum, and if he wanted Rexworth he must have the chum as well. - -Charlton hardly expected the monitor to be friendly to him, but he -waited for his chum, and Warren waited, too. - -"Let us get down and have a try at the bells," suggested the monitor, -leading the way. And Ralph inquired innocently-- - -"Ringing bells, do you mean?" - -Whereat Warren stared, and felt just a little less respect for the -new boy. What sort of a fellow could he be if he didn't know what -dumb-bells were? - -"Ringing bells?" he repeated. "No; dumb-bells--exercises, you know! -Come on, I will show you." - -"I never saw bells like those," was Ralph's comment, when a pair was -produced. "How do you use them?" - -Warren went through a set of exercises, and then handed them to Ralph, -who laughed, and said-- - -"Why, they don't weigh anything! I don't see much exercise in this!" - -"They are six-pounders," was the answer; "quite as heavy as you will -want. Now try this exercise--do it a dozen times." - -Warren showed Ralph the right way, and off he went; Charlton, who had -also got a pair of bells, doing the same. And, to Ralph Rexworth's -surprise, he found that those weights at which he had laughed soon made -him feel tired, and that Charlton could keep on longer than he could. -He could not understand that. - -"I don't see why it should be," he said. - -And a voice replied-- - -"Because you are exercising muscles which you have not tried much -before, my lad." And he turned, to see Mr. Delermain watching him. - -"Try again," said the master. "Only once; this sort of thing must be -done gradually. Go slow, and take time." - -Ralph obeyed: but dumb-bells certainly made his arms ache. And then -Warren suggested Indian clubs. - -"Indian clubs," repeated Ralph, "and what are they? I never saw the -Indians use clubs. They have knives and hatchets, and spears and bows, -and some of them use guns, too, and shoot wonderfully well; but I never -saw them use clubs." - -Now that speech caused a smile, but it was a very respectful smile; for -here was a boy who had actually seen real Indians. That was something, -even if he did not know what Indian clubs were! - -However, the clubs were produced, and Ralph was shown how to swing -them. And, as a natural result of his first attempt, he hit his head a -smart crack, evoking a burst of laughter thereby. - -"Slow and steady," he answered; "I shall get it in time. I don't -understand these things; but if you get me a coil of rope, I will show -you one or two little things that I do not think any of you can do." - -"A coil of rope--that is easily supplied," said Mr. Delermain; and -when it was brought, he said: "Now, Rexworth, let us see what you can -do." And all the boys stood round while Ralph took the rope and made a -running noose at one end. - -"Give me plenty of room," he said, and he commenced to whirl the noose -round and round his head, letting the rope run out as he did so; until -at last he held the very end in his hand, and the rest was twirling -round and round him in a perfect circle. - -"One of you try to do that," he said. - -And try they did, in vain. They could not even get it to go in a -circle, and it made their arms ache dreadfully. - -Then he made the circle spin round him on its edge just as if that rope -was a hoop; and afterwards he actually jumped through it as it was -going, explaining that the cowboys on the ranches frequently indulged -in such tricks as these, and were experts at it--far more so than the -Indians themselves. - -Then nothing would do but that he must show them how a lasso was -thrown. And though several, including the master, essayed to try, not -one of them was able to send the noose over Ralph's shoulders, though -he caught them, one after the other, without the slightest trouble. - -"It is what one is used to," he said laughing. "I have not had much to -do with bells and clubs--nothing to do with them, indeed--but I have -played with a rope all my life." - -Dobson had come in with his friends, and he stood and glared. Elgert -came in, and looked angry. This new boy was evidently on the way -to become a favourite in the school, and, unless something was -done, he might rival them. Though just then they did not speak to -each other about it, both Dobson and Elgert arrived at the same -conclusion--namely, that something should be done, and that Ralph -Rexworth should be humbled and disgraced. - -Then Warren suggested a spin, and of course Charlton went, and two or -three other boys--who found Ralph very good company--had to come too; -and since they did come, they could not ignore the boy they had all -neglected in the past. Poor Charlton, he could hardly understand it, it -almost frightened him! - -It was delightful out in the fields, in the fresh morning, with the dew -still sparkling on the leaves, and with the air full of the songs of -the wild birds. There is a charm and sweetness and delight about the -early morning which they who are late risers have no idea of. It sets -the nerves tingling and the blood dancing, and makes one feel as if he -were walking on air, and not on solid earth. - -Away they went across the playing field, and out on the common, on -towards Great Stow; arms well back, shoulders square, bodies gently -sloped, going with good, long, swinging strides. - -Ralph was in his element now, for running, equally with rope work, was -an accomplishment practised by all those amongst whom he had lived. A -very necessary accomplishment, seeing that the ability to run swiftly, -and to keep up without fagging, might mean all the difference between -life and death in a land where the natives were quarrelsome and quite -ready to go upon the warpath upon the least provocation. - -Some of the boys outstripped him at the first go off, but he kept on -running low, swinging well from the hips, and those who had gone with -a spurt at first soon found that he could, to use Warren's expression, -"run circles round them, and then beat them hollow." - -But presently Ralph slackened his speed, for he had noticed that -Charlton was fagged, and he--having pledged himself to be the boy's -chum--was not going to desert him. The rest were by no means sorry to -stop; for though their pride would not allow them to give in, they -had all had nearly enough of it. And panting, laughing, happy in all -their youthful strength and spirits, they pulled up and wiped the -perspiration from their foreheads. - -"Let us go over to Tibb's Farm, and get a drink of milk; and then -we must be getting back, or we shall get slated and be late for -breakfast, and that won't do," directed Warren, and the others agreed. - -The farm was but a short distance away, and it was evident that this -visit was nothing out of the ordinary; for the farmer's wife smiled, -and produced tumblers of milk and wedges of cake, and charged the boys -a penny each--which certainly was not exorbitant. - -And the way they got rid of that cake! And they were going home to -breakfast!--ay, and would be able to eat it, too, cake notwithstanding! -So much results from getting up early! - -Perhaps it was because of his exhibition with the rope--perhaps it was -the run; but as Ralph sat there his thoughts went back to his trouble. - -How often had he been out in the early morning on the hot plains alone -with his father! And how once when the grass caught fire, they had to -run for dear life and take shelter in the creek until the fiery sea had -swept by! And now, now, where--oh, where--was that father? It would -come back, try to be as brave as he would. It would come back, and his -heart would suddenly fill with pain, and cry out for that lost father. - -"Time's up!" sang out Warren, stuffing the last of his cake into his -mouth. "Now, you fellows, come on!" - -Off they went with a whoop and hallo! Perhaps not quite so fast now, -for cake and milk interfere somewhat with scudding. And Ralph, now with -his chum and Warren, suddenly stopped, staring hard on the ground. - -His companions could see nothing, and looked at him in surprise. Their -eyes had never been trained to read the surface of the earth. But Ralph -had suddenly lighted upon a freshly made trail. A trap had gone along -here--a light trap, like that which had left those other traces in Stow -Wood; and this trap, like that again, had been drawn by a horse lame in -its left forefoot! - - - - -CHAPTER VII - -HORACE ELGERT GOES A LITTLE TOO FAR - - -"What's the matter, Rexworth?" - -So queried Warren. Ralph was standing anxiously looking around. He was -perplexed, and did not know what he ought to do. These marks might -afford him a clue to the mystery of his father's disappearance; and yet -the chance seemed but slight, there were more horses than one going -lame in one leg. If he stopped he would be late for school, and he did -not want to get into disgrace. - -He could not explain to his companions, for he saw that if he was -ever to succeed he must keep his secrets to himself. A casual word, -heedlessly dropped, that he was looking for a lame horse which drew a -light trap might be enough to make the owner of horse and trap very -careful that he should not be traced. - -"It was nothing," he said slowly. "I was thinking." - -"Then don't stop to think now," was the advice he received. "We have -been a little too far. You scudded along so, and we tried to beat you. -We cannot waste any more time. Come on." - -He went on with his friends. He felt that it was right to do so. -Moreover, the man with the horse and trap must be in the locality -still, and if he was not scared off, those tracks would be made again, -perhaps even more clearly, and Ralph might then have better opportunity -of following them. It was the right thing to go back to the school now. - -"I say," suddenly queried Warren, as they hurried on. "Has Elgert said -anything more to you?" - -"No; I have not seen him, except just as we were coming out, when he -came into the gymnasium." - -"Well, he is bound to do so, after what happened yesterday. I do not -see how he can help it, or how you can avoid it. You will have to fight -him, Rexworth." - -"I am sorry to hear you say that, for I don't want to be fighting if -I can help it, and I would far rather be friends with----" He paused. -He was going to say "friends with him." But that was not true. He felt -that, apart from anything which had happened yesterday, he could not be -friends with the son of a man who had said that his father was a thief. - -"I don't want to fight him," he said slowly; and Warren nodded. - -"I know; but if he challenges you, what then?" - -Ralph looked grave. No boy likes to be thought a coward; but still he -did not want to fight. - -"If I can get out of it I shall," he said: and the monitor looked just -a trifle disappointed, while one or two of the boys laughed. - -"It is not that I am afraid of him," Ralph said hastily. "It is that I -don't want to begin fighting, if I can avoid it." - -"For goodness' sake, then, keep out of his way, and don't let him -get to know that, for if Elgert thinks that he can do it without the -chance of a row following, he is bound to challenge you. He is bound -to, anyhow, so far as I can see, and it won't be nice for a fellow in -the Fourth to refuse a challenge from the Fifth. If it was one of the -youngsters in the Third, it would be different. No one would say that -we were frightened to fight them; but in the Fifth they are bound to -say that it was fear, and---- Hurry up, you chaps, there is the bell -going!" - -A scamper, fast as they could go, and they trooped in to breakfast, so -hungry, spite of cake and milk, that not even the troubled question -of the probable challenge could disturb their appetites. Only Warren -looked across to where Horace Elgert sat, and he muttered to himself-- - -"I wish that we hadn't talked of it before the others. If one of them -lets out that Rexworth will not fight, Elgert is sure to make no end of -it. I understand why Rexworth don't like it, and it is all right, but -still--oh, he will have to fight, like it or not, and that is all about -it." - -Morning lessons occupied their thoughts after breakfast, and Ralph -found himself quite eager to master the things which, while they were -hard to him, seemed easy to his companions. He had already determined -that he would excel with dumb-bells and Indian clubs, and now it was -just the same with lessons. He hated to be beaten, and he was not going -to be beaten. - -And already he reaped the reward of having put in a couple of hours' -study the evening before, with Charlton to lend him a hand. He was -praised by Mr. Delermain, and rose rapidly from the bottom of the class -towards the top, and, thanks to his firmness the day before, he had no -more of the unpleasantness with Dobson, who remained persistently at -the very bottom of the class. - -Slow and steady, he found the best way, doing each thing thoroughly, -and thinking only of one thing at a time; and that is always the best -way, not only to learn, but to do everything in life. - -He was quite surprised when the bell rang--the morning seemed to have -slipped away, and he put his books away and went, Charlton with him, -into the playground. - -"I don't know how I should have got on if you had not helped me last -night, and I am very much obliged to you," he said. And the other boy -smiled. It was very nice to hear any one say that he had been of use to -them. - -The pair sauntered across the playground, and presently they saw -that Horace Elgert and some of his chums were coming towards them, -and Ralph stopped, a strange, firm look on his face, and awaited his -approach. - -Up the others came, and Elgert, hands in pockets, addressed him-- - -"I want a word with you. You know what we have got to do. You cheeked -me last night, and you have got either to thrash me or be thrashed." - -Elgert spoke very confidently, for, as Warren had feared, he had heard -that it was unlikely that Ralph would fight him. - -"It is this, then," replied Ralph quietly. "You mean that we have got -to fight?" - -Elgert looked round and laughed. A whole lot of the boys had come up, -seeing them standing there, and knowing what they would be talking -about. - -"Hear him!" he said. "How innocent! He cheeks me last night, and then -asks if I mean we have got to fight! Yes, I do mean it! After afternoon -school, the other side of the playing-field; and make up your mind for -a thrashing!" - -"I have not the slightest wish to fight you. I was going to say that I -had not any intention of fighting you," said Ralph. - -And some of the boys groaned, and muttered "Coward!" - -"I don't care whether you have wish or intention," replied Elgert, in -truculent tones. "I have both wish and intention of thrashing you, and -so you have got to put up with it, and afterwards beg my pardon. Do you -hear that?" - -"I hear," was the quiet reply. - -And Ralph's eyes sparkled slightly. - -"Very well. This afternoon, the other side of the playing-field; and -you mind that you are there, for it will be worse for you if I have to -come and find you! That is all." - -And round swung Elgert on his heel and walked off, leaving Ralph -standing unmoved by his angry, insulting tones. - -But if Ralph was unmoved, his companions in the Fourth were not, and -Warren said, almost entreatingly, as he caught hold of Ralph's arm-- - -"Look here, Rexworth, you must fight him after that! It is no good -talking, you must fight him!" - -A statement which was received with approval by all the others there. - -"Well," said Ralph, "if I must, I must. I don't want to, though." - -"But for the honour of the class you must, or we shall never hear the -last of it from them. You will meet him where he said?" - -"Not I!" laughed Ralph. "If I must fight, I must; but I am not going to -be ordered about by him; and I am not going to do anything which makes -it look as though I were a party to the fight. If he wants me, he must -come and find me, as he threatened to do. There, we will say no more -about it now." - -"He will do it all right," reflected Warren. "Elgert will find that he -has gone a trifle too far." - -The afternoon passed away in study, and whatever any of the others -may have felt of anxiety or interest in the likelihood of the fight, -certainly Ralph did not let it trouble him. He was engaged with some -sums which worried him a trifle, and when once one of his neighbours -whispered to him in reference to the combat, Ralph glared at him, and -requested him to be quiet in a manner which there was no gainsaying. -One thing at a time with Ralph. - -But when the work of the day was finally over, he strolled calmly -into the playground, calling to Charlton to accompany him. Charlton, -who looked so terribly anxious, realized that Ralph must fight, and -yet dreaded the issue, for Elgert was no mean foe. Charlton, who, in -self-reproach, thought that it was all his fault--that it was only -because Ralph had stood up for him concerning the study. - -"I say, Charlton, I want you just to show me how to get on with -cricket," Ralph said. "Every one seems to play; but I cannot make -anything out of it, except that you have to hit the ball, and run if -you can." - -Charlton beamed; this was a delightful experience for him, and he at -once led the way to the playroom, and secured one of the school sets. - -"Come in!" he said. "I will soon explain the rules to you, and you can -try batting. I will bowl for you as long as you like." - -Perhaps Ralph was conscious that he was being covertly observed by many -anxious eyes; but he gave no sign, nor did he move a hairsbreadth when -presently he saw Horace Elgert coming in his direction, a curious and -somewhat eager crowd at his heels. - -"Go on, Charlton, don't stop," he said very quietly, for his chum had -stopped, and was fingering the ball nervously. "Fire away!" - -The lad would have obeyed, but Elgert had arrived, and he gripped the -weaker lad's arm and twisted the ball out of his hand. - -"You clear off!" he said. "We don't want one of your sort here." - -But Ralph remarked quietly--so very quietly: "Charlton, you stay where -you are." - -"Be off!" again said Elgert; and raised his hand, to find that not -Charlton but Ralph was before him, and to hear that quiet voice say -again-- - -"Charlton, if you budge an inch, I'll thrash you myself. Neither you -nor I can be ordered about, unless the fellow who does the ordering is -able to enforce his demands." - -Elgert paused then. He was not a coward, but there was something very -disconcerting in this quiet bearing, especially when he called to mind -the fact that Ralph had not been frightened the evening before. He had -determined to fight, and then he had heard that Ralph was afraid, and -he had acted upon that information; and now Ralph was not afraid, not -in the least. And indeed, instead of being afraid, he was asking, still -quietly-- - -"Now, Horace Elgert, I am tired of this rubbish. What do you mean by -it?" - -"Didn't I tell you to come and meet me the other side of the -playground?" - -"Yes. And I decline to do anything of the sort. When people want me, -they generally come to me, not order me to go to them." - -"Well, I have come: and now I am going to thrash you!" - -"I see. Start right away; don't wait for me!" - -Some of the Fourths laughed. This was quite unexpected. Elgert was -manifestly disappointed, but he turned red. - -"We don't generally fight here," he said. "Will you come over?" - -"No, I will not. I will not budge an inch. I don't want to fight; but -if you start it, it must be here. And if you don't stand aside and let -us go on with our game there will be trouble!" - -"You fellows can laugh!" suddenly blazed Elgert, turning towards the -grinning Fourths. "A nice thing to laugh at! He has got the proper -chum--that's one thing! We all know about Charlton, and why no one -will chum with him; and this chap is not much better. I saw my pater at -dinner-time, and a fine way he was in when I told him of the new boy we -had. - -"You know the yarn he told about his father disappearing? Where has he -gone to? People don't disappear in England, unless they want to! My -pater says that a burglar broke into our house, and that he fired at -him and hit him; and he says, from the description, that the burglar -must have been the man that came to Stow Ormond with this chap, and -passed as his father, and----" - -"Stop!" said Ralph, very quietly still, but with an ominous expression -of face. - -But Elgert laughed contemptuously. - -"Why, I don't know that I would soil my hands fighting with the son, or -the associate, of a thief!" he said. - -And then, suddenly forgetting everything in the feeling of hot -indignation which overwhelmed him, Ralph Rexworth raised his hand, and -in a moment his taunting enemy lay prostrate on the ground. - - - - -CHAPTER VIII - -A MYSTERIOUS MIDNIGHT VISITOR - - -"Hurrah!" - -"Bravo, Rexworth!" - -"Now, you Fifths, does your man want to fight?" - -Such were the gleeful shouts of the Fourth when they beheld Horace -Elgert on the ground. And the Fifths, alarmed for the honour of their -class, rushed to pick up their fallen champion, saying-- - -"Don't make such a row! Of course he will fight. Get over to the other -side, where we shall not be seen, and we will come!" - -But Ralph would not listen to any such arguments. He stood there, -looking down at his fallen foe, and he said shortly-- - -"You fellows will please to mind your own business! I am going nowhere -to fight until this chap has apologized, then, if a fight is wanted, we -will move!" - -"But you cannot fight here! The Head will see us!" cried a score of -voices. - -"I cannot help that! This fellow has told a lie about my father, and he -has got to unsay it, or take the consequences! I suppose that he thinks -I was afraid because I tried to avoid a fight the very first day of -being at school. Well, I am not afraid! If he had only talked about me -I might have taken no notice, but when he comes to speaking as he has -done he is going too far, and he has got to take back his words now, or -finish it here!" - -Meanwhile, Elgert had struggled to his feet, and he looked dazed from -the effects of the blow, while his face was already growing swollen and -discoloured. - -"Stand aside!" he said hoarsely. "I will fight him here! If the Head -himself were looking on, I would fight him!" - -"You are a pair of fools!" muttered a Fifth-Form monitor. "We shall -be spotted, for a certainty, and all of us get carpeted for this! Go -calmly, you silly fellow, or he will smash you!" and he broke off in -his complaint to give this last advice to Elgert, who had rushed at his -opponent, mad with pain and anger, and had gone down for the second -time! - -"Look out! I knew how it would be! Here comes the Head!" shouted one -boy; and a hurried rush took place, leaving the two boys and Warren and -Charlton alone when the master reached the spot. - -"Elgert! Rexworth!" he exclaimed in tones of displeasure. "What -does this mean? You, too, Warren! You, a monitor of the Fourth, and -encouraging a new boy in fighting! I am displeased, indeed!" - -"It is my fault, in one way, sir," replied Ralph, without waiting -for the others to speak. "Elgert said something concerning my father -which angered me, and I struck him. He wanted me to come across the -playground and fight where we would not be seen, but I was angry, and -would not do so." - -Something like a smile played across the grave face for a moment as the -Head heard this speech. - -"You boys seem to think that if I do not see you fight no offence is -committed. You do not recognize the fact that fighting in itself is -poor, and low, and degrading. I know that boys settle their quarrels -in this manner, but I decry it. Now, the fact of fighting here is a -double offence, for you are within sight of my study window. I am sorry -that it has happened, but I will overlook it on condition that you and -Elgert shake hands." - -"I cannot do that, sir," was Ralph's respectful answer; and Elgert on -his part, said: - -"I will not do it!" - -"Boys, boys! 'Cannot,' and 'will not!' Neither expression is seemly! -You will go to your respective studies and remain there until you are -in better minds!" - -"It is not that I am angry, sir," Ralph said, very respectfully. "This -boy has said that my father is a common thief!" Ralph's voice shook -just a little as the words came. "He says that his disappearance is due -to that! You must see, sir, that I cannot shake hands with him after -that!" - -"Elgert, what have you to say to this?" demanded the Head sternly; and -Elgert stammered-- - -"I didn't exactly say that, sir." - -"Yes, you did!" blurted Warren. "He did say it, sir, and he has been -trying to get up this fight! It is no use denying it. It began because -Rexworth turned him and some more out of the study he shares with -Charlton. They say enough unkind things about him," he added. "There -was a bit of a bother, and Elgert got knocked over, and he challenged -Rexworth to fight him after school to-day. Rexworth, would not do it, -and he said that if a fight was forced upon him it should be wherever -he chanced to be at that moment. Elgert came here and began sneering -and saying unkind things, and then Rexworth struck him, and that is all -the truth. I know that I ought to have tried to stop it, but we and the -Fifth don't get on well, and so--and so----" - -"Because of class rivalry you allowed your companion to fight. It is -not right, Warren! Monitors should try to enforce the rules, not to -break them. Elgert, you will do me two hundred lines, and be good -enough to remember that if I consider any boy fit to become a scholar -here it is not for you to make such statements as you appear to have -done." - -"I only said what my father told me!" sulkily answered Elgert; and the -Head frowned. - -"What you and your father may say in private is no concern of mine, -Elgert," he replied coldly; "what you repeat in public here is another -matter, with which I have to do! Do your imposition and bring it to -me before class to-morrow, and mind that I have no more of this. You -other lads, I will overlook this in your case this time, seeing that it -appears that violent provocation was given; but, mind, there must be no -more fighting in the playground boundaries! See that I am obeyed!" And -the Head turned away. - -"Don't think that we have finished yet!" said Horace Elgert, looking -darkly at Ralph. "I will have my revenge for this, as sure as you are -standing there!" and, with that he went. - -And the three Fourth-Form boys went indoors; while the rest of the -lads, who had scattered, came back eagerly discussing what punishment -the offenders would receive. - -And the general verdict was, "It served Elgert right, and that he had -no business to have spoken as he had done!" - -"But suppose it is right?" queried one lad. "You know, there is -something queer about it!" - -"Something very queer," said another; "but that story is all nonsense! -My dad knows Mr. St. Clive very well, and he told him all the story and -how there was plenty of money in Mr. Rexworth's possession. Besides, -any one with eyes can see that Rexworth is a gentleman, even if he has -some strange ways through living abroad. Elgert is too fond of thinking -he is all the world and every one else dirt beneath his feet. It -serves him jolly well right!" - -"Well, there is one thing," admitted a third boy, "that fellow Rexworth -may be queer in some ways, but he is no fool when it comes to a -scrimmage, and he knows how to defend himself! I don't think any of us -are likely to try for a row with him after what we have seen!" - -Meanwhile, Ralph, ignorant of the criticisms which were being made -in his favour, had gone to his own study. He felt sorry for what had -occurred, and the cruel words which had been spoken had gone like -arrows to his heart and brought back all his trouble. He felt like -running away to Mrs. St. Clive and getting her to comfort him. - -And then Charlton came in, very gently, as if half afraid to intrude -his presence upon his chum. He came and bent over Ralph's chair, -putting one hand on his shoulder, and whispered-- - -"Ralph, I am so sorry! Don't you worry about it!" - -Ralph looked up, and a brave smile came to his lips. - -"Hallo! Is it you, Charlton?" he said. "No, I won't worry about it; but -I am sorry that I have commenced my school life so badly. There, we -won't think of it any more! If you are not busy, you might just lend -me a hand with to-morrow's exercises. If it were speaking French or -Spanish, I should be all right, but I don't seem to understand Latin -in the slightest." - -"Let us go through it," replied Charlton eagerly. "I shall be glad to -do it." - -So troubles were forgotten, and the chums bent over the table and soon -became absorbed in their task. Learning lessons is not anything like so -bad when you put your heart into it. - -So the evening passed, and bed-time came; and once more Ralph knelt -down to offer up his evening prayers. And not only Warren and Charlton, -but some other boys followed his example now, for his action had -reproached them and made them think soberly of things which they had -been careless about all too long. - -But Ralph was not easy in his mind. Somehow, he felt that he had no -kindly thought for Elgert--and he had been praying to be forgiven, as -he forgave his enemies! That was a very troublesome thought, and it was -still in his mind when he fell asleep. - - * * * * * - -What was that noise? - -Ralph Rexworth sat up in bed, and listened. Accustomed to wake at the -slightest noise that might betoken danger, and to wake with all his -senses about him, he had been disturbed by a strange, scraping sound, -the cause of which he could not think of. - -Only one dim point of light burnt in the dormitory, and all was still -there save for the breathing of the sleepers. It was no sound of that -sort which had awakened him. - -There it was again--outside! He remembered having heard a sound like -that once before--when the Indians had risen and come to attack the -ranch. He had laid and listened to them as they crawled over the tops -of the sheds, and the sound was like that! It was from outside! He -rose, and creeping to the window, he lifted one corner of the blind, -and peeped out. - -Nothing there--stay, that was wrong! Surely that was a ladder propped -against the wall? What was a ladder doing there, for there was none -there the evening before! And the window there was open! Some one must -have got in at that window! - -Was it one of the boys who had been up to mischief, or, it seemed -absurd, was some thief breaking in? Thieves did not, as a rule, break -into schools! - -He was half inclined to raise an alarm. But the thought came, that if -this was some midnight escapade on the part of some of the boys, to do -that might be to get them into disgrace--to make more enemies, and to -interfere in what did not concern him. - -That was a window just outside the Fifth-Form dormitory, too! Elgert -might be in it, and he did not want to be the means of getting him into -any more trouble. - -But suppose that it was a thief? Ralph crept to the door and opened it -noiselessly. He peered down the corridor, but nothing was to be seen or -heard. - -Stop! Surely he did hear a faint sound--a very faint sound! He felt -that he must go and see; a strange, uneasy feeling had possessed him; a -strange presentiment that all was not right. - -He crept down the passage, and turned towards the Fifth-Form dormitory, -and a breath of cold air met him. The window was open, and the top of a -ladder could be seen--and the door of the dormitory was open also! - -With cautious, stealthy steps he crept on, pausing once when the boards -creaked beneath his weight. There was something eerie in being here -alone at midnight; it was worse than being out alone on the plains. - -He reached the door, and peered into the dormitory with its long row -of sleeping boys there. There was nothing here in the shape of a lark -going on. All was still and silent. - -There was his enemy lying asleep, his handsome face just catching a -glimmer of moonlight which found its way through the blind; and as -Ralph looked he saw a strange apparition--a man slowly appeared, rising -at the side of the bed! A man with pillow in his hands, which he was -about to press down upon that sleeping boy! A man going to murder -Horace Elgert! - -Like a flash the truth burst upon the watching boy, and, with a loud -cry, he threw the door wide open and rushed into the dormitory. - - - - -CHAPTER IX - -ALTOGETHER BEYOND EXPLANATION - - -"Thieves!" - -"Fire!" - -"Help! Help!" - -The whole house was aroused. The cries of confusion and alarm coming -from the Fifth Form dormitory were repeated by others who, entirely -ignorant as to what was the matter, and aroused from slumber by the -noise, tumbled from their beds and rushed out wildly, under the -impression that nothing less than the house being ablaze could account -for the cry. - -The doctor and masters came hurrying to the spot; and while the -Head ran to the Fifth Form room, the master got the other boys into -something like order, ready to be marched quietly downstairs if the -alarm of fire should prove to be well founded. - -The first thing that the doctor noted was the open window and the -ladder, and the next, that a confused babel of sound was going on in -the Fifth's room; and as he strode to the door he was met, full tilt, -by a boy with torn clothes, apparently seeking to free himself from the -grasp of half a dozen Fifth Form boys. To his bewilderment, the Head -saw that this boy was his new scholar, Ralph Rexworth. - -His strong hand gripped the boy's arm, and his voice thundered out a -command for silence, which the boys obeyed all save Ralph, who cried-- - -"If you do not follow him at once, he will be off, sir! These fellows -stopped me, and he has got a good start!" - -"He! Who?" cried the Head. And the boy replied-- - -"The man who was in the Fifth, sir. He knocked me down, and bolted; and -then the boys woke, and got me, and would not let me go!" - -"You have been dreaming, boy. Silence, all! Kesterway, you are head -monitor. Explain to me! All boys from other Forms back to their rooms; -there is no cause for any alarm. At once, please! Now, Kesterway!" - -"I can tell you nothing, sir. I heard a noise, and woke; and there was -Elgert, and one or two others holding a boy who kicked and struggled; -and just as I jumped out of bed and ran round, he broke away and rushed -for the door." - -"It was Rexworth, sir!" cried one boy. "He was in our room trying to -play some trick upon Elgert. They have been having a row, sir." - -"Will you have the goodness to hold your tongue, sir!" exclaimed the -master, a trifle irritably; and the boy subsided at once. - -"Elgert, what have you to say? Did this boy attempt to play any tricks -on you?" - -"Yes, sir! I was asleep and I was aroused by a violent cry and a blow, -and some one was struggling on my bed, as if he had jumped on and -was trying to hold me down; I gripped hold of him, and found it was -Rexworth. The other fellows woke, and began crying out; and then, when -they found who it was that had made the row, they got angry and went -for him!" - -"That will do. Now you, sir, what have you to say? Speak up, and -tell the truth! Why have you disturbed the whole household in this -disgraceful manner?" - -So the doctor asked, and terribly angry did he look; but very different -was his expression when he had heard Ralph's story. It sounded -incredible that any one should attempt to enter the school for the -deliberate purpose of injuring any boy; and he would have put the story -down as a fabrication, but there was the plain evidence in the shape of -the open window and the ladder. - -If Ralph had invented it, he must have managed to leave the house, drag -the ladder across the playground, raise it to the window, and then go -back and open that window; and that also seemed absolutely impossible. - -"I saw the man, sir!" the lad said; "he was creeping on his hands and -knees, and when he got to Elgert's bed he got up, and he had a pillow. -He was going to smother Elgert. He dropped the pillow when I shouted -and ran in. It is by the bed now. I tried to clutch him, sir, but he -was too strong. He struck me, and knocked me over on top of Elgert, and -then they held me and actually let him escape. He darted away like a -flash, sir; and I expect that he is far enough away by now!" - -Bewilderment, incredulity, wonder, all were depicted upon the faces of -those who listened; but Elgert actually laughed in the Head's presence, -and asked how any one could be expected to believe such a story. - -"Who is there who would want to harm me, sir?" he said. "Why, it is -really absurd to think of such a thing! I have had a row with this boy, -as you know, and I suppose that he wanted to play a trick on me, and -quite forgot the row that would be made." - -"Be good enough to keep your remarks to yourself, until I ask for your -opinion, Elgert!" said the Head sternly. "Now, all you boys, back to -bed! In the morning I will go into the matter properly. To bed at once!" - -It was all very well to say "to bed," but "to sleep" was quite another -matter. Sleep seemed banished from most eyes; and in the Fourth, Ralph -was plied with question after question, until at last he positively -refused to talk any more. - -Truth to tell, Ralph was somewhat disgusted. He had done more than -most boys would have risked; and had it not been for him, Elgert would -have been murdered, and this was the best thanks he received! - -And yet, as he thought of it, it seemed quite natural to him. After -all, it was a very mysterious business; and if people did not believe -it, it was not to be wondered at. He would wait patiently until the -morning; and then, if the doctor did not believe him, it would not be -his fault. - -And when morning came, and breakfast was over, the Head sent for Ralph, -and again listened to his story, and questioned him closely; and he -felt convinced that the boy was indeed speaking the truth. - -That only perplexed him the more; a foolish joke would be -understandable, but a deliberate attempt to harm one of the boys under -his charge was a thing which he could not by any means comprehend. - -He went into the playground and surveyed the ladder; it had been left -just where it was. He went to the boundary wall and examined that, and -there was a stain of blood--some one, in hastily getting over, must -have cut his hand upon the broken glass with which it was finished off. -He felt, beyond question, that Ralph's tale was true. Some one had been -there, but who that some one was, was a mystery indeed. - -But the doctor was a just man, and as he had thrown some doubt upon -Ralph's story, he summoned the entire school, and told them he was -quite satisfied that what Ralph had said happened was absolutely true. - -"Mysterious as it is, I feel satisfied that one of our number has been -in dreadful peril, while he was innocently sleeping; and it is to the -goodness of God that he owes his preservation. God, Who made Ralph -Rexworth wake up and look from the window and then go to the help of -Elgert! And I trust," he added gently, "that this circumstance may make -the two chief actors in this incident better friends! I am sorry to -know that they are not very friendly, but I hope that they will be so -in the future!" - -So the affair ended--so far as public investigation went, though it was -talked over again and again by the boys. The Head communicated with the -police, and a detective came down; and however much he may have been -bewildered and ready to put it down to the tricks of schoolboys, yet -after he had seen the ladder and the bloodmark, and heard Ralph tell -his story, he also had to admit that the boy was undoubtedly telling -the truth, and that the school had been entered in the manner described. - -But Ralph worried over it. The very mystery surrounding it brought back -the mystery of his father's disappearance. He pondered all day over it, -until he felt weary and angry with himself; and he hailed the close of -school with delight, suggesting to his chum and Warren that they should -go for a good long walk, a proposal with which they immediately agreed. - -"Now, look here," said Ralph, when the trio had started, "there is only -one thing; for mercy's sake don't talk about that business of last -night! I am fairly tired of it, and I want to forget it if I can!" - -"All right, old chap," answered Warren, with a laugh; "let us go into -the woods and see if we can find anything worth taking in the way of -specimens. I got two lovely orange-tips there the other day, and some -silly fellow went and knocked over my setting-board, and spoilt them -both!" - -"The woods be it," answered Ralph readily. - -And so they sought the green, cool, shady glades, where the wild birds -were so tame, and where such splendid butterflies and dragon flies were -to be captured. - -They wandered hither and thither, enjoying the quiet sylvan beauty; and -presently, stretched on the grass, they spoke of the difference of this -scene to that which Ralph had known in his younger days; and Warren lay -flat on his back, and asked question after question concerning the wild -people of the great Texan plains. - -"I didn't know that there were any Indians left," the monitor -confessed; and Ralph laughed. - -"Plenty of them; and then there are the Gauchos--they are of Spanish -descent, and they are for ever fighting with the Indians. It is very -different living out there; and, even in the towns, men seldom go about -unarmed." - -"Pleasant," was Warren's remark. "I think that I will stop where I am; -even if we do get midnight visitors now and again." - -"I say, that subject is forbidden," laughed Ralph. - -And then he was silent so long that, presently, Warren asked him what -he was thinking of, and Ralph sighed. - -"Something that is hardly ever out of my thoughts," he answered -gravely. "Speaking of my old home brought it back----" - -"Your father?" queried Warren; and Ralph nodded. - -"It must be precious hard for you," the monitor said. "I think that if -I were in your place I should go silly." - -"No, you would do what I do, old fellow; just pray to God to bring -things right. I felt bad at first, and it was Mrs. St. Clive who taught -me to be brave." - -"I like her," remarked Warren, with a nod. "She is awfully nice, Ralph. -I wonder if ever you will hear anything about your father?" - -"Yes," came the confident answer. "I feel sure that I shall; and -sometimes, Warren, it may seem strange, but it comes to me that he is -not dead, and that he will come back!" - -"But if he were not dead he would not have gone off and left you all -alone like this," objected Warren. "I should not think that." - -"He may not be able to help it. There, we won't talk of it; only I -cannot help thinking like that sometimes. Where is Charlton?" - -The question brought the fact out that they were alone; their companion -had gone off and left them there while they were talking. - -"Now, where has that silly chap got to?" queried Warren, sitting up. - -"Gone after a butterfly, perhaps. He will soon be back." - -"But it is time that we began to move. He is such a silly fellow that -he is as like as not to go and lose himself. Hallo! Charlton! Charlton! -Coo-ee! Charlton!" - -They paused and waited, but no reply came; and Warren got up, a trifle -cross. - -"Of all the silly kites!" he said. "What trouble has he got into now? -Charlton, I say, where are you?" - -"Better let us go and have a look for him," said Ralph; and the two -started, Warren grumbling all the way, until in response to their -shouts, they heard an answering call, and saw their companion appear. - -"Well, you stupid!" began Warren; but Ralph checked him, for the other -boy looked scared and pale. - -"Why, what is the matter?" he asked. "You look as if you had been -scared. Has any one frightened you?" - -"I! Any one frightened me? Oh, no!" answered Charlton quickly. "How -silly! Who could be with me? I got lost--and lost my head! I felt a -little afraid, until I heard you call." - -"We have been shouting for the last half hour!" grumbled Warren. "Come -along! We shall be late for tea!" - -But Ralph said nothing. He was puzzled. The spot where they stood was -damp and clayey; and on the soft ground were the imprints of two pairs -of feet, going towards the bushes from which Charlton had emerged. Of -those footprints, one set was a boy's, and evidently made by his chum; -the other set was a man's. - -Charlton said that he had been alone, but Ralph knew better. A man had -been with his chum, but who was that man? Was he the one who had broken -into the school the previous night? - - - - -CHAPTER X - -COUNSELS AND PROMISES - - -"My dear lad, it certainly is very strange. You seem, since your -arrival in England, to be surrounded with mysteries." - -Ralph was sitting alone with Mr. St. Clive; and the latter, having -questioned him as to how he had got on during his first week at school, -Ralph had told him of his various experiences--of his quarrel with -Horace Elgert, and of the strange midnight episode which had taken -place--Mr. St. Clive listening with interest, and making the remark -that it was very mysterious, as the lad concluded his story. - -"It is strange, sir," answered Ralph, "and at first Dr. Beverly seemed -inclined to doubt my story; while Horace Elgert, instead of taking it -seriously, actually said that it was not true, and that I had gone into -the Fifth dormitory on purpose to play some trick with him. I think, -though," he added, "that he only said that to anger me." - -"It is very strange," Mr. St. Clive repeated. "And then this other -boy----" - -"Charlton, do you mean, sir?" - -"Yes. You say that you are sure he was with some man, and that he -denied it?" - -"Yes, sir. I asked him if he had been with any one, and he looked quite -frightened." - -"That may easily be. I know something of his history, or rather, of the -family's. His father was accused of some crime, and, strangely enough, -Lord Elgert was the prosecutor. A cheque was forged, I believe. Mr. -Charlton managed to escape, but he was never able to come back; and it -was finally said that he was dead. It is quite possible that he has -returned, and that he got into the school to see his son, and went into -the wrong dormitory. That is possible, I say, though I do not think it -likely. He would hardly run such a risk, in my opinion; and more so, as -he could have gone to his wife, and then let her send for the lad." - -"I did not think of it being his father," acknowledged Ralph. "I was -thinking of something else." - -"Yes?" inquired Mr. St. Clive. - -"Cannot you guess, sir? My father is gone, and I know nothing of his -fate. What if this man was the one who met him in Stow Wood. He might -be able to solve the matter." - -"He might," was the reply, "but it is not likely. Charlton, as I -remember him, was a timid, shrinking man; that was proved by the way he -took to flight. He would not be likely to do such a thing." - -"But he might, sir. Some one must have done it," persisted Ralph. "I -feel as if I ought to watch Charlton, and find out who it was that he -met. I could do it, too! I may not be very clever with books, but I -could do that kind of thing." - -"And then?" came the grave question. - -And Ralph cried, almost fiercely-- - -"Can you ask me that, sir? If my father has come to harm, the one who -harmed him must be punished." - -"Even though he is your chum's father. Ralph, this is quite natural; -and even beyond that, I do not say that if you could discover the man -who killed your father--supposing that he is killed--he should not be -given up to justice. I only say, 'pause, and be careful.' Remember the -man your chum saw may be his father, and yet may be entirely innocent -of the crime which you naturally desire to have punished. You, in your -eagerness, may deliver an unfortunate man up to justice, and then find -out that he is not the man you seek. And if I can read anything of your -nature, that would be a cause of bitter regret with you for many a long -day." - -"It would, sir," acknowledged Ralph readily. "But unless I can find the -man, how can I know the truth?" - -"Well, my lad, I feel that I can only advise you to be careful; -and, above all, even in this desire to have your father's assailant -punished, see to it that no motive of revenge actuates you. Remember -that it is written: 'Vengeance is Mine. I will repay, saith the Lord.' -Remember also that it is 'As we forgive them that trespass against us.'" - -"But you would not have me let the man go free, sir?" protested Ralph. -"The only thing I seem to have before me is to find out what happened -to my father." - -"But not of necessity to help hunt any man down. Besides, Ralph, there -is another thing. You mention that you have again seen the tracks of -that horse. Now, does it not strike you that, if this man is the father -of your chum, and a fugitive from justice, he would be the last person -in the world to be riding about in a trap? That is a very important -thing to remember." - -"I never thought of that," the boy acknowledged. And Mr. St. Clive -nodded. - -"Precisely; and yet such things, in so important a business, must be -taken into consideration. Now, Ralph, my advice--my earnest advice--is -that you proceed very carefully, and be quite certain that you have -reason for each step before you take it. And one thing more, my -dear boy. It is not well to say that even unravelling the mystery -surrounding your father's disappearance is the chief object of your -life. The chief object should be to become a noble, true man, alike -a blessing to your fellows and an honour to God. Do you remember how -it says in the Bible: 'There is a banner given to thee, that it may -be displayed because of righteousness'? Now, that is a verse I like. -God gives you His standard, and He says not only 'march under it, but -bear it for Me.' Die for the colours of the King, if need be, and fight -always under honour's flag. Ralph, that is my counsel, the best I can -give you, as your true friend. Wait for God to bring the mystery to -light. Do not let revenge be your life's object, for revenge is of the -devil. Let love be your watchword, and honour your banner. Ralph, will -you promise me this?" - -"I will, sir," answered the boy, deeply moved. "I will try and be a -good standard-bearer." - -"I feel sure of it. Shake hands. I know that I shall have cause to be -proud of your friendship. Now, I must not take up all your time. I know -that Irene is waiting patiently for you, so run and join her, and make -the most of your brief holiday." - -And what a delightful holiday it was, in spite of the trouble over -him! It was a splendid thought to think of himself as being a -standard-bearer. And he told Irene all about it; and she, in return, -told him of the young hero who, being wounded, and fearing that the -colours he bore would be taken from him, placed them beneath him, and -lay in silent suffering until the enemy found him and, in pity, sought -to help him. And then she told how he begged so hard that he might not -be moved that they wondered; and when, even against his wish, they -raised his dying form, there they found the colours which he loved, and -which he had guarded so well; and they wrapped them round him and bore -him away. And when he died they buried him with the flag which he had -carried, and gave him all honour for being true man and hero. - -It was a fine story, and set Ralph's heart beating more quickly. And -then Irene said that he must be as true, and be her champion, and win -in the battle of right against wrong. And Ralph--well, I do not mind -owning that he kissed her; and seeing that he had been brought up all -his life on the plains, and had never been used to girls' society, that -really was a daring thing to do. - -So the holiday was spent, and Sunday passed in quiet and worship. And -then on Monday morning back he went to Marlthorpe College, and the -fight of another week. - -And the battle began almost at once, for very soon after his arrival he -was called into the doctor's study, where he found two stern-faced men, -whom he was told were detectives; and they questioned him closely as to -the events of that night when he had seen the man, and even went so far -as to hint that he must have been dreaming and walking in his sleep, -and that made Ralph feel very like losing his temper. Dreaming! As if -he did not know that he had been very wide awake indeed! - -And they called Horace Elgert in also, and questioned him as to whether -he had seen anything, or whether he could think of any one likely to -harm him. And Elgert laughed in the most insulting manner. - -"I don't believe a word of it!" he said, with seeming frankness. "It is -a silly business, and it had best be forgotten. There is a great deal -too much being made out of it. I suppose that Rexworth wants to pose as -a hero. I told my father of it, and he laughed about it; but he said -that he would ride over this morning and question Rexworth himself." - -"I do not want him to question me!" cried Ralph, flushing angrily. And -Elgert laughed again. - -"Very likely not; but he will do it, all the same," he replied. And -then Dr. Beverly interrupted them sternly. - -"Silence, both of you! I did not tell you to come here to have this -nonsense, but to answer any questions which these gentlemen might wish -to ask you. Back to your classes, both of you, and mind that I have no -trouble with either of you! If you cannot be friendly, keep apart!" - -"I am sure that I want to," muttered Elgert, as he went; but he only -spoke loud enough for the words to reach Ralph's ears. - -It was very hard to keep cool and pay attention to his work; but Ralph -remembered his promise to his good friends, and he set sternly to the -tasks before him, only to be interrupted an hour afterwards by the -doctor sending for him again; and this time--how hot and angry he came -all in a moment!--it was to be questioned by Lord Elgert, who sat there -as cold, as haughty, and overbearing as ever. - -"Now, young man," he said, when Ralph entered, "I want to hear, for -myself, this remarkable story." - -Ralph paused a moment. With a strong effort he mastered himself. If -he was a standard-bearer, he must remember to give soft and polite -answers, so he said politely-- - -"I am afraid that I have little to tell, sir, that I have not told -already; and, unfortunately, it does not seem to be believed." - -"Never mind that. Begin at the beginning, and tell me all that -occurred." - -So Ralph complied, and Lord Elgert sat listening with frowning face and -watchful eyes; and Ralph could see that he, like his son, really did -believe the story, even though he pretended not to. - -"Well, well, doctor," said his lordship, when the tale was told, "I am -inclined to think that it is a case of sleepwalking----" - -"But did I put the ladder against the window in my sleep, sir?" asked -Ralph. "The detectives did not think that, nor do you. I have no -interest in inventing such a story; and I have no wish to do anything -to annoy your son, so long as he leaves me alone----" - -"I do not think that the boy dreamed it," said the doctor. And Lord -Elgert frowned. - -"Hum! Hark, boy! I suppose that it was not your own father, come to see -you, eh?" - -Then up started Ralph indignantly, and cried-- - -"You have no right to insult me like that! Why should you? I know -nothing of you, and yet, upon the only two occasions when we have met, -you have spoken in that way. My father! Why should he come like a thief -at night? He has never done anything to be ashamed of. Never, I say, in -spite of the tale you told. That tale is not true!" - -"Each to his own opinion, young man," retorted Lord Elgert drily. "You -take my advice. Attend to your studies, learn all you can, and then go -back to the land you came from; for you will get on best there!" - -"Lord Elgert," answered Ralph fearlessly, "you may mean that kindly -or you may not. I neither know nor care. It is your advice, but it is -advice which I shall not take. I have something to do here. I have -to find out what has become of my father, and I have to prove that -your accusation that he is a thief is not true. I am only a boy, Lord -Elgert, and you may laugh at me, but I know that I shall succeed -presently, and when I do perhaps I may also learn the reason for your -disliking me so much." - -"What do you mean by that?" shouted Lord Elgert angrily. And Ralph -replied-- - -"Just what I say!" - -Then he turned and asked the doctor if he wanted him any more. And -receiving permission to go, he went back to his class; while Lord -Elgert rode homewards, with black looks and frowning brow. - - - - -CHAPTER XI - -GOING IN FOR GRINDING - - -"Boys, I have an announcement to make." - -The whole school were gathered for the usual morning prayers, the -masters each at the head of his class; and when the reading was over, -the doctor, instead of dismissing them to their classes as usual, still -stood at his desk, and the boys looked up eagerly. Was it a holiday, or -a challenge from some neighbouring school to a football match? - -Alas, for such hopes! It was neither the one nor the other. It was -something which only interested a very few of the most industrious -there. - -"The Newlet gold medal examination for mathematics will be held in a -month's time from now; and it will be needful for intending competitors -to hand in their names to their masters at once. I trust that the -school will be well represented at the examination. We lost the medal -last year, though we had a very good average; but the year before that, -Kesterway, who was then only in the Fourth, gained it. That debars -him from again trying for it; but I hope that others will enter the -field, and do as well as he did. The second and third boys gain silver -medals. That is all. Dismiss to your classes." - -"I say, Dobby, there is a chance for you to distinguish yourself," -whispered one boy in the lazy one's ear, as the Fourth trooped away. -And Dobson glared, for of all things, mathematics was his weak point. - -"Dobson cannot do it," laughed Warren, overhearing the words. "His -system of mathematics is erratic. When it comes to eating tarts at -some one else's expense, it is wonderful how many he can take without -counting them up; but if he has to treat--well, one multiplies itself -into twenty." - -"You shut up," growled Dobson. "I never had tarts at your expense." - -"No, my son, and you never will," laughed Warren. "Hurry up and take -your place. You know where it is--top wrong end." - -Mr. Delermain entered, and the class settled down to work; but Ralph -found himself pondering over that prize which was offered. True, -figures were not his strongest point; but then he had a great belief -that any one who sets his mind to a thing can manage to do it in time, -and, somehow, he felt that it would be very nice to take that medal -home and show it to Irene. - -So when recess was called, he managed to get hold of Warren and -question him about it. - -"The Newlet," explained the monitor. "Well, it certainly is rather -stiff. I suppose that I must go in for it, though I don't think I -shall stand much chance. There will be Philmore and Standish of the -Fifth; I don't know if Elgert will try for it. He thinks no end of his -mathematics, but if you ask me, I think that a crib has a good deal to -do with it." - -"A crib?" - -"Yes. You know. Don't know what a crib is!" as Ralph shook his head. -"Oh, you sweet innocent, I thought I explained that to you before! It -is a book with all the answers in it----" - -"That is cheating," said Ralph. And Warren nodded. - -"Of course it is; but it is frequently done, not only for exams, -but for class work. Suppose a fellow is late in--been at cricket or -anything--and he hasn't got time for prep., and don't want to lose his -place, a crib comes in very handy; only some fellows always use 'em, -because they are so lazy----" - -"Dobson, for instance," suggested Ralph. But Warren laughed, and shook -his head. - -"Bless you, no. He is too lazy even to use a crib. He does not even -pretend to do his lessons; and he is in pretty little danger of losing -his place, seeing that it is always at the bottom of the class." - -"Well, I think it mean and dishonourable to use cribs," Ralph declared. -"If I could not manage without that I would not manage at all." - -"It is pretty often done," Warren replied. He was not quite guiltless -himself; and he felt a trifle ashamed of Ralph's honest wrath. "I -suppose it is wrong; only a fellow does not think so at the time. -But you were asking about the Newlet. It is stiff, but it is worth -winning----" - -"I should like to try for it," murmured Ralph. And the monitor stared. - -"You! Well, there is nothing to prevent you from doing so; only you -will have to grind awfully, if you don't crib----" - -"I shall not do that," interrupted Ralph firmly. "Once for all, let -that be understood. If I cannot stand a chance without cheating, I will -not go in for it." - -"Well, then, it is just grinding, that is all." - -"Grinding," repeated Ralph, raising his brows. And Warren laughed again. - -"Bless your heart! It is refreshing to find any one as innocent as you -are. Grinding, my dear fellow, is working, swatting, putting in full -time, giving up games and larks and story books, and working on every -moment you have got to spare. It is living on mathematics all the time." - -"In plain words, it is working hard," laughed Ralph. "And if a thing is -worth doing, it is worth working well for----" - -"Right you are. Go ahead, and good luck. You are letting yourself in -for a nice thing, though; but, I suppose, that if you enter you will -stick it out. Best tell Mr. Delermain; it will please him to have you -enter. He likes his Form well represented, even though we cannot all -win." - -Warren was right in that; the master was very pleased when Ralph spoke -to him about it. - -"I should like to go in for it, sir," the boy said. "I suppose it seems -rather absurd; but I could try at least, and the study will not do me -any harm." - -"Not if it is honest study, Rexworth," replied Mr. Delermain. And those -truthful eyes were raised steadily to his own. - -"It will not be anything else, sir," Ralph said. "If I cannot do it -honestly, I shall not do it at all." - -"That is the way, Rexworth." Mr. Delermain laid one hand on the boy's -shoulder as he spoke. "And even if you do not win, the work itself is -sure to prove of great use to you later on. By all means enter; and if -you want any assistance or advice, do not hesitate to come to me. I -shall always be very glad to do anything in my power to assist you." - -So Ralph put his name down, and some of the boys stared when they heard -it. A new boy, only a week there, putting his name down for the Newlet! - -"Cheek!" said Elgert. - -"Rubbish!" said Dobson. - -"No use!" said a good many; but Ralph paid no heed to it all. One thing -nerved him. Elgert was going in for it; and he felt that if he could -not beat him, it would be strange. - -"You will have to work very hard, Ralph," was the verdict of Mr. St. -Clive, when he heard of it. "It is an honour to gain the medal, but it -is an honour that has to be earned by hard work." - -"You will try your very best, won't you, Ralph?" pleaded Irene. "I -should just love you to win it, the same as if you were my very own -brother." - -Brother! Well, well; Irene and Ralph were but young; perhaps, later on, -it would not be brother, perhaps--who can say? - -So Ralph began to undergo that process which Warren called swatting, -or grinding, and it was not all easy. When the day's work was over, -and the boys ran off to their games, or settled down to their story -books--and Ralph loved story books--it was not easy to get out the -dry figures and bend over them, studying tricky sums, or working out -obscure equations; it was not easy, but it had to be done. Ralph was -beginning to understand what work meant. - -And Charlton proved himself a good chum in the hour of need, for he was -farther on than Ralph, and could help him in many points. Indeed, Ralph -wondered why he had not entered himself; but Charlton sighed and shook -his head. - -"He did not want the worry of it," he said. - -Ralph had said nothing more to him concerning his suspicions, but -they were frequently in his mind. He never lost sight of his father's -disappearance. He was for ever keeping his eyes open for anything that -might put him on the right track. But Mr. St. Clive's remark that he -might perhaps be the means of harming a man who had never harmed him or -his, made him very careful about saying or doing anything. Something -was worrying Charlton, that he could plainly see; but since the boy did -not say anything to him, he hesitated to try and force his confidence -in any way. - -So he worked with Charlton; and sometimes Warren would pop in and ask -him how he got on, or compare notes with him. And Warren confessed -that he had been influenced by Ralph's words, and that he was working -on what he called "the square," which meant that he was doing without -cribs and keys. - -And when particularly knotty points occurred, Ralph would carry his -books away and consult Mr. Delermain; and the master helped, and -advised, and praised him, and spoke very encouragingly of his progress -and his chances. - -"There is nothing to beat honest, hard work, Rexworth," he said one -evening, as the lad sat in his room. "What you gain unfairly, you soon -lose; but what you learn honestly, that you hold, and it serves as a -foundation to build other knowledge upon." - -"I do not know how to thank you enough, sir," the lad answered, and Mr. -Delermain smiled. - -"The fact that I see you working honestly, is more than reward for -me, Rexworth. Now if there is nothing more, run away, for I have some -letters to write." - -Ralph rose, and as he did so, in gathering up his books he knocked a -piece of thin paper on to the ground from off the table. He stooped -with an apology and picked it up. He could not help seeing what it -was--a five-pound note--and he handed it to his master, who took it and -placed it on his desk. - -"Thank you, Rexworth. Do not forget to come to me at once, if you want -any more help." - -Charlton awaited him in their study, and the lad seemed but ill at -ease. He looked at Ralph doubtfully for a while; and, at last, said -timidly-- - -"Rexworth, I hope that you won't be angry, but could you--that is, I -mean, will you----" - -"Out with it, old fellow," laughed Ralph. "Will I what?" - -"Lend me some money. I am without any, and I want some----" - -"I can lend you ten shillings, if that is any good," answered Ralph -readily. And Charlton beamed. - -"Will you? Oh, I am obliged! I will pay you back soon. I shall have a -little money in a few weeks." - -"That is all right. Here you are," and Ralph handed him the money, and -turned back to his task again. - -[Illustration: "'THAT IS ALL RIGHT. HERE YOU ARE,' AND RALPH HANDED -HIM THE MONEY." p 110.] - -But now he could not work. He wondered what Charlton wanted the money -for, and where he was going to get any more to pay him again. Somehow -the sums seemed to get muddled; and he jumped up at last, with an -exclamation of annoyance-- - -"Bother it! It won't come right! I quite forget how Mr. Delermain -said I was to do it. I will run and ask him again; he won't mind my -bothering him." - -He took his book and went out. The corridor leading to the masters' -rooms was rather dark, for the gas had either not been lit, or had been -turned out by some one. Just before the room was reached the corridor -turned sharply to the right, and here it was quite dark. And, as Ralph -turned this corner, he encountered some one, who ran against him with -such force that he almost fell down; and before he could recover from -his surprise, that unseen boy had disappeared round the corner, running -swiftly and silently, as if anxious to escape notice. - -Ralph muttered something about clumsy fellows, and picked up his -papers, which had been scattered in all directions. Then he went on to -Mr. Delermain's room, and saw that the door was open, but the room in -darkness. His master had evidently finished his letters and gone. - -"I shall have to let it wait until to-morrow," he said. "It's jolly -vexing, just as I was getting on so nicely." - -He turned from the door, when a step sounded in the corridor, and a -light glimmered round the corner. Some one was coming. And then a voice -said-- - -"Why, Rexworth, what are you doing here? You have no business in this -corridor." And Ralph found himself face to face with Dr. Beverly. - - - - -CHAPTER XII - -THE STOLEN BANKNOTE - - -Now, why Ralph should have felt in the slightest degree confused by the -sudden appearance of Dr. Beverly, he could not have said; and yet he -was conscious that he exhibited something of hesitation in his manner. -It was perhaps due to the doctor finding him there in the dark, and -looking rather suspicious and stern. - -The fact was that the doctor was so used to his pupils playing tricks -and getting into scrapes, that it was but natural that he should scan -the boy's face closely, and he noted that Ralph looked confused. - -He repeated his question sharply, and then the boy recovered himself -and described how he had come to ask Mr. Delermain to again explain the -point which had escaped his memory. - -"Mr. Delermain has gone out, I believe," Dr. Beverly said, when Ralph -concluded. "But perhaps I may be able to make the point clear. Come to -my study and let me see what you are doing." - -Ralph followed the doctor, not without some little nervousness; for, -like all the boys, he stood somewhat in awe of the head master; but the -doctor smiled, and was so kind that he soon put the boy at ease; and, -after scanning the neat rows of figures in the exercise-book, he nodded -approval. - -"I am glad to see that you work so neatly, Rexworth," the Head said. -"Now, this point. Here is your error--it is very simple, though easily -made." - -And taking a pencil, he worked out the sum himself, making Ralph go -over it with him, and explaining each detail as it was done, so that -Ralph was able to understand it quite easily; and, with words of -thanks, took his books and went off, the doctor saying, as he departed-- - -"But let me give you one word of advice, Rexworth. It is all very well -to be industrious; but remember, the brain wants rest, and you cannot -learn properly when you are jaded. Put the books away, and do something -else until bedtime--draw, read, or whatever you like. It pays to have a -little relaxation when one is working hard." - -Now Ralph valued the master's experience too much to neglect that -advice; and, though he had intended to work for another hour, he put -his books away when he reached his little study, and, picking up his -long-neglected story, he settled down with a sigh of relief for a quiet -read. - -But he could not read. He wondered who it was that had run up against -him, and what he was doing in the master's quarters. He felt uneasy, he -could not say why. Then he had behaved so foolishly when the doctor -first met him! As if any one had any need to be afraid of such a kind -man as Dr. Beverly! - -Then he fell to thinking of Lord Elgert; and he wondered why he should -seem to be so bitter against him, and why he seemed to take a delight -in saying that his father was a thief. Ralph could not understand Lord -Elgert; he was as much a mystery as was his father's disappearance. - -Then, from thinking of the father, his thoughts went to the son; and he -wondered whether Horace Elgert would stand any chance of winning the -gold medal, and whether he was working with one of those cribs; and he -caught himself thinking how nice it would be to defeat his rival and -carry off the prize. - -But then he checked himself. He wanted to win, but that ought not to be -the real motive for it. After all, to want to win only to make Elgert -vexed, was a very poor sort of thing. - -"I seem to be for ever catching myself up," he reflected. "It is harder -work being a standard-bearer than I supposed at first." - -The bell rang for supper, and there was no more time to think then. -Boys were laughing, shouting, enjoying the freedom which was allowed at -this last meal of the day; and after that was over, the classes went -off to their dormitories, and silence soon reigned in the school. And -Ralph slept calm and peaceful, little dreaming what trouble was coming -for him in the morning. - -But that trouble came, sharp and swift, before the classes assembled -for morning school--the heaviest trouble that Ralph had been ever -called to face, with the exception of that all-supreme one--the loss of -his dear father. - -Breakfast was over, and the boys crowding from the dining-hall to -snatch a few minutes' play prior to entering classes, when Ralph felt a -hand laid on his shoulder and, turning, saw Kesterway by his side. - -"Rexworth, the Head wants you in his study at once!" the monitor said; -and Ralph, wondering what could be the matter, turned and went to the -doctor's room forthwith. - -And when he entered, he found both Dr. Beverly and Mr. Delermain there; -and both looked very grave he thought. - -"You sent for me, sir?" he asked, looking towards the doctor, and the -master nodded. - -"I did, Rexworth. Come in and shut the door. Now sit down and listen -to me. You know that neither I nor Mr. Delermain would willingly say -anything to hurt your feelings--I am sure that you realize that?" - -"Of course I do, sir," replied Ralph, wondering greatly. "You have both -always been kind to me." - -"Well, now, I am going to say something that may seem hurtful," the -master went on. But then he stopped as he encountered those calm, brave -eyes, and he motioned to Mr. Delermain. "Suppose you speak?" he said, -and Ralph's own master complied. - -"Rexworth," he said quietly, "it is not pleasant to say anything that -could be interpreted into the faintest suspicion of doubting your -honesty----" - -"I hope that you do not doubt it, sir," replied Ralph quickly. "It -would be a very great trouble to me if you did! But I see that -something is wrong; and if that is so, it is best to know it at once -in plain language. If you have to say anything to hurt me, it must be -something grave indeed!" he added. - -"It is grave," acknowledged the master. "You remember, last evening, -knocking a banknote from my desk, and picking it up for me?" - -"Perfectly well, sir." - -"I replaced that note on my desk, and, having some letters to write, I -forgot to take it up again; and when I went to post my correspondence, -I left it there on the desk. When I returned, the note was gone, and -the only person who was near my room, so far as we know, was yourself. -Dr. Beverly saw you there." - -"And you think that I have stolen your banknote, sir?" cried Ralph, -regretfully. But Mr. Delermain shook his head. - -"No, no, Ralph! You must not go so far as that. I only tell you the -facts, as far as we know them. The note was there, the note has gone, -you are the only one who was seen near the spot!" - -"There was some one else, sir!" cried Ralph; and he narrated how some -one had pushed against him and run down the dark corridor. Both masters -listened gravely as he did so. - -"And you have no idea who this was? Did not recognize either voice or -figure?" - -"No, sir. He did not speak, and it was so dark, and the thing so -sudden, that I was taken quite by surprise!" - -"You can think of no one? Know of no lad you saw in that part of the -house?" - -"No, sir," answered Ralph; but even as he spoke one thought flashed -into his mind. "Charlton, his chum! Charlton was in need of money! -Could it have been Charlton?" - -"I can think of no one, sir," he replied. "I can quite see how it looks -against me; but Mr. Delermain has proved so good a friend to me, that -it seems hard that I should be thought capable of robbing him." - -"Let me impress upon you, Rexworth," said the doctor, "that we do not -look at the matter in that light. We sent for you because we knew that -you were near the place--in the room, indeed. The matter must be made -public, and questions must be asked; and it is natural that, since you -are the only one who was near the place----" - -"I was not the only one, sir," he answered quietly. - -"No, there is that other boy whom you say ran past you in the dark; -but, my lad, unless something can be found out concerning that boy, we -have only your bare word; and suspicion is bound to fall mostly upon -yourself. That is why we both felt that you should be seen privately, -before the circumstance was made known to the whole school. That is -all. You can go!" - -"It is impossible that such a boy can be a thief, sir!" cried Mr. -Delermain to the Head, when Ralph had gone. "I would stake my life upon -his honesty!" - -"I feel somewhat the same, Delermain," answered the Head. "But the note -is gone, and he is the only one known to have been near. The school -will not view the thing in that light." - -"I should rather that the school did not know, sir," suggested the -master; but at this Dr. Beverly shook his head. - -"No, no, Delermain, I will not have that. We will have no -favouritism--no keeping things back. If it was my own son who was -implicated, the thing should be gone on with. For the sake of every one -concerned, it must be gone on with." - -But what a sensation it caused when the doctor made the announcement -to the school! He had classes stopped, and all the school assembled in -the hall; and there, standing at his great desk, he spoke to the lads, -telling them that the banknote was lost. - -"It can hardly have been mislaid," he said, "for Mr. Delermain put it -beneath a heavy paper-weight; and upon his return he found that weight -had been moved. Now, there are two things I want to impress upon you -all, very solemnly. Some one must have done this--some one acting, -perhaps, under a sudden temptation; some one, perhaps, who did not -understand the full gravity and magnitude of his offence. Let that some -one come and own his fault to me, like a man and a Christian should do. -Remember, also, that the number of that note is known. It cannot be -parted with, or converted into money, without eventually being traced, -even through successive stages, back to the one who originally parted -with it. - -"Then, remember also, that there is one of your number who is -particularly affected by this loss; there is one boy who knew this note -was there, and who is known to have been near the study during Mr. -Delermain's absence. A boy who frankly explains what took him there, -and who declares that some one passed him hurriedly in the darkness of -the corridor. That boy is Ralph Rexworth, and the boy who passed by him -must undoubtedly be the thief!" - -It was kindly put by the Head, for it seemed as if it exonerated Ralph -from all suspicion; but there were those in the classes who, as the -Head had foreseen, did not look at it from that standpoint; and Dobson -muttered to his nearest neighbour-- - -"That is all very well, but why may not Rexworth have taken it himself? -He is the only one who knew that it was there." - -And the boy to whom this was addressed nodded. - -"I again earnestly entreat the boy who has done this thing to confess -his fault!" the Head went on. "Do not let us have the taint of a -thief amongst us! Let the culprit act the better part, and remove the -disgrace from the school! Now go to your classes, and think over what -I have said, and I trust ere the morning has passed, the boy who is -guilty will have taken the better course and have come to own his fault -to me!" - -Away to their rooms they went; and now tongues were loosened, -and comments made; and oh, how hard it was for Ralph to keep his -temper! for Elgert was not slow to take all the advantages which the -circumstance offered to him. - -"It is all right to talk about shame being on the school!" he said to -his companions. "What else can you expect? There is Charlton--look -at him! 'Like father, like son,' you know. Then there is his chum, -Rexworth. 'Birds of a feather flock together.' It does not take very -much to see who the thief is, Rexworth was caught almost in the act, -by the Head himself; and it is very easy to make up a tale of some one -running by him in the dark." - -"Of course," was the answer; and Ralph heard it all so plainly, as -Elgert had intended that he should do. Poor Ralph, it was a hard task -for him to keep his temper--to remember his promise, and act the -standard-bearer's part! - - - - -CHAPTER XIII - -DIVIDED OPINIONS - - -There was but one serious theme of conversation at Marlthorpe College -during the remainder of that day, and it is not difficult to guess that -the theft of the banknote formed its subject. From the highest class -to the lowest--from the First Form youngsters right up to the Upper -Fifth--the boys discussed the business eagerly, and, it must be owned, -with divided opinions. - -For there were some there who, being quick to perceive true nobility of -character, felt that it was impossible for such a boy as Ralph Rexworth -to be a thief. They were like Dr. Beverly and Mr. Delermain, and felt -that, dark as the circumstances made it appear for Ralph, he could not -be guilty of such a mean action. And there were others who, with all -the thoughtlessness of youth, and influenced, perhaps, by the words of -Elgert and Dobson, were quite ready to declare Ralph guilty off-hand, -without the slightest hesitation. - -And it was bitter for Ralph--far more bitter than any there could -understand. He felt that they all looked with suspicion upon him. And -he even did his best friends some injustice, yet they, right down to -their hearts, believed him to be guilty. - -He wanted at first to throw aside his books and go back to Mr. St. -Clive and to Irene, but he pulled himself up sternly. He would not run -away like a coward. It would appear as if he were really guilty. He -would stay and fight it out and prove his innocence. He felt sure that -it would aid him in getting at the truth concerning his father, and so -he settled sternly down to his work, and even, in his battle, seemed a -little cold and standoffish to his best friends. - -And Charlton--ah, Ralph could not help thinking that Charlton -knew something about this. He seemed so strange, so different and -hesitating. He felt like challenging him to tell the truth, but -something, he was not quite clear what, made him hesitate. It was bad -enough to be suspected himself, and he was a fairly strong boy, able to -take his own part, but what would timid, weakly Charlton feel if the -suspicion were thrown upon him? - -"I won't do anything to let him think that I suspect him, until I can -be sure that I have good grounds for suspicion," Ralph reflected. - -And then he paused. And if he had those good grounds, what then? -Suppose that he could even be certain that Charlton was the culprit, -what then? The boy would have taken the money for his mother in all -likelihood, and---- - -Ralph shrugged his shoulders and turned resolutely to his work, and, -though plenty there believed that he was guilty, there was such a look -upon that strong young face that they forbore to speak their opinions -directly to him, but only revealed them by cutting him contemptuously -whenever he chanced to be in their company. - -But he was not left without comforters. Mr. Delermain took the -opportunity to speak with him quietly, and as he placed one hand gently -upon the strong young shoulder, and looked gravely into the face, now -somewhat clouded with its sorrow, the kindly master said-- - -"Rexworth, my dear boy, I could find it in my heart to wish that I had -never mentioned this loss." - -"I do not, sir," answered Ralph quickly. "If the thing has been done it -ought to be mentioned, no matter upon whom the blame may fall. It is -rather hard to feel that so many of the boys believe that I have done -it, but then, you see, I was in your room, and things look black, and I -have no means of proving that my story of some one having passed me is -really true." - -"I would that we had any clue to that," observed the master. "If we -could only find out who that was! You have no suspicion, Ralph?" - -And he glanced into the boy's eyes. - -"No sir." Then Ralph hesitated. That was not quite true. He had a -suspicion. "I would rather not talk of it, sir," he answered, after a -pause. "Perhaps it is not quite right to say that I have no suspicion, -but it is only a suspicion, and I have no right to talk about it, -seeing that I have no solid grounds to go upon. I am accused solely -upon suspicion, and I know how hard it is." - -"I applaud your sentiment," said Mr. Delermain. "Well, my dear lad, let -me impress upon you that I do not believe you to be a thief. Let me -give you my sympathy, and let me encourage you to bear this trial--I -fully understand how hard it must be for one of your nature--bravely; -and let me assure you that I shall look forward with just as much -pleasure as formerly to your visits in the evening. Do not let this -interfere with your studies for the Newlet medal, and rest sure that I -should not again invite Ralph Rexworth into my study if I suspected him -of being a thief." - -"The boy has some sort of suspicion," reflected the master, after Ralph -had gone. "He suspects some one. Now whom can that be? Is he shielding -that boy Charlton? He is a weakly dispositioned lad--one likely to fall -into temptation, and to yield to it too. I must watch him quietly. -Charlton is the most likely boy to have done this. He is poor too. -Perhaps he took it to help his mother. Poor lad! if that is the case, I -would be the last one to bring him to punishment." He paused and shook -his head. "I ought to take a lesson from Rexworth," he went on, with a -smile. "He will not speak upon mere suspicion, and here I am weaving a -theory without the slightest ground for so doing, and actually arriving -at the conclusion that a certain boy is guilty, when I have not the -least right to even connect him with the theft." - -Mr. Delermain went back to his duties, but still that thought was in -his head--was it possible that Charlton had taken that five-pound -note, and that Ralph Rexworth knew it, and was silent only for the -sake of his chum? Ralph felt quite cheered by his master's words. -He did not dream that Mr. Delermain thought anything about Charlton -being the thief, and he soon found another comforter in the person -of good-hearted Tom Warren; for the monitor came up to him with -outstretched hand, crying heartily-- - -"Look here, Rexworth, you are asking for a fight with me, that's what!" - -"Eh?" said Ralph, staring. "I don't understand." - -"Well then, why are you cutting me like this? Oh, think I don't notice -it? You are sitting moping, just like an old magpie that is moulting. -Look here, don't be so jolly silly as to worry about what these kites -say or do. It's only Elgert and his gang, and Dobby and Co. They are -always glad to be able to chuck stones at another fellow's glasshouse; -but they will get their own windows smashed in time. Now, don't hide -your head as though you had done something to be ashamed about. Come -into the playground with me." - -"The other fellows don't want me, and I don't want to go where I am not -wanted." - -"Rubbish! Downright silly rubbish!" retorted Warren. "I want you! -I want you to show me how to throw one of those ropes like you do. -I cannot manage it. I was trying the other day, and I caught Bert -Standish an awful smack in the eye, and jolly nearly knocked it out for -him; and if you had seen him scudding after me, one hand on his injured -optic and the other shaking in very wrath! I didn't stop to argue until -I got safe inside my study and had the bolt drawn; and then he stood -outside kicking the panel, and calling me a chump, and a kite, and a -cuckoo, and all manner of pretty and polite names, and inviting me to -come out and let him wipe up the floor with me. I spoke soft words, and -tried to pour oil on troubled waters, only the troubled waters were not -taking any, and would not be assuaged until Kesterway came along and -said that he would report him for damaging the paint if he didn't stop -it. I have kept out of Bert's way since then, and he has got a lovely -bruise under his eye. Come on, Ralph, and show me how you do it without -knocking any one's head off." - -So Ralph suffered himself to be taken into the playground, and though -some looked at him suspiciously and edged away from him, others of -Warren's disposition resolved that, at any rate, they would wait for -proof before condemning him, gathered round Ralph, and made him feel -that they were his friends. - -So opinions were divided, and Marlthorpe College split into two -parties, one for, and one against Ralph--one with Tom Warren at its -head, and the other with Horace Elgert, the Honourable Horace Elgert, -the nobleman's son! - -And Elgert was not quite satisfied, for he saw that Ralph was not sent -to Coventry, as he had intended that he should be. He saw that some -of the boys recognized that he was not the sort of lad to be a thief, -and he determined that, if it could be done, their opinions should be -changed. - -"If I can only prove that he did it," he mused, "I may be able to -manage that, if I have any luck." - -So the days of the week slipped away, once more bringing the Saturday -holiday near, and it had been one of the hardest weeks that Ralph -Rexworth had ever known--a week that had called for all his strength of -will and purpose to enable him to face and overcome its difficulties -and temptations. - -It was Friday afternoon, and Ralph was in his study putting his books -straight prior to leaving--he was always neat in his habits--when -Charlton came in, hesitating, troubled-looking, as ever. - -"Glad the week is over, Ralph?" he asked, after he had stood in silence -for a little while watching his chum. - -And Ralph nodded. - -"Yes. It has been a little hard. I shall be glad to have a rest from -it," he answered. - -"They are wicked to try and make out that you took that note. They -ought to know that you did not. I know you did not." - -"Do you? How?" was the quiet answer to this indignant outburst. - -And Charlton seemed confused. - -"Why, because--don't you see--because--you could not do it, of course." - -"Thanks!" said Ralph. "It is nice to hear you say that." - -But, alas! he wondered whether Charlton had any better grounds for his -belief. - -And then the boy went on, taking ten shillings from his pocket. - -"Here are the ten shillings which I owe you. I am much obliged." - -Ralph looked hard at him, and made no attempt to pick up the money. - -"Charlton," he said quietly, "I thought you said that you would not be -able to repay me for some time." - -And Charlton looked more confused than ever. - -"I know, but I--I can pay you now." - -"How did you get the money?" asked Ralph. - -And his chum grew more nervous. - -"I had it given--I mean that I---- Why do you ask that?" - -"I will tell you, Charlton," answered Ralph gravely. "I don't mean to -tell any one else, though. You had no money at the beginning of this -week, and now you can pay me ten shillings. Where did you get the money -from? Did you take that five-pound note?" - -For a moment the lad stood silently staring at Ralph. Then his pale -face went crimson, and he burst out indignantly-- - -"What do you mean? Do you think that I stole it? Do you mean that I am -a thief? You can't mean that, Rexworth! Did you ever catch me telling a -lie?" - -"Yes," said Ralph quietly. "I did once." - -"When?" demanded Charlton. - -And Ralph answered-- - -"Last week in the woods, when you said that you were alone. I know that -there was a man with you." - -"That is a lie!" answered Charlton wildly. "There was no one. You have -no right to say there was any one with me." He seemed quite beside -himself with terror. "I know what it is, Ralph Rexworth! You have taken -that note after all, and now you are trying to put the blame upon me. -We are not chums any longer. I hate you!" - -And with that Charlton rushed off, choking with anger and bitter grief, -and Ralph stood there looking after him, more in regret than in anger. - -"Poor chap!" he muttered. "I ought not to have spoken like that. It -only shows how easy it is to make a slip, if you are not for ever -watching. Perhaps I am wronging him, after all." - -He paused. His eyes fell upon the money which Charlton had placed upon -the table. If he was wronging him, then where had Charlton managed to -get that money from? - - - - -CHAPTER XIV - -BY THE RIVER SIDE - - -"I wish that I had not spoken like that to him." - -So Ralph Rexworth mused as he left the study and went along the -corridor--anger at the violent outburst and the accusation which -Charlton had hurled at him, he felt none. - -A muffled sound broke upon his ears--the sound of some one sobbing -violently, and he stopped, peering along the corridor until he made -out the form of his former chum. Charlton had flung himself down full -length, and was crying as if his heart would break. - -It was more than Ralph could stand--he went up to him and laid a hand -upon the prostrate boy's shoulder. - -"Charlton," he said kindly, "don't cry. I am awfully sorry that I have -offended you, and that we have quarrelled. I did not mean to do it. -Won't you get up and shake hands with me?" - -"No!" came the broken answer. "Go away, I don't want you! You were the -only chum that I had, and now you say that I am a thief! I never said a -word against you. I told Dobson that he was telling lies when he said -that you had stolen the note, and he beat me. I did not mind that, -because I was trying to stick up for you; and now you say I stole it!" - -"Come, shake hands," pleaded Ralph, feeling somehow that he was on the -wrong track. "I am sorry." - -"You ought to have known how it feels to be called a thief," the other -lad continued. "You are not my chum--I don't care about you being -strong and me being weak--I don't want to be your chum. I know that my -father was called a thief, but it was not true--he never did anything -wrong--and I know that people sneer at me. But I am not a thief--I -never stole anything, and you, seeing what Elgert has said about your -father, and that you have been accused, might have been a little more -kind to me." - -"Well, I have said that I am sorry. Won't you shake hands?" said Ralph -again. "And I had a note from Mr. St. Clive, and he told me to ask you -and Warren to come over to-morrow. Won't you come?" - -"No," answered Charlton. "You don't want boys there who have convict -fathers, and who you believe to be thieves. You go away, Ralph -Rexworth. We shall never be friends any more until you have been proved -wrong. When I can prove to you that I had no hand in taking that note, -then we will be chums again. - -"And," he added, sitting up, "it is a wicked, wicked lie to say that I -was with any man in those woods. It is not true, and you are making it -up. There--go away, and make what chums you like. I suppose that we -must still share the same study! I won't worry you with my presence -very much, I can promise you; but I won't make friends, and I won't -forgive you, and I won't take back one word of what I have said that I -believe about you--not even if you beat me--and you are strong enough -to do that, I know." - -"I am sorry. I don't want to beat you, Charlton," responded Ralph, "and -I am very grieved that we are not to be chums. Perhaps after Sunday you -will think differently." - -"I will never think differently--never--never!" cried Charlton. And -jumping up he rushed off, leaving Ralph to continue his way alone, and -somewhat heavy-hearted, for he had a genuine liking for the lonely, -sad-faced boy, and was indeed truly sorry that he had said anything to -cause him such pain and grief. - -"Hallo, Rexworth! What have you been doing with Charlton?" asked -Warren, meeting him in the playground a little later. "He rushed across -here a little while ago as though he were training for a race; and when -I asked him if he had seen you, he said that he didn't know anything -about you, and that he didn't want to know, either. Whatever have you -done to upset him in that way?" - -"We have had a bit of a quarrel," answered Ralph. "Don't ask me about -it, old fellow, for I don't want to talk of it. I hope that he will -be all right again next week. By the way, Mr. St. Clive has asked me -whether you would care to come over and spend the afternoon with me -to-morrow." - -"Will a duck like to swim when it gets enough water to paddle its -little tootsies in?" laughed Warren. "My dear chap, I will come on the -wings of greased lightning. I must go home and tell the mater first -though, or she will wonder what has become of me--fancy that I have met -with an accident, or something. Fellows ought not to be careless about -such things as that. Then I will come on, if that will do, and--great -guns! there goes the bell, and it is my turn to see the school ready -for calling over. I am off"--and away Warren sped as fast as he could -run. - -The evening passed, the following morning came and went, and -still Charlton gave Ralph no opportunity for renewing his offer -of friendship. He looked pale, miserable, but determined--Ralph -had wounded him to the very soul, and he would not--could not -indeed--forget or forgive it. - -The hour of departure came, and still Charlton avoided Ralph. They left -without wishing each other good-bye, and Ralph set out for Mr. St. -Clive's, feeling disappointed and heavy-hearted. - -But disappointment and heavy-heartedness could not long find place in -that bright home. The very first greeting, the warm handshake of Mr. -St. Clive, the smile of his wife and the rush with which Irene came to -greet him, altogether united to banish every melancholy thought, and to -bring sunshine to his heart. - -And what a circle of sympathetic listeners he had when he told them -about the theft, and how he had chanced to be upon the scene. And both -Irene and Mrs. Clive laughed, and were at the same time very indignant -that any one should dare to suppose, even for one moment, that Ralph -could possibly be a thief. - -But Mr. St. Clive looked grave, for he could see how hard this was for -the lad, and could understand what a big fight it must have been for -Ralph. - -"Never fear, my boy," he said when the story was told. "It is hard, but -the truth must come out at last--it always does in this world of ours. -But now," he continued, "about your friends--I hope they are to be my -guests to-day." - -"Warren will be here, sir," answered Ralph. And Mr. St. Clive asked, -"And not Charlton?" - -"No, sir, he could not promise." Ralph did not go into the matter of -his quarrel with his chum then; he wanted to talk to Mr. St. Clive -alone about that; and the gentleman, seeing that something must have -gone amiss, did not press his questions further. - -Then Ralph went off with Irene, and had to tell her everything over -again, while she sat and listened with sparkling eyes, especially when -he told her how Mr. Delermain had behaved. - -"I would like to kiss him," she said. "He is a nice man." And Ralph -suggested that, as she could not do that, the next best thing would be -to kiss him instead--a thing which proves very conclusively that Ralph -was very quickly getting used to the ways of Western civilization. - -And then, with a merry call, Tom Warren came upon the scene, for he had -arrived, had been welcomed by his host, and sent out into the garden -to meet his friend. Irene was introduced--she had known him before, by -the way, but that doesn't matter--and Warren was nice, and didn't think -girls a bit of a nuisance--which shows that he was a wise boy--and the -three just got on as well as could be, until the bell rang for lunch, -and-- - -Well, well, they did enjoy that lunch, that is all; and they -demonstrated very clearly what exceedingly healthy appetites they all -possessed; and then, that over, they set out for a stroll along the -river's bank--for it was very pretty there, and Irene loved the spot. -The trees were so stately, and, in some places, grew right to the -water's edge, and the grass was so green and velvety, and the river -ran so smoothly--perhaps too smoothly--for the current was strong -and swift, and glided along, making the water look like a stream of -glass as it turned the curve towards Becket Weir, and went roaring and -foaming down twelve feet like a little Niagara. - -But to-day, when they reached the spot they were somewhat disappointed -to find that they were not the only occupants. A party of boys were -there--boys from the college--and, of all boys in the world, Elgert, -Dobson, and some of their chums who had been to Mr. St. Clive's. - -Some of the boys were fishing, for there were excellent perch and roach -in the still pools; and Horace Elgert had his canoe, a pretty little -boat--light, easy, and graceful, so long as it was kept away from the -immediate neighbourhood of the weir. - -"Oh," growled Warren, as he saw the others. "How jolly annoying!" And -at that Irene burst out laughing, and inquired how anything could -possibly be "jolly annoying." - -"Well, very annoying, Miss St. Clive," was Warren's answer. "Just to -think of that lot being here!" - -"I don't see that they need annoy us," she answered. - -"We will go a little farther along the bank, down by the weir." - -Some of the other boys greeted Warren, and raised their hats as they -saw Irene--whom most of them knew by sight; but of Ralph they took no -notice, and Elgert, coming by in his canoe, called out loud enough for -all to hear-- - -"Keep your eyes on your property, you fellows, you might lose something -here." - -"The cad!" muttered Warren, while Irene gave Ralph's arm a little -squeeze, as if to tell him never to mind. - -"The cad!" said Warren again. "He would not dare do that if you were in -the playground; and just look at him showing off in that canoe--as if -no one but he could use a paddle." - -"He cannot use one," laughed Ralph. "That is not the way to swing it. -He takes it over and over like the sails of a windmill, describing -circles with every stroke." - -"Well," asked Warren, "how would you use it? I confess that is the way -I should handle it." - -"It is not the right way. It should be swung from side to side, and he -will be over if he tries to play tricks like that"--as Elgert made a -fancy stroke which brought the boat down on one side.--"There, he has -dropped his paddle! Be careful"--and he raised his voice--"Be careful! -He is over!" - -Yes; the warning came too late. Elgert reached over to regain his -paddle, the canoe took one sudden lurch, turned bottom up, and sent the -boy struggling into the water. Elgert could not swim--Ralph saw that -at a glance; and, without waiting, off went coat and waistcoat, and -into the river Ralph Rexworth went after his foe--the river that ran so -swiftly on to the boiling, roaring weir. - -[Illustration: "INTO THE RIVER RALPH REXWORTH WENT AFTER HIS -FOE." p. 138] - -It was a hard fight, but Ralph had the advantage of being carried by -the current right down to the struggling boy, and, ere long, he had -reached him, was gripping his arm, and had commenced the struggle back -to the bank, only to find that Warren was by his side ready to give his -help. - -And between them they managed to get Elgert back to the shore. Not -without a big battle, for the water pulled like giant hands, seeking to -sweep them all away. They had to swim in a slanting course, and even -then, ere the bank was reached, they were perilously near to the spot -over which the water took its leap, and where the notice-board with the -big "Danger" was so prominently fixed. - -But they managed it; and Elgert was hurried off by his friends, while -Warren and Ralph, soaked as they were, had to race back to Mr. St. -Clive's, with Irene behind them urging them not to stop for her, but to -get back as quickly as ever they could. - -Only to think of it! Ralph Rexworth had actually rescued, with the help -of Warren, his enemy Horace Elgert from almost certain death! - - - - -CHAPTER XV - -THE LOST POCKET-BOOK - - -Ralph Rexworth was inconsolable--he had lost his pocket-book. Now, a -lost pocket-book may not seem a very big thing to grieve over, seeing -that another one can be bought for a reasonable sum; and yet Ralph did -grieve, and grieve greatly. - -For this pocket-book was not like other pocket-books that might be -bought. It was one which his father had given to him--the very last -present which he had ever received from him--and it contained, amongst -other things, and the greatest treasure of them all, a portrait of -his darling mother, and the letter which his father had written to -him on the day he made the present. What wonder, then, that a boy who -loved his parents as Ralph Rexworth had done should grieve, and grieve -greatly, over such a loss? - -He found out the loss shortly after he reached Mr. St. Clive's, after -rescuing Horace Elgert. He had been looking at some portraits of Irene, -which had only just arrived from the photographers, and she had given -him one to keep for himself. What should he do with such a gift but put -it into his pocket-book--and his pocket-book was not there! - -Irene saw the change which came over his face when he had discovered -the loss, and she asked him what was the matter. His face went quite -white, so that Tom Warren, looking at him, wondered why such a manly, -sensible chap should look so bad over such a little thing. - -But then Tom Warren had father and mother living, and plenty of friends -around; so that made all the difference. He did not understand what it -was to be all alone in the world, or how people like that treasured -every relic of friends and happy days that had been. - -"Perhaps it tumbled from your pocket when you threw your coat off down -by the river?" he suggested. "Let us go and have a look for it." And -the two boys set off together. - -"He does seem cut up," the monitor reflected, as they ran on; for Ralph -hardly had a word to say now, so anxious was he. - -But, no--no pocket-book was to be found. They searched every foot of -the towing-path, and then went into the wood, to the very spot where -they had rested that afternoon; but not a sign of the book could they -see, and at last Warren declared that it was no use looking further. - -"You cannot have dropped it anywhere about here," he said, "unless -some one has seen it and picked it up. Had it got your name inside?" - -"Yes," answered Ralph; "but then they won't know where to bring it. How -will they know who Ralph Rexworth is, or where he lives? I am afraid I -shall never see it again; and--and--" And Ralph broke off, unable to -finish his sentence. - -"Oh, come, don't be like that, Rexworth!" protested Warren. "At any -rate, you can advertise for it and offer a reward; and any one who -found it would be only too glad to bring it back and get the money. An -old pocket-book is not so great a find that any one would want to keep -it from you." - -"No; it is only of value to me," admitted Ralph, giving one last vain -look round. "Well, it is no use staying here now; and it is beginning -to grow dark. I suppose that we had better go back." - -The St. Clives were quite anxious to know whether the book had been -recovered when the two boys once more reached the house, and they were -full of sympathy when Ralph sadly shook his head. - -"I suppose you are quite sure that you brought it away from school -with you, Ralph?" said Mr. St. Clive; and that brought just one little -ray of hope. Ralph could not be quite sure. He thought that he had -done so--he always took it from the pocket of the coat he took off and -transferred it to that of the one he was going to wear. He had taken -off his school-jacket when he left that afternoon, and though he felt -nearly sure that he had done so, he could not be quite certain that he -had taken his pocket-book from the pocket. - -But he felt so anxious and worried that all the pleasure of the evening -was gone; and when Warren finally said good-night and ran off to his -own home, it was still with the reflection that Ralph Rexworth must -indeed be a queer sort of chap, or else there must be some extra -special reason for his worrying over that pocket-book in the way he did. - -And when Warren had gone, Irene came and sat by her friend's side, -being, indeed, a staunch little friend herself, and wanting to do -something to comfort him; and she whispered again how she sympathized -with him, and that perhaps the book was still at school, or, again, if -it were really lost, it would be sure to be found by some one who would -be likely to see the advertisement which Mr. St. Clive said should be -printed, and then they would certainly bring it back to him. - -And then she talked of the deed which Ralph had done that day, and how -glad she was that he had been the means of saving Horace Elgert; and -how, in returning good for evil, he would be sure to conquer; and just -for the moment Ralph forgot his loss, and was interested. - -"I could not do anything else, Irene," he said. "When it comes to -saving a fellow's life, one cannot stop to consider whether they are -friends or enemies. It had to be done, though it has cost me enough," -he added sadly. - -"You think that you lost your pocket-book then?" she said; and he -nodded. - -"Yes. I must have jerked it out of my pocket when I threw my coat off." - -"Well, then some of the other boys will most likely have found it, and -they will bring it back to you on Monday." - -"I hope, if they do find it, they will not open it and get playing -about with its contents," he said anxiously; and she laughed. - -"Why, how silly, Ralph! How can they possibly find out to whom it -belongs unless they open it? Why should you mind that? You have nothing -in it that you are afraid for people to see?" - -"Oh, no, no; of course not!" he answered quickly. It was not that. -He could not explain it to Irene--he could hardly understand it -himself--but the idea of other hands touching that, and other eyes -prying at its treasured contents, was very repugnant to Ralph's -feelings. - -The next morning Ralph was up early, almost as soon as it was light, -and back in the neighbourhood of Becket Weir; and there, all alone in -the freshness of the early day, he hunted this way and that, far more -carefully than he had done the previous evening, but with as little -success. There was not a trace of the pocket-book, but--he paused, his -nerves tingling--some one had driven along the towing-path. The tracks -were perfectly plain upon the dew-damp earth; and the tracks were -those of a light cart which was drawn by a horse lame in its left fore -foot--the same tracks which he connected with his father's fate, and -which he had not seen for some time now! - -He stood looking round. It was Sunday--the day of peace and rest -and gentle thoughts, and yet for the moment his heart filled with -hard ones. He must follow these tracks! They might not lead to the -recovery of his father--alas! he could not but believe now that father -was dead--but they would lead to the man who had killed him; and -then--then---- - -Sweet and low the bells came from the distant church, ringing for the -first early morning service. They seemed to whisper messages to Ralph; -but for once he turned a deaf ear to their voices. He must follow these -tracks, Sunday or no Sunday. - -Along the path he went, his eyes fixed on the ground--past the roaring, -tumbling weir, and the marks grew clearer. Hope rose in his excited -heart. This was more in accordance with his tastes and desires. It was -like being back on the long, rolling prairies. He would find out the -truth now--at least, he would find out who this man was who drove a -lame horse! - -Vain hopes, vain thoughts! Clear and unbroken, the marks ran until -the towing-path turned out on the main road just by Becket Bridge, -and there, on the hard, stony road, all tracks were lost. It was -failure again; and a sudden rush of sorrow came to Ralph, a sudden -sense of disappointment and loneliness; and sitting down there on -the stone coping of the wall that separated the road from the river, -Ralph Rexworth burst into tears. He could not help it--he felt so very -depressed and weary; and not even the thoughts of Mr. St. Clive and -Irene could drive that depression away. - -But still the bells rang, and their sweet voices thrust themselves upon -him. I am not sure that a good cry is not a good thing sometimes, even -for a boy. He felt all the better now, and he thrust back his weakness -and squared his shoulders, turning once more for the house, lest his -absence, being noticed, the family might wonder what had become of him. - -But his adventures were not quite over for the morning; for, as he -went back, he became aware that far off to the right, just where the -spinney came creeping down to the common, there were two persons -walking--a man and a boy. He could see them quite plainly; and though -they were so far off, his eyes, accustomed in the past to be used on -the sweeping plains, where safety, and even life, may depend upon keen -sight, distinguished the boy as his former chum, Charlton--Charlton and -a man--who but his father? And again came the thought, in spite of all -the reasoning which Mr. St. Clive had used--was there any connexion -between that man, the tracks of the lame horse, and his own dear -father's disappearance? - -Very slowly did Ralph return to his benefactor's house. He was -restless, anxious; all the stormy feelings seemed to have returned. And -all this had come through the loss of his pocket-book! - -That Sunday was a hard one for Ralph. Even the quiet church, with its -solemn service, its sweet music, and its glorious coloured windows, did -not seem quite the same to-day. It was as though Satan was combating -with him, whispering that it was no use striving to go Christ's -way--that the road was too hard and the service too ill-paid--that it -was far better to give up trying to be noble and good and just be as -other boys were--as Dobson and Elgert, and that sort. - -Indeed, the temptation came that it was just downright silly to go to -school at all, when he could go back to his old life and live in all -the wild freedom of the plains. So Ralph was tempted; and it seemed as -if he could get no good from the day at all--as if all striving to do -so were in vain--and as if he would have been just as well if he had -stopped away from church altogether. - -Even Irene did not seem able to cheer him up. Despairing thoughts, dark -thoughts, doubting thoughts--one after another they came; for Ralph was -like Christian in _Pilgrim's Progress_--he was in the dark valley, and -all manner of evil things seemed to assail him as he journeyed. - -Perhaps Mr. St. Clive understood--he seemed to understand most -things--for that night, when the family knelt at prayers together, he -prayed especially for all who had special grief to bear and special -temptations to endure; and somehow that prayer seemed to do Ralph more -good than anything else had done. It seemed to pull him up, and to tell -him that, let him be tempted as he might, conquest was possible if the -temptation was met in the strength which comes through prayer. - -Monday morning came at last--the first Monday morning when he had -really felt anxious to get back to school; and off he set, promising to -write to his friends and let them know whether the pocket-book was safe -at the school in the pocket of his other coat. - -He met Warren on the road, and the monitor asked him if the book was -found; but Ralph shook his head in token that it was still missing. - -The school was reached at last, and Ralph hurried across the playground -and darted up to the dormitory. His coat was in his box. He felt in the -pocket; the book was there--safe! There had been no need to worry! He -had left it behind him, and it had been safe all the time! - -Warren had followed him, and Charlton was there, and half-a-dozen of -the others. Charlton had taken no notice of him when he ran in. - -"There you are, you kite!" laughed Warren. "You left it here all the -time, and you have been worrying yourself to fiddle-strings, as if it -contained the most important things in the world, and just trembling -in your shoes for fear any one should find it and open it, and----" - -Warren stopped short. A boy, running by, accidentally pushed against -Ralph and sent the book flying from his hands. It fell at Warren's feet -and burst open; and from it there fluttered on the floor, in plain view -of every boy there--a five-pound note! - - - - -CHAPTER XVI - -THINGS LOOK BLACK FOR RALPH - - -A five-pound note! - -There it lay, face upwards; and for a moment there was silence in the -dormitory. Every eye was turned upon the boy, who stood staring at that -accusing piece of paper, as if turned to stone. If ever any one looked -guilty, Ralph Rexworth did at that moment. It was so unexpected, so -inexplicable--and worst of all, though not a word was spoken, he seemed -to feel what his companions thought, to know that they looked upon him -as a liar and a thief. - -As for Warren, he stood with open mouth and staring eyes, as if he -could not believe his senses. So this was why Ralph had been so anxious -about finding his pocket-book! But when Elgert, who had also come -into the room, took in the scene and muttered scornfully something -about "Like father like son," Warren turned on him savagely, with a -contemptuous-- - -"Shut up, you cad! You, at any rate, should be the last one to speak, -seeing that he saved your life on Saturday." And at that sharp reproof -Elgert shrank away, abashed for once. - -Then Warren stooped and picked up the note, for it still lay there, and -every one seemed too bewildered to move--and he held it out to Ralph. - -"Rexworth," he said, in low, grave tones, "this was in your -pocket-book. It don't want much talking about, you can see what it -looks like against you. But I want to say, and I feel that I must say -it, I cannot believe that a chap like you can really be guilty of such -a horribly mean thing. You and I have been good chums, and if any one -had asked me my opinion, I should have said that there was no chap in -the school I could more honour and trust. But this thing has got to be -explained, and I must do my duty as a monitor, even if it gets my best -chum into trouble. I must tell the Head of this. If I did not, some one -else would, and it is my duty to do it." - -"You don't think that I stole it," faltered Ralph. It seemed so -horrible that it unnerved him, and made him lose his firm resolution -for the moment. It would be only for a little while: presently the old -grit would come back, and he would be firm enough. But the greatest may -flinch for the moment--recoiling from the horror of the accusation or -suspicion--and others may put down their agitation to a wrong cause, -think it the evidence of a guilty conscience, and condemn them untried. - -"You don't think that I stole it?" he faltered, as if pleading that -Warren would not think so poorly as that of him. But the monitor -replied gravely: - -"I don't think anything about it, Rexworth. I don't want to think, for -if I did, I should think wrong, perhaps. I can only act on the thing as -I know it. You lost your pocket-book, you said. You were in a terrible -mess over the loss. You, yourself, said to me that you hoped no one -would look inside it if they picked it up; and I, with my own eyes, saw -this note fall out of it just now, the note I suppose Mr. Delermain -lost, and which you declared that you had not seen. I must tell the -Head. I only wish that it were not part of my work to have to do so." - -Then the old resolution came back. Ralph's self had not deserted him, -and he spoke, quietly and calmly, so that all the dormitory could hear -his troubled tones. - -"Thank you, Warren. I value your friendship, which makes doing your -duty so hard a thing for you, and I quite understand that you cannot -give me that friendship now, while this thing is over me. I know it -looks very bad against me. I have some enemy here, and that enemy has -been just a little too clever for me." - -Just as he spoke his eyes caught sight of Charlton, standing looking so -white and scared, and the thought came: Had he done this? He seemed to -avoid his gaze. Ralph paused only a moment, and then went on-- - -"There is one thing, however, that I can do to prove that I value your -friendship, and that is take the task of speaking from you. If you -choose to wait until after prayers, I will tell the Head myself, in -open school, and you can all hear me do it." - -Warren hesitated for a moment. He hated to have to do the task, and if -Ralph would tell himself, it would do just as well. - -"Very well," he said, "if you will do that, I have no objection; and, -look here, you fellows," he added, turning to the others, "do, for -mercy's sake, keep this to yourselves, all of you; or it will be all -over the school, and it is not a nice thing to have connected with our -Form. We may have been a bit wild, but we have never had a thing like -this before, and I would have done anything rather than have had it -now." - -He turned away as he spoke, and the others followed slowly, leaving -Ralph there alone--alone with his pocket-book, and the note which had -come from it. - -No, not quite alone, for Charlton still stood there regarding him with -the same half-frightened, half sorrowful look; and at last Ralph, -becoming aware of his presence, turned and looked at him. - -"Well," he said, "what do you want? Why don't you clear off, like the -rest have done?" - -The boy backed away from him, as if almost frightened. - -"And it was you, all the time," he said, in low tones. "You, whom I -thought so noble and good! You took it, and then you dared to ask me if -I had taken it, to hint that it was me. Oh, Ralph Rexworth, I did not -think that there was any one as mean as you." - -Ralph regarded him gravely for a little while, and then he said-- - -"And suppose that I still think that you took it, Charlton? Suppose -that I ask you whether you put this note in my pocket-book?--for some -one put it there, that is quite certain. Is this done in spite, because -of what I said to you on Friday?" - -Then Charlton started forward, as if beside himself with anger. - -"How dare you, Ralph Rexworth--how dare you! Is that the way in which -you are going to try and get out of it? Try and put it on to my -shoulders! Ralph Rexworth, I stayed here when the others went because I -was going to offer you something--going to offer to take the blame and -seem to be the thing which you accuse me of being. The boys all look -upon me as a thief's son, and it would not make much difference if I -were turned out. I was going to offer to say that I had done this, and -put it into your book. Going to do it because you were kind to me, and, -even after what you said, you tried to make friends again. I would have -done it, Rexworth, but I will not now. If you can be as mean as that, I -will not do it." - -"Hold on a bit, Charlton," answered Ralph. "If you had any idea of that -sort, I thank you for your kindness. But you don't suppose that I would -be a party to a thing of that kind, do you? Let you tell a lie and get -the blame, that I might escape trouble! Not me! If you have done it, -own up or hold your tongue, as you like. But if you have not done it, -you shan't say that you have, and that is all about it." And he added, -as Charlton turned away-- - -"If I have wronged you with my suspicions, I am sorry. I know how easy -it is to be wrongly judged." - -"And you will find how hard it is to bear," the other boy said, and -then he, too, turned away, leaving Ralph considerably perplexed. Had -Charlton taken the note and placed it in his pocket-book? After all, -Ralph hardly thought so, it was not like him to do that, and yet--yet -some one must have done this wicked thing, some one who wanted to get -him into trouble! - -But there was no more time to spare, the bell for prayers was ringing, -and he went down to his place. - -In spite of Warren's pleading, it was evident that the story had leaked -out; for, as Ralph appeared, there was a considerable amount of subdued -hissing and groaning, which made the masters look up in surprise, and -the monitors to call silence in angry tones. - -Then the Head appeared, and prayers were read. Poor Ralph! It was -harder than ever to attend to worship now. He felt nervous at the -ordeal before him, and yet he felt also that to seem nervous was to -seem guilty--and he was innocent! That thought calmed him. The service -was over, the Head was just going to dismiss the school when Ralph rose -in his seat, and said in clear tones-- - -"Please, sir, may I say something in open school? It is something of -importance, something connected with the banknote which Mr. Delermain -lost." - -The words created quite a sensation amongst those who were ignorant of -what had transpired, and the doctor answered-- - -"Would it not be better to speak with myself first, Rexworth? Then I -can decide whether what you have to communicate should be made public." - -"I would rather speak here, sir. In fact, I have promised to do so. It -only concerns myself, please, sir." - -"Then you may speak. Be brief and plain, and let us hear what you have -to say." - -So Ralph spoke, turning half to the Head, half to the school; and -describing how he had thought that he took his pocket-book with him and -how he had found it in his other coat, when he got back that morning; -and how, also, the five-pound note had been seen to tumble from it, -when it fell on the floor. - -"I know, sir," he said, in conclusion, "that the thing looks as bad as -bad can be, and that if every one here believes me to be a thief, it -is only natural; but I can only say, sir, what I have said from the -beginning. I am quite innocent. I never saw that banknote from the time -when Mr. Delermain laid it on his desk until this morning, when it fell -from my pocket-book and Warren picked it up." - -The doctor listened in silence, his keen eyes fixed upon the face of -the lad before him; and Dr. Beverly felt perfectly certain that Ralph -Rexworth was speaking the truth. - -And yet, if that were so, it meant not only that some other boy was a -thief, but also that a boy must be deliberately trying to get Rexworth -wrongly accused; and that seemed a very dreadful thing in the eyes of -the noble, upright master of Marlthorpe. - -"You say you were under the impression that you took your pocket-book -home with you, Rexworth?" he said, when the boy had concluded; and -Ralph replied-- - -"Yes, sir. I can say yes to that, though I suppose that I must be -mistaken, seeing that I found it safely in my coat-pocket when I went -to the dormitory the first thing this morning." - -A low murmur went round the school. Some of the boys were evidently -convinced that Ralph was guilty, and that he was only striving to -screen himself, and their youthful hearts rebelled against such -behaviour. - -"Hiss, hiss!" "Thief, thief!" ran round, and Ralph started as though he -had been struck by a whip. - -The doctor struck his bell sharply, and silence followed. The offenders -looked somewhat dismayed at their own audacity. - -"Silence, there!" he cried. "Is it the custom to call a man guilty -before even the whole evidence is heard? What Rexworth says is very -true. The facts do seem to unite to condemn him, and yet it is -possible that those facts are unworthy of credence." - -"Whatever does the Head favour that fellow for?" muttered Elgert, -to one of his own friends. But he received a look of disgust and an -impatient-- - -"Oh, shut up! Didn't he pull you out of the river?" That was the second -time that morning Horace Elgert had been so rebuked. - -"This," the Head continued, "demands the most careful, searching -investigation. If Rexworth is guilty, I shall be the last to screen -him; if he is innocent, it is but my duty to strive to establish that -innocence. If any boy has been wicked enough to deliberately do this -for the very purpose of getting this lad into trouble, I most earnestly -entreat that boy to think of what he has done, and to confess his fault -before this goes farther, and----" - -The Head paused and looked round, the door was opened, and Lord Elgert -had entered, just in time to overhear his last words. - - - - -CHAPTER XVII - -THE PLOT THAT FAILED - - -The entrance of Lord Elgert interrupted the serious business being -carried on; and somewhat impatient, even if curious, glances were -directed towards him as he walked up to Dr. Beverly. - -"I evidently come at an inopportune moment," the nobleman said, as he -surveyed the scene before him; "and yet, perhaps, it is a fortunate -interruption, if this lad is in trouble, as he seems to be"--and -he nodded towards Ralph, who met his gaze with some coldness. "If -my interruption is untimely I will withdraw." And he looked round -inquiringly. - -"We certainly are in the midst of a painful inquiry," replied the -headmaster gravely. "I do not suppose that your visit is connected with -it in any way." - -"My visit is wholly and solely to thank Ralph Rexworth and Tom Warren -for their bravery in rescuing my son last Saturday," was the reply. - -And these words also caused something of a sensation, for, to the -school at large the adventure at the river side was still unknown. - -The Head himself had evidently not heard of it, for he looked -surprised, and Lord Elgert continued-- - -"The two boys risked their lives to save that of my son, and I cannot -be slow in coming to express my thanks and admiration. If Rexworth is -in any trouble, I sincerely trust that any influence which I may have -will be allowed to weigh in his favour." - -"Perhaps we had better finish the business in hand first," suggested -the Head. "It is connected with something of which I understand you -have already been informed. A banknote which was missing some time ago -has been recovered, and it was found in Ralph Rexworth's pocket-book." - -"Dear, dear," said Lord Elgert, in grieved tones; "I am truly -sorry--very sorry. But the temptations to which youth are exposed are -great. It may be possible to overlook this unhappy matter for once----" - -"Sir--sir," broke in Ralph, indignantly appealing to Dr. Beverly, "I -know that you have always been kind to me, and I ask you to protect -me from Lord Elgert's insults, lest I may forget myself and say words -which I ought not to say. I want no friendship nor influence of his. I -am not guilty, and I will not accept anything which will make it appear -that I am. As to saving his son, Warren did as much as I did, and we -could do no less for any one who was in danger, but I can honestly say -that I wish that it had been any one else than Horace Elgert." - -A very ugly look swept over the face of Lord Elgert, and he stepped -back, remarking to Dr. Beverly-- - -"In that case, there is no need for me to interrupt you any longer--at -any rate, so far as this boy is concerned." - -"Now, attention!" said the Head; and the school straightened up again. -"We have heard what Ralph Rexworth has to say, and some of you are -evidently quite certain that he is guilty--that he is a thief, and, -worse, a liar also--and that in face of what we have just heard. A -boy who risks his life to save that of another is surely not so poor -spirited as this. To believe that he is, is to believe that utter -contradictions can be reconcilable." - -"Please, sir," said one lad, rising in his place, "there is one thing -which I should like to say." - -"You may speak, sir," was the reply which he received; and the boy went -on-- - -"Rexworth says that he thought he took his pocket-book away with him on -Saturday. Please, sir, so he did, for I saw him take it from his other -coat. He laid it on his bed for a minute, and then looked at a likeness -in it, and afterwards put it into his pocket. So that if it was found -here this morning, some one must have picked it up and brought it back." - -"That is most important, if it is true," said the Head, while Ralph -felt a rush of relief, and turned grateful eyes upon the speaker. - -"Are you sure that he did put it into his pocket, and not either -replace it in the coat from which he took it, or leave it lying on the -bed?" - -"Quite sure, sir," answered the lad confidently. "I saw him slip it -into his pocket, and I wondered whose likeness it was that he carried -about with him." - -"It is my mother's, sir," said Ralph in a low voice. - -And the Head nodded. - -"Then, if this be true, a most wicked and evil plot has indeed been -attempted--one so bad that, when I discover those who invented it, they -shall surely be expelled. I am glad to have this testimony, although it -was almost needless, for I am already quite certain that Ralph Rexworth -is innocent--or, I had better say, that the evidence against him is -valueless. - -"In the first place, this pocket-book"--and he held it up--"has -certainly been dropped, for its side is still stained with mud, and -there is the mark of a boot, where some one has stepped upon it. In the -next place--and this in itself is sufficient--a little mistake has been -made. Is this note yours, Rexworth?" - -And he turned, holding the banknote to the astonished Ralph. - -"No, sir," the boy answered, not knowing what to make of this turn in -affairs. - -"Have you not such a thing as a five-pound note?" he was next asked. - -And again he replied in the negative. - -"Well," the Head went on, "it certainly is not the one lost by Mr. -Delermain. Every banknote, as I suppose you know, has its own number, -and this number is not that of the note lost, so that either some one -has been kind enough to make Rexworth a present of a five-pound note, -or else they have, by oversight, or through ignorance, put a note into -his pocket-book to make it appear that he is a thief, not considering -that it is as easily distinguished from the one which is missing, as if -it were for a different amount, and----" - -The doctor paused once more, for Ralph broke down. He had kept stiff -enough so far; but now, as he heard that by no means could he be -accused, and that some one must certainly have done this out of spite, -his courage gave way, and he cried out-- - -"Why should any one want to harm me so? I have done nothing to make any -one wish me evil. I am almost a stranger in England, and yet people try -to do such things as that! I cannot stay, sir. I must ask Mr. St. Clive -to send me back. England is a wicked place, and strangers are treated -wickedly." - -"Perhaps all England is not as bad as you think it, my lad," replied -the Head kindly, "though I confess that your experiences are enough -to make you form such an opinion. But do not decide hastily. I think -that out of all such trials you will emerge a conqueror, and I know -that such wicked attempts as have been made against you must, sooner or -later, recoil upon the heads of those who make them." - -"I sympathize with the lad," said Lord Elgert, "and I take no offence -at the way in which he spoke. You remember, Rexworth, that if ever you -want a friend you can come to me. I think your decision a wise one. -This land is no place for you, and if you wish to return to your old -home, I will myself provide all the money which is required. I want you -to let me give you a gold watch--I have one for Warren, also." - -"I will take nothing from you," cried the boy, so that all could hear. -"I do not trust you. For some reason you seem to hate me, and I believe -that you are at the bottom of all my troubles." - -"Rexworth," said the Head, in grave remonstrance; and the boy checked -himself. - -"I am sorry, sir. I ought not to have spoken like that," he said -penitently; "but Lord Elgert knows how impossible it is to take any -favours from him, after what he has said about my father. All I desire -of him is that he will leave me alone to fight my own battle." - -Lord Elgert shrugged his shoulders. - -"If that is so, I cannot help it," he said. "If you change your mind -and need a friend, you can come to me. Now for Master Warren." - -"Please, sir," said Warren rising, "I don't want anything for just -doing my duty; and, anyhow, I could not take any present or reward -without first asking my father's leave." - -Lord Elgert bit his lip. - -"It seems that I am to be deprived of the pleasure of giving any -reward at all," he said. "In that case, I will intrude no longer, Dr. -Beverly." - -And with a sense of discomfiture Lord Elgert departed, and the Head -again addressed the boys, enlarging upon the wickedness of what had -been done, and once more pleading that the culprit, whoever he was, -would act a man's part, own his wrong, and ask for mercy. Alas! there -was no response to his pleading, and after a short pause the Head -dismissed the school to its various classes. - -But surely never before had Marlthorpe had so much to talk of; and -never before did the masters allow more talking. For the thing was so -bad, and the lessons to be learned so grave, that each master felt as -if it were almost his duty to bring the subject before the boys, even -to encourage them to talk of it, if in so doing those lads could be -taught that honesty and truth must prevail in the end, and that deceit -and wrong-doing must fail. - -But oh, what a good thing it was for Ralph when Mr. Delermain shook -hands with him. - -"My dear boy," the master said, "none can rejoice more than I do that -the clumsy attempt to fasten this theft on your shoulders has failed. -Had it not been shown to be such an attempt, I should still have felt -confident that it was so, being sure that you would not have done -this thing. Still, it is well to have it proved to be but an attempt. -Now, take my advice, and banish it from your mind. Do not even worry -as to who did it, nor as to their motive. These things will manifest -themselves in time, and until they do they are not worth troubling -about, nor allowing to interfere with your work, and particularly with -your chances for the Newlet." - -And Warren came to him also, as frank and good-hearted as could be. - -"I suppose that you feel as if you wanted to punch my head," he said; -"but I had to do my duty, old fellow, even if it were an unpleasant -one." - -And to him Ralph had answered-- - -"I should have thought precious little of you if you had not done it. -Of course, you could not have done anything different from what you -did." - -Charlton said nothing--only he looked at Ralph wistfully, and it seemed -as if there was something of relief in his eyes. Charlton was a puzzle -to Ralph. He could not understand the boy anyhow. - -Nor was Warren the only one who came and spoke to Ralph and expressed -abhorrence for the attempt to brand him as a thief, and satisfaction -that he was cleared from the accusation. - -But that same day, in a quiet corner of the playground, Horace Elgert -came across Dobson, and, seizing him by the collar, he shook him -savagely. - -"You great blundering donkey," he said. "How did you come to do it? You -have made a pretty mess of things." - -"Well," growled Dobson, shaking himself free, "it is no good to kick up -a row about it. No harm is done, only he has managed to get clear." - -"But how did you do it? I cannot think how it was." - -"Easy enough. I had five pounds that my aunt sent me. I am a favourite -with her"--and Dobson smiled complacently. "Well, I had that in my -pocket, and when you handed me over the other note, after I picked up -his pocket-book, I must have put the wrong note in, that is all." - -"But what did you do with the one I gave you?" demanded Elgert quickly. - -"Changed it up in the town." - -"Changed it!" he gasped. "You idiot! Don't you know that it can be -traced by its number? I suppose that you wrote your name on the back?" - -"Of course I did," said Dobson, looking very scared. - -"Yes, and that note will come back to you, perhaps brought by a -constable. You have done a nice thing!" - -"But I didn't steal it--you stole it!" cried Dobson, in alarm. And -Elgert struck him a savage blow. - -"So you would turn sneak, would you? Well, there is no proof that I -stole it. There is plenty of proof that you had it, changed it, and put -your note into the pocket-book. You will suffer, and not me." - -"What--what can we d-d-do?" gasped Dobson, his knees knocking together. -And Elgert answered-- - -"We must go up into town to the place where you changed it. We must get -that note back if we can, even if we have to give double for it. There -is no telling what will happen, unless we get hold of it." - - - - -CHAPTER XVIII - -WHERE THE BANKNOTE WENT - - -Brown's cake-shop was out of bounds for the younger boys at -Marlthorpe College. The boys in the upper classes might go there if -they chose; but as it was over a mile from the school, the Head had -wisely determined that it was too far away for the little lads to be -continually running there to spend their pocket-money; especially as -there was a very clean and nice shop in the village close by--a shop -kept by a kindly old dame, where Dr. Beverly was certain the boys could -not come to harm. - -It was quite as good a shop as Brown's; but, because it was within -bounds, and because the lads were forbidden to go to the town, it was -not patronized as it should have been; while Brown's received many a -secret visit. It was a shame that the upper fellows might go there, -when the juniors might not! It was the cause of heartburnings. There -were no cakes in all the world like those which Brown's sold! The chief -inducement to get promoted was that Brown's might be visited freely. - -Of course, it was wrong and foolish; but then, boys are apt to think -wrongly and do foolishly; and, therefore, the reason of two small -mortals scuttling along the road, and dodging into Great Stow, with -eyes ever on the alert for monitors and masters, was not hard to -seek--their destination was, of course, Brown's. - -A nice pair of young rebels they were. One was small and freckled and -sandy, with small eyes, and a decidedly pug nose; and the other was a -remarkably fat youth--so fat that it really seemed wonderful that he -could run as he did. - -They darted along, avoiding the main street, until the noted -establishment was reached; then, after a careful and cautious peering -in, to make sure that the coast was clear, they dived in, and the door -closed behind them. - -Now, Brown knew about these unlawful visits. He was very glad that -he was without bounds, for he was quite certain that being so would -increase his trade. He encouraged his youthful customers. He called -them noble-spirited boys, who refused to bow to harsh rules. He said -they were young heroes; and he had a nice little room behind the -shop, with the window screened by a thick curtain--rather holey and -dirty, it is true--and there was a bell to ring for Brown; and little -white-topped tables to sit at; and it seemed so grand and "grown-up" to -call for the waiter--though it was Brown himself who came--and to order -a penny bun, or a jam tart, and for Brown to say "Yes, sir; at once, -sir." Oh, it was very, very delightful, and it had a spice of adventure -about it. - -So into the private room dived the two youthful spendthrifts, and -ordered tarts and ginger-beer and ices, and then seated themselves at -their ease to enjoy this forbidden feast. - -"Ain't they prime, Jimmy?" gloated the fat boy, as he put himself -outside a three-cornered puff; and Jimmy, with his mouth full of tart, -was understood to reply that they were "ripping." - -The shop-bell tinkled, and Jimmy jumped up. He was not quite sure who -might come in, and he squinted through one of those convenient holes in -the blind, a fragment of tart still in his hand. - -"I say, it is Elgert's man!" he said, looking round. "I wonder what he -wants here?" - -"Oh, he doesn't signify. Let us enjoy ourselves, for we cannot stay -long, and we shall have to run all the way back." - -That eating cakes was a good preparation for running a mile is open -to question, but the two boys evidently had no doubts concerning the -matter; and so they sat there, while the man who had entered talked to -Brown over the counter, and, seeing that the door was not quite closed, -the boys could not help hearing a little of what passed. - -"I'll bide my time, Brown," Elgert's man said. "I will not be -impatient, but I will humble that young cub yet! I hate him even more -than I do his father. He treats a man like the dirt beneath his feet!" - -"So he does," muttered Jimmy Green to Tinkle; "that is quite right!" - -And Tinkle nodded. He was busy with an ice just at the moment. - -"I say," said Brown to the man, "if you are not in a hurry, I wish that -you would run over to the inn and ask them to change me this five-pound -note? It is one which I changed for one of the boys from the school the -other day." - -Two youthful pairs of ears pricked up, two hands were arrested as they -conveyed two cakes towards two mouths. A five-pound note changed for a -boy from the school! This was exciting! - -"I can cash it for you myself," the man said; "I have just been paid my -month's money." - -"I shall be obliged," said Brown. And then followed the ringing sound -of money being counted out; the man picked up the note, glanced at it -and put it into his pocket. - -"I will look in as I return," he said to Brown; and away he went. - -"I say! Think we can get out of Brown who changed that note?" said -Tinkle to Green. "It's jolly funny, after what took place to-day!" - -"I don't know," answered Green thoughtfully. "Fact is, Tinkle, old man, -I don't know that I am anxious to do it. It is awkward to know too -much sometimes. There is the chance of having to split on some chap you -are friendly with. If you don't know you can't say." - -"And if you don't say, some one may stay wrongly suspected," was the -retort of Tinkle. And then, the shop-bell sounding again, necessitated -another going to peep through the blind. - -"Oh, I say!" gasped Tinkle, as he looked through a hole; "if it isn't -Elgert himself this time, and his crony Dobson is with him!" - -[Illustration: "'OH, I SAY,' GASPED TINKLE; 'IF IT ISN'T ELGERT -HIMSELF THIS TIME.'" p. 172] - -"Well, they won't split," was the philosophic reply. "They will only -want to go shares. I know 'em both." - -"Eat cakes while we pay; and Dobson is such a greedy beast!" And Tinkle -groaned to himself. - -"Perhaps they are not going to stop," whispered Green. "They may only -be going to take something back with them." - -It seemed like it; for the two boys outside made no attempt to enter -the inner room. They both seemed rather flustered and out of breath, -and as Brown came forward to attend to their wants Dobson panted out-- - -"Oh--er--I say, Brown. That--that note I changed the other day. I -should like--that is--I mean----" - -"We want it back!" put in Elgert impatiently, pushing his companion -aside. "We cannot explain why, but we are very anxious to get hold of -it!" - -"Fact is, we fancy that it is bad, and we don't want you to be the -loser, you see," added Dobson. And Brown smiled slightly and nodded. - -"That's very good of you young gentlemen--very good and honourable. But -you have no occasion to worry; the note was good enough. I saw to that." - -"Well, good or bad," Elgert said, "I want to get hold of it! And, as -you know, I am always willing to pay for what I want. I will give you -six pounds for that note, Brown!" - -The man glanced at him shrewdly. What did this mean? Why had they -invented that lie about the note being bad; and why were they willing -to give a pound extra to get it into their hands again? - -"I am very sorry, sir," he said slowly, "but the fact is, I have parted -with that note. I changed it only a short time ago." - -"Changed it!" Elgert went rather white, and Dobson groaned dismally. -"Whom did you give it to?" was Elgert's quick inquiry. "Perhaps he has -it still!" - -"Well," responded Brown, "the fact is, I can hardly remember. You see, -a lot of money passes through my hands, and I have passed on four or -five notes to-day. I should have to inquire of the different people, -and find who had the identical note that you require." - -"And will you do it?" cried Elgert quickly. "I will not grumble about -the price. I want to get the note back, and I am willing to pay well -for it. When can you let me know about it?" - -"If you came to-morrow, sir, about this time, I'd see what I could do -meanwhiles. I may be able to get hold of it again, if it has not been -paid into the bank." - -There was nothing more to be done. Elgert and Dobson came away with a -horrible feeling of nervous apprehension filling their hearts. If that -note was gone, what might not the consequences be for both of them? -They were quarrelsome--each blamed the other--each tried to screen -himself. But recriminations were of no avail; nothing was of avail, -unless it was getting hold of the note once more. - -And when the two had gone, the feasters on unlawful pastries came forth -from their hiding-place; and having settled their bill with lordly air, -they also set out for the school, for there was no time to lose if they -were to be back before calling over. - -But they had something to think about indeed! Why did Elgert want that -note? And how came it that Dobson had possessed one to change at all? - -"What are we going to do about this, Jimmy?" inquired Tinkle, as they -ran along, and Green answered without the slightest hesitation. - -"Nothing! That is my advice, Tinkle. We can't do anything without -owning up to having been out of bounds; and I don't want my name down -for punishment now. We don't know that the note is the one which Mr. -Delermain lost. We only know that it is one Elgert and Dobson want to -get hold of for some purpose of their own; they may be trying to trace -something about it." - -And then Brown went to stand at his shop-door, impatiently watching for -the return of his companion, and hailing him as he saw him appear round -the bend of the road. - -"It's curious that they should be so anxious to get that note back" he -said, when he told the other of Elgert's request. "Offered a pound, and -said he was willing to go beyond that. Well, as you have changed the -note, it is your property, and the profit will be yours. Of course, you -will part with it?" - -The man drew the note from his pocket-book, and examined it carefully -ere he answered. - -"It is quite genuine," he said, and Brown laughed. - -"Of course, it is! I knew that all along. That part of their story was -all nonsense. There is something up, but you may as well make your -little bit out of it. Say I give you six pounds for it, and chance -making any more myself?" - -"Not to-day," was the quiet answer. "You shall have it in a day or two. -You can say that you have been promised that it shall be returned." - -"But what do you want to do with it for a day or two?" asked Brown, -with something of curiosity. - -And the man looked him in the face, and replied, with a quiet smile-- - -"Do? Oh, nothing! I only think that it may be as well if I have this -banknote photographed. You can have it after that, and we will share -the profits." - -Then Brown laughed, and clapped him on the back. - -"You are a smart fellow!" he cried. - -And the man answered. - -"There are some people living who will find that out to their cost one -of these fine days!" - - - - -CHAPTER XIX - -THE LAME HORSE ONCE MORE - - -If Elgert and Dobson and the two juniors who had overheard that -conversation in Brown's cake-shop were the four most excited concerning -the five-pound note which had been stolen from Mr. Delermain, they were -not the only ones in Marlthorpe College who were interested in the -matter. - -From first to last the whole school could do nothing but discuss the -mysterious business; and, whatever else it did, the attempt to put the -guilt upon Ralph's shoulders resulted in his being all the more firmly -established in the favour of most of the boys. - -Even those who had not liked him were more friendly now; for there was -something so shameful and wicked in trying to get him accused of that -which it had been proved he was innocent of, that they could not but -feel sympathy for him. Then the story of his brave deed in rescuing -Elgert was strongly in his favour. After all, boys at heart love -bravery. - -But of all there, Warren and Ralph himself pondered most. Their -friendship was quite restored, and together they talked and discussed, -and wondered who it could possibly be who would want to harm Ralph. - -And poor Charlton! Ah, how miserable he was now! He had his own weight -of sorrow, and it was very, very heavy to bear; and after what Ralph -had said he could never hope that they would be friends again. - -"I suppose that I am to blame," he said. "Perhaps I took things too -much to heart. I feel that I am never to have friends. I--I don't care! -Rexworth might give me another chance; but if he won't--if he is so -taken up with Warren--he can do as he likes. I don't care!" - -Poor Charlton! He did care, for all his talk--care very much. He was -lonely and sad; but he did not stop to think that Ralph had already -given him chances, and that it was his own fault that he had not taken -them. When we are miserable we are also apt to be unjust, and to put -the blame for our own actions upon other people's shoulders. - -And how interested and indignant, and yet withal delighted, were the -St. Clives when they heard of what had happened. - -"A clean reputation is a good thing, you see, Ralph," Mr. St. Clive -said. "It is surely worth something to feel that people have such a -high estimate of you as to realize that you are utterly incapable of -doing a mean thing, even though appearances are so strong against you." - -"It is just splendid to think how you have come out of it, Ralph!" was -Irene's delighted comment when the two young people were alone. "It is -like when wicked people tried to injure the brave knights of old, and -when truth and valour and true chivalry triumphed over all opposition. -There is something, even here and now, to be gained when people know -that you are fighting under honour's flag!" - -And Ralph had to acknowledge that she spoke the truth, and to own that -he was now very glad that he had resisted the temptation to yield and -to run away from his troubles. - -That Saturday holiday--the one after the business of the note being -found in his pocket-book--was one of the happiest that he had spent -since coming to Stow Ormond--a day when the clouds seemed to have -lifted, when the sun seemed brighter, and when faith grew more strong. -It came from the feeling that he had fought a good fight, and that he -had been helped to be more than conqueror. - -And yet he had forgotten nothing of his father. He was as anxious as -ever to solve the mystery surrounding his disappearance; only now, -instead of being impatient, he felt that he was preparing in the best -way for seeking the truth by staying with Mr. St. Clive, and by working -as hard as ever he could. - -And on that same afternoon he walked with Irene as far as the pretty -old inn; and old Simon, the landlord, greeted him with a cheery smile; -for, indeed, Simon felt a great interest in the lad, seeing that the -first scene in his strange story was enacted beneath his roof. - -"And how are you, young gentleman?" he asked. "And you, too, -missie?"--as the two entered the yard. "Come to pay a visit to old -Simon--eh?" - -"I have come to talk to you, Simon," answered Ralph. No one ever called -the landlord of the _Horse and Wheel_ anything but Simon. "I have come -to ask you something." - -"That's right, sir! Ask away--though I don't promise to answer if it is -a poser. I haven't had the education which you young people enjoy." - -"It is nothing to do with education, Simon," laughed Ralph. "I want -to ask you whether, now that you have had plenty of time to think of -it--as I feel sure you must have thought--do you think that you have -any recollection of ever having seen my father before? I feel certain -that he knew the place; and if he knew it, perhaps you may be able to -think of some one whom he reminds you of." - -But Simon shook his head at that question. - -"I am afraid that I cannot answer that, sir. Your father certainly did -know the place; for when I told him the number of his room he walked -right up to it without waiting to be shown. And, in some way, I seem to -have a faint recollection of having seen him before; but it is all dim -and hazy like, and it wouldn't do to go upon." - -"Thank you, Simon. Now the other question--and I want you to keep this -to yourself; I have a particular reason for that. Do you know any one -in the neighbourhood who drives about in a light trap, and who has a -horse lame in its left foreleg?" - -"Well," said the old man thoughtfully, "come to that, there are plenty -of folk with light traps hereabout; and I know of two lame horses. Old -Saxer, the carter, has one, and Hopkin, the butcher, has one, and--why, -yes, Lord Elgert himself has a pretty little mare lame in her left -foreleg. She hurt herself in a hole, and, though she goes all right -now, she has a bit of a limp. And, why, come to think of it, now I -remember who your father put me in mind of." - -"Who--oh, who?" cried Ralph eagerly; while Irene looked on not less -interested. - -"Who?" said the innkeeper. "Why, of old Lord Stephen! He was Lord -Elgert's uncle, and he died without leaving child of his own. He had -one son, who died long, long ago. That is it, for certain! But what -ails you, young sir?" - -For Ralph had gone quite white. He had never expected that answer. Lord -Elgert had a lame horse! Lord Elgert was the nephew of some one whom -his father had resembled! Lord Elgert had told that wicked story about -his father; and Lord Elgert was so very anxious for him to go back to -the plains, and leave England behind him for ever! Surely it could not -be! And yet, as Ralph pondered, he seemed to call to mind a hundred -things to strengthen his suspicions. It could not be that Lord Elgert -knew anything about his father! - -A very grave Ralph walked home to lunch; and a very grave Mr. St. Clive -listened to his story. - -"I could wish that this had not been brought up, Ralph," he said. "I -fear that it will only unsettle you again; and, in spite of all that -you advance, I cannot bring myself to believe that you are anything but -mistaken. Lord Elgert may not be a pleasant man to deal with, but this -is a very, very grave thing to even so much as hint at." - -But whatever Mr. St. Clive might say, Ralph could not get the thing -out of his head. It is not to be wondered at that it should haunt him -and make him feel excited. After waiting so long, this was like the -first real tangible clue. And he had been thinking that it was poor -Charlton's father who must be at the bottom of it! Poor Charlton! - -Walking by himself, Ralph pondered upon the fact that, after all, if -any one had hinted to him what he had hinted to his chum he would have -been just as hurt and indignant. And now that he was cleared it would -be manly and nice to go and ask him to be friends again. - -"He can hardly do anything if I don't give him the chance," he told -himself. "I will do it as soon as I get back to school on Monday." - -His head full of the tracks of lame horses and light traps, he had -taken his way across towards Stow Wood, the scene of that tragedy--for -tragedy he believed there had surely been--and as he walked over the -common he reflected that those marks had led away in the direction of -Great Stow; and in Great Stow or just beyond it, Lord Elgert lived. - -And then, as he walked along, his eyes thoughtfully fixed upon the -ground, he stopped suddenly. Surely things were going strangely to-day; -for, coming on top of old Simon's words, here was the track of the lame -horse again! - -"I will follow it this time," said Ralph to himself. - -And he set forward rapidly. There was plenty of both light and time -this afternoon, and if the tracks led to hard roads he would go on and -search beyond them. - -But he did not have very far to go this time, though he gained but -little for his trouble. The other side the common, and close to Stow -Wood, he came upon the vehicle he had followed--a light trap, truly, -and drawn by a pretty little mare; and with it were three men, one in -the uniform of a constable and the others in ordinary dress. - -"Who does this trap belong to?" - -The question was absurd, perhaps, but he blurted it out without -thinking; and the men turned and regarded him with mingled surprise -and amusement. - -"And what has that to do with you, if you please?" said one--the one in -uniform. - -And what could he say? Whatever the other two were, one was a -constable; and surely a constable was sufficient evidence that he had -followed a wrong trail! - -"You seem to have a liking for asking questions, young gentleman," said -one of the other men. "Now, suppose that we ask you one? Have you seen -any one out here--any one that seemed as if they were trying to hide? -We are looking for a prisoner of ours, who escaped some time back, -and who, we believe, is hiding in this locality. Have you seen any -suspicious character about?" - -Detectives! A prisoner! It must be Charlton's father! How glad he was -that he could answer truly that he had seen no one! And the man who had -put the question replied to him, when he had finished: - -"Thank you. Now, as you have answered me, I will answer you; though -I confess that I do not understand the reason for your question. The -horse and trap belong to Lord Elgert. Doubtless you have heard of him. -He kindly lent them to us that we might be saved a long walk." - -It was Lord Elgert's! And these men, in Lord Elgert's trap, were -looking for poor Charlton's father! Ralph thanked the constables, -letting them remain in ignorance as to the real reason for his -question, and with slow and thoughtful steps turned into Stow Wood. - -He was bewildered, perplexed, stunned. It was Lord Elgert's trap! Could -Lord Elgert be the one who had harmed his father? - -Pondering deeply, he walked on, hardly noticing where he went, until -suddenly a slight exclamation recalled his wandering senses. He looked -up. He had penetrated into a little glade, and there before him stood -two people--his chum Charlton and a man! He had found the one for whom -the police were searching so close at hand! - - - - -CHAPTER XX - -TO MR. ST. CLIVE'S - - -The man started to his feet, with an exclamation of mingled rage and -despair; while Charlton stood before his father, his arms outstretched, -as if he feared that Ralph would rush forward and seize him. - -His face was very white, as he looked at the boy who had been his -friend and champion, and cried, in tones of misery and reproach-- - -"You! Oh, this is mean and cruel! I did not think that you would act -the spy and hunt us down. Let him go--let him go quietly; and, if you -want to harm any one, hurt me. I will not move, or cry out, no matter -how much you beat me--only let my poor father go, and do not tell any -one you have seen him." - -Now, Ralph had been standing in silence, too surprised to say anything. -Despite what Mr. St. Clive had said, he had some sort of idea that this -man must, in some way, know of his father's disappearance, even if he -himself had no hand in it, just as he still thought that Charlton knew -more about the missing note than any one else, though that suspicion -was beginning to weaken considerably now. - -But as he looked from the boy to the man, and as he heard that pathetic -appeal, every feeling, save that of pity, vanished. This man should not -be captured, not if he could hinder it; and he said, advancing a step, -and holding out one hand in friendship-- - -"Why, Charlton, you don't think as meanly of me as that, do you? I -neither want to harm you nor your father, though it is quite true that -I came here to find you." - -"But--why? How did you know that we should be here?" questioned the -boy, not yet reassured. - -And Ralph hurriedly explained how he had followed the trap and come -upon the policemen. - -"I felt certain that it must be your father whom they were after," he -said; "and so I determined to come through the wood to try to find you -and give you warning. We must be quick, or there will be no chance of -getting away." - -"Oh, father," wailed Charlton, "I wish that I had not persuaded you to -come here again! You will be taken! What shall we do?" - -"My boy," answered the man calmly, "try and be brave. We owe our thanks -to this young gentleman for the kindly warning he has brought. If I -must be taken, I must; and I will try to bear it patiently, though it -is very hard. It is strange that they should have Lord Elgert's trap," -he added bitterly. "Elgert has been at the bottom of all my troubles." - -"Look here!" expostulated Ralph bluntly. "It's no good stopping here -talking and wasting time when every minute is precious. Those fellows -are on the farther side of the wood, and they are beginning to search, -and they won't leave off until they have hunted right through the -place." - -"But where can we go?" asked Charlton, wringing his hands. "This place -has nowhere to hide in; nowhere that could not be found if once people -were really searching." - -"They will search; there is no doubt of that," answered Ralph. "But we -may manage to elude them. We cannot stay here dodging round, that is -quite certain. We must manage to get out of it and find somewhere else -to hide." - -"Ah, my kind boy, but where shall that somewhere be?" said the man, -shaking his head. "It might have been in my own home, but now that they -think that I am here, and are on my track, they will keep their eyes on -that spot, and I have not one single friend who will shelter me." - -"Hush! Hush!" cried Ralph suddenly. "Listen! There is no time to lose. -They are in the wood on that side. Creep after me. Stop! Cover those -leaves over or they will see where you have been standing." - -"You are thoughtful for one so young," murmured the man, as he obeyed -Ralph's instructions. "Well, I will place myself under your guidance, -and trust to you. Where shall we go? Through that undergrowth?" - -"No, no! You cannot move through that without making a noise and -leaving traces. Keep to this path. I feel sure that is wisest. Bend -low, and step lightly. Come! Now, Charlton, buck up, and we will save -your father yet." - -His confidence inspired them with hope. Unhesitatingly they followed -his lead. The path he chose led them into another clear little space, -away to the right of that which they had left. They could hear the -noise made by their pursuers in their rear, and they did not seem any -better off here. It was only putting off the end for a little time, -and so Charlton's father said, but Ralph would not listen to him. He -had been in as tight a corner before, when he and his father, and two -more, had been pursued by the Indians of the plains, and had dodged and -doubled for three whole days ere they had thrown their foe off their -track. Ralph was not going to give up yet. - -"Stop!" he said. "You must climb up this tree. No, not that one!" as -Charlton ran to a big, old decaying oak. - -"But this is hollow. We can hide in it," objected the boy. - -But Ralph shook his head. - -"I can see it is hollow, and so can any one who has a pair of eyes. -That is just why we must not go there, for they will be sure to look in -it. Up this one!" - -"But we shall be seen." - -"Do as your friend bids you," said the man. - -And Charlton obeyed, his father following him. - -Then did Ralph show his cunning, for, directing them to stand with -their backs against the trunk, he showed them how to draw the branches -down until they made a thick canopy all around them. Ralph himself -stood at the bottom, carefully examining their hiding-place. - -"Now, if you stand quite still, as you are, no one will be able to see -you," he said. "But remember there must be no noise and no movement; -everything may depend upon that. Keep still. Here is some one coming!" - -A man appeared at the end of the glade, and, catching a glimpse of the -boy's form, gave a shout and ran forward; but he stopped, and looked -very cross, as Ralph himself walked innocently to meet him, with the -question--"Have not you found him yet?" - -"No," grumbled the man. "He is a slippery fellow, and is giving us a -lot of trouble; but we will have him yet. We are working right through -the wood, and we must be driving him before us, and when he gets to the -other side----" - -"He will bolt," said Ralph. - -But the man smiled grimly. - -"Into our arms. We have four men stationed keeping watch there. No, we -shall have him yet. You have not seen him?" - -"There was a man in that little hollow, the other end of this path. I -saw him there," said Ralph, with perfect truthfulness. - -"Which hollow? The one to the right?" said the man quickly. - -And Ralph nodded. - -"Ah, we have looked there! He has bolted. Then we are right on his -track. Stop a minute, though. That old tree looks a likely place. Here, -give us a hand, boy! I will lift you, and you look in. Can you see -anything?" - -And he lifted Ralph, and helped him to scramble up, and peer down into -the hollow depths of the old oak. - -"Can't see much," said Ralph, his head in the hollow. "There is a gleam -of light below, and something dark. Can't you clear away the leaves a -bit, and then I can see whether it is a man or not?" - -The constable sprawled on the ground, and thrust his arm into the hole -at the bottom of the trunk, dragging out leaves and dust, till Ralph -cried-- - -"It is all right; I can see now. There is no one there. What I was -looking at was a lot of leaves. They have tumbled over now, and you are -pulling them out." - -"That's no good, then; only it looked a likely place. Down you come, -boy!" - -And, helping Ralph down, the man turned and ran off, satisfied that -he had looked in the only place where the fugitive could have hidden -himself. - -"I see that you are a clever lad," said Mr. Charlton when the fugitives -again stood beside Ralph. "But what now? You heard what he said? There -is no getting away on that side." - -"We are not going out that side, though," was Ralph's answer. "We are -behind them now, and while they are hunting forward, we will go back." - -"They will have left watchers behind them." - -"I suppose so. They cannot have left many, though, for they had not -enough men. Back is our only chance. We will try it. There is no time -to stop talking now," he added, as he saw that the man was going to ask -more questions. "Come, follow me!" - -Going cautiously, pausing to listen again and again, he led the way; -and soon they were getting close to that side of the wood from which -the search had commenced. Then he bade the other two remain hidden, and -he went forward by himself, until, at last, he was able to peer from -the hedges. - -He did not see a single man, though he looked carefully; but he did -see--and the sight made his heart jump wildly--the horse and trap, the -horse contentedly feeding on the rich grass. He would risk it! One -chance, and one alone, offered, and he would take it! - -He beckoned to his companions to join him, and whispered his plans. - -"It is the only chance. No one is near the trap, and we can drive off -before they will even know that it is gone. Will you dare it?" - -"Yes," said the man desperately. - -And Ralph, with a "Follow me, then!" was at the trap, had the rope, -with which the horse had been tethered, cut; the other two were up -after him, and, with a crack of the whip, away they went, clean across -the open moor. - -Lame or not, that pony had to go, for once. They were right across, -close on two miles away, and getting near to Great Stow, before a -distant shout, and figures running from the wood, told them that the -theft had been discovered. - -"Lie down, Charlton," he said, "and you sit directly behind me," he -added to the man. "It will be far better if they can only see one -person in the trap. We don't want them to know that I helped you if it -can be avoided." - -They reached the road; then turned to the right, so that the view was -shut off from those behind. No one had seen them with the trap, and now -Ralph reined in, and jumped down. - -"Come on!" he said. "Lord Elgert's pony must look after itself now. -Quick, we must hurry!" - -"Where are you going to, Rexworth?" cried Charlton in surprise. "There -is nowhere about here where father can hide." - -But Ralph answered with a smile, never slackening his pace as he spoke-- - -"Hurry up! There is one place--a safe place. I am going to Mr. St. -Clive's." - - - - -CHAPTER XXI - -A HOUSE OF REFUGE - - -"To Mr. St. Clive's!" - -What wonder that the words filled Charlton with surprise. Ralph was -surely risking a great deal in taking such a step. But Ralph knew -Mr. St. Clive, and Charlton did not--and that made a great deal of -difference. Besides, the case was desperate. Somewhere must be found in -which to hide; and no other place offered, so to Mr. St. Clive's they -went; and Ralph, leaving his two companions in the garden, went indoors -by himself. - -But if the Charltons were surprised when Ralph announced his intention -of going to Mr. St. Clive's, that gentleman was still more astonished -when the lad told him of his adventures, and what he had done. - -"You know that you said, sir," Ralph concluded by saying--"that you -always had a great idea that Mr. Charlton was innocent; and that if I -were instrumental in getting him taken I might regret it all the rest -of my life, and so I thought that you would be sure to sympathize with -the poor man, and be ready to help him." - -"Well, Ralph," laughed Mr. St. Clive, "you have certainly taken me at -my word. However, I do not know but what I am glad that you have done -so; and Mr. Charlton being here, I may be able, after consultation with -him, to devise some means of proving that he was innocent of the crime -laid to his charge. Let us go and welcome him." - -It was very affecting, that meeting between the two men--the one so -weary and dispirited, the other such a true Christian gentleman; but -Mr. St. Clive soon put the other at his ease, and they all entered the -house. Irene was out with her mother at the moment; and after Mr. St. -Clive had seen that his new guest was provided with food, he spoke, and -the other three sat listening attentively. - -"Now, Mr. Charlton," he said, "I have been thinking, and I can see one -way for your remaining here in safety, and being able to communicate -freely with your wife." - -"That is a blessing too great to be possible," sighed Mr. Charlton; but -Mr. St. Clive smiled kindly. - -"I differ from you. It is not only possible, but easy. Listen to me. -It is unlikely that any one will dream of looking for you here; but -to make doubly sure, we can disguise you. Now, it so happens that I -am in need of a gardener, and there is a cottage vacant. You must be -gardener. If you know nothing of gardening, that does not much matter; -I can post you up in it. Then, my wife can invite Mrs. Charlton to -visit here, and there will be nothing to prevent her coming frequently, -and staying all day. There is only one thing to remember. Of course, -I shall tell my wife everything, but I do not think that my little -daughter ought to be made a party to this; so to her you will be, say, -Thomas Brown--that is an easy name--and before her our manner towards -each other must be that of master and servant. You will not mind that?" - -"Mind!" cried Mr. Charlton, the tears rolling down his cheeks. "Mind! -Can you think that I shall mind such a trifle as that, when you are so -good, and ready to take the risk of helping me? But this morning I felt -that, excepting wife and son, I had not a friend in the world. Now I -find that God has not forsaken me utterly." - -"He never does forsake those who put their trust in Him," was the -gentle answer. "Well, come with me at once, and we will see about -making a gardener of you, before any of the servants can see you as you -are. And you, boys, remember how you behave to my gardener," he added, -looking at them. "You, Ralph, have been very thoughtful in the way you -have managed--mind you do not make a slip." - -"I will try my best, sir," answered Ralph; and then he and Charlton -were left alone. And then--then all of a sudden Charlton was kneeling -at his feet, holding his hand and kissing it, and sobbing out his -thanks; until Ralph cried out that if he didn't get up he would punch -his head for him, to give him something to cry about, and to show that -he was his friend; and that made poor Charlton laugh feebly. - -And, sitting there, Charlton explained what he was too proud to tell -before--how he had wanted that ten shillings to help his father; and -how his father, not using it, had given it back to him. - -"Indeed, I knew nothing about the note, Ralph," he said. "I know that -you thought I had stolen it, and it made me miserable, but I am sorry -that I spoke to you as I did." - -"All right, old fellow!" answered Ralph, wringing his hand. "Do not let -us think of it any more. Besides, I have a pretty good idea of who took -that note now--or, rather, who caused it to be taken. I don't know for -certain, so I will accuse no one; but I don't think that it was you." - -"You mean Horace Elgert!" cried Charlton; but Ralph smiled and shook -his head. - -"Won't do, old fellow. I said that I would not mention names. But look -here, Charlton, I do want to ask your father one thing. Does he know -anything about my father?" - -"Your father! How can he, Ralph?" - -"He might have been in Stow Wood that night, and have seen or heard -something," the boy said. - -"I will answer that question for myself!" Mr. Charlton entered as -Ralph was speaking, and the boys started, for even Charlton would -not have known his father in the half-bald, grey-bearded old fellow -who stood before him. "I will answer that question, Ralph Rexworth; -and then, after that, I am only Brown, the gardener, remember. I can -give you no information beyond this. On the night of your father's -disappearance--my son has told me about that--I was in Stow Wood, and -I heard a shot; and afterwards I saw a trap being driven rapidly away. -There were two men in it, and one of those two leaned up against his -companion as though he was helpless or badly hurt. Hiding myself, I -could not follow them; but I thought at the time that it looked like -foul play." - -"The second man was not dead?" cried Ralph anxiously; and the answer -was very positive-- - -"No, I am quite certain of that, for I heard him groan as they passed -in the darkness. That is all I can tell you. It was natural that you -should think that I knew something about it. I have also heard that I -am supposed to be the one who entered the dormitory at the school one -night; but I am innocent of that. A little thought ought to convince -any one that to do such a thing would be the very last object of my -wishes--the danger of being captured would be too great; and I do not -quite see what any one can imagine that I should want to go there for." - -"It is all a mystery to me," said Ralph. And then Irene's voice was -heard in the hall, and she and her mother entered. - -"Back again, Ladybird!" said her father, kissing her. Then, seeing her -eyes fixed on the strangers, he went on: "Ah! you want an introduction? -This is Fred Charlton, Ralph's friend; and this is a man who is to be -our new gardener. His name is Thomas Brown. Run off with Ralph and -Charlton for a little while; I want to talk to your mother." - -When the young people were gone, Mr. St. Clive told his wife of Ralph's -adventures, and introduced Mr. Charlton in his proper character. And -Mrs. St. Clive spoke so nicely and kindly, and promised to go and see -Mrs. Charlton the very next day; and when she met Ralph she squeezed -his hand, and gave him such a kiss as made him know that she was glad -he had acted as he had done. - -And on the Sunday Mrs. St. Clive went for Mrs. Charlton, and brought -her back with her. No one saw the meeting between the husband and wife -save their own son; for Ralph had to take Irene right out of the way, -lest she should wonder at their guest talking to the gardener, or going -to his cottage. - -But afterwards, when Mrs. Charlton met the boy to whom she owed so -much--oh, the look of gratitude which she gave him, and the way in -which she spoke! It made Ralph very happy, but it made him very -uncomfortable at the same time. - -And then, the day past and morning come, it was once more back to -school; and some of the boys stared when they saw Ralph and Charlton -appear arm-in-arm, for their quarrel had been noticed and discussed. - -But when Tom Warren saw them, he came running up, a real glad smile on -his face. - -"Hallo, you two!" he said, as he met them. "I am awfully glad to see -this. It's the right thing; and I do hope that you won't quarrel again." - -"I shall never quarrel with Rexworth any more," said Charlton, in low -tones. "You have no need to fear that, Warren. I owe him more than I -can ever repay, though I cannot tell you why!" - -"Perhaps I can tell you why," replied Warren, with a laugh. "For it is -all over the place. Elgert set it going." - -"Set what going?" demanded the two chums, in one voice; and the monitor -went on-- - -"Oh, he says that--I don't want to pain you, Charlton, but it is better -to hear it from a friend than from an enemy"--and Warren turned, half -apologetically to Charlton as he said this--"he says that your father -was in Stow Wood, and that the police were looking for him----" - -"And that Lord Elgert lent them his pony and trap to hunt him down," -put in Charlton bitterly. - -"No, he didn't say that. Did he, though? The mean sneak! Well, he says -that your father was there, and that the police saw Ralph, here, go -into the wood. Some one must have warned your father, for he managed to -get out, and got off in the pony and trap they had left. They didn't -say it was Lord Elgert's, though. Elgert at once jumped at it that -it was you, Ralph, did the warning, because you are Charlton's chum. -He says it is additional proof that you two had that note, and he is -making a jolly lot about it; though half the fellows, and more than -half, are strong on your side, and say that if it is true, they would -have done the same thing. Elgert says that the police inspector is -ready to knock your head off for the way in which you cheated him." - -"Is he, though!" laughed Ralph. "Well, Warren, as you know so much, -we may as well tell you all about it, when we have time--with one -exception, though. You must not ask us where we took Mr. Charlton, or -where we hid him. That is our secret. The rest you may know. By the -way, I wonder how Elgert will like it if he knows that it was I drove -off in that trap?" - -"You! What a prime joke! I say, Ralph, what a chap you are! Come along, -and let us get in!" - -That the story had got about was very clear, for curious glances were -cast at the pair as they crossed the playground with the monitor; and -then a group of juniors, led by Tinkle, suddenly piped up-- - - - For he's a jolly good fellow, - For he's a jolly good fellow! - - -Elgert, standing near them, turned with a frown. - -"Shut up that howling, you young cubs!" he growled fiercely; but from -the other side of the playground, and from the Fifths, the same words -came. - -Elgert turned and went into school. He was furious. He had come down -thinking that he had a good chance of getting Ralph into disgrace, and -here the fellows were actually praising him! It was gall to Horace -Elgert; and, through the window, still came the sounds of the refrain -being shouted below-- - - - For he's a jolly good fellow, - And so say all of us! - - - - -CHAPTER XXII - -AN AFTERNOON RAMBLE - - -"I say, you two chaps, what are you going to do this afternoon?" - -The question was asked by Tom Warren, as Ralph and Charlton stood at -the entrance to the playground. - -Another week had passed, and it had been a delightful one for both -Ralph and his chum, now that they were friends again. For these two, -so different in natures, liked each other very much; and now that the -trouble was gone, they were drawn still closer together. Of course they -were. Had not Ralph proved what a staunch good fellow he could be? and -had not Charlton shown that he was not only innocent of stealing that -note, but that he was a loyal, true son, doing what he could to help -his unfortunate father? - -It was good to see how the boys had come round and how they regarded -Ralph as a comrade to be proud of; though Elgert and Dobson and the set -whom they led, glowered and sneered, and said unkind things that hurt -no one, and were treated with contempt. - -And Saturday had come, and the boys were preparing to set out for their -homes, and Ralph had a bundle of books under his arm, for he meant to -have another quiet read that evening. The Newlet would want a lot of -working for, and, since he had entered, he meant to do all he could to -win success. - -"What are you going to do?" said Warren; and the pair confessed that -they had made no particular plans. - -"I cannot spare very much time, anyway," said Ralph. "I want to put in -a few hours' work to-night." - -"You will go and make yourself silly if you do too much," answered Tom -Warren. "All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy, you know. Will you -both meet me after you have had lunch--say about one o'clock--and we -will go for a ramble?" - -"Where?" asked Charlton. "Anywhere in particular?" - -"I will tell you a nice walk. Let us go over the moor, and past Great -Stow, out to Crab Tree Hill. It is jolly out there; and there are some -lovely butterflies in the chalk there." - -"Butterflies in chalk?" said Ralph, raising his brows in wonder; and -Warren laughed. - -"You kite! I mean that it is chalk country all round there, and the -butterflies keep to it--fritillaries and skippers and browns; and we -can find some grass snakes there." - -"Don't like snakes," said Ralph decisively, thinking of the terrible -species which he had known in his younger days--snakes whose bite -means certain death. "Well, I don't mind coming. Will you go, Fred?" -And he turned to Charlton, who nodded his assent. - -"That is all right, then," answered Warren. "I will be over for you -just after one, and we can pick up Charlton on our way and---- Hallo! -what is the row?" - -The three lads turned. A scrimmage of some kind was evidently in -progress at the other side of the playground, for there came some hoots -and groans, and, mingling with the noise, a shrill cry of pain. - -"You great coward, let go my arm!" - -"Dobson and Co.," muttered Warren; and the three darted across to the -scene of the trouble; and there they found Tinkle and Green, standing -defiant and somewhat tearful, confronted by Dobson, Elgert and some of -their cronies, while a scattered crowd of angry juniors kept in the -safe background, hurling taunting jeers at the bigger boys. - -"I will half kill you, you cheeky little beggar!" they heard Dobson say -to Tinkle. He had got hold of his arm, and, according to his favourite -fashion, was twisting it painfully. "I will teach you to cheek me! I -suppose it is that beggar Rexworth who has taught you to do it." - -But then Dobson stopped. He had thought that Ralph was gone; and even -as he spoke, he caught sight of him. It certainly was very awkward for -Dobson, and before he knew what to say next, Ralph had quietly but -firmly removed Tinkle from his grasp. - -"You suppose wrong, Dobson," he said calmly. "I should not encourage -any junior to cheek a senior; but I won't see a junior bullied, and you -will please let that youngster go." - -"I didn't cheek him!" cried Tinkle--"leastways, not until he kicked me. -I was standing here talking to Jimmy Green, when he and Elgert came up; -and Elgert shied a stone at Green's head, and Dobson kicked me--the -great coward! Let him stand up fair, and I will fight him myself." - -"Oh, no, you won't, sonny!" laughed Tom Warren. "You will clear off, -and get home at once. No fight if you please." - -"It seems to me," sneered Elgert, "that this school is to be run by -Rexworth and Co. You look here, Warren. It is out of school hours; -and if you think that we are all going to stand being ruled by you -especially when you are under the thumb of such a fellow as that--well, -all I have to say is that you are jolly well mistaken." - -"I mean to say," was Warren's calm reply, "that there is not going to -be any fighting here; and I mean to say that we have the Head's own -orders to stop any more bullying of juniors. There has been a great -deal too much of it in the past." - -"And if we don't obey, you will run sneaking to the Head?" - -"Oh, no, I won't," came the answer. "I will give you a jolly good -licking myself. If it has got to come, let us get it over. Here are I -and Rexworth--Charlton don't count. If you want to see which side is -the best, just you----" - -"Just you all clear off; and you, Warren, don't make an ass of -yourself," said a pleasant voice; and Kesterway, the head monitor of -the school, appeared upon the scene. "Off you go, now! And you look -here, Elgert. You may be an honourable, and a lord's son, but that is -no reason why you should behave like a prig. You keep a civil tongue in -your head, or you may get into trouble." - -Elgert and his companions turned away, for it did not do to defy the -authority of Kesterway; but he muttered as he went-- - -"Only wait a little while. I will get some of my own back. If I don't -make Ralph Rexworth suffer for it, I will know the reason why." - -But two youthful individuals, as they also walked away--Tinkle and -Green to wit--discussed darkly the chances of getting equal with Dobson -and Elgert. - -"I vote we tell about that note," said Tinkle; but Green shook his head. - -"What is the good? Suppose they denied it, how could we prove it? You -bet, there would be no chance of old Brown owning up. And besides, -wouldn't it be telling that we had broken bounds? No; we had best wait -a while, Tinkle, and presently the chance will come." - -"S'pose we sent 'em a what-you-call-it letter?" - -"What is that?" demanded Green; and Tinkle answered lucidly-- - -"You know. One of them sort that don't come from nowhere, and is writ -by nobody." - -"Annie nonimus," was Green's suggestion; and Tinkle nodded. - -"Yes, that's him. We might do that; and write on it, 'Who stole the -five-pound note?' or 'What price Brown's cake shop?' or something." - -"We'd best do nothing of the kind," was Green's crushing answer. "That -wouldn't do no good, and it would make 'em think that something was -known. No, Tinkle; you leave 'em alone; and presently they will make a -slip, and then we can have 'em." - -"I'd like to help Rexworth, though," murmured Tinkle. - -"But he don't want no help now. He's cleared about the note. No one -thinks that he took it, not for a moment. It wouldn't help Rexworth. -The thing is dropped, and we'd best leave it alone for the time." - -Meanwhile, Ralph and his friends took their way homeward, ignorant -alike of the threats of their foes or the good wishes of the juniors; -and after lunch was over, Warren in accordance with his promise, called -for Ralph. - -"Hallo! got a new gardener here?" he remarked, as he caught sight of an -old man who was sweeping the path; and Ralph thought how little Warren -guessed who that man really was. - -They set off in high spirits, and after calling for Charlton, they -started upon their long ramble. They rattled on at a good pace, and got -away to the hills, and then--it was most provoking--great dark clouds -had been rolling up, and suddenly, with a roar of thunder and a blaze -of lightning, the storm burst, and it rained--gracious, how it did rain! - -It is not pleasant to be caught in a violent shower at the best of -times, but to be caught when you are away from all shelter is decidedly -unpleasant. - -"Wherever can we shelter?" cried Charlton in dismay, as the three -bolted along, with heads bent down and collars turned up. "This is -cheerful!" - -"I say," suddenly suggested Warren, "there is a thick preserve over -by the road; I noticed it as we came along. Of course, it will be -trespassing and we might get into trouble, but I suggest making for it. -We can get some sort of shelter under the trees, and we may stumble -upon a shooting hut or a keeper's cottage, and if we explain why we -have come, they surely will not mind." - -"Cannot help it if they do," said Ralph desperately. "We cannot go on -in this, and it's five miles into Stow, if it's a yard. Show us the way -Warren, and be quick about it." - -With a whoop and a yell, off scudded Warren, the other two close in -his rear, while the thunder growled and grumbled and the lightning -flickered, and the sky grew so black that things promised to get worse -instead of better. - -They struck the path for which Warren was making; and there, sure -enough, a little farther along, divided from the road by a meadow and a -stout gate, the tall trees of a dark covert waved to and fro. It might -not mean much shelter, but it would mean some, and with a scramble they -were over that gate. - -"This is better," panted Warren. "It is some sort of a screen. I am -jolly well drenched!" - -"I wish that I could get a cup of warm cocoa or tea," shivered -Charlton. "I got hot running, and now it strikes horribly cold." - -"Let's push on a bit," suggested Ralph. "We are trespassing, and we -may as well be hanged for a sheep as for a lamb. Perhaps we shall find -shelter somewhere. Come on, you two, and keep to these open paths. If -you get right into that undergrowth, you may do some damage--disturb -some nests, or something." - -"Right you are, Ralph. I don't think it is much good, though; there -seems no sign of life here." - -"I will soon see if there is." Ralph paused as he spoke. He put his -hand to his mouth and gave a ringing call--one he had learnt from the -Indians on the plains. "If any one is about, they will hear that; and, -at any rate, they cannot say that we are trying to hide from----" - -He stopped and started back, turning as white as death; for from -somewhere, ringing through the silences of that preserve, there came a -sound, muffled, but clear. It was Ralph's call repeated! - -What wonder that he trembled. What wonder that he looked so white. -There was but one other person whom he knew who would answer that call -in that way; and that one person was his own father! - - - - -CHAPTER XXIII - -THE RUIN AND THE LONELY HOUSE - - -Just that one cry, ringing wild and plaintive through the wood; and -then silence, broken by a loud, angry rumble of thunder. - -Ralph stood there trembling, too agitated to speak; and his two chums -turned anxiously towards him, bewildered at the change which had come -over him. - -"Ralph, old fellow, why, whatever is it? What has come to you?" they -asked; and he replied in hoarse, trembling tones-- - -"That call! Did you not hear it? There is only one person who would -give that, and he is my own father." - -For a moment they were staggered by his answer; then Warren said -gently-- - -"But, Ralph, how can it be your father? It was only the echo, old -fellow." - -"It was not the echo. It was his voice. Listen--try and hear where it -comes from!" And once again, through the dripping wood, he sent the -Indian cry. - -"Now, listen--listen!" he said; and they waited, but no sound came in -answer--nothing but the shiver of the trees, the patter of the rain, -and the distant growling of the storm. - -"There, you see. It must have been the echo!" said Warren; but Ralph -shook his head. - -"Do not be silly, Warren. If it was the echo it would be heard again; -but we heard nothing." - -Which direction did it come from? They forgot about the wet and the -storm; they forgot everything in the excitement of the moment. Which -direction had the cry come from? - -Warren declared that it sounded as if it was under ground; Charlton -said he fancied that it came from high up, as if some one was in the -air; and Ralph fancied that it was straight ahead. - -"What shall we do?" was the question of Warren and Ralph answered-- - -"I am going forward. I mean to search this plantation from end to end, -if I am trespassing twenty times over." - -So on the three went, and again and again did they pause while Ralph -uttered his wild call, but no answer was heard. - -They pushed on, their hearts full of excitement, until they emerged -from the trees with almost startling suddenness. The plantation was -nothing like so thick as they had thought--it was a mere belt of wood, -surrounding a neglected lawn; and in the centre of this, encircled by -a wall, stood the very last thing they would have expected to find -there--a house. - -A house; but so dreary, desolate looking. All the windows stared blank -and empty, and were encrusted with dirt and grime. Not a trace of smoke -curled up from the chimney-stack, not a sound of life was heard. It -seemed empty, desolate, drear; and the masses of creeper, hanging down -and swinging in the breath of the storm, only intensified the desolate -picture it made. - -The three lads, standing there with every nerve thrilled by a strange, -inexplicable excitement, surveyed the place, and looked at each other -in questioning silence, until Warren said softly-- - -"Well, I am blest! Who would have thought of finding a house here?" - -"Where are you going, Ralph?" cried Charlton, for Ralph was moving -forward; and he replied firmly-- - -"To that house. I mean to see if any one lives here." - -Right up to the wall walked Ralph. It was a high wall, and only the -upper part of the house could be seen above it. But they found a gate -on the other side; and, without a moment's hesitation, Ralph pushed -it open, entered the garden, and, walking up to the door, lifted the -knocker. - -With what a dull, hollow sound did it fall! A ghostly sound, that -echoed through the house, with that peculiar vibration which is heard -when a place is empty. - -"There is no one here," whispered Warren, after a pause--somehow they -found themselves speaking in whispers. "The house is empty." - -Ralph, for answer, knocked again, a louder and longer summons. -"Listen!" he said; and from somewhere they heard a faint sound, as of a -door being shut. - -"It's only the wind, making a door slam," was Warren's comment. But, -for the third time, Ralph sent his call resounding--there was no -mistake about that knock--if any one was in the place they must hear -it, for the door fairly creaked beneath the blows. - -Another pause, a shuffling noise from within, the sound of some one -coming from distant passages, then the unfastening of bolts and chains, -and the door was opened a little space, while a man, big, burly, and -brutal looking, filled the doorway, and barred their entrance--an -altogether evil-looking, cruel-faced man, who, scowling upon the three -lads, demanded in gruff tones what they wanted, and how it was they -were here. - -Just for the moment the three were taken aback; or, brave as they might -be, still they were only lads, and that scowling presence was certainly -very ominous. But Ralph plucked up his courage, and answered that -they were three lads from the distant school, and that they had been -overtaken by the storm and were seeking shelter. - -The man had stood glaring from one to the other as the explanation was -given; and then he said, in the gruffest of accents-- - -"Well, and what is all this to me? That is no reason why you should -trespass on my land, and come knocking at my door. I don't want to know -that you are getting wet. It's no interest of mine, is it?" - -"But we are seeking for shelter," persisted Ralph. "Surely you will not -refuse to give that to us?" And he made a slight attempt to push his -way in. The man gave him a shove that sent him almost off the step. - -"Here, none of that sort of thing," he said, "or you will be sorry for -it, my young bantam. You don't think that you can shove your way into -my premises. You three just take yourselves off. You are trespassing on -my ground; and it's lucky for you that the dog is tied up, or he would -tear you limb from limb. Hear him!" And he paused, as a deep, distant -baying was heard from somewhere within. "He is a beauty big enough to -eat you. You just get off as fast as you can. Clear! If you are here in -five minutes time I will set the dog on you!" And he slammed the door, -and left them standing there. - -"What a particularly unpleasant person!" said Warren. "His politeness -is only exceeded by his good looks. Come on, Ralph, it won't do any -good to stand here; and I don't fancy a meeting with that loud-voiced -brute we heard. He had got a bark like a bloodhound." - -"We had better do as Warren says," added Charlton, a trifle timidly, -for he could understand how badly Ralph must feel. "I know what you are -thinking of. You want to see inside that house, but it is impossible -now. If it is done at all, it would have to be some other time, when -that man did not suspect us. Only I don't think that you are right. I -don't see how you can be." - -"I shall never rest until I have contrived some way of doing as you -say," was Ralph's reply, and his face looked very resolute again. "That -cry was raised by my father. He may not be there--I do not say he -is, but somehow I dislike that man and distrust him. Let us go right -through the grounds. Don't you understand, Warren? I want to see if -there are any other places hidden away here. Who would have said a -house like that was here; and who can say what other house may be here? -You go back if you like, you and Charlton; I am going on." - -"Then on we all go," was Warren's reply; and he and Charlton -accompanied Ralph. - -They crossed the lawn and went out by the gate, and Ralph was conscious -of the face of that man peering at them through one of the upper -windows. He might be a recluse, a miser, a madman--that seemed the most -probable thing; and yet, yet somehow Ralph must get inside that house. - -They pushed their way on into the wood again, making for the opposite -side to that on which they had entered; and then Ralph's words that -they did not know what else they might find were proved to be very -true, for, upon its farther side, bordering upon a stretch of wild -open land, they came upon a ruined building. It looked as if at one -time it had been a chapel, or monastery, or something of that sort; -the pillars, the pointed windows, and the arched doors gave them that -impression. It was a fairly large building, larger than the house they -had left, and its crumbling walls were thickly overgrown with ivy. A -mournful, silent ruin it was, where only the shapes and shadows of -those whose feet had once trodden its stone floors now seemed to lurk; -but it was a shelter, and in Ralph went. - -"I don't care for twenty men and dogs," he said resolutely. "I am not -going on in this rain, and I am going to have a look in this ruin." - -"But you do not think that you will find any trace of your father -there, Ralph," protested Warren. - -"I don't, old man; I only hope for shelter. Come on. If the worst comes -we will get on the stairs and drive off the dog with stones. Come on." - -It looked gloomy outside--it looked more gloomy within, as they passed -in through the yawning space where once a stout oak door had been. How -their footsteps echoed, and how great piles of damp, decaying leaves -lay in the corners, and ugly lizards scuttled away as they went on. -But, for all that, after the first disinclination was got over, there -was something very exciting in wandering about the ruin, exploring -this way and that, going down into dark, oozy places underground, or -clambering up into the old, deserted turret above, at the no small risk -of breaking one's neck. They wandered here and there, until at last a -single ray of sunlight, falling through a broken casement, awoke them -to the fact that the storm was over, and that they could get on their -way again. - -"We had better go, Ralph," said Charlton. "I must, for think how mother -will feel if I am not home when she expects me." - -"Well, I don't think it is much good staying," Warren added. "It seems -impossible that your father should be about here, Ralph. That sound was -an echo." - -"I suppose it must have been something of that sort," Ralph admitted -reluctantly. "There seems to be no other explanation. You must forgive -me for seeming stupid; but, you see, it--it is my father!" He stopped -and Charlton pressed his hand sympathetically, while Warren said -hastily-- - -"Oh, of course, old fellow, I understand; and I only wish that we could -have found something out. What a stunning place this ruin would be for -hiding in! You could play hide-and-seek about it for a week!" - -They emerged from the place, and speedily were in the public road again -and walking, with their faces in a homeward direction. But as they went -Ralph turned, and once again he uttered that wild signal cry; and then, -then--was it an echo, or was it indeed a human voice?--after a pause, -faint and low the sound came back once more--whether from earth, or -from air, they knew not; but the cry was taken up and repeated note for -note. - - - - -CHAPTER XXIV - -FOR THE SAKE OF REVENGE - - -Now, on that very afternoon when Ralph and his two friends, on their -visit to Crab Tree Hill, were driven by the storm to seek shelter in -that preserve, Horace Elgert and his companion Dobson, were standing in -close consultation. - -And a very discontented, savage, and disconcerted pair they were, for -things did not seem to be going right with them. - -In the first place, that miserable five-pound note was still missing, -and though the man at the cake-shop had promised that he would get it -for them if possible, he had not yet kept his word; and while it was -still in other hands both boys trembled with apprehensive fears. - -They quarrelled over it, too, Elgert still declaring that, as Dobson -had changed it, he would alone be to blame, and Dobson retorting by -saying that he would confess that he received it from Elgert. - -Then, added to this source of annoyance, there was the fact that, -in spite of all their efforts, Ralph Rexworth was rising in his -schoolmates' esteem, and his influence, coupled with that of Warren -and Charlton, was making itself steadily felt, to the diminution of -their own powers. - -"It seems to me," grumbled Elgert moodily, "that the fellows look -upon trying to give a criminal up to justice as a crime. Some of them -actually hissed at me--and why? Just because my father lent the police -his pony and trap! I can't make out what is coming to them." - -"They are just as down on me in the Fourth," answered Dobson. "There is -no fun in the place now. All the kids have got to be coddled like a lot -of babies; and if you catch one of them a smack on the head for being -cheeky, there are a dozen fellows ready to take his part. Look how that -little beggar Green cheeked me." - -"Well, why didn't you give him a hiding? You were afraid to, that is -the fact." - -"Afraid yourself!" retorted Dobson angrily. "As if I should be afraid -of him! You know that if I had done anything I should have had Rexworth -and all his set about me, and a fellow can't take the lot of them. You -don't care to meet Rexworth yourself, and you know it." - -A dark frown gathered upon Horace Elgert's handsome face. Ah, how that -frown spoilt all his good looks! - -"Perhaps I don't, Dobson," he said grimly. "But there are better ways -of getting even with Rexworth than fighting; and I mean to try them -all. Have you seen Brown again?" - -"Yes," said Dobson. - -And Elgert went on-- - -"Well, what did he say?" - -"Only just what he has said all along. He has not been able to get it -yet, but he thinks that he will. I tell you, Elgert, that I believe he -is playing with us----" - -"What do you mean?" cried Elgert sharply. "How playing with us?" - -"Well, he either knows more than he pretends to, or else he suspects -something. I don't think that he means to let us have that note." - -Horace Elgert was silent for a few moments. Evidently he found that -statement very disquieting. - -"It will be a nice mess if it is like that," he said at last. "But it -is no good worrying over it unless it comes. I will go and see him -myself. You are a bit of a messer when it comes to doing anything. You -don't seem to use your wits----" - -"Can't use my wits to make him give me a thing which he has either not -got or don't mean to part with," grumbled Dobson. - -"You might have used your wits to make sure that he never got it. I did -all the dangerous part of the work, and only left you something which -was safe and easy, and you went and bungled it!" - -"Oh, don't begin that all over again. I am sick and tired of hearing -of it. Whenever you have nothing else to grumble about you bring that -up. Just drop it, or don't talk at all!" - -Elgert saw that his companion was getting really cross; and though he -despised Dobson at heart, he could not afford to quarrel with him, for -the boy knew too much of his evil ways; so he affected to laugh at the -angry words. - -"Don't lose your temper," he said. "I never came near such a surly -chap! A fellow can't speak to you without your taking offence." - -"Well, then, drop it. I don't like having things thrown in my face like -you throw that. It is done, and it can't be undone, so what is the good -of talking of it?" - -"You will find there will be some talking about it if ever it comes to -light," was the grim answer. And Dobson looked miserable. How he wished -now that he had never had anything to do with the wretched business. - -"I wonder," mused Elgert, "what became of that fellow Charlton?" - -"We'd best let that alone," retorted Dobson. "We have got ourselves -disliked quite enough over it." - -"What do I care for that? If only I knew where he was, do you think -that I would hesitate to tell? I would do it, if it was only to spite -Rexworth." - -"It would not hurt him," answered Dobson. "It is not his father." - -"No, but it is his chum's, and he would be sure to feel it. I only wish -I knew where he was." - -"But you don't," remarked Dobson. - -"But I might find out. I only wish that I could!" - -"Talk of angels and see their wings," said Dobson; and at this -apparently vague proverb Elgert turned excitedly. - -"Where? What do you mean? Not the man?" - -"No," answered Dobson, with a shake of the head. - -"I don't see Rexworth or Charlton." And Elgert stared round. "Bother -it! Don't stand grinning there like a monkey. Tell me what you mean." - -"Only that there goes Charlton's mother," said Dobson, nodding in the -direction of the common. - -"Well, what of that? We don't want his mother, do we? It is his father -we are talking about." - -"I know that," came the calm answer. And Dobson looked very knowing. "I -am a monkey and a silly, and I don't know what besides, but I may be -able to think smarter than you can, Elgert. May not Charlton's mother -lead us to Charlton's father? She is sure to know where he is, and do -you know that since that affair she has been going to the St. Clives' a -lot----" - -"How do you know?" demanded Elgert. - -"My sister told me that she has seen her go there frequently; and -sometimes, instead of going right in at the front gate she has gone in -at the side one. That looks strange, don't it? And she was not visiting -there before--I know that." - -Elgert pondered a while in silence, then he suddenly turned, and Dobson -inquired where he was going. - -"To follow her. There may be something in what you say. I should hardly -think that they would hide a convict away, but they might--some people -do such strange things--and St. Clive don't like my father, I know. Let -us follow her." - -"Well, it will only be to St. Clive's place. And what are we to do -then? We can't say that she goes to see her husband because she goes -there." - -"What did you tell me about it for, then? You looked knowing enough. -It is not much good talking of a thing if we cannot follow it up. I am -going after her, at any rate. You need not come if you don't want to." - -"Oh, I will come, Disagreeable!" answered Dobson. And the two boys set -out, following the lady, who was quite unconscious of their wicked -desires. - -And they could follow her openly and without fear, for if she had seen -them close by her side she would have thought nothing of it. The boys -from the school were common enough objects in the place. - -And it chanced that Mrs. Charlton was indeed going to see her poor -husband; to try and cheer him, and urge him to be hopeful and patient, -and to tell him that presently the clouds would all vanish, and the sun -shine out again. - -And after her the two boys went like spies, and neither Elgert nor -Dobson thought what a wicked thing they were doing. There was with -them the love of doing evil and causing sorrow--the delight of little, -spiteful natures--but there was also the greater desire to cause Ralph -Rexworth pain. That was before everything, and so on they went. And -Mrs. Charlton, all unconscious of evil, entered the grounds of Mr. St. -Clive's house, and as Dobson had said, she went in at the side gate. - -Mr. St. Clive had arranged that with her, so that she could go directly -to her husband's cottage without any of the servants in the house -knowing that she was there. - -And the boys stood at that gate undecided for a little while. The path -was soon lost to view amidst the bushes. Elgert looked round, and then -deliberately climbed over the gate. - -"You can stay or come," he whispered to Dobson; "I mean to go on and -see this through." And Dobson, not without some inward fears, followed -his example. It was delightful, this tracking a man down; it was like -the stories of adventure, and he wanted to see the end of it. - -"Come quietly," directed Elgert in suppressed tones. "Don't make a -noise with your feet, and stoop down; they might see your head over -the bushes. That is it. Now follow me." - -Creeping along stealthily, Dobson in the rear, he followed the -direction which Mrs. Charlton had taken, and presently the shrubberies -ended, and there were flower beds and lawns. Clearly, it would be -dangerous for them to go any farther if they wished to remain unseen. - -"We will stop here and watch," said he to Dobson. And the latter, -crouching there, whispered-- - -"Where has she gone? I don't see her anywhere." - -"She must have gone into that cottage. I would creep across and try to -peep through the window, but I am afraid that I should be discovered; -and if we gave them the alarm, he might be off." - -"You don't think that the man is hiding there, do you?" queried Dobson, -trembling betwixt fear and excitement. - -Truth to tell, when he had made his suggestion, it had been merely from -the love of talking; he had not thought really that there was anything -in it; and now there seemed to be a very great deal. - -"I do think it," Elgert answered. "Hush! Let us watch. No one knows -that we are here, and no one can see us. We can easily creep out the -same way that we came. Keep still, she is coming out of the cottage!" - -Yes, Mrs. Charlton was coming out, and with her a poor, bent decrepit -old gardener. But--but she held his arm, and once she pressed a kiss on -his cheek! Horace Elgert felt his heart thrill with evil triumph. He -saw it all now. Mr. St. Clive was keeping the man here, in the position -of a gardener, and Mrs. Charlton came to see him! - -"We have got him now, Dobson," he whispered to his companion. "We have -got him now, and he will not get away from the police a second time! It -is the first step to paying Ralph Rexworth what we owe him!" - -[Illustration: "'WE HAVE GOT HIM NOW, DOBSON,' HE WHISPERED TO HIS -COMPANION." p. 230.] - - - - -CHAPTER XXV - -JUST IN TIME - - -"What shall we do next, Elgert?" - -Dobson whispered that question in his ear, as the two crouched in the -shrubbery watching Mrs. Charlton and her husband. - -"Do! What a question! Get away from here, and then go straight to the -police and give them information. They won't mention our names, and the -fellows at the school need never know that we have had any part in it. -We have seen enough, so come on, and mind you don't let them either see -or hear you. I would not have them alarmed for anything." - -The two stole silently off, treading on tiptoe, walking with the -greatest care, until once more they climbed over the gate, and stood -safely in the roadway. - -"Thank goodness we are out of that without any trouble," said Dobson; -and Elgert inquired, contemptuously, what danger he feared would come -to them in the grounds. - -"Dogs," retorted Dobson tersely. "We weren't to know that there were no -dogs loose. I thought that I heard a rustling in the bushes once, as -though one was pushing his way towards us, and it made me turn cold. -Well, now we are here, what next?" - -"The police, at once. How dark it is getting, and was not that thunder?" - -"Yes, I reckon they are getting a smart storm not far from here. The -police-station, is it?" - -"Of course. The man is here, we do not know how long he may remain, -so we cannot waste time; and I am not going to let the possibility -of getting caught in a shower prevent me from having my revenge on -Rexworth, and making things unpleasant for these stuck-up St. Clives. -I hate them! St. Clive himself, because he backs this Rexworth up; his -wife, because she is so very goody-goody; and the girl, because she is -a proud little minx, who turns up her nose at me, and----" - -"Ha, ha!" laughed Dobson. "Jealous because Rexworth cut you out, that -is it! Well, I don't mind. Come on, if you are coming. The police will -be pleased enough to know; and if there is a reward, we may as well -have it." - -"You can take it, if you like," retorted Elgert. "I don't want their -money. All I want is to see the man taken again, and taken there to -prove that the St. Clives are in it." - -They turned and hurried off; and then, very cautiously, from amidst -the laurels, there arose a little scared and indignant face--a face -surrounded by golden hair. Irene St. Clive had seen them and heard all -that they had said! - -She had seen them go into the shrubbery, and had wondered what tricks -they were about to play. Her first idea was that it was something to do -with Ralph, something to vex him; for she knew both the boys, and was -aware that they were his enemies. So she had followed them, that she -might see, and then warn Ralph. And then it had flashed upon her! Mrs. -Charlton was there with her husband; and the boys were spying upon her. -Oh, what mean, miserable boys to call themselves gentlemen, and do such -things! - -She heard what they said when they stood in the roadway, and then she -turned and raced indoors to tell her father; even in her dismay, she -was thoughtful enough not to go to her mother first, lest she should be -needlessly alarmed. Her father would know best what was to be done. - -And her tidings filled Mr. St. Clive with concern. Where could poor Mr. -Charlton go? Where else was there for him to hide? - -He reproached himself now that he had not sent him away sooner. But Mr. -Charlton had seemed to derive such comfort from being able to see his -son and wife frequently, that Mr. St. Clive had allowed things to go on -as they were, and now it might be too late! - -Yes, even with Irene's warning, too late; for the man could not go out -just as he was. Mr. St. Clive knew full well that every hiding-place -would be searched--that escape would be almost impossible--and he -shrank from being the bearer of such bad tidings to the husband and -wife. - -But it had to be done, the warning must be given, and given at once, -and he rose, Irene following him, and went into the grounds and towards -the cottage. His own wife was there at the moment speaking with Mrs. -Charlton. - -And the dismay, the sorrow, that they exhibited when the tidings were -told! The poor man must fly from here and be a wanderer again--hunted -hither and thither, not knowing from hour to hour if he should be -captured, not able even to get a message to his wife, or to hear how it -fared with her and his son. It was very hard indeed. - -"You have done all that one man could to help another, sir," he said to -Mr. St. Clive, as he held his weeping wife in his arms. "I shall never, -never forget your kindness, nor that of your good wife and dear little -daughter. You will be a friend to my poor wife and my boy--I feel sure -that you will be--and now I must change this disguise, and go. To go -as the old gardener might be more dangerous than to go as the escaped -prisoner." - -"But where can you go? Where can you hide for the time? If you could -only find a place, the police might come to the conclusion that the -boys had made a mistake, and abandon the search again, so giving you -opportunity of getting out of England. So far as money can aid, you -can count upon me, but money will be of no avail, if you cannot elude -your pursuers, and----" - -A hurrying of feet! Oh, surely the police could not be there already! -No; a well-known shrill whistle! Ralph and his chums were coming, and -Ralph must be told. - -Now, Warren knew nothing about Charlton's father being there, and the -two boys had allowed their chum to come in because there was no danger; -he would only think that it was an old gardener at work. - -But when they saw Mr. St. Clive and all the others in that little -cottage, they stopped, and Charlton faltered out-- - -"What is it? Oh, what is it, father?" And so he gave away his secret to -the monitor. - -And they told them, and Charlton stood very white, and clenched his -fist. - -"Elgert again," he said. "Oh, I hate him! I should like to kill him." -But his father put his hand on his arm and said, almost sternly-- - -"My son, such words are not for the lips of a Christian boy." - -"Well, sir, at any rate you can't blame Fred for using them," broke in -Warren. "I know I should feel like it. They are a pair of cads, and -deserve kicking." - -"Be quiet, Tom," chimed in Ralph. "Never mind them. The thing is what -can we do? Where can Mr. Charlton go so that he can hide in safety for -the time?" - -"Nowhere," said the man sadly. "There is no spot about here where I can -be safe. I am afraid that I am losing heart," he added, "but it seems -hopeless." - -"Never say, die, sir," cried Warren. "I know a place, a jolly place, -where you could hide for a month; yes, even if they knew you were there -they would not be able to get you. You could dodge them, and dodge -them, for ever so long----" - -"The ruin!" cried Ralph suddenly. "Warren, you're a brick! The ruin, of -course----" - -"What ruin? Where?" asked Mr. St. Clive, while the rest listened -anxiously. "Speak quickly, lads, for time is precious." And Ralph -explained their adventure of that afternoon, adding-- - -"Of course, there are the dogs, but even if they scented him down he -could shut them out; they couldn't get at him, and the very fact that -the dogs were loose would hinder people from imagining that any one was -hiding there. Besides, I don't believe that any people know about it. I -didn't until to-day, and I thought that I had pretty well explored the -country round here." - -"How am I to get to this place, boys?" - -"By following us," said Ralph. "Yes, we will all three go, and skirmish -out one ahead of the other, so that if danger is about we can give -warning. Never you fear, we will get there safe enough, if we have a -little start. But you will want things, even at once; light--you must -be careful to hide that from being seen--and food, and some rugs." - -Away hurried Mrs. St. Clive and her husband and hastily procured what -they thought would be immediate necessities, while Mr. Charlton took -off the disguise. His rest there had done him good. He was strong and -well, not a bit like the wearied man who had at first come there. The -boys divided the burdens between them; and then, with last hand shakes, -and with a parting embrace between husband and wife, Mr. Charlton -followed the three boys from the place where he had been so kindly -treated. - -"Won't Elgert and Dobson be precious mad!" said Warren. "It was -fortunate for you, sir, that little Irene heard them talking." - -"It is fortunate for me that my boy has two such faithful friends -as you and Ralph here," answered Mr. Charlton. "I feel that Heaven, -knowing my innocence, has raised me up helpers all round." - -"That is the way, sir," said Ralph heartily. "Go on thinking that and -you won't lose heart, and presently the truth will come to light----" - -"Now then, Ralph," cried Warren, interrupting him. "Send on ahead, and -keep both your eyes open, get well on in front, and give the Fourth's -whistle if you see any one about." - -They were now getting away from the road and on towards Stow Wood. They -would have to go through that and then out across the common, leaving -Great Stow on their right. It would have been shorter to have gone -through Great Stow, but they did not dare that, there were too many -people about. - -Away raced Charlton, pushing into the wood, and then Warren dived away -to the right, and Ralph led Mr. Charlton directly on. - -But no warning whistle came. The storm was gathering up again, and no -one who could avoid it was out of doors. They pushed through the wood -and across the common, out to Crab Tree Hill; and then they circled -the preserves, and came to the place they sought; and, as Ralph said, -it looked as if they had been led to the spot that afternoon, in order -that they might know where to bring Mr. Charlton. - -And into the ruin they led the way with a lighted candle, and showed -the man all the windings and secret ways that they had found out. - -"I dare say that there are plenty more, for it is a strange old place," -Ralph said, "and you will be able to find them out for yourself." - -"The only thing that I see, is you cannot make a fire here. At least, -if you did, the smoke might be seen," added Warren; and Mr. Charlton -smiled. - -"We can do without the fire, my kind young friend," he said. "I shall -manage here very well. But now do you all go, for you are nearly wet -through, and I fear that you may suffer some ill effects, and you all -look tired to death, too. Shake hands with me, and be off." - -"We shall manage to let you know soon, sir, how things go," said Ralph, -"and we will bring more food and things. Good-bye, sir, and keep up a -good heart." - -"Good-bye, and good-bye and God bless you, my own dear son." And the -father and son embraced. - -Then the three lads dashed away, making for home as fast as they could; -and though Warren wondered what his people would think of him for being -so late, nothing could persuade him to refrain from going back to Mr. -St. Clive's, just to see how things had gone. - - - - -CHAPTER XXVI - -TOM WARREN SPEAKS HIS MIND - - -If ever three boys were tired and wet and cold, Ralph and his chums -were when they once again arrived at Mr. St. Clive's; but for all -that, they were three delighted boys, for they had succeeded in their -mission, and Mr. Charlton was safe. - -They found that the police had been and gone, and were none the wiser -for their visit. Mr. St. Clive had received them readily, and told them -that he certainly had employed an old gardener, but that the man had -left his employ only a short time before they came, and that he could -give them no information about him. - -It was highly distasteful to an honourable gentleman like Mr. St. -Clive even to say anything which, while strictly true, had yet the -qualities of a lie, but in this case he was forced to do so. He could -not give the poor man up to justice--a man whom he honestly believed to -have been wrongly convicted--especially after having received him and -sheltered him so long. - -But when Elgert and Dobson heard that the search was unsuccessful, oh, -how angry they were! They had come back with the constables, and Mr. -St. Clive turned to them and spoke very sternly. - -"So it appears that I am indebted to you two young gentlemen for this -visit," he said. "First of all you trespass upon my grounds; then you -take upon yourselves to give this information to the police; and now -you have come back uninvited. Kindly oblige me by taking yourselves -off; and understand that if I find you on my grounds again, I shall not -have the slightest hesitation in horsewhipping the pair of you!" - -Oh, what a rage Elgert was in! To be spoken to like that! He, the -Honourable Horace Elgert! - -He went home and told his father, and Lord Elgert rode over in a -terrible passion to demand an explanation from Mr. St. Clive. - -But that gentleman took things very calmly, and his lordship got little -satisfaction from him. - -"It is my belief, sir, that my son is correct, and that you have been -harbouring a fugitive from justice!" shouted his lordship. "It is like -you to do that. You have taken that young rascal, Rexworth, in spite of -the knowledge that his father is a man who attempted to rob me." - -"Pardon me, Lord Elgert," answered Mr. St. Clive, "I have tried to -repay a debt of gratitude I owe to a brave boy, who rescued my child -from death, at the peril of his own life, because you would not take -the trouble to have your bull properly secured. As to the knowledge -that his father tried to rob you, I know nothing of the kind." - -"I have told you so. You have my word for it," replied Lord Elgert; and -Mr. St. Clive answered drily-- - -"That is a very different thing from knowing it." - -"You insult me, sir! You deliberately insult me! But be careful, or you -shall answer for it. Make no mistake, you shall answer for it!" And -with that, his lordship rode off in a towering rage. - -Mr. St. Clive did not trouble to tell Ralph all the unkind things which -Lord Elgert had said, for there was nothing to be gained by causing the -boy pain; and so, after giving them all hot cocoa, Warren and Charlton -were sent off to their homes, and Ralph was glad to get to bed, for he -was quite tired out. - -And then, after one of those quiet Sundays which he had got to value -so much, he set off for school on the Monday morning, calling for -Charlton, and meeting with Warren on the way. - -"Well, Rexworth, and how do you feel to-day?" - -Now, if Warren or Charlton had asked that question, there would have -been nothing strange in it; but it was neither of the boys. It was Mr. -Delermain, when the class was assembled; and Ralph, although he felt -surprised, answered that he felt very well. - -"Ah!" said the master, and he smiled. "Well, I am glad of that, for -to-day you have to uphold the honour of the Fourth. You will not take -your place for lessons as usual. The examination for the Newlet is -to-day. You are to go to the Head's class-room immediately after -prayers." - -"Good luck to you, Rexworth," whispered Charlton, looking quite -nervous; and Tom Warren patted him on the shoulder and added -imploringly-- - -"Now, mind you keep cool, Ralph--keep quite cool. Don't get flustered -if you cannot answer every question, and don't spend too much time over -the easy ones. Answer them first, as briefly as you can, and then go -for the others. Keep cool, old fellow, for the honour of the Fourth." - -Certainly Ralph did feel just a trifle anxious and nervous; but he had -worked hard, and felt pretty well grounded in his subjects, and he -meant to do his best honestly. - -So when prayers were over, he rose and went out of the class-room, -while the boys, thinking that the occasion admitted of it, cried out -aloud: "Good luck to you, Rexworth! Hope that you will succeed!" - -"Jolly lot of fuss they make about that chap," sneered Dobson to the -boy next him. "It is just a disgrace to let such a fellow as that sit -for the Newlet." - -"Especially when a bright, intellectual fellow like Dobson does not -go in for it!" was the answer he received; and Dobson glowered and -muttered something about his "cheek." - -Somehow, Charlton could not get on as he ought to have done that -morning. He was so anxious about Ralph, and he was so full of his -father, and wondering whether he was all safe. Mr. Delermain had to -rebuke him once or twice--he did not understand things like Warren -did--and poor Charlton lost his place and got a bad mark; and somehow -he could not help it, the tears would come into his eyes. Dobson saw -it, and grinned. He sniffed, and drew his handkerchief out, pretending -to wipe away tears and wring the water out on the floor. Mr. Delermain -saw him, and Dobson got something to cry for. Six handers, and a bad -mark. Dobson vowed to make Charlton suffer for it, as if it were his -fault that he had been caned. - -And he had his chance when recess came. - -"Hallo, Elgert!" cried Dobson, as he saw his friend. "I say, I want to -ask you a question. Who was the first gardener?"--and he winked towards -Charlton, who was standing near. - -"Adam," was Elgert's reply; and Dobson nodded. - -"Quite right; and who was the very last one that we know anything -about, eh?" - -"A fellow named Charlton, some relation to one of your Form, I think. -Quite a public personage, and eagerly sought after by the police." - -Poor Charlton! His face went white, and his eyes sparkled with anger. -Dobson saw it, and laughed mockingly. Charlton was a weakly boy, and -the bully was by no means afraid of him. - -"Funny how some people have queer tastes," he went on. "I should have -thought that breaking stones was no harder work than digging. By the -way, it is breaking stones that they put convicts to, is it not?" - -"You say that to insult me?" - -Charlton spoke in low tones, and his face was very white; and Dobson -laughed again. - -"Oh, I say, you chaps, is not this a rich joke? Here is Charlton asking -if we mean to insult him! My dear fellow, your presence is such an -insult----" - -Dobson stopped and ducked, for the maddened boy had struck so fierce a -blow that had the bully received it, it would surely have knocked him -down. - -"Go on, Dobson! Give him a hiding!" cried Elgert. But then Tom Warren -pushed forward and cried out-- - -"Drop that! Charlton, don't be stupid; and you, Dobson, if you want to -fight, fight me." - -"I say, you fellows," said Elgert, "how much longer are we going to -be dictated to by Tom Warren? Charlton struck the first blow. It is -his fight, and he ought to go through with it. It is a condescension -on Dobson's part to fight with such a fellow." And some of the boys -murmured approval. - -"Hold hard a minute," said Warren. "Since Elgert puts it that way, we -will see if the boot is not on the other foot. Let me see, Dobson asked -who was the last gardener, didn't he?" - -"That is it, Warren!" cried some of the others. "And Charlton got mad." - -"Very well; now I will tell you why. It seems that Elgert and Dobson, -wanting a little employment, and liking to play the part of spies and -informers----" Elgert started. He had no idea that Warren knew about -that, and it was the very last thing he wished the school to hear of. -He attempted to turn away, but Warren noticed it, and went on. - -"You had better stop, Elgert, unless you are too ashamed to let -gentlemen see your face." And Elgert stopped, white to the lips with -passion. - -"That is better," said the monitor. "Well, you chaps, I was saying that -our gentlemanly friends, Messrs. Elgert and Dobson, finding it to their -taste to play the part of spies, must needs dog the steps of a lady, -and that lady Mrs. Charlton, under the impression that she would guide -them to the spot where her husband was hidden. - -"Now, having played this delightful part, these refined young gentlemen -came upon an old gardener in Mr. St. Clive's grounds, and jumped to the -conclusion that it was the lady's husband in disguise. - -"Then they came away and quietly enough, for they had no wish to -disturb the parties concerned. But once away, they set off as hard as -they could go, running all the way, to the police-station, to tell the -constables that the man they wanted was hiding at Mr. St. Clive's. -I would mention the fact that there is a reward offered for the -apprehension of this man; perhaps that had something to do with their -action. And this pair of spies and informers have the impudence to -speak of it being a condescension for one of them to fight a boy in no -way his equal." - -"I say, Warren, it can't be true!" cried one boy in disgust. "No fellow -at our school would be such an awful cad!" - -"Look at Elgert's face. Does that look like innocence?" answered -Warren. "You can ask Mr. St. Clive, if you like; but you ought not to -want to after that!" And he pointed to Horace Elgert. - -Ay, there was no mistake; he looked guilty, and he knew it was no good -trying to deny the charge. He strove to look careless and dignified, -and he turned away on his heel; but then a storm of hisses broke out. -Hisses! They were hissing him! And he had once been their leader! And -above the clamour came the shrill voices of the juniors-- - -"Sneak! Sneak! Sneak!" - -He felt as if he must press his fingers in his ears and run, but he -managed to maintain his slow walk, and got into the class-room, Dobson -at his heels; and the latter asked in consternation-- - -"How ever did they find out?" - -"I don't know--I don't care!" was the fierce answer. "But I will pay -them all out! And to think of Rexworth going in for the Newlet!" - -"Won't he crow if he manages to get through!" remarked Dobson; and -Elgert jumped up. - -"He must not get through, Dobson; somehow we must stop him." - -"That is all very well. But how can we do it?" queried Dobson, with a -shake of his head. And Elgert replied-- - -"Wait until morning school is over, and I will tell you." - - - - -CHAPTER XXVII - -IN THE DEAD OF THE NIGHT - - -"I tell you that it can be done. What danger is there, if we are only -careful not to make a noise? What a miserable coward you are, Dobson!" - -So said Horace Elgert. He and Dobson were together, and morning school -was over. They had met that Elgert might unfold his plan for preventing -Ralph Rexworth having any chance of gaining the Newlet medal, and -also for getting him into disgrace by making it appear that he had -been cribbing; and apparently Dobson did not much like the plan, and -had been making objections which had called forth Elgert's angry -remonstrance. - -"What danger can there be?" The question came again, when Dobson did -not reply. "Why, you have risked more than that when we have left the -house at night! You have thought that a lark. And now we have only to -go to the Head's desk, and then sit in the class-room for an hour or -so." - -"It will be awfully cold there," shivered Dobson. "And just -think--stopping for two hours, and the chance all the time that some -one will come!" - -"Rubbish! If it is cold, put on your overcoat. You don't call it cold -when you stand for longer than that keeping goal, with an east wind -blowing. It is no use trying to make objections. I am determined to try -it, and you have just got to help me." - -"I don't see how we can do it," grumbled Dobson. "I think we had better -leave him alone. After all, it don't matter to us if he gets the medal." - -"Everything matters that advances him. Now, look here. After the exam. -is over, all the papers are taken to the Head, and he puts them in his -desk, and sends them to the examiners in the morning. We know that -much." - -"Yes," assented Dobson. - -"Very well. Now, the catch of the Head's roller desk is broken. I heard -him say yesterday that he had forgotten to send for a man to repair it. -There the papers will be, with nothing to prevent us from getting hold -of Rexworth's. That is easy enough. We wait till the place is quiet, -and then go to the Head's class-room and take what we want. Then we go -to our own class-room, and have our bicycle lamps to give us light. You -know that I can write like Rexworth; and even if I did not, no one will -know. The Head does not examine the papers himself, and the chap he -sends them to would not know the difference, even if you scrawled the -answers." - -"But what do you want me for?" objected Dobson. "We can't both write." - -"You sneak! You want me to do it all. Why, to keep me company, and -to be in it as well as me. Besides, I shall want you to read me some -answers from Grimwade. I have a copy; and I don't mean only to write -wrong answers to some questions, but to put in extracts, so that it -will look as if he had been using a crib----" - -"It will take an awful long time! He takes all day over the papers." - -"Yes; but he has got to think of the answers, and we shall not have to -do anything of the kind. We can copy a lot of what he has written--you -reading and I writing. Then we just take our set of papers back and put -them with the others, and we destroy his, and who is to know a thing -about it?" - -"I don't like it," protested Dobson. "I know that we shall get caught -one of these days, and then we shall be expelled, and it will be all -your fault." - -"Then you have just got to like it!" retorted Elgert; and Dobson burst -out furiously-- - -"Oh, have I? Think I am going to be ordered about by you, Horace -Elgert! Why have I got to like it, pray?" - -"Because you changed that five-pound note!" - -"But you gave it to me," retorted Dobson, changing colour, and falling -back upon his old plea; and Elgert laughed. - -"You prove that, if you can. You are the only one implicated in it." - -"You are a jolly mean sneak!" cried his companion; and again Elgert -laughed, this time rather menacingly. - -"I wouldn't talk in that way if I were you, Dobson," he said. "It is a -bit foolish to quarrel with me. Now, don't be silly, but say that you -agree." - -"I suppose I must," was the sulky reply; "but I tell you I think it -risky. Besides, all that we have yet done has not harmed Rexworth; but -it has jolly well hurt us." - -"We will be more successful this time. But let us clear off, for that -little sneak Charlton is watching us, and he may get suspicious if he -sees us talking together." - -"Punch his head!" said Dobson. He was brave enough when it came to -ill-treating boys weaker than himself. "He is alone; punch his head!" - -"No. You forget we should have Warren and all his gang down on us, and -perhaps Kesterway taking the matter to the Head. Let him go for the -time. We will have him over his father yet, and that will be better -than giving him a licking." - -It was quite true that Charlton had seen the two together, and he was -indeed wondering what mischief they were plotting. Ralph was still a -prisoner over his examination papers, for until they were done he was -not allowed to leave the class-room; and Warren was at the moment -away, so that Charlton was alone. - -He was very anxious for Ralph's success, and perhaps that very anxiety -made him suspicious of the two boys who were such bitter enemies of his -chum. At any rate, Charlton determined to keep a very sharp eye upon -the movements of Elgert and Dobson, though he was quite ignorant of any -way in which they could harm Ralph. - -But, in spite of his watching, nothing occurred. The dinner-hour -passed and afternoon school began, and all went smoothly; and Charlton -managed to retrieve the loss which his anxiety had brought to him in -the morning. And then, when the bell rang, and the boys filed out, free -to do as they liked, until teatime, there Ralph joined them, a trifle -tired, it is true, but very hopeful, for he felt confident that he had -answered every question that had been given to him without making a -huge number of mistakes. - -A general rush of Fourth Form boys occurred, and he was surrounded by a -throng of eager questioners. - -"How did you get on, Rexworth? Was it very stiff? Could you manage it? -How many questions did you get through?" - -These and a score of kindred questions were asked; and when Ralph -answered that he thought he had managed all right, and that he had -answered every question, a hearty cheer followed. - -"Hurrah for Rexworth and the Fourth!" - -Dobson and Elgert heard it, and the latter laughed quietly, and said, -with a sneer upon his handsome face-- - -"Go on; cheer away. You will have something to cheer for presently." - -The evening wore away--tea, and preparation, and recess, and finally -bed; and after the usual chatter and skylarking when monitors' backs -were turned, the boys of Marlthorpe College were all snugly in bed, the -gas had been turned out in the dormitories, save for one faint glimmer -at the end of each room, and silence reigned throughout the old school. - -Perhaps it was because he was so anxious for Ralph's success, perhaps -it was that he was thinking of Dobson and Elgert, or of his poor -father away there in that dreary ruin, but somehow Charlton could not -get to sleep. He lay there thinking, thinking, long after the regular -breathing from Ralph, and the occasional gurgle and snore from Warren, -announced that his two chums were fast asleep. - -Would Ralph get the medal? Would his father ever get safely away? Or, -better still, would he ever be proved to be innocent? Would---- - -A stealthy movement caused him to open his eyes. A boy, higher up the -dormitory, had got out of bed; and that boy was Dobson! - -Charlton held his breath and felt himself trembling with excitement. -Elgert and the bully had plotted something, after all, then; -and--and--why, Dobson was dressing! And now he crept out of the -dormitory with careful, noiseless steps! - -Then Charlton, as soon as he was gone, slipped from his bed also. At -first he thought of rousing Ralph and Warren; but he paused. A strange -ambition filled his heart. How lovely it would be to do this all by -himself--to follow and see what mischief they were doing, and, if it -was anything to harm Ralph, to frustrate their plot, alone and unaided! - -Rapidly he slipped on his clothes. At any other time he would have -trembled at the audacity of such a deed after hours; but now he was -filled only with the one thought of serving Ralph, and he neither -considered the risk of being discovered, nor the seriousness of -matching himself against two such boys as Elgert and Dobson--for he -felt absolutely certain that Elgert would also be in this business. - -Then, in his stockinged feet, he also slipped into the corridor -and stood listening. Where had Dobson gone? How horribly dark it -seemed--and how cold and desolate! He stood undecided for a moment; -then he heard a stealthy sound--and from the entrance to the Fifth he -saw Elgert come. Ah, he had not been mistaken, then! He stepped back -and peeped round the dormitory door. Elgert was stealing down the -stairs, and--yes, there Dobson was awaiting him. The two glided on, -noiseless as mice; and Charlton, his heart thumping so that it seemed -as if the two in front must hear it, creeping cautiously in the rear, -determined to ascertain what they were going to do. - -Down, past the Fourth class-room, they groped their way, and then to -the Head's room. The Head's room! The room in which the examination -papers were kept! - -Charlton, crouching at the door, watched them as they lit their bicycle -lamps and stole to the big desk at the top of the room. Then came a -slight click and the top was rolled back, and he could see the two -bending over the interior, searching for something. - -"Here we are!" whispered Elgert, as he took up a neat little roll of -papers. "Mind your fingers, silly!"--and he let the top of the desk -down with the greatest care. "You see how easy it is." - -"Best blow out the lamps until we get to the class-room," suggested -Dobson. "Some one might see them. You never know." And Elgert, willing -enough to take every precaution, complied. - -"We will precious soon spoil Rexworth's chances now!" he laughed -softly; and Charlton understood--or thought that he did. They were -going to destroy Ralph's answers, and they should not do it! - -Regardless of secrecy or of self, he sprang from the darkness; and, -before either of the startled boys could realize what had happened, he -had snatched that roll of paper from Elgert's grasp. - -"You sha'n't have them!" he said aloud. "You want to destroy them, and -you shall not have them!" - -"Charlton!" cried Elgert, in furious rage; and forgetful of all -precaution, he struck a savage blow at him, which sent him spinning -backwards over a form with a crash. - -"Keep quiet! You will rouse the whole school!" cried Dobson in terror. -"Hark! I hear some one coming. Run--run, I say, or we shall be found -here!" And Elgert, awakening to the danger of the position, glided away -with him, as voices were heard calling and asking what was the matter. - -"What shall we do now?" groaned Dobson; but his companion answered in a -fierce whisper-- - -"Quick--get back to your room and pull off your clothes, as if you had -just slipped out of bed. Be quick! Then come out on to the landing, as -if you were only half awake. They are certain to catch him, and we must -declare that we know nothing of it. He has the papers in his hand, and -it is our word against his, and appearances are upon our side." - -Dobson nodded, and hastily dragging off his clothes, he sat on the edge -of his bed, and called aloud: "Who is there?" That roused the others; -and he asserted that he had been scared by a noise downstairs. Up -tumbled Warren and Ralph and some more, and Charlton's bed was seen to -be empty. - -Then the Fifth Form boys, aroused by Elgert, came out on the landing, -only to be met by one of the masters, who quietly said that nothing was -wrong, and directed them all to go back to bed again. - -Nothing wrong! Go back to bed! But why was Charlton's bed empty? And -what did that glimpse of the boy, in the custody of Kesterway, the head -monitor, mean? Ralph looked at Warren in dismay. Whatever mischief had -Fred Charlton been up to? - - - - -CHAPTER XXVIII - -THE NEXT DAY - - -"Believe it! Of course we don't believe it. And I do not think that -the Head does, either. You cheer up, old fellow! I know you were only -trying to serve me; but you were silly to go without waking Warren, or -myself." - -The speaker was Ralph, and he addressed his chum Charlton, who was a -prisoner. A prisoner, that is, inasmuch as the Head had forbidden him -to go out into the playground until he had thoroughly gone into the -incidents of the previous night. - -It was all very well for Ralph to say "cheer up," but Charlton did not -feel very cheerful. His sensitive nature shrank from the position in -which he found himself, and his heart revolted at the wicked falsehoods -which were told so calmly by both Dobson and Elgert. Besides, he was -kept in, and that afternoon he had hoped to get across to see how his -father was getting on. - -And though we, who know the truth, may wonder how it was that the Head -should do this, still, the doctor himself did not know the truth, and -he could hardly think that two lads would tell such wicked deliberate -lies; and, moreover, everything pointed to Charlton being guilty. - -Dr. Beverly had been sitting up late, deep in a learned work with -which he was greatly interested, when he had heard the noise in his -class-room, followed by the voice of the head monitor, calling from -above, and asking what was the matter; and he had hurried out--to find -Charlton lying half dazed on the floor, having apparently fallen over a -form and struck his head; and in his hand was Ralph's examination paper. - -Charlton being a nervous boy, his very manner seemed guilty when the -Head had questioned him; and his story seemed to be false, for upon -Dr. Beverly hurrying upstairs, Elgert was found with only his trousers -on, as if he had just slipped out of bed, and Dobson was the same. -Moreover, the boys in the Fifth declared that Elgert was sitting up in -bed when they were aroused; and even Ralph and Warren had to own that -Dobson appeared as if he had only just woke up. - -And both Dobson and Elgert declared that they had never been -downstairs, and that Charlton had invented the story. - -So, still under the suspicion, he was kept in, and Ralph and Warren -seized the first opportunity of going to comfort him. - -"If the Head knew them as well as we do, he would not be in much doubt -about things," was Warren's verdict. "Don't you worry, old chap! We -know you would not do anything to harm Ralph." - -"I wanted to go and see my father this afternoon," sighed Charlton; and -Ralph answered-- - -"Never mind. I will go. Tom will come with me." - -"I am awfully sorry, but I cannot," the monitor put in. "I would in a -minute, but I promised mother to go round for her to my aunt's, and I -must not disappoint her." - -"Of course not," said Ralph immediately. "Well, I will go alone, and -explain to your father, old chap; so don't you worry about that any -more. I wish, though, that I could see some way of bringing this home -to those two, but I confess that I don't." - -"Wait a bit. Give them a rope long enough and they will hang -themselves!" growled Warren. "Now, buck up, Charlton, and don't let -them think that you are beaten!" And with that the two had to leave -their chum, and Charlton felt decidedly comforted. - -And, after school, Tom Warren went off to obey his mother's desire; and -Ralph, true to his promise, started on his journey to the man hiding in -the old ruin away by Crab Tree Hill; and the rest of the boys prepared -to spend their time according to their own inclinations. - -Jimmy Green and his chum Tinkle had made their plans. They were going -fishing. It is sometimes a matter for wonder why small boys will go -fishing, seeing that they seldom catch any fish, and don't know what -to do with them if by chance they manage to secure a few. Still, that -matters nothing. Jimmy and Tinkle were going fishing, and were busily -preparing a wonderful and fearful assortment of tackle and bait. Bait! -They had worms several inches long, and what they called paste--a -fearsome concoction of bread and clay kneaded together into little -balls. And they had a landing-net. We mention this for two reasons. -First, because of its size--it would have held a small salmon--and then -because it was destined to aid in landing some queer fish. We may not -say of what kind yet--but the point to remember is that they had the -landing-net. - -And Jimmy Green and his chum were discussing the problem of Charlton's -guilt, and their small minds appeared to be fully made up. - -"I just believe every word he says!" declared Green; and Tinkle nodded -his fat little head. - -"So do I!" he said. - -"Those two chaps are awful cads--dreadful cads!" continued Green, -with much warmth; and again Tinkle nodded. He did not believe in the -exertion of talking, unless it was absolutely necessary. - -"I wonder," he said slowly, as he pushed back a particularly lively -worm into the bait-tin--"I wonder, Jimmy, if we ought to tell what we -know about that note? I often wonder that." But Jimmy was still firm -upon that point. - -"What's the good? If we had the note now we might do it. But suppose -they treat us as they have treated Charlton, and say they did not go -there? How are we to prove it? And we let out that we have been there -ourselves. It ain't no good, Tinkle. I would tell if I thought it was; -but it isn't, and there is no getting away from it." - -"I suppose it ain't," was Tinkle's regretful answer. "Well, come on, -Jimmy! I think we have got everything we want, and we may as well have -all the time we can." - -"Where shall we go?" inquired Jimmy Green. - -"Oh, the pool below Becket Weir," answered Tinkle; "where Elgert nearly -got drowned." - -"Very well; come on, and let us see if we have any luck." And the two -young anglers set out, little dreaming what a very queer fish they were -going to catch that day. - -And what of Elgert and Dobson? Mean lads that they were, they were -delighted, and congratulated themselves upon their astuteness. True, -they had not got possession of Ralph's papers, and had failed in so far -as spoiling his chances for the medal went; but they had got Charlton -into fine disgrace. - -It was wonderfully smart upon their parts, they thought; and, as if to -add to their good fortune, Dobson had a little scrap of paper brought -to him by a town urchin--a message from Brown of the cake-shop, to the -effect that the latter had been successful in obtaining the "article" -he had inquired about; but that the price would be seven pounds for it, -cash down. - -Seven pounds! Elgert growled at that, but the note must be got again at -any cost; and so Dobson was given the sum required, and dispatched upon -his errand. - -He wanted Elgert to go with him, for company, but Elgert was too -cunning for that. He had kept out of the business all along, and he did -not mean to be seen in it now. To be sure, he had been with Dobson to -inquire about it in the first place, but he had no fear that the man -would betray him. Dobson had done the changing, and Dobson should do -the buying, and bring the note back to him. - -"I cannot come," he said, in answer to the boy's remonstrance. "I -expect our man over with a letter from my father, and I want to stay -here to get it. You must go alone. It won't take you long. Hurry back, -for I shall not go out until you return." - -"I always have to do the work," grumbled Dobson. "It is a horrid long -way to go alone." - -"Get out! Have not I found the money? And as to a long way, you don't -make much fuss about that if you think that you are going to be treated -to tarts. You clear off, and look sharp; and thank your lucky stars -that we have got out of the mess so nicely, for I confess that I did -not think that we were going to manage it!" - -So Dobson set off, and Horace Elgert turned back to the playground, -to await his return with what patience he could; and there the Head -himself came upon him, and stopped, and placed one hand upon his -shoulder, looking searchingly into his face. - -"I am glad that I have met you alone, Elgert," the doctor said. "For -I want to speak to you very seriously. I want to speak to you about -Charlton." - -"Yes, sir?" said the boy inquiringly. It was wonderful how calmly and -innocently he spoke. "What about him, sir--has he owned that his story -is false?" - -"Not so, Elgert. Nor am I satisfied that it is false, Elgert. Are you -satisfied that it is?" - -"Why, sir, of course I am!" he answered, staring up as if unable to -comprehend the Head's meaning, though he knew it well enough. - -"Elgert, there is an old Book with an old law, which says: 'Thou shalt -not bear false witness against thy neighbour.' In face of such a solemn -command, are you still sure that Charlton's story is false?" - -"You don't mean to say that I and Dobson were there taking those -papers, do you, sir?" he queried indignantly. "Ah, I see how it is! -You believe his word. I don't think that quite fair, sir. Consider the -difference between his surroundings and mine. Which will most likely -speak the truth--the son of a man wanted by the police, or the son of a -nobleman like my father?" - -"You still adhere to your statement, Elgert?" said the Head, taking no -notice of the latter part of his speech. And Elgert answered at once-- - -"Of course I do, sir!" - -"Then," said the Head, "I have no option but to be guided by -circumstances, and they all point to Charlton being guilty." And with -that he turned away. - -Elgert felt anxious and angry. What right had the Head to suspect -him of telling lies, or to doubt his honour? It is wonderful how -dishonourable people will talk of their honour. And suppose the Head -got Dobson, and began to question him. He must warn the fellow to be on -guard against that. - -The man he expected did not come. Elgert was angry. He told himself -that Dobson was taking double the time he need; and when at last his -companion returned, he asked very shortly-- - -"Well, have you got it?" - -"Yes; here it is, all safe. It is delightful to feel that danger is -past!" - -"A danger of your own making," retorted Elgert. "A danger that I have -had to pay for, and that has cost you nothing. And you look here! The -Head has been questioning me. He is suspicious, and preaches about -false witnessing. Mind what you are at if he begins on you; for if you -let anything out I will pay you out for it. You had better clear off -now, to be out of his way." - -Dobson complied readily enough. The last thing he wanted was for the -Head to carpet him. And then Horace Elgert, the note safe in his -pocket-book, put on his hat and went out. He was enraged that his man -had not been, and was going home to give him a good rating; and he, to -take a short cut, must go past Becket Weir, where Tinkle and Green had -gone to fish. - - - - -CHAPTER XXIX - -WHAT TINKLE AND GREEN CAUGHT - - -"There don't seem to be much sport," said Tinkle to Green, as they -sat side by side on the river bank, casting longing glances at their -floats. Tinkle's bobbed under, and he pulled up sharply--he had hooked -a fine piece of weed, the tenth catch of the kind he had made. - -"Bother!" said Green, putting down the landing-net, which he had seized -to be in readiness to help his friend. "I am jolly well sick of it. Let -us drop it." - -Tinkle agreed; the rod was taken to pieces and the lines put away, and -then the pair stood up. - -"Ugh--ah-r-r!" sighed Tinkle. "Don't it make you cramped, and---- I -say, Green, there's a man coming, and by gum, I believe it's that -Elgert's man--the chap we saw in the cake-shop!" - -"So it is," was Green's answer. "And look how he is sauntering. Perhaps -he is going to meet some one." - -"Let us hide," suggested Tinkle eagerly, "in the old boathouse. We may -hear some more secrets." - -Green made no objection on the score of eavesdropping; the two -boys, bending low, darted across the towing-path, and into an old, -dilapidated, wooden building, now fast falling to decay, that had once -done duty as a boathouse. - -"Oh, I say, here comes Elgert himself!" said Green excitedly, peeping -through a hole. "Don't make a sound. I believe----" - -"Oh," interrupted Tinkle, in consternation, "they are coming in here! -Oh, what ever shall we do?" - -"Be quiet, you silly. Hide! Down you go flat under that old boat. Hold -up the end while I creep under; and whatever you do, don't sneeze. Mind -the net, and----" - -His words were cut short by the boat slipping from Tinkle's hands and -extinguishing them both. They lay side by side. They were quite safe, -for it was most unlikely that Elgert or the man would look beneath it. - -One of the planks had started, and they could hear plainly, and even -see a good deal of the interior of the place. They did see--saw Elgert -and the man enter; and Horace Elgert sat down on the top of that boat. - -"If I only had a pin!" muttered Green. And Tinkle dug him in the ribs -and breathed in his ear-- - -"Be quiet, or I will punch your head when I get you out!" - -"You are an impertinent rascal!" was Elgert's first polite remark. -"But don't you forget the book I have, with the confession in it. It -may get you into trouble yet." - -"And don't you forget, Mr. Horace, that it was your own father who -put me up to it. He wanted Charlton got out of the way, and he showed -me how to make a hundred pounds for myself, and make an innocent man -get the blame. I haven't had a single day's peace of mind since. My -conscience has accused me." - -"Your conscience! Where do you keep it?" laughed Elgert, while the ears -of the two hidden boys were strained to their utmost. "A pretty sort of -fellow you are. My father put you up to it! How can you prove that?" - -"I cannot," was the sulky answer. "He was too clever for that. I wrote -the truth in my pocket-book----" - -"Like the ass you are! What good would that do to you, or to Charlton?" - -"It did no good. But it made me feel better, even to confess it like -that. You stole the book--you, a fine gentleman! You stole it from my -coat!" - -"Yes; it was safer in my keeping than in yours. Such things are -dangerous if they are left lying about." - -"And you have used it as a threat to me ever since; and have ordered me -about as if I were a dog!" was the angry retort. And Elgert laughed. - -"I have found it useful certainly. And, my man, do you see that scar on -the back of your hand? It was a bad cut, I think. How did you manage -it?" - -The man, with a swift motion, put his hand in his pocket. - -"I cut it," he said. And Elgert laughed again. - -"Yes. Do you know what housebreaking is? I suppose you know nothing of -some one who broke into the school, the beginning of this term; and -who was found near my bed, with a pillow; it looked very much as if he -were going to try and kill me by smothering me. I wonder what that man -wanted. He was frightened away by one of our boys, and he cut his hand -getting over the wall. I wonder who that man was?" - -"You know it was me. I would have done it, too, if I had not been -found. I was frightened then, but I am not now. I am not in your power -any more." - -"Oh, and what has happened to change things?" inquired Horace Elgert -mockingly. - -"This," said the man fiercely. "If I have done wrong, what about you? -There was a five-pound note stolen at your school----" - -"What do you know about that?" cried Elgert quickly. - -"I know that it was changed in the town by your friend; and I know that -you and he went to buy it back, and paid far more than it was worth for -it, and----" - -"And having got it back, there the thing ends," laughed Horace; but the -man laughed also. - -"Oh, yes, you got it back; but not before I had photographed it! I have -the negative here, a beautiful negative that will enlarge." - -Elgert regarded him in silent fury. - -"Well," he said, altering his tone, "what do you want for it? I suppose -you are trying to make money?" - -"My book--the one you stole. If it is just as it was when I had it, -you shall have this; if it is torn or damaged, then I take this to the -police." - -"You are smarter than I thought," answered Elgert blandly; but oh, in -his heart, how he determined that in some way he would make this man -suffer! "Well, here is the book. You can see it is not harmed." - -The man snatched the book which the boy took from his pocket, and ran -to the door to get all the light he could, as he eagerly glanced inside. - -"It is all right," he said. "Here is the negative." And he handed it -to Elgert. "And now you go!"--this to the book. "You have caused me -trouble enough. Go where no one can get at you!" And, in a fit of rage, -he threw it into the river; and then he turned back to the boy. - -"Get it again, if you can!" he laughed. "My word is as good as yours, -now; and while you have the negative, you have not got the prints I -took from it. You are in my power now, Mr. Horace, and you had best be -civil, or there will be trouble." And with that he turned and hurried -off, leaving Horace Elgert alone, white with passion and fear. - -"I need not fear him," he muttered. "It only means paying enough, and I -shall get them. This can go, the water will soon wash the film off." - -He skimmed the negative away, but it slipped from his fingers and fell -into shallow water. He did not trouble; in less than an hour it would -be washed clean away. Then Horace Elgert produced a book from his -pocket, and this he, having tied a stone to it, also threw into the -river; then, finally, he took that dreadful banknote from his pocket, -and, striking a match, he set it alight and watched it burn to ashes. -Then, hands in pockets, he sauntered off, and Tinkle and Green crept -from their refuge. - -"We must get back," said Green. "We shall be late." - -"Get back be bothered!" rejoined Tinkle eagerly. "We are going to fish -again. Be careful. Here, hold open your book--I see one in your pocket!" - -Tinkle carefully picked up all the grey, fluffy ash of that burnt -banknote, and placed it between the leaves. - -"My father says that banknotes have a queer ash, and we may want to -show this. Now let us see if we can get those things out of the river. -That negative seemed to fall close in." - -"I see it!" cried Green, pointing into the water. - -"Look, there it is, out on that patch of white sand--see, there!" - -A clever stroke or two with the landing-net, and then the little square -of glass was in their hands. It was scratched somewhat, but unbroken. -Tinkle laid it on the grass carefully. - -"That is one," he said. "Now let us try for the others." - -He weighted his line heavily, and started. He fished and fished, and at -last he was rewarded--up came the pocket-book; and soon after, up came -another book with a stone tied to it. - -"It is a crib," pronounced Tinkle. "Come on, Green; we are in an awful -mess, and we are in for a caning, I suppose; but we have caught our -fish, and I don't care a bit." - -The two boys raced back to the school, and they were accosted in the -playground by Warren. - -"Hallo, you two kids! Where have you been, and how did you get into -that state?" the monitor asked. "You are over an hour late. Have you -seen anything of Rexworth?" - -"No, Warren. Isn't he in? We wanted him. Oh, we have got something to -tell him!" - -"You will have something to tell the doctor," answered Warren grimly. -"He is bound to want to know what you have been up to." - -"Don't go, Warren. Do listen to us. It concerns Rexworth and Charlton. -We know about Elgert." - -"What is that?" cried Warren, turning. "What do you mean?" And the -boys, with many "you sees" and "you knows," told their story, and -exhibited their treasures. - -"Here, you come with me!" said Warren. "You are a pair of little -bricks. Come with me!" - -"Where to, Warren?" they asked, as he hurried on--not in the direction -of their room, but towards the Head's house. "Where are we going?" - -"To the Head himself. He must deal with this. Don't you be frightened. -I don't think he will punish you for being late, after he knows what -kept you. Come on and speak up like men!" - -"Why, Warren!" exclaimed Dr. Beverly, in mild surprise, when the -monitor of the Fourth entered his presence, accompanied by the two -little draggled objects. "What is this? Have these boys been in the -river? Take them to the housekeeper at once. They are soaking wet!" - -"They won't hurt for a minute or two more. They have something to tell -you, sir--something I thought that you ought to hear before any one -else." - -"Indeed!" said the Head. "And what is it? Speak quickly, and let them -go; they will catch bad colds." - -So Warren told the story for them, and placed their catch before the -Head. And Dr. Beverly, great man as he was, shook these two happy -juniors by the hand, and called them clever boys, and dismissed them -to revel in special tea in the matron's room after he had strictly -enjoined both them and the monitor not to say a word of this, even to -Charlton or Ralph Rexworth. - -But Ralph had not come home, and it was getting late now. He had been -long enough to get to Crab Tree Hill and back twice over. What could -have happened to Ralph Rexworth? - - - - -CHAPTER XXX - -WHAT DETAINED RALPH REXWORTH - - -Ralph Rexworth stood in the old ruin, looking very perplexed. He could -not find Mr. Charlton anywhere. He had whistled, and called, and -searched, but not a trace of the hiding man could he discover. - -He felt anxious. What could it mean? Had the hiding-place been -discovered, and his chum's unfortunate parent again been taken -prisoner? Unless that was the case, he was at a loss to account for the -man's absence. - -"It is no use waiting any longer," he mused, after he had searched the -ruin through for the third time. "He has not hurt himself and fallen -anywhere in here. He must have been alarmed, and have fled, unless he -is taken. Poor old Fred will be horribly worried when I go back and -tell him; but there is nothing else for me to do, and I shall be late -back, as it is." - -He sighed. His friend's anxiety for his parent would be something like -what he felt for his missing father. It made Ralph think of that again, -and of the strange cry which he had heard in that place. He could not -understand that. As he stood there he felt an uncontrollable impulse to -penetrate to that lonely house again, to risk meeting the dogs, and to -try the effects of his call once more. - -"I am bound to be late, anyhow," he muttered, "so here goes." And he -set off. Perhaps he might meet Charlton's father in the wood. - -But--he stopped suddenly--what did this mean? There, on the soft -ground, were those tracks once more! Lord Elgert's lame mare had been -here! Did that mean that Lord Elgert himself had been; or had he lent -his trap to the police again, and had they managed to run their victim -down? - -The tracks did not touch the ruin; they began some way from it, and -swept round the spinny towards that lonely house. For Ralph to follow -them was but child's play. He had hardly to slacken his pace a bit, so -plainly the marks were to be seen on the soft, little-trodden earth. -They guided him to the spinny--to a little path cut through it, of -which he had been ignorant before--right up to the house itself; and -there, standing before the open door, was Lord Elgert's trap and the -lame mare. It was not to the ruin, but to that mysterious house that -the trap had been driven. But why? Ah, how Ralph asked himself that -question, and how impossible it was to find an answer to it! - -Lord Elgert seemed to have hated his father. Lord Elgert was here, -and he had heard his father's signal in this place. Ralph, crouching -behind the trees, uttered his old call, and then listened with almost -breathless attention. - -Yes. There--there, muffled but indistinct, the answer came! It came -from the house. His father was there, and his father was in Lord -Elgert's power! - -Ralph's first impulse was to dash forward; but he paused. He must -be cautious here. He remained hiding, waiting to see if any one had -noticed his call, and his prudence was rewarded by seeing Lord Elgert -himself come to the door, accompanied by the brutal-looking man whom he -had seen before, and glance anxiously round. - -Then the two seemed to consult; and presently the man went away, to -return with a couple of great tawny hounds, both of which he let loose. -Ralph's heart stood still. What could he do against those fierce -brutes? The man and Lord Elgert went in, and the dogs roamed round. -They had not struck his scent yet; but presently they would do so, and -then it would be a hard business for him. - -Ralph was preparing to cautiously creep away, when he heard a shout -from the house--a cry for help, and in his father's voice! That put all -else out of his head, and he dashed like a deer across the grass and -into the open door of that house. His father was there; his father was -crying for help, and he would stand by his side! - -The dogs saw, and raised a deep-voiced bay. He slammed the door and -shut them out, then darted along in the direction of the sounds he had -heard. - -They came from a room on the first floor and he rushed in, and -there--there his father struggled in the grasp of Lord Elgert and -his fierce companion. Mr. Rexworth had evidently been kept a captive -by being bound to the wall by a stout chain; and one of his arms was -swathed in dirty bandages, as though he was hurt. - -Whether his captors wished to bind him still more securely, or whether -it was that they sought to convey him somewhere else, Ralph did not -know. He saw his father with his back to the wall, brandishing a stool -in one hand. He saw the man rush in, dodge the blow, and strike his -father down; and then, with a cry of rage, he sprang forward, seizing a -heavy stick that lay on the table, and struck wildly at the aggressor. -Alas! what could one stripling like he do against two such men? They -both turned, and Ralph received a heavy blow upon the temple; and then -all was darkness, and he knew nothing more. - -But when he opened his eyes, where was he? What had happened? Why could -he not move? - -He strove to rise. He felt giddy and sick, and his head ached and -throbbed dreadfully. Why he was bound--bound hand and foot, and he was -stretched upon the floor! - -He rolled on his side. His father lay back against the wall, but his -chain was gone. He was only secured with a rope, in the same manner -that Ralph was fastened. But his eyes were closed, and his face was -very white. A dreadful fear filled the lad's mind--that he had come too -late, that his father was really dead now. - -For a few minutes he lay still, quietly trying the strength of his -bonds. He knew that knots hastily tied could frequently be worked -loose; but, alas, it was a vain hope in his case! Those who had secured -him had done their work well. - -And then suddenly he became aware of a hot, choky feeling in the air, -and a sound of crackling. He struggled into a sitting posture, and--oh, -horrible, horrible!--the room was full of smoke. The place was on fire, -and he and his dear father were there, helpless and bound, left to -perish in the flames! - -What wonder that terror claimed him for the moment? Who would not -flinch then in such an awful position? - -"Father! Father!" he cried; but the prostrate man returned no answer. -He lay silent, motionless. Ralph rolled over and over to his side. -Alas, what good would that do? He managed to struggle to his feet by -supporting himself in an angle of the room, and he gazed around. The -smoke was growing worse--he could hardly breathe when he stood up--and -hot puffs of air were forcing themselves through the flooring and -whirling along the passage and through the door of the room--the door -which was cracking and glowing red now, ready to burst into flame. - -Oh, was there no help, no succour? If only his faithful Warren or dear -old Charlton knew of his peril, how they would come to his aid! Alas, -they were far away, and they did not know. - -But what was that? A sound outside! A shout, and the dogs barking and -raging more than ever, in a perfect fury of anger. Then a smashing of -glass. Had the fire broken the windows? No. A form rising above the -sill, a man who staggered as the hot smoke met him, and who bent down -on all fours to creep across the room--a man who cried aloud-- - -"Ralph Rexworth, are you here? Are you here?" - -It was Mr. Charlton; it was Mr. Charlton come to his aid. Oh, what a -swift rush of thanksgiving filled Ralph's heart then! - -"Here, here!" he answered. "I am tied up; I cannot move. And father is -here, too; he is senseless." And Mr. Charlton was by his side in a few -moments. - -"Thank God you are unharmed," he said, as he drew his knife across -the ropes that held Ralph prisoner. "I saw you enter, and I feared -mischief; and when those two came out and drove off, I knew not what to -think. There are two brutes of dogs there, and they prevented my trying -to get in. Then I saw the smoke and flame, and I knew what they had -done. I grew desperate, and made a dash for it. The dogs almost got -me, but I managed to get into a tree that grew close to the house; and -I passed along one branch to the top of the verandah, and so worked my -way round. It was risky, for if I had slipped those two brutes would -have been on me in a moment." - -Mr. Charlton was not idle while he was talking. He had set Ralph free, -and had cut the ropes that held Mr. Rexworth, who now opened his eyes -and stared around in bewilderment. - -"Oh father, father!" cried Ralph. "Thank God that you are alive! Try -and rouse yourself, father dear. We are in great danger. The house is -on fire, and if we do not get away quickly we must all perish." - -"Ralph, what is it! How did you come?" the father asked vacantly. And -Mr. Charlton shook him. - -"Never mind that now, friend!" he cried. "The fire is upon us. Ah, see -there!"--as the door fell with a crash and a burst of flame swept in -upon them. "We have not a moment to lose. Out you go, Ralph, and hold -on like a limpet! Be ready to aid your father, that is all"--as Ralph -scrambled through the window and managed to find footing on a narrow -ledge that ran round the house. "Now, Mr. Rexworth, prove yourself -a man. If you fall, the dogs won't give you a chance. Now, sir, for -Heaven's sake, try!" - -"I will manage it all right, my good friend," answered Mr. Rexworth. -The flame and smoke had recalled him to the immediate peril. "Just a -hand through, that is all." And, summoning all his reserve of strength -and resolution, he managed to get from the window, aided by Mr. -Charlton in the room, and somewhat supported by Ralph behind him. - -Cautiously holding on with grim energy, the three managed to creep back -to that point from which the rescuer had first started--the top of the -verandah. But this was a position of great peril now; for the flames -were breaking through it, and darting from the windows above it, and -the melted lead of roof and gutter hissed and spluttered. It seemed -death to go on; it was death to go back. And the two hounds below had -followed them round, and now stood barking up at them. - -"We must risk it," panted Mr. Charlton. "Let me go first, and show you -how to do it. If you step on the wall you can reach the branch of the -tree in three strides. It seems very dreadful, but the peril is more -apparent than real. Look!" - -He boldly jumped to the brickwork around which the fire darted. He took -three quick firm steps, and was able to swing himself into the limb of -the tree, safe from the fire's reach. - -Mr. Rexworth followed by the same dangerous path. "Now, Ralph!" he -cried. But almost as the words came the whole of the verandah, and the -brickwork supporting it, fell in; and there Ralph was left clinging to -that narrow protection of the wall. - -And the wall itself was cracking with the heat. He could not maintain -his position for long. At any moment it might fall and cover him in its -heated ruins. - -Mr. Rexworth groaned in horror; Mr. Charlton looked on in dismay; and -Ralph clung there, with death behind, and death above, and death--the -worst death of all, red-eyed and lolling-tongued death--beneath -awaiting him! - - - - -CHAPTER XXXI - -THE TABLES ARE TURNED - - -"Ralph! Oh, my son!" cried Mr. Rexworth, as he saw the peril in which -the brave lad stood. And the boy turned and looked at his father. - -"I cannot hold on here much longer, father," he said. "I shall have to -drop, and take my chance with the dogs." - -"Wait--wait a moment, Ralph!" answered the agonized man. "Let me get -down and attract their attention, and then you will have a chance." - -"Don't, don't father," implored Ralph. "What chance will you have with -them with your arm hurt? I may manage it." - -"I will do it," volunteered Mr. Charlton; "I am uninjured. You stay -here, sir." - -"Don't either of you do it!" cried Ralph, shifting his position a -little so as to avoid the smoke if he could. "I am going to try and -creep back a bit. I may find a better place." - -"It is useless, Ralph," was his father's answer. "The wall is cracking -behind you. I can see the smoke coming through. Oh, if we only had a -rope!" - -"A rope!" cried Mr. Charlton. "If a rope can aid in such an extremity, -I can supply that; for I have kept a long one on my person in case I -might be in need of it to escape from my own enemies." - -As he spoke he threw off his coat and waistcoat, and there, wound round -his body, was a long but fine line, one quite long enough to serve the -purpose of reaching to where Ralph clung, though he could not see of -what avail it would be. - -But Mr. Rexworth saw. And, shouting to Ralph to keep up his courage and -to look out, he threw one end of the rope--not to the boy--but up over -another branch of the tree that was some height above them. Then he -caught this end as it fell, and gave the other to Mr. Charlton, bidding -him give one turn round the trunk and hold on with all his might. The -other end he whirled round his head, and, with practised aim, he sent -it to Ralph, who gripped at it with one hand, having to risk falling to -earth as he did so. - -[Illustration: "WITH PRACTISED AIM, HE SENT THE ROPE TO RALPH, WHO -GRIPPED IT WITH ONE HAND." p. 287] - -But, having got it, the rest was easy. He was able to swing across that -fiery gulf which separated him from safety, and the next moment was -safely beside his father, while the dogs ran to the tree and leaped -against its trunk in vain rage. And almost at that moment the wall to -which he had been clinging collapsed and fell in fiery ruin. A few -moments sooner, and it would have carried the brave boy with it to his -death. - -Safe so far, but still held prisoners by those dogs; and still with -the flame and smoke blowing upon them. If the walls fell in their -direction death might claim them after all. - -"If we only had some weapon to beat these brutes off with," said Mr. -Charlton, as he looked down. But Mr. Rexworth replied-- - -"We had better remain here. The fire is sure to be seen, and help will -arrive soon." - -Help! Yes, help for Ralph and his father. But what would that help mean -to poor Mr. Charlton--what but being taken prisoner again? He sighed, -but said nothing. He had done his best to help the boy who had helped -him, and if that must be the price paid he would pay it. - -But Ralph had little idea of remaining perched in a tree. He saw that -there was a weapon, and one which, in skilful hands, would prove very -effective--one which he excelled in the use of. - -The rope was coiled in his hands, and a running noose was formed at -one end. He crawled far out on the branch, and got a firm hold with -his legs; then he gave his rope a whirl, and sent it flying downwards. -And soon one of those great dogs was jerked into mid-air, and when it -touched earth again it was dead--its neck was broken. - -They hauled it up and loosened the noose, letting the body fall heavily -to the earth. And ere long the second animal had shared its fate, and -there was nothing to hinder them from descending. - -Nothing! No, that was not quite right. There was a desperate man, who -had remained hidden, to see the result of his wicked work--a man whose -face was dark with wrath, and whose heart was maddened with fear. For -if these escaped unscathed, it meant the ruin of everything for him. - -Mr. Charlton and Ralph had helped Mr. Rexworth to the ground, and -either from weakness, or from the reaction of feeling, Mr. Rexworth -staggered and sunk half swooning at the foot of the tree; while the -other two bent over him anxiously. - -That was the chance. Lord Elgert and his brutal follower suddenly -dashed from the shelter of the trees and rushed upon them. The man was -armed with a rugged stick, and Lord Elgert had a heavily-loaded whip. -It seemed as if the others were at their mercy; but Ralph's quick -ear caught the sound of their approach, and with a cry of warning he -started up. The others were almost upon them, and they were unarmed. -The lad glanced around; at his feet one of the dead dogs lay; he seized -it, he put out all his strength, and sent the heavy body direct at the -pair, who, quite unprepared for such an unexpected assault, received it -full in their faces. - -The man fell heavily, Lord Elgert turned and fled. And Ralph, with an -eager cry, darted after him, rope in hand. The man who had treated his -father thus should not escape him now. - -But now through the growth there came the crashing of heavy bodies, -and loud shouts were raised. The fire had attracted attention, and -people were rushing from Crab Tree village to see what was the cause. - -And not only villagers, but policemen--policemen who had patiently -waited and watched, feeling sure that the man they wanted was still -hiding in the locality. It was a constable who grabbed hold of Ralph's -arm, and, pulling him up with a sudden jerk, demanded what he was doing -and what had occasioned the fire. - -Ralph struggled. It was maddening to think that he was stopped while -Lord Elgert was escaping. He did not stop to think that escape was next -to impossible. He was accustomed to the ways of the wild plains, and -there, if a man once got away, it was almost certain that no one would -catch him again. - -"It was Lord Elgert who did it, and he is running away!" he cried. "My -father is there. You know how he was missing, and we thought he had -been murdered. Lord Elgert had him. He is here." - -"Whatever are you talking about, young man?" the constable demanded, -perplexed at such a dramatic statement. But the sergeant, who had come -up with a horse-constable interposed-- - -"Don't stand there talking, man, see what is amiss!" The constable had -let go of Ralph, and the mounted man had jumped from his horse. Ralph -caught sight of a trap being driven at full speed over the moor. He -had no need to ask who was in that. Lord Elgert was making good his -escape. With a shout of anger and defiance, Ralph had sprung into the -empty saddle and was off before a single man there could get over his -surprise and hinder him. - -"There he goes, there he goes!" he shouted, pointing after the trap. -"That is Lord Elgert, but I will ride him down!" And away he went, -leaving the men open-mouthed. - -They found the two dead dogs, they found Mr. Rexworth, and alas! they -found poor, patient Mr. Charlton. He might have attempted to escape, -but he would not leave the injured man. Besides, it was no use now; -there was nowhere else to hide, and he must be taken sooner or later. - -And after the galloping mare went Ralph, riding hard. It was -like the old life once more--this wild gallop. He had ridden the -half-wild broncho steeds of Texas, and he had no difficulty with this -well-trained horse. - -On he went; on, on, near and nearer to the flying man in front. He -saw Lord Elgert look back at him. A man against a boy! Surely the man -need have no fear in such a contest! And yet Lord Elgert did fear. He -had feared this boy from the very first time he had seen him in Stow -Wood. He had feared him from the moment Ralph had cut that bullet -from the tree, and from the time when he had heard him declare that -he would never rest until he had solved the mystery of his father's -disappearance. That mystery was solved, all his wicked devices were -brought to naught, and now he was fleeing for life and for liberty, -being hunted just as he had made the police hunt Mr. Charlton. The -tables were being turned indeed! - -Nearer and nearer Ralph drew, and fiercer and more cruelly did the -man lash the sides of his faithful little mare. Ralph stood up in his -stirrups, and Lord Elgert looked at him over his shoulder. The boy had -the rope in his hands. Ah, the very first thing he did when he had come -to the place was to rope his black bull! Now he was going to serve him -in the same way--to serve him as he had served the two dogs! - -Lord Elgert saw the arm of the boy sweep round his head, and he ducked. - -But Ralph had not aimed at him, he had a better plan than that. The -noose settled over the little mare. Ralph pulled up, and braced himself -for the shock which he knew would follow--a shock which nearly pulled -him from his saddle. The mare went down, the trap was shattered, -and Lord Elgert, totally unprepared--not even looking where he was -going--was sent flying through the air to fall heavily, striking his -temple against a rugged stump. - -Ralph was at the spot in a moment. The man was stunned and at his -mercy. The rope had done its duty as a lasso, and was now used to bind -Lord Elgert. Ralph felt no remorse or compunction about that. He must -take this man to his father, and his father must declare what should -next be done. - -"He isn't much hurt," he muttered; "nor are you, you poor thing," he -added, turning to the plunging mare. "There you are"--as he cut her -free from the ruin of the trap. "Now I reckon that you can find your -own way home, and, in the meantime, I will wait here." - -He placed his hands to his mouth, and gave his old wild call, and from -the distance it was answered by his father. They would soon be here -now. Ralph tethered the horse, and seated himself on the grass. Lord -Elgert opened his eyes, and looked at him with an expression of the -deepest hate; but Ralph little heeded that. His father was safe, and -that was all he thought of then. Ralph Rexworth felt happier at that -moment than he had done for many a day, and, paying no attention to his -fallen foe, save to take care that he did not get free, he waited until -the police, people, and Mr. Rexworth arrived upon the scene. Yes, the -tables were turned now; and had he but known it, they were turned at -school also. - - - - -CHAPTER XXXII - -FLOGGED AND EXPELLED - - -"The whole school to assemble in the hall!" - -The order was received in every class-room, and masters and boys looked -surprised. It was generally known that Ralph Rexworth had been absent -all night, and that a message had been sent over to Mr. St. Clive's -asking whether the boy had been detained there. It was also known that -Charlton was in disgrace--that he had been accused of stealing Ralph's -examination papers, for the purpose of correcting them from a crib. - -The idea was that it must be on one of these accounts that the school -was summoned--either Ralph had got into trouble, or Charlton was to be -punished. - -But there was no time for speculation. Into the hall the boys trooped, -class by class--juniors, middle division, and seniors--their masters -following, and their monitors leading the way; and there upon the -doctor's desk an ominous object was to be seen--the school birch, -rarely taken from its resting-place in the cupboard, rarely used, and, -if the truth must be told, rarely needing to be used. Woe betide the -unlucky boy who so far disgraced the honour of Marlthorpe as to render -its presence needful, for what he got from the Head was as nothing to -what he would receive from the angry scholars later on. - -"Silence!" - -Kesterway's voice rang out as Dr. Beverly entered and an expectant hush -fell upon the whole school. - -"Frederick Charlton, stand out!" - -Charlton obeyed. Boys who knew how nervous he was were surprised to -see him quite calm now. He moved forward towards the Head's desk and -saluted; and then the Headmaster of Marlthorpe spoke. - -"Charlton, you were found in my class-room the other night, with -Rexworth's examination papers in your hand. Tell the school your reason -for being there!" - -The Head spoke shortly, but kindly, as if inviting the boy to be at -ease; and Charlton told his story, and explained how he had seen Dobson -and Elgert break open the desk. - -"The desk was unlocked. There was no need to break it open," the Head -said; and then he turned to the other two boys, and asked them what -they had to say. - -What they had to say indeed! Such indignant denials, and such plain -statements that it was all up between Rexworth and Charlton. - -"Rexworth is detained, and cannot be here yet," said the Head quietly. -"But we can proceed with this inquiry in his absence. Elgert and -Dobson, stand out!" - -And the two obeyed, ill at ease, wondering what was coming next, and -casting suspicious looks at each other, as if each thought the other -had turned informer. - -"Horace Elgert, did you ever see this before?" asked the Head. - -And Elgert turned white, for the doctor held out that wretched crib -which he had thrown into the river. - -"No, sir," he answered, averting his eyes. - -And the same answer was asked of Dobson, who gave the same answer. - -"James Green! Henry Tinkle!" cried Kesterway. - -And the two small chums jumped up eagerly. - -"Explain how you became possessed of this crib," said the Head. - -Green spoke first, and Tinkle backed him up, and then a low angry hiss -rang through the school, and Horace Elgert turned a pair of anxious, -frightened eyes towards his companions. - -"Do you deny this story, Elgert?" asked the Head sternly. - -And the boy was silent. If those two juniors had picked up his book, -had they picked up anything else? - -"There was a banknote missing some time ago," the Head went on. "You -may remember that a note was found in Rexworth's pocket-book, and I -showed how he had been the victim of a plot. The banknote that was -stolen was never discovered; but I now know that it was changed by you, -Dobson, at a low cake shop in the town, and that afterwards it was -bought back by you and Elgert from that man for far more than it was -worth. That note, Elgert, you destroyed yesterday by burning it, and -here are the ashes." And the Head produced the filmy ash still lying -in _Tom Brown's Schooldays_. "But that note had been photographed, -and you purchased the negative by giving to the person who held it a -pocket-book which you had previously taken from him. The negative you -also threw into the river, and the person you were with threw in the -book which you had just restored to him. Do you deny these statements?" - -Still Elgert did not answer. He felt hot and cold by turns. He did not -know where to turn his eyes. It was no use denying in the face of such -proof. - -"You cannot answer!" the Head went on. "You, Dobson, what do you know -of this?" - -"Oh--oh--oh!" yelled Dobson, clasping his hands, and falling upon -his knees. "Oh, forgive me, sir! Oh, I will own up, sir! It was all -Elgert's fault. He made me do it, sir! I never wanted to do it, sir! It -is all true, every bit of it, sir! Oh----" - -"Silence!" cried the Head, in ill-disguised contempt. "No one can force -another to do evil. You two boys have conspired together to injure -the good name of a companion, whose only offence has been that he has -tried to act a noble manly part amidst very difficult and adverse -circumstances. You would have branded him a thief; and to do it you -did not hesitate to become thieves yourselves. You have told the -vilest lies--and you, Elgert, have done worse. It will be for other -authorities to deal with this; but I will mention it here. You have -allowed one of these boys--Charlton I mean--to suffer much torture -because of his father's unhappy position. You knew that his father was -innocent, and you held the proof of that, and----" - -Then the Head stopped, for Charlton had turned very white. He had not -known of the business of the pocket-book. - -"Oh, sir," he said, "my father innocent! And he knew it, and--and----" - -He put his hand to his head, and Kesterway sprang forward and caught -him, or he would have fallen, for he fainted away; and the Head, with -tears in his eyes, murmured-- - -"Poor boy! Poor boy! Take him to the matron." - -They carried him out, and not one of those who had jeered at him but -now felt sorry and ashamed, and full of anger against the two culprits, -to whom the Head now turned again. - -"It is possible that others outside our school may have something to -say to you about this business," he said. "That has nothing to do with -me. I have only to deal with your offence as it touches the honour of -the school and for that offence only the severest punishment can be -inflicted----" - -Whereat Dobson uttered a howl, and Elgert clenched his hands and -looked desperate. The severest punishment! That was why the birch was -there. - -"You will both be publicly flogged," continued the Head, "and then you -will be expelled!" - -And at this a shout of approval went up. Marlthorpe was going to be -avenged for the slight put upon its honour. - -"Oh, mercy--mercy!" cried Dobson. "Oh, don't flog me, sir! I won't do -it any more, and it was all Elgert's fault." - -Elgert looked at him in scorn. If he must be flogged, he would crave -no mercy. He would show them that he did not care. But flogged! A gasp -went round as the school porter and the man who kept the lodge came -in. It was useless to resist, though Dobson kicked and struggled, and -shouted in his anger and fear. The Head laid aside his gown, and took -the rod; and then the sound of the hissing cuts came. Dobson was the -first victim, and with the strokes came the yells--awful yells, for the -Head did not spare him in the least, and Dobson plainly found himself -in a very uncomfortable position. - -He was released at last, and then Elgert--the Honourable Horace -Elgert--took his place. He bit his lips until the blood came, but he -would not cry out. But oh, how he hated Ralph Rexworth then! If he -could have hurt him--if he could have killed him, he would not have -cared what they did to him afterwards. - -It was over at last. And he stood breathless, smarting, a mist before -his eyes, until he caught sight of Tinkle's fat face; and he thought -that Tinkle was grinning. - -Then, rage overcoming him, not thinking what he was doing, he rushed -at the little fellow, and, had not Warren been near to prevent it, he -would have knocked him down. - -And then, Head or no Head, Marlthorpe lost its calmness, and the boys -sprang up, and surged forward at the two offenders--angry boys, with -menacing eyes. Elgert's courage failed him then. He turned and ran, and -Dobson went after him. In vain masters shouted, and the Head rang his -bell. In vain Kesterway rushed after them. Not another monitor paid any -attention. Out into the playground they streamed, and around it they -chased the two boys. - -Around they went. They drove them to the small pond, and threw them in. -They dragged them out, and hustled them, dripping and breathless, to -the gates. The Head had no need to expel the pair. - -As Elgert and Dobson were thrown out a little party approached the -gates; and from its number, one boy darted forward to throw himself -between the two miserable victims and their pursuers, and that boy was -Ralph Rexworth himself. - -"Here, I say, drop that! It is not fair!" giving Warren a shove -backwards. "It isn't the right thing! Drop it, you fellows! And look -out, here comes the Head!" - -Yes, the Head with his cane, and the masters with their canes, coming -to insist upon order, and to show Marlthorpe that it could not be -permitted to do just as it chose even with boys like Dobson and Elgert. -It certainly looked as though some one was going to get caned just then. - -But Warren uttered a whoop. - -"Hallo, Ralph! Fellows, here is Rexworth turned up. Just too late to -see the fun! You ought to have heard Dobby yell, my boy! It was lovely!" - -"Here is Rexworth!" echoed the boys. - -They pounced upon him. They grabbed arm or leg, whichever they could -get hold of, and dragged him somehow upon their shoulders, and marched -back triumphantly; while the Head and the masters did not know what to -do. - -And behind Ralph came Mr. Rexworth, and Mr. St. Clive and Irene--a very -radiant Irene--who whispered to Tom Warren that the gentleman with the -injured arm was Ralph's father, and that he was Lord Rexworth, because -he was the son of the old Lord Stephen, and his right name was Rexworth -Stephen, and Ralph would be the Honourable Ralph Rexworth Stephen. She -told it very excitedly, and Tom Warren whistled, and then yelled-- - -"Three cheers for Ralph's father--Lord Rexworth Stephen! And three more -cheers for the Honourable Ralph Rexworth Stephen! Come on, you fellows, -out with it!" - -What shouting and cheering there was then! And how, while Mr. Rexworth, -as we will still call him, was talking to the Doctor, Ralph got nearly -pulled to pieces. Why, they even forgot the birching in the excitement -of Ralph's return. They had to hear his story, and how he had found -his father; and then Warren explained how they had found out that Mr. -Charlton was innocent. - -That was good news for Ralph--the best news that could possibly be--and -escaping with Warren and Irene, he hurried across to the matron's -house, and begged that he might see his chum. - -Charlton was all right, only he was so excited, and just a little -inclined to cry. And he wanted to know where his father was; and when -Ralph explained how Mr. Charlton had given himself up, he exclaimed-- - -"Oh, Ralph, let us go and explain! Let us go now!" - -"Come and tell my father. He will understand," said Ralph; but there -was little need for telling. - -Already Mr. St. Clive had been informed, and he had hurried off at -once. It would not be long before Mr. Charlton was a free man. - -And then Mr. Rexworth, seeing that there would be much to talk about, -went back with Ralph and Irene and Charlton to Mr. St. Clive's house, -there to tell his story, and explain how it was that he had become the -prisoner of the man who had treated him so very cruelly. - - - - -CHAPTER XXXIII - -CONCLUSION - - -Seated in the drawing-room at Mr. St. Clive's house, an interested -party gathered around Mr. Rexworth to hear his story. And not only -an interested party, but a happy one, for the trouble was gone, and -the sun was shining for all there. It was no wonder that, even before -stories were told, Mr. Rexworth should have said, "Let us all kneel -and thank our Heavenly Father for His great mercy and goodness," nor -that every heart should have been filled with devout gratitude as, with -bent heads, they listened to the words of thanksgiving, for, like the -psalmist of old, they could say, "God hath done great things for us, -whereof we are glad." - -And so they sat, while Mr. Rexworth told his story, a story that had -its moral, too, for it revealed how disobedience to a father might -bring sore punishment afterwards. - -For, as we now know, Mr. Rexworth was the son of old Lord Stephen, and -in his early days he had been wild and headstrong, and had frequently -disobeyed his father's commands. And in that he had been aided by his -cousin Elgert. For Elgert envied the young heir his position, and hoped -to make a bad quarrel between the father and son. - -And he was successful. The quarrel came, and Mr. Rexworth had run away -from home, dropping his name of Stephen, and going away to the wild -plains of Texas, to indulge in the roving life for which he longed. -But he soon found that it was not all pleasure--that hardship and -disappointment followed, and that whether in England or away in wild -lands, the best thing for a man was to be a follower of the Lord Jesus -Christ. - -But he did not write to his father, for he believed that he would never -be forgiven. And he met his wife, and married, and Ralph was born; -and then he was content, and put all thoughts of the old home away, -striving to bring his son up as a true Christian, even amidst their -wild surroundings. - -But his wife, when she was dying, spoke seriously to her husband, for -she knew the truth, and she said that their boy ought to come to his -own; and so, because she wished it, for the first time Mr. Rexworth -wrote home to his father. - -But Lord Stephen was dead, and his nephew reigned in his place; and -Lord Elgert had sent a cold letter back, saying that he did not wish to -have anything to do with a man who had broken a good father's heart, -and that everything had been left to him. - -But with that letter there came another, one written by a faithful old -servant, enclosing a will. Lord Stephen had made that will just before -he died, and had entrusted it to his old retainer; so that if ever his -son, whom he had forgiven, should come back, he should have his own -again. - -Then Mr. Rexworth had started for England with Ralph, but he had not -told his son anything of the business which took him there; and when at -last they had reached Stow Ormond he had left the boy at the _Horse and -Wheel_ with old Simon, and had started off for Castle Court. - -And an angry, disappointed man was Lord Elgert when he found that his -cousin was to take from him everything which he had schemed to gain. - -"He had nothing to say," said Mr. Rexworth, "but he looked very strange -as I left--as if he would have liked to kill me. I had told him that -no one knew who I really was, and that my own son was ignorant of the -truth. It was a foolish thing to have done, for it meant that if I were -out of the way, no one would know anything about the business which had -brought me home. - -"It was dark and cheerless, and I was anxious to get back to you, -Ralph, so I took the short cut through Stow Wood past the black mere; -and just as I reached the pond I was startled by some one firing at me -from behind a tree. The first shot missed, but the second struck my arm -and broke the bone. It has never been properly set, and has caused me -much pain. - -"I must have fainted, for when I recovered my senses I was a prisoner -in a strange place--the very house in which you found me. My cousin's -first intention had been to kill me; but when he found that he had -failed, his courage wavered, and he had me taken to that place and put -that man to guard me. He promised to set me free if I would give him -the will, but that I would not do. I had taken the precaution to leave -that in London with a lawyer I had known in my younger days, and there -it is now. - -"Lord Elgert's next offer was to set me free if I would sign away half -the property to him; but that I also refused to do. The man used to -urge him to kill me, but he seemed possessed with the fear that you, -Ralph, would find it out if he did so. - -"Then one day when I felt very depressed and ill and on the point of -yielding, I heard your old call, and I answered it, and I knew that you -had in some way got on my track. And Lord Elgert found that out also, -for yesterday he came to take me away to another hiding-place, and I -refused to go. We struggled, and again your call came, and that made -him desperate. The rest of the story you know, my dear boy. And now you -must tell me how you managed to get on my track." - -So Ralph told his story, and then Mr. Charlton explained how he had, -whilst hiding in the old ruin, become convinced that Lord Elgert held -some one prisoner in that strange house, and on the very day when -Ralph had gone to take his chum's message, he had stolen out to watch. -Mr. Charlton had seen Ralph go in, and had watched until both Lord -Elgert and his man came out; then, perplexed and fearing foul play, -he had stood there until the flames burst out, and that sight had -dispelled his fear of the dogs and sent him to the rescue. - -And then, when the police had arrived and had taken their prisoner -again, Mr. St. Clive had come after him, not only with that diary, -but with the man who had written it, and who confessed that he had -committed the offence at the instigation of Lord Elgert, who had a -spite against Mr. Charlton. - -The innocent man was soon set free after that, and was able to rejoin -his wife and his son openly and without any fear. - -But Lord Elgert? Ah, that was the one thing that made Mr. Rexworth sad. -He would have forgiven his cousin if he could, much as he had suffered -at his hands, but the law would not allow that. Lord Elgert had been -arrested, and the miserable Horace, together with his partner in -disgrace, Dobson, had run away, and no one knew where they were. - -But they were found, for Mr. Dobson set a detective on their track, -and they were brought back, a pair of sorry-looking objects, dirty and -ragged. - -Mr. Dobson immediately apprenticed his son to a firm of shipowners, -and sent him off to sea; and Mr. Rexworth, seeing that Horace had no -friend, did the same for his nephew, hoping that in his new life -he would become a true and good man. Ralph would have been friendly -to Horace at their parting, but the proud boy would not accept his -friendship. Later on they heard that he had deserted his ship when it -got to Australia, and after that they heard no more of him. - -And so punishment overtook those who had done evil, and patience and -truth reaped their reward at last, as they ever must in the end; -and Ralph Rexworth was the Hon. Ralph Rexworth Stephen amongst his -schoolfellows, for Mr. Rexworth thought that it would do him no harm to -stay at the good doctor's school for a little while before he went to -college. - -Yes, he was "the Honourable." Indeed, he had been the Honourable all -the time in the true sense of the word. He did not put on any airs--our -Ralph could not have done that if he had tried--and he and Charlton and -honest old Tom Warren were three of the staunchest chums that ever you -met with--always together, and all three working for the good of the -Fourth; so that when they were promoted to the Fifth, Mr. Delermain -said that it was one of the greatest losses he had received, and that -the best influences in his class had all been taken away together. - -"But," some of my readers may ask, "did Ralph Rexworth win the Newlet?" -I declare that I had nearly forgotten that. He did win it; and it will -not be a bad idea to finish the story by having a peep at him when he -received it. - -Of course, that was on breaking-up day. What a lovely day that always -is, especially when you know that you have a good report to take home, -and some prizes to carry away with you. - -The great hall at Marlthorpe was decorated with flags, and crowded with -visitors; while on the platform, which had been constructed at one -end, all the boys were gathered, class by class, and in the middle of -them was the Head's chair, and the masters' seats, and a place for the -speakers--and there was Mr. Rexworth among the speakers! - -Well, there they all were; and the Head read his report; and they all -clapped and shouted at the part where it said that for the second year -in succession, Marlthorpe had the honour of carrying off the Newlet. - -"Good old Rexworth!" shouted one boy. And the Head had to cry order -sharply; whereat Jimmy Green nudged Tinkle and said "Shut up, you -silly!" so it must have been Tinkle who shouted. - -And then there were the speeches, and then the recitations; and Tinkle -and Green were most wonderfully impressive in the quarrel between -Brutus and Cassius--only just at the part where Brutus had to say "Take -this dagger," he found he had no dagger with him; and Cassius said very -rudely, and quite out loud, so that every one could hear it-- - -"You silly owl! I knew you would forget it; and I made such a lovely -one, with silver foil for a blade." - -"Imagine the dagger," whispered Mr. Rexworth, his face red with -laughter. And the dagger being imagined, the quarrel went on, and was -made up in the most approved fashion. - -And then, recitations over, there came a short pause--an impressive -pause, during which small juniors pushed back their hair, and arranged -collars and ties, and tried to look irreproachable, for prizes were -coming--prizes! - -They began with the juniors first. That is a wise plan, because, having -got their share, they are more likely to sit still while the upper -classes are being dealt with. The juniors! And every one laughed and -clapped as the little fellows walked up to the Head, so stiff and -awkward, and saluted for all the world like penny dolls worked by a -string, and having clutched their prizes and bobbed to the audience, -scuttled back to their seats to have their immediate neighbours bend -enviously over that lovely book, and take hurried glances at the -pictures. - -The middle classes--that is the Upper Third and Lower Fourth--next. -With them we have nothing to do, beyond saying that both Tinkle and -Green were amongst the prize-winners and that almost before they had -got back to their seats, they had challenged each other to mortal -combat, because each said his book was better than the other's. - -Then the seniors--the Upper Fourth--Warren and Charlton. And each of -them got clapped and cheered, as they richly deserved to be. - -And then Ralph Rexworth Stephen--how strange it sounded to hear him -called that!--and such a burst of cheering and "Brave old Ralph!" and -"Buck up, Ralph!" Well, the Head smiled; and for once Ralph looked -quite foolish and nervous, and as if he would have liked to cry--it was -so good to feel that all his schoolmates respected him! - -But his prize given, the Head took up a little case by his side and -took from it a gold medal with blue ribbon attached to it. The Newlet -Gold Medal, won for Marlthorpe College by Ralph! - -Talk of cheering then! It almost deafened one. And--those boys had been -plotting together--Warren nodded and winked; and Charlton dived down -and got something from beneath the form; and Irene suddenly appeared at -Ralph's side with a tiny little laurel wreath, such as they crowned the -heroes with in the olden days, when men worked for honour and not for -gold; and while the people laughed and clapped she put it on Ralph's -head, and at that moment Tom Warren and Charlton held up a great -flag--Old England's Union Jack. They had thought all this out, mind -you--the sly fellows they were; and Kesterway, the senior monitor of -the school, shouted at the top of his voice-- - -"Now then, fellows! Three times three for the Honourable Ralph, while -he stands under Honour's Flag!" - -"Hurrah! Hurrah! Hurrah!" - -"And a whole holiday to-morrow!" - -"Hurrah! Hurrah! Hurrah!" - -And when no one was looking--a kiss from Irene for her hero! - - -THE END - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Under Honour's Flag, by Eric Lisle - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK UNDER HONOUR'S FLAG *** - -***** This file should be named 60604-8.txt or 60604-8.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/6/0/6/0/60604/ - -Produced by Tim Lindell, Martin Pettit and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law 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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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. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have -to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. - -Title: Under Honour's Flag - -Author: Eric Lisle - -Illustrator: G. H. Evison - -Release Date: October 31, 2019 [EBook #60604] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK UNDER HONOUR'S FLAG *** - - - - -Produced by Tim Lindell, Martin Pettit and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net - - - - - - -</pre> - - -<div class ="mynote"><p class="center">Transcriber's Note:<br /><br /> -Obvious typographic errors have been corrected.<br /></p></div> - -<hr /> - -<div class="center"><a name="cover.jpg" id="cover.jpg"></a><img src="images/cover.jpg" alt="cover" /></div> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_i" id="Page_i">[Pg i]</a></span></p> - -<div class="center"><img src="images/booklist.jpg" alt="NEW POPULAR BOOKS FOR BOYS" /></div> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_ii" id="Page_ii">[Pg ii]</a></span></p> - -<h1>UNDER HONOUR'S FLAG</h1> - -<hr /> - -<div class="center"><img src="images/frontispiece.jpg" alt=">Forgetful of all precaution" /></div> - -<p class="bold">"<span class="smcap">Forgetful of all precaution Elgert struck a savage -blow at him.</span>"</p> - -<p class="bold"><i>Frontispiece.</i> <span class="s15"> </span> [<i>see p. 257.</i></p> - -<hr /> - -<div class="center"><img src="images/title.jpg" alt="title page" /></div> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_iii" id="Page_iii">[Pg iii]</a></span></p> - -<p class="bold2">Under Honour's<br />Flag</p> - -<p class="bold space-above">By the</p> - -<p class="bold2">REV. ERIC LISLE</p> - -<p class="bold space-above">WITH ORIGINAL ILLUSTRATIONS BY<br />G. H. EVISON.</p> - -<div class="center space-above"><img src="images/logo.jpg" alt="logo" /></div> - -<p class="bold space-above">LONDON<br />FREDERICK WARNE & CO<br /> -AND NEW YORK<br /><br />(<i>All rights reserved</i>)</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_iv" id="Page_iv">[Pg iv]</a></span></p> - -<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Butler & Tanner<br />The Selwood Printing Works<br />Frome and London</span></p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_v" id="Page_v">[Pg v]</a></span></p> - -<h2>CONTENTS</h2> - -<table summary="CONTENTS"> - <tr> - <td colspan="2" class="left"><span class="smaller">CHAPTER</span></td> - <td><span class="smaller">PAGE</span></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>I </td> - <td class="left"><span class="smcap">A Strange Affair</span></td> - <td><a href="#Page_1">1</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>II </td> - <td class="left"><span class="smcap">A Cruel Implication</span></td> - <td><a href="#Page_15">15</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>III </td> - <td class="left"><span class="smcap">Mr. St. Clive proves himself a True Friend</span></td> - <td><a href="#Page_25">25</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>IV </td> - <td class="left"><span class="smcap">Ralph's First Day at School</span></td> - <td><a href="#Page_35">35</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>V </td> - <td class="left"><span class="smcap">Making Things Straight</span></td> - <td><a href="#Page_45">45</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>VI </td> - <td class="left"><span class="smcap">An Early Morning Spin</span></td> - <td><a href="#Page_55">55</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>VII </td> - <td class="left"><span class="smcap">Horace Elgert Goes a little Too Far</span></td> - <td><a href="#Page_65">65</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>VIII </td> - <td class="left"><span class="smcap">A Mysterious Midnight Visitor</span></td> - <td><a href="#Page_75">75</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>IX </td> - <td class="left"><span class="smcap">Altogether Beyond Explanation</span></td> - <td><a href="#Page_84">84</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>X </td> - <td class="left"><span class="smcap">Counsels and Promises</span></td> - <td><a href="#Page_94">94</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>XI </td> - <td class="left"><span class="smcap">Going in for Grinding</span></td> - <td><a href="#Page_103">103</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>XII </td> - <td class="left"><span class="smcap">The Stolen Banknote</span></td> - <td><a href="#Page_113">113</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>XIII </td> - <td class="left"><span class="smcap">Divided Opinions</span></td> - <td><a href="#Page_122">122</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>XIV </td> - <td class="left"><span class="smcap">By the River Side</span></td> - <td><a href="#Page_131">131</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>XV </td> - <td class="left"><span class="smcap">The Lost Pocket-Book</span></td> - <td><a href="#Page_140">140</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>XVI </td> - <td class="left"><span class="smcap">Things look Black for Ralph</span></td> - <td><a href="#Page_150">150</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_vi" id="Page_vi">[Pg vi]</a></span>XVII </td> - <td class="left"><span class="smcap">The Plot that Failed</span></td> - <td><a href="#Page_159">159</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>XVIII </td> - <td class="left"><span class="smcap">Where the Banknote Went</span></td> - <td><a href="#Page_168">168</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>XIX </td> - <td class="left"><span class="smcap">The Lame Horse once more</span></td> - <td><a href="#Page_177">177</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>XX </td> - <td class="left"><span class="smcap">To Mr. St. Clive's</span></td> - <td><a href="#Page_186">186</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>XXI </td> - <td class="left"><span class="smcap">A House of Refuge</span></td> - <td><a href="#Page_195">195</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>XXII </td> - <td class="left"><span class="smcap">An Afternoon Ramble</span></td> - <td><a href="#Page_204">204</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>XXIII </td> - <td class="left"><span class="smcap">The Ruin and the Lonely House</span></td> - <td><a href="#Page_213">213</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>XXIV </td> - <td class="left"><span class="smcap">For the Sake of Revenge</span></td> - <td><a href="#Page_222">222</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>XXV </td> - <td class="left"><span class="smcap">Just in Time</span></td> - <td><a href="#Page_231">231</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>XXVI </td> - <td class="left"><span class="smcap">Tom Warren Speaks His Mind</span></td> - <td><a href="#Page_240">240</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>XXVII </td> - <td class="left"><span class="smcap">In the Dead of the Night</span></td> - <td><a href="#Page_249">249</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>XXVIII </td> - <td class="left"><span class="smcap">The Next Day</span></td> - <td><a href="#Page_259">259</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>XXIX </td> - <td class="left"><span class="smcap">What Tinkle and Green Caught</span></td> - <td><a href="#Page_268">268</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>XXX </td> - <td class="left"><span class="smcap">What Detained Ralph Rexworth</span></td> - <td><a href="#Page_277">277</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>XXXI </td> - <td class="left"><span class="smcap">The Tables are Turned</span></td> - <td><a href="#Page_286">286</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>XXXII </td> - <td class="left"><span class="smcap">Flogged and Expelled</span></td> - <td><a href="#Page_294">294</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>XXXIII </td> - <td class="left"><span class="smcap">Conclusion</span></td> - <td><a href="#Page_303">303</a></td> - </tr> -</table> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_1" id="Page_1">[Pg 1]</a></span></p> - -<p class="bold2">UNDER HONOUR'S FLAG</p> - -<h2><span>CHAPTER I</span> <span class="smaller">A STRANGE AFFAIR</span></h2> - -<p>The late autumn afternoon was rapidly drawing in, closing ominously and -sullenly, as if rebelling against the approach of the winter, and the -nearer coming of the night.</p> - -<p>Great banks of purple vapour rose in the west; and sinking towards the -earth, spread abroad in hazy wreaths, which seemed to possess, in a -fainter degree, the hues of their parent clouds above.</p> - -<p>The air was heavy with moisture, which condensed and dripped from the -red leaves of the sycamore, the brown of the beech, and the yellow of -lime and poplar. It glistened on the rich green of the crimson-berried -hollies; it begemmed the festooning webs of the weaving spiders; and -brought with it a chilling breath which seemed to strike through one.</p> - -<p>In that gloaming hour a man and youth toiled wearily up the steep hill -over which the main road runs before it descends into the quaint old -town of Stow Ormond; yet as they reached the summit they hastened<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_2" id="Page_2">[Pg 2]</a></span> -their steps, with the air of those who were drawing near to a welcome -resting-place.</p> - -<p>The man was tall and refined-looking; and though a crisp, curling beard -and full moustache hid the greater part of his face, the features -visible revealed determination and strong will, and their bronzed hue -showed plainly that their owner had lived beneath warmer skies than -those of England. And yet, despite health and good looks and strength -of will, an expression of anxiety was there; and as he walked along he -appeared to be more occupied with his own thoughts than in attending to -the remarks of the lad by his side, whose questions he frequently left -unanswered.</p> - -<p>The boy was so like the man that there could be little room for -doubting that they were father and son; a well-built, handsome youth, -with the same bronzed cheek, but with an expression on his face which -indicated the utmost disgust with his surroundings. This was his first -experience of a damp, chill autumn mist, and he did not like it in the -least.</p> - -<p>Both the travellers were comfortably clad, though their clothes seemed -cut more for comfort than with a regard to fashion; indicating that -they certainly were not from the workshop of any fashionable tailor.</p> - -<p>Reaching the top of the hill, the two wayfarers paused; and the man, -pointing down into the town which lay before them, said, with a sigh of -relief:</p> - -<p>"There you are, Ralph! That is our destination for to-night; it may be -our haven for many days."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_3" id="Page_3">[Pg 3]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Funny looking place," laughed the boy. "But all these English towns -are funny, after the plains and the mountains. And it is funny," he -added, "that I am an English boy, and yet am talking like that."</p> - -<p>"Not funny, lad, seeing that you have never set foot in your native -land before. Ah me, it is not funny to me! It comes back like the -faces of old familiar friends. The scenes of childhood's happiness, -and youth's hopes and follies. All changed, and yet nothing changed; -and I myself unchanged, and yet most changed of all! Come," he went -on, "you are tired, for we have walked a long way, and have had a long -railway journey into the bargain. Unless things are altered down there, -we shall find a comfortable old inn where we can put up, Ralph—a real -old English inn. Quite different from the hotels where we have stopped. -Come on, lad!"</p> - -<p>Changing his handbag from one cramped hand to the other, the lad obeyed -the call, and trudged forward briskly with the strong, elastic step of -buoyant youth. At first he poured out a string of questions relative -to life in English towns; but one or two being unanswered, he glanced -towards his father, and perceiving him buried in thought again, he -walked on in silence, yet keen-eyed, noting everything around.</p> - -<p>A few scattered cottages and outlying buildings<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_4" id="Page_4">[Pg 4]</a></span> passed, the pair -were in the precincts of the town itself; and almost one of the first -houses they came to was the one the father sought—a quaint, thatched, -many-gabled old place, with commodious stabling and a great creaking -sign-post near the horse trough, giving the information to all who -cared to possess it that this was the <i>Horse and Wheel Inn</i>, wherein -might be found accommodation for both man and beast.</p> - -<p>"Just the same! Nothing changed!" murmured the man as the two arrived -at the spot. "Twenty years have brought no revolution here. Come, lad!" -And he entered the old hostelry.</p> - -<p>A bonnie waiting-maid met them; and in response to the man's query if -they could have a room she called the landlord, a portly old fellow, -with bald head fringed with grey hair, a pair of twinkling merry -eyes beneath overhanging brows, and a face wherein all the principal -features seemed to be entered into a competition as to which could look -the ruddiest.</p> - -<p>"Have a room, sir?" said this individual, in a voice which seemed to -proceed from his boots. "Ay, that you can, sir, and all else that you -require. Here, Mary girl, show the gentleman to Number Ten! Have the -bags carried up, and serve their dinner in the private room."</p> - -<p>"Number Ten!" said the guest, as he heard the number given. "Come on, -Ralph, I know the way!"<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_5" id="Page_5">[Pg 5]</a></span> And he led his son upstairs with the air of -one who did indeed know, much to the worthy landlord's astonishment, -who murmured to himself as he waddled off to attend to some waggoners—</p> - -<p>"He must ha' been here before; but I don't remember his face in the -least."</p> - -<p>"He does not recognize me," mused his guest, in his turn. "How should -he, after all those years? Poor old Simon, he has not changed much! A -little stouter, a little huskier, and more shaky; that is all. Time has -dealt gently with him!"</p> - -<p>The meal, which was ordered and duly served, proved that the <i>Horse -and Wheel</i>, whatever it might do for beasts, claimed no more than its -due when it came to accommodating the beast's master, man; and the -appetites of the travellers enabled them to do ample justice to the -food, served in a room rendered all the more cheerful by the roaring -fire—a good, old-fashioned English fire—which blazed away in the -capacious fireplace.</p> - -<p>But the meal over, the gentleman rose and donned hat and coat, turning -to his son when he had done so.</p> - -<p>"Ralph," he said, "I am going out by myself. I have not brought you -across the ocean and to this place for nothing. I have business to do -here which may affect all your future life. What that business is, lad, -I cannot tell you just now; but you shall know of it presently. I shall -not be away long—not <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_6" id="Page_6">[Pg 6]</a></span>more than an hour or two—and you can spend the -time as you like. I do not suppose that you will find much in the shape -of literature here, beyond a copy or two of some local paper or an -agricultural magazine. They won't interest you much, so you must occupy -the time as best you can. Prospect around a bit, but don't miss your -way, or you will find it harder to pick up trails again here than you -would out yonder where we have come from."</p> - -<p>"I shall be all right, father," the boy answered, rather pleased than -otherwise to be left alone for a little. Every lad of fourteen with any -spirit in him rather likes that kind of thing.</p> - -<p>"Of course you will be. You cannot very well get into harm, and you are -not the boy to get into mischief. Well, good-bye, my lad, and to-morrow -if all is well, I will show you what English rural scenery is like, and -you will find it is more beautiful than it has seemed to you yet." And -with that the gentleman went out, leaving the boy alone.</p> - -<p>At first Ralph wandered round the rooms and examined all the funny, -old-fashioned pictures, and frowned at some old-time Dresden ornaments -of shepherds and shepherdesses in Court attire, as though he was not -quite sure whether they were intended for pagan idols or not; and then, -getting tired of this, he put on his hat and strolled down into the inn -yard, where he found more to interest him in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_7" id="Page_7">[Pg 7]</a></span> an ostler who was busily -grooming a couple of powerful waggon horses. Ralph had never seen a -real cart-horse before, for the horses he had been accustomed to were -little, thin, wiry creatures, all sinew and bone, and spirit—horses -that could go, and would go, until they dropped, but pigmies compared -to these mighty creatures—the largest of all the species.</p> - -<p>Then he picked up a long coil of rope lying near and examined it -with critical eye, which yet seemed to disapprove of its texture and -quality; and then, idly fashioning a running noose at one end, he -coiled that rope up, and sent it with a flying jerk over a post thirty -feet away.</p> - -<p>The man stared and paused in his work.</p> - -<p>"Ay, but ye couldn't do that again, sir," he ventured; and Ralph, with -a little flush of something like conceit, immediately repeated his -performance.</p> - -<p>"That be main clever," said the man, and he shambled off to get "Tom" -and "Garge" and "Luke" to come and see the young gentleman's wonderful -deed.</p> - -<p>Ralph was delighted, and he varied his work by sending the noose over -one of the men as he ran at full speed across the yard. It was nothing -to him; he had handled a rope as soon as he had handled anything, and -he wondered at the surprise the thing caused to these men.</p> - -<div class="center"><img src="images/i007.jpg" alt="Sending the noose over one of the men" /></div> - -<p class="bold">"<span class="smcap">Sending the noose over one of the men as he ran at<br /> -full speed across the yard.</span>" p. 7</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_8" id="Page_8">[Pg 8]</a></span></p> - -<p>A drove of cattle passed, and Ralph paused and regarded them with -interest. They were good beasts, but nothing like the troublesome -wild cattle which he had known. They seemed perfectly contented with -everything in this life.</p> - -<p>"They are very quiet," he observed, and the man nodded.</p> - -<p>"They be quiet enough, sir, but there be a bull in yonder paddock; ye -will see him in a minute, for they will be coming to drive him back to -his shed; and he be very savage. He ha' killed two poor chaps now, and -it be a risky job dealing with him. He be quiet enough as a rule; but -when his temper is bad, then he is bad, too—and very bad."</p> - -<p>"I would like to see him," was the boy's answer; and almost before -the words were out of his mouth he had his wish granted; for a fierce -bellow of deep-voiced rage was heard, and rushing along, a broken -halter streaming behind, there came a magnificent black bull, while -in his rear, shouting and waving their arms in distress, ran two men, -who had evidently been engaged in bringing the monster home when he -had turned upon them, and sent them spinning this way and that ere he -darted off.</p> - -<p>Every one in the way rushed to the nearest cover without ceremony; and -then a wild scream of terror broke on the air, and Ralph saw, directly -in the fierce creature's path, a pretty girl, seemingly but a year -younger than himself; a girl transfixed with fright,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_9" id="Page_9">[Pg 9]</a></span> standing there, -directly in the pathway of horrible injury, if not death!</p> - -<p>And what could he do? He who had been used to cattle was the only one -who kept his courage. Had he been in the saddle and armed with a good -stock whip the thing would have been touch and go; but he had nothing, -and he could not tackle the bull empty-handed.</p> - -<p>Stay, there was one thing—the rope! A chance, but a slender one. Quick -as a flash he put a couple of turns round the post he had been aiming -at and gathered the noose for a cast. The bull came thundering along -the road, head down, tail out, snorting with rage and defiance. If it -kept on like that it would pass quite close to him. He put another turn -round the post. The shorter the rope the better the chance; and then, -hand and eye acting in unison, he sent the noose round his head and -made his cast. If he succeeded the bull would be over, if he failed the -girl must go down.</p> - -<p>And succeed he did. It was to him quite an easy throw. The noose -settled fairly over those curving horns. There was a jerk, a roar of -rage and fear, and the great struggling creature was hurled forward so -violently, through the force of its flight, that it fell in a cloud of -scattered mud and stones, and lay half stunned and wholly bewildered.</p> - -<p>Ralph, with a cry of thankfulness, ran forward,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_10" id="Page_10">[Pg 10]</a></span> and pulled the girl -from her dangerous proximity to its mighty legs, just as a gentleman, -pale with terror, rushed from a shop near by, where he had been giving -some orders.</p> - -<p>"Irene!" he cried. "My little Irene! Thank Heaven that you are safe!" -Then, as he saw the bull still noosed, and now in the hands of several -men, he went on—</p> - -<p>"But who did that? Who stopped the bull in that way?" and a dozen hands -pointed to Ralph, who stood there feeling rather confused and awkward, -and wishing that he could run away. Young ladies were more terrible -things in his eyes than were angry bulls; and this young lady was -thanking him so prettily, while her father, for so the gentleman was, -kept shaking his hand, hardly able to voice his gratitude. He seemed -overcome with a sense of the good hand of Providence in the matter.</p> - -<p>"You are staying at the inn," he said. "I must return and express my -thanks to your father. I will take my little daughter home first and -then come back. Perhaps he will be in by then. What is your name, my -dear young gentleman?"</p> - -<p>"Ralph Rexworth," the lad answered. And the gentleman answered—</p> - -<p>"And mine is Hubert St. Clive, and if ever I can be of service to you I -shall think nothing too much to enable me to show some return for what -you have done for me and mine this evening."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11">[Pg 11]</a></span></p> - -<p>It was really a relief to Ralph when Mr. St. Clive had gone, and he was -glad to get back to his room and escape the curious and admiring crowd, -though even then he could not shut the landlord out, nor prevent the -admiration of the maid, who would come in on all sorts of pretexts just -to have a peep at him; and so the evening wore on, and the time for his -father's return drew near.</p> - -<p>But no father came, and at last Ralph began to grow anxious. He could -not tell why, but he felt nervous. Had he been alone on the great Texan -plains, where his boyhood had been passed, he would not have cared in -the slightest; but here he was so lonely, everything was so different. -His father had been gone nearly five hours, and Ralph did not know what -to make of it.</p> - -<p>And ten came and went, and eleven; and the landlord looked in -restlessly, for the old fellow was beginning to have uneasy suspicions -that his guest had gone off and did not mean to return again, and there -was the dinner unpaid for.</p> - -<p>Still, he could not turn this lonely boy out, so he suggested at last -that Ralph should go to bed.</p> - -<p>"Most like your father has been detained, sir, and he won't be back -till the morning," he suggested. "Even if he does he can ring us up. We -likes to get to bed as soon as we can after closing time, for the days -are long enough, and we do not get too much rest."</p> - -<p>So the landlord said, and Ralph took the hint and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12">[Pg 12]</a></span> went to his room. -Throwing himself beside his bed, he prayed as he had never prayed -before, asking his Heavenly Father to quickly send back to him his own -dear parent.</p> - -<p>To bed, but not to sleep. What could have happened to his father? Had -he met with any accident? A thousand fears and questions presented -themselves to the boy's mind, until at last he fell into a restless -sleep, to dream that his father was calling to him for aid; and when -he awoke it was to the alarming knowledge that he was still alone—his -father had not come back.</p> - -<p>His distress was now intensified, and old Simon, the landlord, was -very perplexed; but he was a good-hearted old fellow, and he saw that -the boy was provided with a good breakfast, reminding him that Mr. St. -Clive would be certain to be round in the morning, as he had not come -the evening before, and that then they could consult with him as to -what was best to be done.</p> - -<p>"You have your breakfast, anyhow," he said. "No one is worth much -without their food. Mr. St. Clive is a very good gentleman, and he owes -you a lot for having saved his little daughter. I am quite sure that he -will be ready to advise you."</p> - -<p>"But where can my father have got to?" asked Ralph, and the old man -shook his head.</p> - -<p>"It is more than I can say, sir. Perhaps he will be back soon."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13">[Pg 13]</a></span></p> - -<p>But no father came; and when Mr. St. Clive arrived, which he did soon -after breakfast was over, he was informed of Ralph's trouble, and he -looked very grave indeed.</p> - -<p>"Run away! Nonsense, Simon?" he said to the landlord, after he had been -told. "That is absurd! If this gentleman had desired to do anything so -base as desert his son, he would never have brought him all the way to -England in order to do so. I will see the young gentleman."</p> - -<p>"My dear lad," he greeted Ralph, when he was shown into the room where -the boy was. "I was unable to return last evening, but I understand -that it would have been no use had I done so. Your father has not come -back, I hear."</p> - -<p>"No, sir," replied Ralph; "and I feel very troubled, for I cannot -imagine what has kept him away. He said he would only be a short time."</p> - -<p>"You do not know where he was going, or whether he knew any one in the -locality?"</p> - -<p>But Ralph shook his head.</p> - -<p>"I do not know, sir. Father did not tell me anything. We have lived all -my life on the ranch in Texas, and when mother died last year father -sold the ranch and brought me to England; but he did not tell me why."</p> - -<p>"It is strange; but still, it is foolish to make trouble. He may have -found his business take longer than he anticipated, and—well, Simon?"</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14">[Pg 14]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Beg pardon, Mr. St. Clive, but one of the men from Little Stow has -just come in, and he has brought me this. He says that he found it in -Stow Wood, just by the Black Mere."</p> - -<p>And what was it that he had found? What was it that should wring a cry -of grief from Ralph Rexworth? Only a hat—broken, as from a blow, and -with an ominous red smear upon it. Only a hat; but that hat was never -bought in England. It was the hat which his father was wearing when he -left the inn the previous evening; and there it lay now upon the table, -a grim, silent explanation of why that father had not returned.</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15">[Pg 15]</a></span></p> - -<h2><span>CHAPTER II</span> <span class="smaller">A CRUEL IMPLICATION</span></h2> - -<p>"My dear lad, it is foolish to give way to grief before you are sure -that there is cause for it"—so said Mr. St. Clive to Ralph Rexworth, -trying to comfort the boy and restore his confidence. "I admit that -this, coupled with your father's absence, looks serious; but still, -we do not know what explanation there may be to it. Come, try and be -brave; trust in God, even though the very worst may have befallen; idle -grief is useless. Let us go to Stow Wood and examine the place; perhaps -we may discover something which this man may have overlooked. Pluck up -your courage, and hope for the best; and Ralph, remember, that whatever -happens you have a friend in myself, who counts it a privilege to be -able to do anything to show how grateful he is to you for what you did -yesterday."</p> - -<p>Ralph, with an effort, subdued his feelings, and replied gratefully—</p> - -<p>"You are very kind to me, sir. Let us do as you suggest. Will you -take me to the place? I do not know anything of the country here, of -course."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16">[Pg 16]</a></span></p> - -<p>"I will go with you, and we will have this man accompany us, and show -us exactly where he found this hat. Come, we will start at once."</p> - -<p>Stow Wood was about a mile and a half from the inn, a rather -dismal-looking place, where the grass grew long and dank, and where -stoats and rats found a safe retreat from which to sally forth at night -upon their marauding expeditions; and the grimmest, most lonely spot -was around the deep pool, known locally as the Black Mere.</p> - -<p>A dark, motionless pool it was; in some parts covered with green weed, -surrounded by coarse grass.</p> - -<p>Local superstition said that it was haunted, and though sensible people -laughed at that, still the appearance of the spot was enough to give -rise to such a legend.</p> - -<p>"I found the hat just here, sir," said the man, bending down and -pointing to a clump of blind-nettle. "You can see where it was lying, -sir."</p> - -<p>Mr. St. Clive and Ralph stopped and examined the place. It was clear -that something resembling a struggle had taken place here, for the tall -grass was trampled and beaten flat, and, in some places, the earth -itself had been cut up, as though by the heels of boots. Mr. St. Clive -felt very grave—if ever anything seemed to tell of a tragedy, this -did—and he said to Ralph—</p> - -<p>"My poor boy, I must own that there seems every appearance of foul play -here. We shall have to see<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17">[Pg 17]</a></span> the police. You are quite sure that your -father told you nothing, however unimportant it may seem, which might -give us an inkling of where he was going?"</p> - -<p>"He said nothing, sir," answered Ralph sadly. "It is all a mystery to -me. But now we are here we may as well learn all that we can."</p> - -<p>"What more can we learn, Ralph?" asked Mr. St. Clive. "This silent spot -will not speak and tell us what happened."</p> - -<p>"Not to you perhaps, but it will speak to me, sir. I have been brought -up on the plains, remember, and grass and trees may tell me more than -they can tell to you. First, sir, is this a direct road to anywhere? I -mean, is it a general thoroughfare?"</p> - -<p>Mr. St. Clive shook his head.</p> - -<p>"No, Ralph. It is a rarely frequented spot. The village people are half -afraid of it. It is a short cut from Stow Ormond to Great Stow, and it -would argue that your father must have been familiar with the place for -him to have taken it."</p> - -<p>"Where else besides Great Stow does it lead to, sir?"</p> - -<p>"Why, my lad, to nowhere in particular. It takes you out the other side -of Stow Common, and, of course, from there you can go where you will."</p> - -<p>Ralph nodded.</p> - -<p>"So that we may suppose that any one crossing here would be going to -Great Stow?"</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18">[Pg 18]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Yes. It would save him going all round through Little Stow."</p> - -<p>"Very well, sir. Now we will go to the side of the wood nearest to the -inn."</p> - -<p>"Why?" asked Mr. St. Clive in surprise.</p> - -<p>"Because I want to know whether my father crossed this place in going -from the inn; and if so, I want to try and see where he went to. There -is a lot to learn here, sir; but I must start at the beginning."</p> - -<p>Mr. St. Clive was impressed, though he could not understand what Ralph -meant; and so together they went back to that part of the wood which -bordered upon Stow Ormond, and here Ralph began to walk to and fro, -carefully surveying the grass, until presently he stopped and said—</p> - -<p>"My father did cross here. He got over that stile."</p> - -<p>"How do you know, Ralph?" asked Mr. St. Clive. "I confess that I see -nothing to indicate it."</p> - -<p>"Why, it is quite clear, sir," answered the boy. "See, the ground here -is soft and muddy, and this is the imprint of my father's foot here -in this soft red clay. That has taken the mark like wax. That is his -square-toed boot."</p> - -<p>Mr. St. Clive had to admit that so far the boy was correct. Some one -wearing a square-toed boot had stepped into a little heap of clay, and -the footmark was quite clearly defined.</p> - -<p>"Now," Ralph went on, pointing to the stile, "here is a mark of clay on -the stile, so he must have crossed<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19">[Pg 19]</a></span> here, and here the grass has been -trodden down as he went on."</p> - -<p>This latter sign was nothing like so clear, but the boy, used to -reading tracks in the far-off West, showed the man how the blades of -grass were turned from the weight that had trodden on them; and as -they walked forward the traces became even plainer, leading past the -pool, and on towards the common; and Ralph gave a cry as he studied the -ground.</p> - -<p>"Here are two people walking now," he said; "and one wears pointed -boots!"</p> - -<p>"The man who brought the hat to us," suggested Mr. St. Clive.</p> - -<p>"No, sir. He wore big boots, with nails in them. You can see the marks -of those quite plainly, and he came here last of all."</p> - -<p>"How do you know that?" demanded Mr. St. Clive, very interested.</p> - -<p>"Because the marks that he has made are over all the others," was the -explanation. "Let us go on."</p> - -<p>They followed the traces, faint though they seemed, until they reached -the common; and here, though Ralph studied the ground for nearly an -hour, he could discover nothing. Several roads crossed the common, -and the men must have traversed one of these, but which one there was -nothing to show.</p> - -<p>Back to the pool they went, and here Ralph paused; and Mr. St. Clive, -looking at him inquiringly, said—</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">[Pg 20]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Well, what now, my boy? Have you learnt anything?"</p> - -<p>"Yes—a lot, sir; but I do not understand it. Let me tell you what -these signs tell me. My father crossed here alone, and went somewhere -across the common, and I do not think that it could have been very far -away. Then he came back alone——"</p> - -<p>"But the second man?" queried Mr. St. Clive.</p> - -<p>"One moment, sir. He came alone, and he stopped to light another cigar -just here. Look, here is the match half-burnt, and the stump of the one -he threw away."</p> - -<p>"Yes; go on," said Mr. St. Clive, nodding his head. "You have reason -for what you say."</p> - -<p>"Now, some one followed my father back, and he wore rather small boots -with pointed toes——"</p> - -<p>"Plenty of gentlemen do that. I wear such boots myself, you see."</p> - -<p>"I know, sir. This man was dodging my father, and when he stopped to -light his cigar the man stopped too, just over there behind that hedge."</p> - -<p>"My dear lad, what makes you say that?"</p> - -<p>"The mark of his feet are there, and I think he fired at my father more -than once. He fired once and missed, I know, because this tree has -got a bullet in the bark, and I am going to have it out! Then he ran -forward, and there must have been a fight, and father fell just here. -Look, you can surely see where he lay? See the length where the grass -is crushed;<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21">[Pg 21]</a></span> and see these two marks—a heel and a toe; that means, -that some one knelt beside him, and——. Look, look, sir!"</p> - -<p>A glimmer of something bright in the long grass caught Ralph's eye, -and, stooping, he picked up a watch and chain, and a purse, which had -evidently been thrown hastily aside.</p> - -<p>"Whoever killed my father searched him, and wanted something in -particular. It was no robber, for then he would have taken these and -not thrown them down."</p> - -<p>Mr. St. Clive could only look on in silence. There was something very -strange in the boy thus unfolding the incidents of a strange mystery, -reading them from almost invisible signs upon the grass. And Ralph -continued—</p> - -<p>"Then the man ran away and came back with a cart—you can see the marks -of the wheels. See, they come close up here! And here he drove off -again. I suppose that father was in the cart—that is what he brought -it for. The horse went a bit lame, too, in the off forefoot. That is -all the place can tell me, sir."</p> - -<p>All! Mr. St. Clive was amazed that the boy was able to see so much, and -he followed his reasoning, noting how one footmark partly obliterated -another, proving that it had been made after it. That a strange meeting -had taken place in that lonely wood seemed indeed all too likely, but -beyond that all was<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22">[Pg 22]</a></span> mystery. Why had Mr. Rexworth entered this place, -whither was he going, and who was the man who had come after him?</p> - -<p>Ralph had his knife out, and was busily cutting away the bark of one of -the trees which stood close by. His action proved that he had not been -wrong in his conjecture—a flattened piece of lead was embedded there, -and Frank put it into his pocket.</p> - -<p>"Perhaps one day that may tell me some more," he said.</p> - -<p>But there was nothing more to do there, though Mr. St. Clive said that -he would see that the wood was searched through, and that the mere -was dragged; and then, trying to speak comforting words to Ralph, he -returned with him to Stow Ormond. And as they entered the inn, a tall, -handsome gentleman, with one hand in a sling, came out, and seeing Mr. -St. Clive, greeted him with: "Hallo, St. Clive, I hear that your little -girl had a narrow escape last night!"</p> - -<p>Mr. St. Clive frowned.</p> - -<p>"Yes, from your bull, Lord Elgert. You ought to have the brute properly -guarded. If it had not been for this young gentleman, Irene might have -been killed."</p> - -<p>Lord Elgert stared at Ralph, and his look was not pleasant.</p> - -<p>"Oh, is this the young man who noosed him? Well, he has broken the -bull's knees; but, however, it is fortunate that he was at hand. By the -way, what is<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">[Pg 23]</a></span> this that Simon tells me. Something has happened in Stow -Wood?"</p> - -<p>"I fear so," replied Mr. St. Clive; and he narrated briefly what they -had discovered.</p> - -<p>Was it fancy, or did Ralph notice that handsome face turn a shade paler -when mention was made of the bullet cut from the tree? Somehow the boy -did not like this wealthy gentleman, though he knew not why he should -regard him with enmity. When Mr. St. Clive had concluded, Lord Elgert -said—</p> - -<p>"Dear, dear! How strange! But still, you do not know that anything -has happened. You will tell the police, of course. Can you give a -description of your father, my boy?"</p> - -<p>"I can show his likeness, sir," replied Ralph, taking out his -pocket-book. "Here it is!"</p> - -<p>Lord Elgert took the photograph, but as he looked at it he gave a -whistle of surprise.</p> - -<p>"So this is the missing man?" he said. "St. Clive, perhaps, I can tell -you something of interest. Last night my place was broken into, and -I woke up to hear a man in my study. I went down and switched on the -electric light, so that I could see the rascal quite plainly. He turned -and tried to bolt, but I closed with him, and in the rough-and-tumble -he managed to cut my hand open and clear off. St. Clive, I am positive -that the man was none other than the original of this likeness, and——"</p> - -<p>He was interrupted by a passionate cry of pain and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">[Pg 24]</a></span> anger, and Ralph, -snatching the photograph from his hand, stood confronting him with -blazing eyes.</p> - -<p>"It is false!" he cried. "You know it is false! I believe that you are -responsible for my father's disappearance!"</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">[Pg 25]</a></span></p> - -<h2><span>CHAPTER III</span> <span class="smaller">MR. ST. CLIVE PROVES HIMSELF A TRUE FRIEND</span></h2> - -<p>"I believe that you are responsible for my father's disappearance."</p> - -<p>So did Ralph Rexworth cry in his anger; and Lord Elgert started, and -his face grew dark with rage.</p> - -<p>"You impudent young dog!" he shouted, raising his stick; and the blow -would have fallen, had not Mr. St. Clive stopped it with his arm.</p> - -<p>"Lord Elgert," he said sternly; for he was shocked at the callous way -in which the charge had been made, "I cannot stand by and allow that. -You have made a very serious charge——"</p> - -<p>"Nothing so serious as that young rascal has made. I am surprised -that you stand by and listen to it, St. Clive; but you always were -antagonistic to me! I assert what is fact. My place was broken into——"</p> - -<p>"Did any one but yourself see this man?"</p> - -<p>"An absurd question! Who was there to see him? By the time the alarm -was given he was gone. I shall have to tell the police of that -photograph; it will be wanted to help in tracing him. I expect this -story is all nonsense; and upon inquiry it will<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26">[Pg 26]</a></span> be found that the -farthest these two have travelled is from London. Most probably this -boy, who makes such unfounded charges, knew well the business which -brought his father here. The story of what happened in the woods is -really too romantic. If two people were there, the second was most -likely an accomplice; and they have gone off, leaving the boy here to -see what he can learn, or pick up. You are easily deceived, St. Clive." -And Lord Elgert turned upon his heel with a mocking laugh.</p> - -<p>But ere he could go, Ralph stood in his path, regarding him with a -fixed stare.</p> - -<p>"I do not know you," he said. "I never saw you before; but I can tell -friend from enemy, and you are an enemy. I am only a boy; but one day I -will bring your words back to you, and make you prove them."</p> - -<p>"Out of my way, you young rascal!" came the answer, "or I will have you -in prison before long. St. Clive, I wish you joy of your young friend. -Take my advice, and keep a sharp eye on the silver, if you suffer him -to enter your house."</p> - -<p>Ralph would have surely been provoked into some foolish action had not -Mr. St. Clive laid a gentle hand upon his shoulder, and led him back -into the inn; and then the boy quite broke down.</p> - -<p>"Oh, sir! Oh, sir!" he cried. "To say such things about my dear -father—my dear, kind father! But he shall prove them," he added -fiercely. "I<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">[Pg 27]</a></span> will make him prove them. I believe that he knows -something."</p> - -<p>"Ralph," answered Mr. St. Clive quietly, "because Lord Elgert has been -both unkind and foolish, that is no reason why you should talk wildly. -To say that Lord Elgert has had anything to do with your father's -disappearance, seems to me to be the very height of folly. He is a rich -man, and one of our justices——"</p> - -<p>"Where does he live, sir?" queried Ralph suddenly.</p> - -<p>"At Castle Court, near Great Stow. Ah," he added, as he saw Ralph's -look, "I know what you are thinking—that it is in the direction -whither your father was going! But remember, that will be equally -applicable to Lord Elgert's story that your father was going there. -It is most likely that some one in a measure resembling your father, -did break into Castle Court—we have not the slightest reason for -discrediting Lord Elgert's statement—and in the confusion of the -struggle, he did not clearly distinguish his opponent, and so says that -he resembles this photograph. Mistaken identity is a common occurrence, -and——"</p> - -<p>"You do not believe his story, sir? I could not bear to think that."</p> - -<p>"I do not, Ralph. If I did so, I should still feel my debt of gratitude -to you; but I do not believe it. I am not so foolish as to mistake -between a gentleman and a thief; and though I have not seen your -father, I think that I can see him in you and your<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">[Pg 28]</a></span> manner. Now be -brave, and do not trouble about what his lordship said. He was angry -because you spoke as you did; and though it was natural, your language -was not very polite." And Mr. St. Clive smiled slightly. "Now let us -talk sensibly. First, you cannot stay here by yourself; therefore, -disregarding the warning I have received, I invite you to be my guest -for the time, until we can see what is best to be done. What money have -you of your own?"</p> - -<p>"Only a few shillings, but there is the purse, sir." And Ralph opened -the purse which they had picked up in Stow Wood. "Here are five -sovereigns, and two five-pound notes, sir."</p> - -<p>"Then we had better pay the innkeeper and make a start. Simon"—as the -old fellow came in answer to the bell—"I am going to take this young -gentleman home with me. If his father should return, or if letters -arrive, you will let us know. Make out your bill. And, Simon, I suppose -that you did not recognize Mr. Rexworth at all?"</p> - -<p>"Why, no, sir; I cannot say that I did! But he knew the place, sir; -and when I told the girl to show him up to No. 10, sir, he just went -straight up to it. He knew the <i>Horse and Wheel</i>, sir."</p> - -<p>"Well, get your bill ready."</p> - -<p>The old man went out. It was something of a relief to know that he -was going to be paid; for he had begun to have some doubts about the -matter.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">[Pg 29]</a></span></p> - -<p>So it came about that Ralph Rexworth was taken home by Mr. St. Clive; -and there he was received with kindness and warmth by that gentleman's -wife, while little Irene smiled shyly, and put out one dainty little -hand for him to take in his brown palm.</p> - -<p>"I thank you very much," the little lass said. "I think that horrid -bull would have killed me if it had not been for you." And Mrs. St. -Clive shuddered as she listened; for her husband had told her how great -was the peril from which Irene had been rescued.</p> - -<p>Leaving the two young people to make friends, Mr. St. Clive took his -wife aside and told her of the strange position in which their young -guest was placed.</p> - -<p>"The boy does not seem to have a friend in the world," he said. "And he -is undoubtedly a gentleman, Kate. What is to be done? His father may -return; but I confess that it looks as if a tragedy had taken place. It -was wonderful how the lad pieced together traces which were invisible -to me. I fear that something bad has occurred. As to Lord Elgert's -idea, I do not put much faith in it. Elgert is too fond of thinking -evil of people—he is one of the most merciless men on the bench. What -shall we do, Kate?"</p> - -<p>"Do?" replied his wife, with a fond smile. "Why, Hubert, you have -already determined what to do!"</p> - -<p>Her husband laughed pleasantly.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">[Pg 30]</a></span></p> - -<p>"I confess that I have. Still, I like to have your desire run with my -own. You want this lad to stay here?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, Hubert. If he is lonely and friendless, let us be his friends; -for had he not rescued her, our dear little daughter would have been -killed."</p> - -<p>So husband and wife agreed; but when they went to Ralph they found that -he was not quite willing to accept the invitation.</p> - -<p>"I know how kind it is of you," the boy said. "And it is true that -I have no friends, and nowhere to go; but I—I cannot live on your -charity. I want to earn my living somehow."</p> - -<p>"That is good, Ralph," was the hearty reply of Mr. St. Clive; "but you -must be reasonable. There is such a thing as unreasonable pride. You -cannot earn your living in any calling as a gentleman, without you are -fitted for it. Your life on the plains, and life here, or in London, -would be very vastly different. If you had friends in Texas we might -send you back again——"</p> - -<p>"No, no, sir!" cried Ralph, interrupting him. "I could not go back. -Here I must stay for two reasons. I must live to find out what has -become of my father, and I must clear his name from the accusation that -man made."</p> - -<p>"Your first reason is good; your second I do not think that you need -worry over. Then you will stay? Well, then, you must certainly let the -wish of my<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">[Pg 31]</a></span> wife and of Irene conquer your pride. I want to help you -all I can; and if presently it is better for you to go, I promise you -that I will not seek to detain you."</p> - -<p>"Do stop, Ralph," added Irene, who, pet as she was, had stolen into -her father's study, and heard what was said. "I want you to stay; and -I want you to teach me how to throw a rope like that, though I should -never dare to throw it at a bull. Please stay."</p> - -<p>And somehow Ralph looked down into that upturned little face, and he -could not say "no."</p> - -<p>"It is very good of you, sir," he murmured, to Mr. St. Clive, -"especially after what Lord Elgert said——"</p> - -<p>"My lad, do not be so sensitive concerning that."</p> - -<p>"But I cannot help it, sir. He first called my father a thief; and -he—he—you know what he said about your silver?"</p> - -<p>And Ralph turned very red.</p> - -<p>Mr. St. Clive understood, and sympathized. He liked Ralph all the -better for being keenly sensitive about it.</p> - -<p>"There, let it go, my dear boy. Now, once more, business. Have you any -luggage, save these two handbags?"</p> - -<p>"In London, sir. Two great trunks. Father left them at the station. -Here are the papers for them." And the boy took a railway luggage -receipt from his pocket-book.</p> - -<p>"This is important. We may find something to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32">[Pg 32]</a></span> help us in those trunks," -cried Mr. St. Clive. "Of course, I am not legally justified in touching -them, Ralph; but, under the circumstances, I think that I might do -so. We must have them here, and examine their contents. We may then -discover what brought your father to Stow Ormond; and that, in its -turn, might give us some clue as to what may have happened."</p> - -<p>"I do not think there is much doubt as to what has happened," sighed -the boy. But Mr. St. Clive would not listen to that.</p> - -<p>"Never look at the darkest side, lad. There is a kind Providence over -all, and we must never despair. Now, our very first task must be to -obtain your travelling trunks without delay."</p> - -<p>Mr. St. Clive lost no time in putting this resolution into practice. -The trunks were got down from London, and opened; but, to their -disappointment, their contents revealed nothing which tended in any way -to throw a light upon the mystery—clothing, a few mementoes of their -Texan home, and—and in view of Ralph's future welfare this was most -important—banknotes and gold to the amount of £3,000!</p> - -<p>"No need to feel yourself dependent upon any one now, Ralph," was the -remark of Mr. St. Clive, as they counted this money; "and no need to -give another thought to Lord Elgert's suspicions. People possessed of -so much money do not go breaking into houses,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33">[Pg 33]</a></span> risking their liberty -for the sake of what they may be able to steal."</p> - -<p>Now, though Irene St. Clive was delighted, and would have been quite -content for Ralph to have stayed as her companion, her father did -not look at matters in that way; and he had a serious talk with -Ralph, having first quietly questioned him in order to ascertain his -acquirements.</p> - -<p>"You see, Ralph," he said, "what a man needs in England is quite -different from what he may need abroad. You can ride, shoot, and round -up cattle; but that is no good here. Your father has given you a -general education, so that you are not a dunce; but it is nothing like -what you will need as a gentleman here. Knowledge is power and your -desire to clear up the matter of your father's disappearance demands -that you should acquire all the power obtainable. My advice—I have -no right to insist, remember—but my advice is that you should spend -a couple of years at a first-class school—we have a splendid one -here—and if you work honestly during that time, with your intellect -you ought to have made a good headway. What do you say?"</p> - -<p>The boy knit his brows. To one who had passed his days in a wild, free -life, such a prospect did not hold out many charms; but then Ralph was -fond of learning, and had sometimes sighed that he could not learn -more. Besides, his one object in life was to solve the matter of his -father's disappearance,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34">[Pg 34]</a></span> and clear his name from any foul charge. In -his heart, Ralph had resolved ever to live under honour's flag. He -looked up, and answered frankly—</p> - -<p>"I will be guided entirely by you, sir, unless my father comes back; -then, of course, I should do whatever he directed."</p> - -<p>"My feeling is, that had your father elected to remain in England he -would certainly have sent you to school. Now, Ralph, I am going to be -frank with you. We have, as I have said, a splendid school near here; -but amongst its pupils is Horace Elgert. I fear that he takes after -his father somewhat; and if Lord Elgert has said anything, or does say -anything to him when he knows you are there, young Horace may try to -make it unpleasant for you. Do you understand?"</p> - -<p>"Perfectly, sir," replied Ralph.</p> - -<p>"And will you go there?"</p> - -<p>Ralph looked Mr. St. Clive in the face, and he answered firmly:</p> - -<p>"Yes, sir. The boy's being there is nothing to me. I will go."</p> - -<p>"Good!" replied Mr. St. Clive, with a nod of appreciation. "We will go -over and see the Headmaster to-morrow."</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35">[Pg 35]</a></span></p> - -<h2><span>CHAPTER IV</span> <span class="smaller">RALPH'S FIRST DAY AT SCHOOL</span></h2> - -<p>"He is a fine young fellow, but his past life has been spent amidst -very different scenes, and he is far from having a fitting education. -But he is very intellectual and will acquire knowledge quickly. His -father must have been a gentleman, and he has taught his son to be one -also."</p> - -<p>It was Mr. St. Clive who spoke, and his words were addressed to Dr. -Beverly, the principal of Marlthorpe College—the best school in all -the county.</p> - -<p>A fine-looking man was the doctor, tall, erect, dignified, with firm -face and piercing eyes—eyes which could look terribly severe when -their owner was angry, but which otherwise were gentle, and even -mirthful.</p> - -<p>Dr. Beverly was proud of his school, but prouder still of his work. He -did not labour to make scholars only, but also to build up men—good, -noble men—who should be a credit to the old school, and a blessing to -their country. Work or play, the doctor believed in everything being -done as well as it could be, for his watchword was "Whatever you do, do -it to the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36">[Pg 36]</a></span> glory of God," and nothing can be done to God's glory that -is not done as well as it possibly can be.</p> - -<p>Mr. St. Clive had explained how Ralph came to be under his care, -and had told the doctor how much he owed to him; and he finished by -mentioning the cruel statement which Lord Elgert had made, and the -angry way in which Ralph had answered it.</p> - -<p>"I tell you this," he said, "that you may know everything. I attach no -weight to Elgert's statement myself—it is too absurd, but you must -exercise your own discretion," and the doctor smiled slightly.</p> - -<p>"Lord Elgert is rather prone to make rash statements," he said. "I -shall be quite willing to receive your young friend, and I will do my -best to turn him into a good man."</p> - -<p>"That I am sure of," was the hearty reply, "and I am also sure that you -will have good material to work upon. Then I will bring Ralph over."</p> - -<p>"And do you propose that he shall board here entirely, or return to you -every Saturday, as most of the lads do?"</p> - -<p>"Oh, come home. That is how I did in my day—you know I want to watch -the boy. Good-day, doctor," and Mr. St. Clive came away.</p> - -<p>Marlthorpe College was a splendid old building, with large playing -fields at the back, and a great quadrangle in front, to which entrance -was gained through a pair of great iron gates, against which the -porter's lodge was built.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37">[Pg 37]</a></span></p> - -<p>The school itself was at the other side of the quadrangle, directly -facing the gates—a two storey building, with the hall, in which the -whole school assembled upon special occasions, below, and with the -classrooms above. It had two wings; the one to the right being the -doctor's own residence, and that on the left the undermaster's quarters.</p> - -<p>At the back there were again buildings on the right and left—on the -left junior dormitories, the dining-hall, and matron's rooms; and on -the right senior dormitories and studies.</p> - -<p>Mr. St. Clive drove home and told Ralph the result of his visit.</p> - -<p>"I am sure that you will like the doctor," he said, "and you will find -your companions a nice lot of fellows. Of course there will be some -unpleasant ones; and Ralph, if things are as they used to be, you -will find that there are two sets of fellows—those who mean to work -honestly, and those who never intend to take pains. I need not ask -which set you will belong to," and Mr. St. Clive smiled. "But now," -he added, "I want you to try and be brave. You have a very terrible -sorrow, I know; and it is hard to put it from my mind——"</p> - -<p>"It is never from my mind, sir," interrupted Ralph sadly. "I am always -thinking of it."</p> - -<p>"But you must not brood over it. To do that, will unfit you for all -else. Leave it with God, Ralph, and do not let even so great a grief -interfere with life's<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38">[Pg 38]</a></span> duties. Will you promise me to try and remember -this?"</p> - -<p>"I will indeed, sir," answered Ralph. "If I have lost father, I mean to -try and think that he knows, and just do that which would please him."</p> - -<p>"That is good; but still better is it to remember that we have to -try and do that which shall please our Heavenly Father. Now, Ralph, -I suppose that out where you made your home, blows often were the -only way of settling troubles. I do not say that blows are never -justifiable, for sometimes we are placed in such circumstances as -warrant fighting, but do not be too ready to quarrel, or to avenge -every fancied insult with your fist. But there, I am sure that I can -leave that to you. Now come to lunch, and then we must see about -starting."</p> - -<p>"I am so glad that you are coming home every week, Ralph," so said -Irene St. Clive, when she heard of the arrangements which her father -had made. "My own lessons are finished on Friday, and we can have all -Saturday to ourselves. I shall count all the days until each Saturday -comes."</p> - -<p>So with kindly words to cheer him on his way, Ralph started off with -Mr. St. Clive, and was introduced to Dr. Beverly; and Ralph felt that -he liked the doctor from the very first moment that he saw him; and he -determined that he would do all that he could to get on and prove to -Mr. St. Clive that he meant to keep his word.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39">[Pg 39]</a></span></p> - -<p>Then when his friend had gone, the doctor questioned Ralph to see just -what he knew; and at the conclusion of the examination he laid his hand -on his shoulder.</p> - -<p>"My boy," he said, "it is my desire always to have the fullest -confidence in my scholars, and also to enjoy their confidence. I want -you to remember that I desire to be your friend as well as your master, -and that out of school hours I am always glad to see any of my boys who -want to talk with me. I do not mean who want to come tale-bearing," he -added, and Ralph smiled as he answered—</p> - -<p>"Thank you, sir. I think I understand."</p> - -<p>"You will have to be in the Fourth Form at first, that is the lowest -Form in the Senior House," the doctor continued. "But if you work well, -you will soon be in the Fifth. Now, if you will come with me I will -introduce you to your master, Mr. Delermain, and I think you will find -him ever ready to help you in any way he can."</p> - -<p>Ralph thanked the Head again, and followed him, with more of curiosity -than of nervousness, to make the acquaintance of the boys with whom he -was to study; and twenty pairs of eyes glanced up as the Head opened -the door, and then dropped as quickly when they saw who had entered.</p> - -<p>But the master rose from his seat and came forward to meet the doctor, -who said, patting Ralph on the shoulder—</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40">[Pg 40]</a></span></p> - -<p>"I have brought you a new scholar, Mr. Delermain. This is Ralph -Rexworth, and he is the young gentleman of whom you have heard—the one -who saved Mr. St. Clive's daughter." Hereat the eyes were stealthily -raised, and glances of something like respectful awe followed. Of -course every one there had heard of the incident about the bull, and of -the disappearance of Mr. Rexworth.</p> - -<p>"Rexworth is rather backward," the Head continued. "His life has been -spent abroad, and he has not had the opportunities for study; but I -believe that he will soon pick up." And with this Dr. Beverly went, and -Mr. Delermain, having spoken a few words of welcome, beckoned to a boy -to come forward.</p> - -<p>"Warren, let Rexworth sit beside you this afternoon, and give him a set -of the sums we are doing. If you find them too difficult," he added to -Ralph, "do not hesitate to come to me."</p> - -<p>But Ralph did not need to ask for aid, he could do the sums and the -exercises that followed. Indeed, he did better than some who had been -there longer, notably one big lad with a sickly flabby face, who was -seated at the bottom of the class, and who received a reprimand from -his master for his indolence.</p> - -<p>"It is shameful, Dobson! Here, a new boy has done better than you have. -Your idleness is disgraceful."</p> - -<p>A writing exercise followed; and Ralph was bending over his book, when -flop!—a wad of wet blotting-paper<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41">[Pg 41]</a></span> hit him in the cheek. He looked up, -but every one seemed busy with their work, so wiping his cheek he put -the wet mass on one side, and went on with his task. Flop! A second -wad came. Ralph noted the direction, and saw that at the end of the -form Dobson was seated, and Ralph had his suspicions. Pretending to -be absorbed in his work, he kept a covert watch; and presently he was -rewarded by seeing Dobson extract a third wad from his mouth, where he -had been chewing it into a convenient pellet, and under cover of the -boy in front of him prepare to fire it by a flick of his thumb. Ralph -raised his eyes and looked him full in the face, and, somehow, Dobson -seemed confused. He turned red, and bent over his work hastily; and no -more pellets were fired at Ralph that afternoon.</p> - -<p>It seemed rather a wearisome afternoon to the boy, used as he was to -his open-air life, but he worked away with all his might; and presently -the bell rang and work was over; and then Warren, the boy beside whom -he had sat, came to him and held out his hand.</p> - -<p>"I am first monitor of our form," he said, "and I hope that we shall be -friends. If you come with me I will take you round the school."</p> - -<p>"Rexworth."</p> - -<p>Ralph turned as his name was called; his master stood there.</p> - -<p>"I want you a few minutes. Warren, you can take<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42">[Pg 42]</a></span> him round afterwards. -I want to arrange about his study."</p> - -<p>"We have only got one vacant, sir," the monitor said. "Charlton has -that."</p> - -<p>"I know," was the quiet answer; and then, when Warren ran off, the -master turned to Ralph.</p> - -<p>"Rexworth," he said, "I must explain that in our form every two boys -have one study between them, and as you heard Warren say, we have only -one study that is not fully occupied. A lad named Charlton has it, and -you must chum with him. It is about him I want to speak to you."</p> - -<p>"Yes, sir," said Ralph, wondering why his master spoke so gravely.</p> - -<p>"Rexworth, I am sorry to say that Charlton is not quite in favour -with his schoolmates. His father got into some trouble and has -disappeared—it is supposed that he is dead—and the boy managed to -gain a scholarship at another and poorer school, and has come here. -He is a real nice lad, but very weakly and timid, and the others put -upon him, partly on that account, partly because of his father's -disappearance, and partly because he is poor—a sad crime in the eyes -of many. It would have been wiser, I think, if he had not come here, -but Dr. Beverly wished him to do so. I wish, Rexworth, that you would -try to be his friend, for he needs one; some of the lads are nice -enough to him, but he seems so very much alone."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43">[Pg 43]</a></span></p> - -<p>"I would like to help him, sir," was the ready answer. And the master -smiled.</p> - -<p>"I thought that I was not mistaken in you," he said. "Look, there the -lad is. Charlton, come here."</p> - -<p>The lad came up. He was a pale boy, very delicate in appearance, and -with a sad, wistful face.</p> - -<p>"Yes, sir," he said.</p> - -<p>"Charlton, there is only one vacancy in our studies, and that is with -you. Rexworth will have to chum with you." The boy cast a startled -glance at Ralph. "Take him and show him where it is, and try to make -him feel at home."</p> - -<p>"Yes, sir." The boy beckoned to Ralph. "Please come with me," he said, -in troubled tones, as if he doubted whether Ralph would care about -sharing the study with him.</p> - -<p>"Have we got to be chums?" asked Ralph; and the other boy nodded.</p> - -<p>"Yes. That is what we call it. It means sharing studies; but you need -not speak to me if you don't want to, and I will not be in the study -much. I am not as it is, for they are always disturbing me and spoiling -my things."</p> - -<p>"They! Who?" demanded Ralph; and the lad answered—</p> - -<p>"The other chaps and the Fifths. Dobson, in ours, and Elgert of the -Fifth, are the worst. They go in and spoil my things."</p> - -<p>"They have no business to, of course?"</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44">[Pg 44]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Go in? No, of course not—only the two who chum have any right in it. -Here we are, and—there, they are in now!"—as a scuffling and burst -of laughter came from the inside of the study before which the boy had -halted. "Oh, what are they doing! Will you stop until they have gone?"</p> - -<p>"Not I," answered Ralph grimly. "That study is mine as well as yours, -and I mean to see that we have it to ourselves, Charlton. Come on, and -we will see what is up." And saying this, Ralph threw open the door and -walked into the little room, followed by his companion.</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45">[Pg 45]</a></span></p> - -<h2><span>CHAPTER V</span> <span class="smaller">MAKING THINGS STRAIGHT</span></h2> - -<p>A burst of laughter greeted Ralph's ears as he opened the study door, -and some one said:</p> - -<p>"Look sharp. Here he comes! Hurry up there, Elgert!"</p> - -<p>But the laughter died away somewhat awkwardly when the boys saw that -Charlton was not alone, and one or two of the boys came up to Ralph.</p> - -<p>"Hallo, you new fellow! They surely haven't put you to chum with -Charlton, have they? What a shame! I should kick against it. Some one -else must make room for you."</p> - -<p>Such were the remarks of those who had taken a fancy to Ralph, but he -paid no heed to it all. He just calmly gazed round, as if counting the -number of boys there and taking their measure; and then he quite as -calmly shut the door, locked it, and put the key in his pocket. Those -present looked in surprise for a moment—some laughed, and one, a tall, -handsome boy, came haughtily up to him.</p> - -<p>"What do you mean by that?" he demanded. "How dare you lock that door?"</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46">[Pg 46]</a></span></p> - -<p>Ralph regarded him with the utmost coolness. No one had told him who -the boy was, and yet he seemed to know—he felt sure that this was none -other than Horace Elgert himself.</p> - -<p>"Wait a bit," he said calmly. "So far as I understand, this study -belongs to Charlton and myself. We have a perfect right to lock the -door."</p> - -<p>"But not to lock us in," retorted Elgert. "Open it at once, and think -yourself lucky that you don't get a licking for your impudence!"</p> - -<p>"Steady!" was Ralph's answer. "It seems to me that if you had not been -where you have no right to be, you would not have got locked in; and -now that you are here, you must wait my pleasure as to going out."</p> - -<p>This was beginning school life with a vengeance, but Ralph believed in -settling things once and for all, and his indignation was hot as he saw -what these half dozen lads had been doing.</p> - -<p>But Horace Elgert was not a boy to be spoken to like that, and he came -striding up to Ralph to take the key by force.</p> - -<p>"I will soon settle you," he began, and he aimed a blow at this -impertinent new boy's head, only somehow the blow did not get there. -Ralph adroitly stepped aside, and the Honourable Horace Elgert stumbled -to the ground violently.</p> - -<p>"A fight! A fight!" cried the rest; but Ralph smiled and shook his -head.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47">[Pg 47]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Oh, no, my friends. I have something better to do, and this is not the -place for fighting."</p> - -<p>They were staggered. They could not understand this coolness and, -moreover, they had all heard about Ralph having tackled the bull, and -the story had grown somewhat. They stood considerably in awe of this -boy from the Western plains, and they began to wish that they were -anywhere else than in his study.</p> - -<p>Horace Elgert got up, his face white with passion but he made no more -attempts to take the key from Ralph.</p> - -<p>"You are right," he said, in suppressed tones; "this is not the place -to fight. Open the door, and we will soon settle things."</p> - -<p>"Presently," was all the answer he got. "Now, then, let us see what you -have been up to."</p> - -<p>He glanced round at the books tumbled on the floor, at a desk upset, at -an ink-bottle on its side, and then turned to his chum.</p> - -<p>But Charlton was standing, looking very white, and staring at a picture -on the wall—the picture of a lady, and beneath it some one had -written—</p> - -<p>"This is Charlton's mammy. But where is his daddy? Puzzle—Find daddy, -and tell the police."</p> - -<p>Ralph felt his nerves tingle. He felt sure that Elgert had done that, -and he remembered the words of Lord Elgert respecting his own father.</p> - -<p>"Who did that?" he said, and no one answered. He went up to Elgert. -"Did you do it?"</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48">[Pg 48]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Well, if I did, what is it to do with you? Mind your own business!"</p> - -<p>"Take that scrawl down. Quick, or I shall lose my temper, and then I -fancy some one will get hurt! Down with it! That is right"—as the -other, considerably startled, pulled the writing down. "Give it to me."</p> - -<p>It was remarkable how the daring of the one lad held the half dozen in -check. Elgert handed him the paper, and Ralph tore it up and threw the -fragments into his face.</p> - -<p>"Now then, you have upset this room. Just put it straight again, -and look sharp about it!" he said. "And please to understand that -Charlton and I are chums, and mean to stick together. Oh, and I want a -word with you"—and he walked up to Dobson, who turned a trifle more -pasty-looking than before. "Do you know what these are?"</p> - -<p>Ralph produced two wads of chewed blotting-paper from his pocket as he -spoke, and Dobson blustered—</p> - -<p>"You keep to your chum, since you are so thick with him. I don't want -anything to do with you. I say, you chaps, are you going to let him -crow over you like this? Rush him!"</p> - -<p>"Good advice; only, why don't you do the rushing first?" said Ralph. -"I asked you if you recognized these. If you don't, I will tell you -what they are—they are pieces of blotting-paper, which you chewed -and then threw at me. They came out of your mouth,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49">[Pg 49]</a></span> and they are -going back there again—when I have mopped up this ink which you have -spilt." Ralph suited the action to the word, and presented the two -unpalatable-looking objects to Dobson, who was at once a coward and a -bully. "Now, then, open your mouth!"</p> - -<p>"I won't! Who do you think that you are? I—— Oh!"</p> - -<p>For Ralph did not argue. He grabbed hold of Dobson, and with a quick -jerk sent him backwards across the little study table.</p> - -<p>"Oh, oh! You are breaking my back!" howled the bully.</p> - -<p>"Open your mouth!"</p> - -<p>"I won't! Oh, help me, you fellows—he will break my back! Oh! Ugh! -Ow! I am choking!" For, just as he opened his mouth to yell, Ralph had -pushed both those pieces of blotting-paper in.</p> - -<p>"Now, then, take them," he said. "Quick, or it will be the worse for -you!"</p> - -<p>Dobson, with many queer grimaces, had to comply—it was the most -unsavoury morsel which he had tasted for many a day.</p> - -<div class="center"><img src="images/i049.jpg" alt="Dobson had to comply" /></div> - -<p class="bold">"<span class="smcap">Dobson, with many queer grimaces, had to -comply.</span>" p. 49</p> - -<p>"Now! Ah, I see that you have straightened things!" Ralph went on. "Now -you chaps can go, and the next time you want to come into our study -take my advice and ask leave, or there will be more trouble. Clear out!"</p> - -<p>And he unlocked the door and flung it open.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50">[Pg 50]</a></span></p> - -<p>And out those half dozen boys went, looking considerably crestfallen -and stupid, and knowing also that they were cowards—they were all -frightened by Ralph, so greatly does one of dauntless bearing affect a -number.</p> - -<p>But one boy turned, and that one was Horace Elgert, and he came back -and gave Ralph look for look.</p> - -<p>"Look here, you new fellow!" he said, "you have been very clever, but -you have done a bad day's work for yourself. You have made one enemy at -least. As for that insult which you offered me, you will have to fight -me for it; and as for you, you miserable cub"—and he turned towards -Charlton, who cowered back before his raised fist—"as for you, I -will——"</p> - -<p>"Hold hard—you will do nothing!" answered Ralph, with the utmost -good humour. "You are talking tall, that is all about it. Now, take -my advice, and go; and when you are calmer, you will see things -differently. And then, as to fighting—well, I shall not run away in -the meantime. Clear!"</p> - -<p>And with that he shut the door and locked it behind his discomfited -foes. Then, seating himself, he looked at the bewildered Charlton, and -laughed again as he saw the look of admiration in his face.</p> - -<p>"There, I think that has taught them a lesson! We shall not have them -upset our study again," he said. "One must maintain one's rights, and -we may<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51">[Pg 51]</a></span> as well begin as we mean to go on. So this is our study, is it?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, if you will share it with me," the other boy said. And Ralph -answered—</p> - -<p>"Share it? Of course I shall share it with you! Did not you hear Mr. -Delermain say that we were to share it?"</p> - -<p>"But most fellows don't like me, because—because——"</p> - -<p>"Never mind why," interrupted Ralph, anxious to spare the boy's -feelings. "I heard something about your father being gone; well, my -father is gone, you know"—and Ralph's voice shook a little—"and so we -two ought to be chums, and help each other. Then, I suppose that you -know more than I do; for, except at roping a steer or rounding up a -herd of cattle, I am afraid that I am not of much use. You will be able -to help me on no end."</p> - -<p>"What! I help you?" gasped Charlton. "How can I do that?"</p> - -<p>"You know Greek and Latin, and goodness knows how much more, that I am -only just at the beginning of, and you will be able to give me a hand -with it. I want to get on and pick up things as quickly as I can."</p> - -<p>"I might help you that way, if you would let me," the boy said -doubtfully. And Ralph laughed.</p> - -<p>"What a chap you are! Have I not told you that I shall be downright -thankful: and there you keep<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52">[Pg 52]</a></span> on about if I will let you. Come, shake -hands upon it! Charlton, we two are chums, and we are going to stick -together and help each other. Is that so?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, if you will. I shall be so glad to have a chum, because it has -been rather lonely sometimes; and then, you see, I am not very strong, -and I am not brave like you, and the fellows know it, and they try to -play all sorts of tricks upon me. Do you really mean to be my chum, -Rexworth?"</p> - -<p>"Really and truly! Now, let us go down, and then you can show me what -the place is like," was Ralph's answer. And the two, descending to the -playground were met by Warren, who stopped and looked from Ralph to -Charlton, and then asked—</p> - -<p>"I say, Rexworth, what have you been up to so soon? There is Dobson -declaring that he will do all manner of things to you. You seem to have -been having some fun already."</p> - -<p>So Ralph explained what had happened, and the monitor laughed until the -tears ran down his cheeks.</p> - -<p>"Well, all I can say is that you are a cool hand," was his comment, -"and I am not sorry that you have taught Dobson a lesson. You have not -much to fear from him, but you will find that Elgert, for all he is an -Honourable, has precious little honour about him. He will pay you back -if he gets the chance, be sure of that. However," he went on, "I am -glad that you<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53">[Pg 53]</a></span> two are chums, for I think you will like each other; but -there is the bell for tea. Come on, or we shall be late."</p> - -<p>The rest of that day passed without further incident and at last the -boys—evening preparation and supper over—went trooping to their -dormitories, there to laugh and chat as they undressed; and many -glances were bestowed upon Ralph. His exploit of that afternoon had -been spoken of, and there was no attempt to play any jokes upon one who -was prepared to take his own part so vigorously.</p> - -<p>But presently the laughing suddenly stopped, and something like a -hush of surprise succeeded the noise. Warren seated on the edge of -his bed, looked round to see what had happened—he thought that one -of the masters had come in unexpectedly; but he saw his companions -standing glancing across towards the spot where Ralph's bed was, and -he, following their gaze, saw that the boy who was ready to face half a -dozen of his companions, was down on his knees, his head bent upon his -hands in prayer.</p> - -<p>Warren felt a thrill of shame. He was a real good lad at heart, but -somehow he did not do that—none of them did—they thought that public -prayers were enough; and yet he had promised his mother that each night -he would kneel alone in prayer.</p> - -<p>Some of the boys were tittering, some looked grave. Warren suddenly -found himself resolved. "If a thing should be done, do it at once," was -his motto. He gave<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54">[Pg 54]</a></span> one hasty glance round, half ashamed, half defiant, -and then, in the sight of all his companions, the Fourth Form monitor -also knelt down by his bed, following the brave example set by Ralph -Rexworth.</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55">[Pg 55]</a></span></p> - -<h2><span>CHAPTER VI</span> <span class="smaller">AN EARLY MORNING SPIN</span></h2> - -<p>It was quite a common thing for new boys at Marlthorpe College to be -made the victims of practical jokes during their first night in the -school; but such was the impression which Ralph Rexworth had made, that -no tricks were attempted with him. A boy who could take his own part so -vigorously was not the sort that it was safe to take liberties with.</p> - -<p>Nor was that the only reason. With Dobson and his friends it was quite -sufficient, but with the better boys, that quiet kneeling down to pray -had not been without effect. Some of them recognized that to do that -might require more courage than to deal as he had done with those who -had invaded his study—a moral courage, far greater and better than a -physical; and they realized that a boy who possessed that courage was -not a fit subject for stupid jokes.</p> - -<p>So Ralph slept peacefully until the morning, when, used to early rising -all his life, he opened his eyes before any of the other boys were -awake.</p> - -<p>At first he felt puzzled with his surroundings, but he soon remembered; -and propping himself upon his<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56">[Pg 56]</a></span> elbow he lay watching the faces of the -others, wondering what sort of lads they would prove to be, and how he -should get on with them, and whether he would be able to master the -lessons which they were engaged upon.</p> - -<p>Then he looked at Charlton, and thought how sad he looked, even in his -sleep; and he noted how often he sighed. Perhaps he was dreaming of his -father.</p> - -<p>That sent him thinking of his own father, and the mystery of his fate; -and he pondered whether it would ever be possible for him—a lonely boy -in this strange land—to find out the truth concerning his parent's -disappearance. But he was not altogether alone; it was wrong to think -of himself in that light. God had given him a friend in Mr. St. Clive, -and another in Mrs. St. Clive, and yet a third—a very nice, lovable -third—in Irene! Ralph, who had never had anything to do with girls, -thought Irene the sweetest, dearest little friend that it would be -possible to find.</p> - -<p>A bell rang, and his companions stretched and yawned and opened their -eyes; and though some grunted and turned over again, determined to have -every minute they could, several jumped up at once, and hastily pulling -on their clothes began sluicing and splashing in good, honest, cold -water.</p> - -<p>"Hallo! Awake? Slept well?" queried Warren seeing that Ralph was -preparing to follow the example of these last boys. "Any one try any -games with you in the night?" And he came and sat down on Ralph's<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57">[Pg 57]</a></span> bed, -and grinned when the new boy answered that he had not been disturbed.</p> - -<p>"I suppose they thought better of it. That is your basin!" he added, -pointing to one washstand. "Mind that they don't take all the water, or -you will either have to sneak another fellow's, or go and get some more -for yourself. Look sharp, and then we will go and have a turn with the -bells, and a spin afterwards, I like to get all I can before breakfast; -it seems to set a fellow up for the day."</p> - -<p>Ralph nodded, and began vigorously sluicing and polishing; and the -boys, too busy about their own business, paid no attention to him. He -was quite capable of looking after himself, in their opinion. At last, -all ready to accompany the monitor, he quietly repeated his action of -the previous night—he knelt down in prayer.</p> - -<p>That staggered even Warren. As a whole, the boys were good lads, but -even those who had been accustomed to evening prayers in their homes -did not seem to think that morning prayers were quite as important. -They wanted to scramble off to play as quickly as possible. The Head -always read prayers in school, and that was enough; and here was this -new fellow wasting precious time in this way!</p> - -<p>A few sneered and giggled; some shrugged their shoulders, and ran off; -some looked grave; and Warren sat nursing his foot, and pondering; -while Charlton turned red.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58">[Pg 58]</a></span></p> - -<p>But they made no remarks; and when Ralph rose from his knees, the three -went out together. Warren was turning over a decidedly new leaf. If he -had not annoyed Charlton before, he had left him pretty much alone, and -now he was admitting him to his company. Well, Charlton was Rexworth's -chum, and if he wanted Rexworth he must have the chum as well.</p> - -<p>Charlton hardly expected the monitor to be friendly to him, but he -waited for his chum, and Warren waited, too.</p> - -<p>"Let us get down and have a try at the bells," suggested the monitor, -leading the way. And Ralph inquired innocently—</p> - -<p>"Ringing bells, do you mean?"</p> - -<p>Whereat Warren stared, and felt just a little less respect for the -new boy. What sort of a fellow could he be if he didn't know what -dumb-bells were?</p> - -<p>"Ringing bells?" he repeated. "No; dumb-bells—exercises, you know! -Come on, I will show you."</p> - -<p>"I never saw bells like those," was Ralph's comment, when a pair was -produced. "How do you use them?"</p> - -<p>Warren went through a set of exercises, and then handed them to Ralph, -who laughed, and said—</p> - -<p>"Why, they don't weigh anything! I don't see much exercise in this!"</p> - -<p>"They are six-pounders," was the answer; "quite as heavy as you will -want. Now try this exercise—do it a dozen times."</p> - -<p>Warren showed Ralph the right way, and off he went;<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59">[Pg 59]</a></span> Charlton, who had -also got a pair of bells, doing the same. And, to Ralph Rexworth's -surprise, he found that those weights at which he had laughed soon made -him feel tired, and that Charlton could keep on longer than he could. -He could not understand that.</p> - -<p>"I don't see why it should be," he said.</p> - -<p>And a voice replied—</p> - -<p>"Because you are exercising muscles which you have not tried much -before, my lad." And he turned, to see Mr. Delermain watching him.</p> - -<p>"Try again," said the master. "Only once; this sort of thing must be -done gradually. Go slow, and take time."</p> - -<p>Ralph obeyed: but dumb-bells certainly made his arms ache. And then -Warren suggested Indian clubs.</p> - -<p>"Indian clubs," repeated Ralph, "and what are they? I never saw the -Indians use clubs. They have knives and hatchets, and spears and bows, -and some of them use guns, too, and shoot wonderfully well; but I never -saw them use clubs."</p> - -<p>Now that speech caused a smile, but it was a very respectful smile; for -here was a boy who had actually seen real Indians. That was something, -even if he did not know what Indian clubs were!</p> - -<p>However, the clubs were produced, and Ralph was shown how to swing -them. And, as a natural result of his first attempt, he hit his head a -smart crack, evoking a burst of laughter thereby.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60">[Pg 60]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Slow and steady," he answered; "I shall get it in time. I don't -understand these things; but if you get me a coil of rope, I will show -you one or two little things that I do not think any of you can do."</p> - -<p>"A coil of rope—that is easily supplied," said Mr. Delermain; and -when it was brought, he said: "Now, Rexworth, let us see what you can -do." And all the boys stood round while Ralph took the rope and made a -running noose at one end.</p> - -<p>"Give me plenty of room," he said, and he commenced to whirl the noose -round and round his head, letting the rope run out as he did so; until -at last he held the very end in his hand, and the rest was twirling -round and round him in a perfect circle.</p> - -<p>"One of you try to do that," he said.</p> - -<p>And try they did, in vain. They could not even get it to go in a -circle, and it made their arms ache dreadfully.</p> - -<p>Then he made the circle spin round him on its edge just as if that rope -was a hoop; and afterwards he actually jumped through it as it was -going, explaining that the cowboys on the ranches frequently indulged -in such tricks as these, and were experts at it—far more so than the -Indians themselves.</p> - -<p>Then nothing would do but that he must show them how a lasso was -thrown. And though several, including the master, essayed to try, not -one of them was able to send the noose over Ralph's shoulders, though<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61">[Pg 61]</a></span> -he caught them, one after the other, without the slightest trouble.</p> - -<p>"It is what one is used to," he said laughing. "I have not had much to -do with bells and clubs—nothing to do with them, indeed—but I have -played with a rope all my life."</p> - -<p>Dobson had come in with his friends, and he stood and glared. Elgert -came in, and looked angry. This new boy was evidently on the way -to become a favourite in the school, and, unless something was -done, he might rival them. Though just then they did not speak to -each other about it, both Dobson and Elgert arrived at the same -conclusion—namely, that something should be done, and that Ralph -Rexworth should be humbled and disgraced.</p> - -<p>Then Warren suggested a spin, and of course Charlton went, and two or -three other boys—who found Ralph very good company—had to come too; -and since they did come, they could not ignore the boy they had all -neglected in the past. Poor Charlton, he could hardly understand it, it -almost frightened him!</p> - -<p>It was delightful out in the fields, in the fresh morning, with the dew -still sparkling on the leaves, and with the air full of the songs of -the wild birds. There is a charm and sweetness and delight about the -early morning which they who are late risers have no idea of. It sets -the nerves tingling and the blood dancing, and makes one feel as if he -were walking on air, and not on solid earth.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62">[Pg 62]</a></span></p> - -<p>Away they went across the playing field, and out on the common, on -towards Great Stow; arms well back, shoulders square, bodies gently -sloped, going with good, long, swinging strides.</p> - -<p>Ralph was in his element now, for running, equally with rope work, was -an accomplishment practised by all those amongst whom he had lived. A -very necessary accomplishment, seeing that the ability to run swiftly, -and to keep up without fagging, might mean all the difference between -life and death in a land where the natives were quarrelsome and quite -ready to go upon the warpath upon the least provocation.</p> - -<p>Some of the boys outstripped him at the first go off, but he kept on -running low, swinging well from the hips, and those who had gone with -a spurt at first soon found that he could, to use Warren's expression, -"run circles round them, and then beat them hollow."</p> - -<p>But presently Ralph slackened his speed, for he had noticed that -Charlton was fagged, and he—having pledged himself to be the boy's -chum—was not going to desert him. The rest were by no means sorry to -stop; for though their pride would not allow them to give in, they -had all had nearly enough of it. And panting, laughing, happy in all -their youthful strength and spirits, they pulled up and wiped the -perspiration from their foreheads.</p> - -<p>"Let us go over to Tibb's Farm, and get a drink of milk; and then -we must be getting back, or we<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63">[Pg 63]</a></span> shall get slated and be late for -breakfast, and that won't do," directed Warren, and the others agreed.</p> - -<p>The farm was but a short distance away, and it was evident that this -visit was nothing out of the ordinary; for the farmer's wife smiled, -and produced tumblers of milk and wedges of cake, and charged the boys -a penny each—which certainly was not exorbitant.</p> - -<p>And the way they got rid of that cake! And they were going home to -breakfast!—ay, and would be able to eat it, too, cake notwithstanding! -So much results from getting up early!</p> - -<p>Perhaps it was because of his exhibition with the rope—perhaps it was -the run; but as Ralph sat there his thoughts went back to his trouble.</p> - -<p>How often had he been out in the early morning on the hot plains alone -with his father! And how once when the grass caught fire, they had to -run for dear life and take shelter in the creek until the fiery sea had -swept by! And now, now, where—oh, where—was that father? It would -come back, try to be as brave as he would. It would come back, and his -heart would suddenly fill with pain, and cry out for that lost father.</p> - -<p>"Time's up!" sang out Warren, stuffing the last of his cake into his -mouth. "Now, you fellows, come on!"</p> - -<p>Off they went with a whoop and hallo! Perhaps not quite so fast now, -for cake and milk interfere somewhat with scudding. And Ralph, now with -his<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64">[Pg 64]</a></span> chum and Warren, suddenly stopped, staring hard on the ground.</p> - -<p>His companions could see nothing, and looked at him in surprise. Their -eyes had never been trained to read the surface of the earth. But Ralph -had suddenly lighted upon a freshly made trail. A trap had gone along -here—a light trap, like that which had left those other traces in Stow -Wood; and this trap, like that again, had been drawn by a horse lame in -its left forefoot!</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_65" id="Page_65">[Pg 65]</a></span></p> - -<h2><span>CHAPTER VII</span> <span class="smaller">HORACE ELGERT GOES A LITTLE TOO FAR</span></h2> - -<p>"What's the matter, Rexworth?"</p> - -<p>So queried Warren. Ralph was standing anxiously looking around. He was -perplexed, and did not know what he ought to do. These marks might -afford him a clue to the mystery of his father's disappearance; and yet -the chance seemed but slight, there were more horses than one going -lame in one leg. If he stopped he would be late for school, and he did -not want to get into disgrace.</p> - -<p>He could not explain to his companions, for he saw that if he was -ever to succeed he must keep his secrets to himself. A casual word, -heedlessly dropped, that he was looking for a lame horse which drew a -light trap might be enough to make the owner of horse and trap very -careful that he should not be traced.</p> - -<p>"It was nothing," he said slowly. "I was thinking."</p> - -<p>"Then don't stop to think now," was the advice he received. "We have -been a little too far. You scudded along so, and we tried to beat you. -We cannot waste any more time. Come on."</p> - -<p>He went on with his friends. He felt that it was<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_66" id="Page_66">[Pg 66]</a></span> right to do so. -Moreover, the man with the horse and trap must be in the locality -still, and if he was not scared off, those tracks would be made again, -perhaps even more clearly, and Ralph might then have better opportunity -of following them. It was the right thing to go back to the school now.</p> - -<p>"I say," suddenly queried Warren, as they hurried on. "Has Elgert said -anything more to you?"</p> - -<p>"No; I have not seen him, except just as we were coming out, when he -came into the gymnasium."</p> - -<p>"Well, he is bound to do so, after what happened yesterday. I do not -see how he can help it, or how you can avoid it. You will have to fight -him, Rexworth."</p> - -<p>"I am sorry to hear you say that, for I don't want to be fighting if -I can help it, and I would far rather be friends with——" He paused. -He was going to say "friends with him." But that was not true. He felt -that, apart from anything which had happened yesterday, he could not be -friends with the son of a man who had said that his father was a thief.</p> - -<p>"I don't want to fight him," he said slowly; and Warren nodded.</p> - -<p>"I know; but if he challenges you, what then?"</p> - -<p>Ralph looked grave. No boy likes to be thought a coward; but still he -did not want to fight.</p> - -<p>"If I can get out of it I shall," he said: and the monitor looked just -a trifle disappointed, while one or two of the boys laughed.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_67" id="Page_67">[Pg 67]</a></span></p> - -<p>"It is not that I am afraid of him," Ralph said hastily. "It is that I -don't want to begin fighting, if I can avoid it."</p> - -<p>"For goodness' sake, then, keep out of his way, and don't let him -get to know that, for if Elgert thinks that he can do it without the -chance of a row following, he is bound to challenge you. He is bound -to, anyhow, so far as I can see, and it won't be nice for a fellow in -the Fourth to refuse a challenge from the Fifth. If it was one of the -youngsters in the Third, it would be different. No one would say that -we were frightened to fight them; but in the Fifth they are bound to -say that it was fear, and—— Hurry up, you chaps, there is the bell -going!"</p> - -<p>A scamper, fast as they could go, and they trooped in to breakfast, so -hungry, spite of cake and milk, that not even the troubled question -of the probable challenge could disturb their appetites. Only Warren -looked across to where Horace Elgert sat, and he muttered to himself—</p> - -<p>"I wish that we hadn't talked of it before the others. If one of them -lets out that Rexworth will not fight, Elgert is sure to make no end of -it. I understand why Rexworth don't like it, and it is all right, but -still—oh, he will have to fight, like it or not, and that is all about -it."</p> - -<p>Morning lessons occupied their thoughts after breakfast, and Ralph -found himself quite eager to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_68" id="Page_68">[Pg 68]</a></span> master the things which, while they were -hard to him, seemed easy to his companions. He had already determined -that he would excel with dumb-bells and Indian clubs, and now it was -just the same with lessons. He hated to be beaten, and he was not going -to be beaten.</p> - -<p>And already he reaped the reward of having put in a couple of hours' -study the evening before, with Charlton to lend him a hand. He was -praised by Mr. Delermain, and rose rapidly from the bottom of the class -towards the top, and, thanks to his firmness the day before, he had no -more of the unpleasantness with Dobson, who remained persistently at -the very bottom of the class.</p> - -<p>Slow and steady, he found the best way, doing each thing thoroughly, -and thinking only of one thing at a time; and that is always the best -way, not only to learn, but to do everything in life.</p> - -<p>He was quite surprised when the bell rang—the morning seemed to have -slipped away, and he put his books away and went, Charlton with him, -into the playground.</p> - -<p>"I don't know how I should have got on if you had not helped me last -night, and I am very much obliged to you," he said. And the other boy -smiled. It was very nice to hear any one say that he had been of use to -them.</p> - -<p>The pair sauntered across the playground, and presently they saw -that Horace Elgert and some of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_69" id="Page_69">[Pg 69]</a></span> his chums were coming towards them, -and Ralph stopped, a strange, firm look on his face, and awaited his -approach.</p> - -<p>Up the others came, and Elgert, hands in pockets, addressed him—</p> - -<p>"I want a word with you. You know what we have got to do. You cheeked -me last night, and you have got either to thrash me or be thrashed."</p> - -<p>Elgert spoke very confidently, for, as Warren had feared, he had heard -that it was unlikely that Ralph would fight him.</p> - -<p>"It is this, then," replied Ralph quietly. "You mean that we have got -to fight?"</p> - -<p>Elgert looked round and laughed. A whole lot of the boys had come up, -seeing them standing there, and knowing what they would be talking -about.</p> - -<p>"Hear him!" he said. "How innocent! He cheeks me last night, and then -asks if I mean we have got to fight! Yes, I do mean it! After afternoon -school, the other side of the playing-field; and make up your mind for -a thrashing!"</p> - -<p>"I have not the slightest wish to fight you. I was going to say that I -had not any intention of fighting you," said Ralph.</p> - -<p>And some of the boys groaned, and muttered "Coward!"</p> - -<p>"I don't care whether you have wish or intention," replied Elgert, in -truculent tones. "I have both<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_70" id="Page_70">[Pg 70]</a></span> wish and intention of thrashing you, and -so you have got to put up with it, and afterwards beg my pardon. Do you -hear that?"</p> - -<p>"I hear," was the quiet reply.</p> - -<p>And Ralph's eyes sparkled slightly.</p> - -<p>"Very well. This afternoon, the other side of the playing-field; and -you mind that you are there, for it will be worse for you if I have to -come and find you! That is all."</p> - -<p>And round swung Elgert on his heel and walked off, leaving Ralph -standing unmoved by his angry, insulting tones.</p> - -<p>But if Ralph was unmoved, his companions in the Fourth were not, and -Warren said, almost entreatingly, as he caught hold of Ralph's arm—</p> - -<p>"Look here, Rexworth, you must fight him after that! It is no good -talking, you must fight him!"</p> - -<p>A statement which was received with approval by all the others there.</p> - -<p>"Well," said Ralph, "if I must, I must. I don't want to, though."</p> - -<p>"But for the honour of the class you must, or we shall never hear the -last of it from them. You will meet him where he said?"</p> - -<p>"Not I!" laughed Ralph. "If I must fight, I must; but I am not going to -be ordered about by him; and I am not going to do anything which makes -it look as though I were a party to the fight. If he wants me, he must -come and find me, as he<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_71" id="Page_71">[Pg 71]</a></span> threatened to do. There, we will say no more -about it now."</p> - -<p>"He will do it all right," reflected Warren. "Elgert will find that he -has gone a trifle too far."</p> - -<p>The afternoon passed away in study, and whatever any of the others -may have felt of anxiety or interest in the likelihood of the fight, -certainly Ralph did not let it trouble him. He was engaged with some -sums which worried him a trifle, and when once one of his neighbours -whispered to him in reference to the combat, Ralph glared at him, and -requested him to be quiet in a manner which there was no gainsaying. -One thing at a time with Ralph.</p> - -<p>But when the work of the day was finally over, he strolled calmly -into the playground, calling to Charlton to accompany him. Charlton, -who looked so terribly anxious, realized that Ralph must fight, and -yet dreaded the issue, for Elgert was no mean foe. Charlton, who, in -self-reproach, thought that it was all his fault—that it was only -because Ralph had stood up for him concerning the study.</p> - -<p>"I say, Charlton, I want you just to show me how to get on with -cricket," Ralph said. "Every one seems to play; but I cannot make -anything out of it, except that you have to hit the ball, and run if -you can."</p> - -<p>Charlton beamed; this was a delightful experience for him, and he at -once led the way to the playroom, and secured one of the school sets.</p> - -<p>"Come in!" he said. "I will soon explain the rules<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_72" id="Page_72">[Pg 72]</a></span> to you, and you can -try batting. I will bowl for you as long as you like."</p> - -<p>Perhaps Ralph was conscious that he was being covertly observed by many -anxious eyes; but he gave no sign, nor did he move a hairsbreadth when -presently he saw Horace Elgert coming in his direction, a curious and -somewhat eager crowd at his heels.</p> - -<p>"Go on, Charlton, don't stop," he said very quietly, for his chum had -stopped, and was fingering the ball nervously. "Fire away!"</p> - -<p>The lad would have obeyed, but Elgert had arrived, and he gripped the -weaker lad's arm and twisted the ball out of his hand.</p> - -<p>"You clear off!" he said. "We don't want one of your sort here."</p> - -<p>But Ralph remarked quietly—so very quietly: "Charlton, you stay where -you are."</p> - -<p>"Be off!" again said Elgert; and raised his hand, to find that not -Charlton but Ralph was before him, and to hear that quiet voice say -again—</p> - -<p>"Charlton, if you budge an inch, I'll thrash you myself. Neither you -nor I can be ordered about, unless the fellow who does the ordering is -able to enforce his demands."</p> - -<p>Elgert paused then. He was not a coward, but there was something very -disconcerting in this quiet bearing, especially when he called to mind -the fact that Ralph had not been frightened the evening before.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_73" id="Page_73">[Pg 73]</a></span> He had -determined to fight, and then he had heard that Ralph was afraid, and -he had acted upon that information; and now Ralph was not afraid, not -in the least. And indeed, instead of being afraid, he was asking, still -quietly—</p> - -<p>"Now, Horace Elgert, I am tired of this rubbish. What do you mean by -it?"</p> - -<p>"Didn't I tell you to come and meet me the other side of the -playground?"</p> - -<p>"Yes. And I decline to do anything of the sort. When people want me, -they generally come to me, not order me to go to them."</p> - -<p>"Well, I have come: and now I am going to thrash you!"</p> - -<p>"I see. Start right away; don't wait for me!"</p> - -<p>Some of the Fourths laughed. This was quite unexpected. Elgert was -manifestly disappointed, but he turned red.</p> - -<p>"We don't generally fight here," he said. "Will you come over?"</p> - -<p>"No, I will not. I will not budge an inch. I don't want to fight; but -if you start it, it must be here. And if you don't stand aside and let -us go on with our game there will be trouble!"</p> - -<p>"You fellows can laugh!" suddenly blazed Elgert, turning towards the -grinning Fourths. "A nice thing to laugh at! He has got the proper -chum—that's one thing! We all know about Charlton,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_74" id="Page_74">[Pg 74]</a></span> and why no one -will chum with him; and this chap is not much better. I saw my pater at -dinner-time, and a fine way he was in when I told him of the new boy we -had.</p> - -<p>"You know the yarn he told about his father disappearing? Where has he -gone to? People don't disappear in England, unless they want to! My -pater says that a burglar broke into our house, and that he fired at -him and hit him; and he says, from the description, that the burglar -must have been the man that came to Stow Ormond with this chap, and -passed as his father, and——"</p> - -<p>"Stop!" said Ralph, very quietly still, but with an ominous expression -of face.</p> - -<p>But Elgert laughed contemptuously.</p> - -<p>"Why, I don't know that I would soil my hands fighting with the son, or -the associate, of a thief!" he said.</p> - -<p>And then, suddenly forgetting everything in the feeling of hot -indignation which overwhelmed him, Ralph Rexworth raised his hand, and -in a moment his taunting enemy lay prostrate on the ground.</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_75" id="Page_75">[Pg 75]</a></span></p> - -<h2><span>CHAPTER VIII</span> <span class="smaller">A MYSTERIOUS MIDNIGHT VISITOR</span></h2> - -<p>"Hurrah!"</p> - -<p>"Bravo, Rexworth!"</p> - -<p>"Now, you Fifths, does your man want to fight?"</p> - -<p>Such were the gleeful shouts of the Fourth when they beheld Horace -Elgert on the ground. And the Fifths, alarmed for the honour of their -class, rushed to pick up their fallen champion, saying—</p> - -<p>"Don't make such a row! Of course he will fight. Get over to the other -side, where we shall not be seen, and we will come!"</p> - -<p>But Ralph would not listen to any such arguments. He stood there, -looking down at his fallen foe, and he said shortly—</p> - -<p>"You fellows will please to mind your own business! I am going nowhere -to fight until this chap has apologized, then, if a fight is wanted, we -will move!"</p> - -<p>"But you cannot fight here! The Head will see us!" cried a score of -voices.</p> - -<p>"I cannot help that! This fellow has told a lie about my father, and he -has got to unsay it, or take the consequences! I suppose that he thinks -I was<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_76" id="Page_76">[Pg 76]</a></span> afraid because I tried to avoid a fight the very first day of -being at school. Well, I am not afraid! If he had only talked about me -I might have taken no notice, but when he comes to speaking as he has -done he is going too far, and he has got to take back his words now, or -finish it here!"</p> - -<p>Meanwhile, Elgert had struggled to his feet, and he looked dazed from -the effects of the blow, while his face was already growing swollen and -discoloured.</p> - -<p>"Stand aside!" he said hoarsely. "I will fight him here! If the Head -himself were looking on, I would fight him!"</p> - -<p>"You are a pair of fools!" muttered a Fifth-Form monitor. "We shall -be spotted, for a certainty, and all of us get carpeted for this! Go -calmly, you silly fellow, or he will smash you!" and he broke off in -his complaint to give this last advice to Elgert, who had rushed at his -opponent, mad with pain and anger, and had gone down for the second -time!</p> - -<p>"Look out! I knew how it would be! Here comes the Head!" shouted one -boy; and a hurried rush took place, leaving the two boys and Warren and -Charlton alone when the master reached the spot.</p> - -<p>"Elgert! Rexworth!" he exclaimed in tones of displeasure. "What -does this mean? You, too, Warren! You, a monitor of the Fourth, and -encouraging a new boy in fighting! I am displeased, indeed!"</p> - -<p>"It is my fault, in one way, sir," replied Ralph,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_77" id="Page_77">[Pg 77]</a></span> without waiting -for the others to speak. "Elgert said something concerning my father -which angered me, and I struck him. He wanted me to come across the -playground and fight where we would not be seen, but I was angry, and -would not do so."</p> - -<p>Something like a smile played across the grave face for a moment as the -Head heard this speech.</p> - -<p>"You boys seem to think that if I do not see you fight no offence is -committed. You do not recognize the fact that fighting in itself is -poor, and low, and degrading. I know that boys settle their quarrels -in this manner, but I decry it. Now, the fact of fighting here is a -double offence, for you are within sight of my study window. I am sorry -that it has happened, but I will overlook it on condition that you and -Elgert shake hands."</p> - -<p>"I cannot do that, sir," was Ralph's respectful answer; and Elgert on -his part, said:</p> - -<p>"I will not do it!"</p> - -<p>"Boys, boys! 'Cannot,' and 'will not!' Neither expression is seemly! -You will go to your respective studies and remain there until you are -in better minds!"</p> - -<p>"It is not that I am angry, sir," Ralph said, very respectfully. "This -boy has said that my father is a common thief!" Ralph's voice shook -just a little as the words came. "He says that his disappearance is due -to that! You must see, sir, that I cannot shake hands with him after -that!"</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_78" id="Page_78">[Pg 78]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Elgert, what have you to say to this?" demanded the Head sternly; and -Elgert stammered—</p> - -<p>"I didn't exactly say that, sir."</p> - -<p>"Yes, you did!" blurted Warren. "He did say it, sir, and he has been -trying to get up this fight! It is no use denying it. It began because -Rexworth turned him and some more out of the study he shares with -Charlton. They say enough unkind things about him," he added. "There -was a bit of a bother, and Elgert got knocked over, and he challenged -Rexworth to fight him after school to-day. Rexworth, would not do it, -and he said that if a fight was forced upon him it should be wherever -he chanced to be at that moment. Elgert came here and began sneering -and saying unkind things, and then Rexworth struck him, and that is all -the truth. I know that I ought to have tried to stop it, but we and the -Fifth don't get on well, and so—and so——"</p> - -<p>"Because of class rivalry you allowed your companion to fight. It is -not right, Warren! Monitors should try to enforce the rules, not to -break them. Elgert, you will do me two hundred lines, and be good -enough to remember that if I consider any boy fit to become a scholar -here it is not for you to make such statements as you appear to have -done."</p> - -<p>"I only said what my father told me!" sulkily answered Elgert; and the -Head frowned.</p> - -<p>"What you and your father may say in private is no concern of mine, -Elgert," he replied coldly;<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_79" id="Page_79">[Pg 79]</a></span> "what you repeat in public here is another -matter, with which I have to do! Do your imposition and bring it to -me before class to-morrow, and mind that I have no more of this. You -other lads, I will overlook this in your case this time, seeing that it -appears that violent provocation was given; but, mind, there must be no -more fighting in the playground boundaries! See that I am obeyed!" And -the Head turned away.</p> - -<p>"Don't think that we have finished yet!" said Horace Elgert, looking -darkly at Ralph. "I will have my revenge for this, as sure as you are -standing there!" and, with that he went.</p> - -<p>And the three Fourth-Form boys went indoors; while the rest of the -lads, who had scattered, came back eagerly discussing what punishment -the offenders would receive.</p> - -<p>And the general verdict was, "It served Elgert right, and that he had -no business to have spoken as he had done!"</p> - -<p>"But suppose it is right?" queried one lad. "You know, there is -something queer about it!"</p> - -<p>"Something very queer," said another; "but that story is all nonsense! -My dad knows Mr. St. Clive very well, and he told him all the story and -how there was plenty of money in Mr. Rexworth's possession. Besides, -any one with eyes can see that Rexworth is a gentleman, even if he has -some strange ways through living abroad. Elgert is too fond of thinking -he is<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_80" id="Page_80">[Pg 80]</a></span> all the world and every one else dirt beneath his feet. It -serves him jolly well right!"</p> - -<p>"Well, there is one thing," admitted a third boy, "that fellow Rexworth -may be queer in some ways, but he is no fool when it comes to a -scrimmage, and he knows how to defend himself! I don't think any of us -are likely to try for a row with him after what we have seen!"</p> - -<p>Meanwhile, Ralph, ignorant of the criticisms which were being made -in his favour, had gone to his own study. He felt sorry for what had -occurred, and the cruel words which had been spoken had gone like -arrows to his heart and brought back all his trouble. He felt like -running away to Mrs. St. Clive and getting her to comfort him.</p> - -<p>And then Charlton came in, very gently, as if half afraid to intrude -his presence upon his chum. He came and bent over Ralph's chair, -putting one hand on his shoulder, and whispered—</p> - -<p>"Ralph, I am so sorry! Don't you worry about it!"</p> - -<p>Ralph looked up, and a brave smile came to his lips.</p> - -<p>"Hallo! Is it you, Charlton?" he said. "No, I won't worry about it; but -I am sorry that I have commenced my school life so badly. There, we -won't think of it any more! If you are not busy, you might just lend -me a hand with to-morrow's exercises. If it were speaking French or -Spanish, I should be all<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_81" id="Page_81">[Pg 81]</a></span> right, but I don't seem to understand Latin -in the slightest."</p> - -<p>"Let us go through it," replied Charlton eagerly. "I shall be glad to -do it."</p> - -<p>So troubles were forgotten, and the chums bent over the table and soon -became absorbed in their task. Learning lessons is not anything like so -bad when you put your heart into it.</p> - -<p>So the evening passed, and bed-time came; and once more Ralph knelt -down to offer up his evening prayers. And not only Warren and Charlton, -but some other boys followed his example now, for his action had -reproached them and made them think soberly of things which they had -been careless about all too long.</p> - -<p>But Ralph was not easy in his mind. Somehow, he felt that he had no -kindly thought for Elgert—and he had been praying to be forgiven, as -he forgave his enemies! That was a very troublesome thought, and it was -still in his mind when he fell asleep.</p> - -<p class="center">* * * * *</p> - -<p>What was that noise?</p> - -<p>Ralph Rexworth sat up in bed, and listened. Accustomed to wake at the -slightest noise that might betoken danger, and to wake with all his -senses about him, he had been disturbed by a strange, scraping sound, -the cause of which he could not think of.</p> - -<p>Only one dim point of light burnt in the dormitory, and all was still -there save for the breathing of the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_82" id="Page_82">[Pg 82]</a></span> sleepers. It was no sound of that -sort which had awakened him.</p> - -<p>There it was again—outside! He remembered having heard a sound like -that once before—when the Indians had risen and come to attack the -ranch. He had laid and listened to them as they crawled over the tops -of the sheds, and the sound was like that! It was from outside! He -rose, and creeping to the window, he lifted one corner of the blind, -and peeped out.</p> - -<p>Nothing there—stay, that was wrong! Surely that was a ladder propped -against the wall? What was a ladder doing there, for there was none -there the evening before! And the window there was open! Some one must -have got in at that window!</p> - -<p>Was it one of the boys who had been up to mischief, or, it seemed -absurd, was some thief breaking in? Thieves did not, as a rule, break -into schools!</p> - -<p>He was half inclined to raise an alarm. But the thought came, that if -this was some midnight escapade on the part of some of the boys, to do -that might be to get them into disgrace—to make more enemies, and to -interfere in what did not concern him.</p> - -<p>That was a window just outside the Fifth-Form dormitory, too! Elgert -might be in it, and he did not want to be the means of getting him into -any more trouble.</p> - -<p>But suppose that it was a thief? Ralph crept to the door and opened it -noiselessly. He peered down the corridor, but nothing was to be seen or -heard.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_83" id="Page_83">[Pg 83]</a></span></p> - -<p>Stop! Surely he did hear a faint sound—a very faint sound! He felt -that he must go and see; a strange, uneasy feeling had possessed him; a -strange presentiment that all was not right.</p> - -<p>He crept down the passage, and turned towards the Fifth-Form dormitory, -and a breath of cold air met him. The window was open, and the top of a -ladder could be seen—and the door of the dormitory was open also!</p> - -<p>With cautious, stealthy steps he crept on, pausing once when the boards -creaked beneath his weight. There was something eerie in being here -alone at midnight; it was worse than being out alone on the plains.</p> - -<p>He reached the door, and peered into the dormitory with its long row -of sleeping boys there. There was nothing here in the shape of a lark -going on. All was still and silent.</p> - -<p>There was his enemy lying asleep, his handsome face just catching a -glimmer of moonlight which found its way through the blind; and as -Ralph looked he saw a strange apparition—a man slowly appeared, rising -at the side of the bed! A man with pillow in his hands, which he was -about to press down upon that sleeping boy! A man going to murder -Horace Elgert!</p> - -<p>Like a flash the truth burst upon the watching boy, and, with a loud -cry, he threw the door wide open and rushed into the dormitory.</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_84" id="Page_84">[Pg 84]</a></span></p> - -<h2><span>CHAPTER IX</span> <span class="smaller">ALTOGETHER BEYOND EXPLANATION</span></h2> - -<p>"Thieves!"</p> - -<p>"Fire!"</p> - -<p>"Help! Help!"</p> - -<p>The whole house was aroused. The cries of confusion and alarm coming -from the Fifth Form dormitory were repeated by others who, entirely -ignorant as to what was the matter, and aroused from slumber by the -noise, tumbled from their beds and rushed out wildly, under the -impression that nothing less than the house being ablaze could account -for the cry.</p> - -<p>The doctor and masters came hurrying to the spot; and while the -Head ran to the Fifth Form room, the master got the other boys into -something like order, ready to be marched quietly downstairs if the -alarm of fire should prove to be well founded.</p> - -<p>The first thing that the doctor noted was the open window and the -ladder, and the next, that a confused babel of sound was going on in -the Fifth's room; and as he strode to the door he was met, full tilt, -by a boy with torn clothes, apparently seeking to free himself from the -grasp of half a dozen Fifth Form boys.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_85" id="Page_85">[Pg 85]</a></span> To his bewilderment, the Head -saw that this boy was his new scholar, Ralph Rexworth.</p> - -<p>His strong hand gripped the boy's arm, and his voice thundered out a -command for silence, which the boys obeyed all save Ralph, who cried—</p> - -<p>"If you do not follow him at once, he will be off, sir! These fellows -stopped me, and he has got a good start!"</p> - -<p>"He! Who?" cried the Head. And the boy replied—</p> - -<p>"The man who was in the Fifth, sir. He knocked me down, and bolted; and -then the boys woke, and got me, and would not let me go!"</p> - -<p>"You have been dreaming, boy. Silence, all! Kesterway, you are head -monitor. Explain to me! All boys from other Forms back to their rooms; -there is no cause for any alarm. At once, please! Now, Kesterway!"</p> - -<p>"I can tell you nothing, sir. I heard a noise, and woke; and there was -Elgert, and one or two others holding a boy who kicked and struggled; -and just as I jumped out of bed and ran round, he broke away and rushed -for the door."</p> - -<p>"It was Rexworth, sir!" cried one boy. "He was in our room trying to -play some trick upon Elgert. They have been having a row, sir."</p> - -<p>"Will you have the goodness to hold your tongue, sir!" exclaimed the -master, a trifle irritably; and the boy subsided at once.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_86" id="Page_86">[Pg 86]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Elgert, what have you to say? Did this boy attempt to play any tricks -on you?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, sir! I was asleep and I was aroused by a violent cry and a blow, -and some one was struggling on my bed, as if he had jumped on and -was trying to hold me down; I gripped hold of him, and found it was -Rexworth. The other fellows woke, and began crying out; and then, when -they found who it was that had made the row, they got angry and went -for him!"</p> - -<p>"That will do. Now you, sir, what have you to say? Speak up, and -tell the truth! Why have you disturbed the whole household in this -disgraceful manner?"</p> - -<p>So the doctor asked, and terribly angry did he look; but very different -was his expression when he had heard Ralph's story. It sounded -incredible that any one should attempt to enter the school for the -deliberate purpose of injuring any boy; and he would have put the story -down as a fabrication, but there was the plain evidence in the shape of -the open window and the ladder.</p> - -<p>If Ralph had invented it, he must have managed to leave the house, drag -the ladder across the playground, raise it to the window, and then go -back and open that window; and that also seemed absolutely impossible.</p> - -<p>"I saw the man, sir!" the lad said; "he was creeping on his hands and -knees, and when he got to Elgert's<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_87" id="Page_87">[Pg 87]</a></span> bed he got up, and he had a pillow. -He was going to smother Elgert. He dropped the pillow when I shouted -and ran in. It is by the bed now. I tried to clutch him, sir, but he -was too strong. He struck me, and knocked me over on top of Elgert, and -then they held me and actually let him escape. He darted away like a -flash, sir; and I expect that he is far enough away by now!"</p> - -<p>Bewilderment, incredulity, wonder, all were depicted upon the faces of -those who listened; but Elgert actually laughed in the Head's presence, -and asked how any one could be expected to believe such a story.</p> - -<p>"Who is there who would want to harm me, sir?" he said. "Why, it is -really absurd to think of such a thing! I have had a row with this boy, -as you know, and I suppose that he wanted to play a trick on me, and -quite forgot the row that would be made."</p> - -<p>"Be good enough to keep your remarks to yourself, until I ask for your -opinion, Elgert!" said the Head sternly. "Now, all you boys, back to -bed! In the morning I will go into the matter properly. To bed at once!"</p> - -<p>It was all very well to say "to bed," but "to sleep" was quite another -matter. Sleep seemed banished from most eyes; and in the Fourth, Ralph -was plied with question after question, until at last he positively -refused to talk any more.</p> - -<p>Truth to tell, Ralph was somewhat disgusted. He<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_88" id="Page_88">[Pg 88]</a></span> had done more than -most boys would have risked; and had it not been for him, Elgert would -have been murdered, and this was the best thanks he received!</p> - -<p>And yet, as he thought of it, it seemed quite natural to him. After -all, it was a very mysterious business; and if people did not believe -it, it was not to be wondered at. He would wait patiently until the -morning; and then, if the doctor did not believe him, it would not be -his fault.</p> - -<p>And when morning came, and breakfast was over, the Head sent for Ralph, -and again listened to his story, and questioned him closely; and he -felt convinced that the boy was indeed speaking the truth.</p> - -<p>That only perplexed him the more; a foolish joke would be -understandable, but a deliberate attempt to harm one of the boys under -his charge was a thing which he could not by any means comprehend.</p> - -<p>He went into the playground and surveyed the ladder; it had been left -just where it was. He went to the boundary wall and examined that, and -there was a stain of blood—some one, in hastily getting over, must -have cut his hand upon the broken glass with which it was finished off. -He felt, beyond question, that Ralph's tale was true. Some one had been -there, but who that some one was, was a mystery indeed.</p> - -<p>But the doctor was a just man, and as he had thrown some doubt upon -Ralph's story, he summoned the entire school, and told them he was -quite satisfied<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_89" id="Page_89">[Pg 89]</a></span> that what Ralph had said happened was absolutely true.</p> - -<p>"Mysterious as it is, I feel satisfied that one of our number has been -in dreadful peril, while he was innocently sleeping; and it is to the -goodness of God that he owes his preservation. God, Who made Ralph -Rexworth wake up and look from the window and then go to the help of -Elgert! And I trust," he added gently, "that this circumstance may make -the two chief actors in this incident better friends! I am sorry to -know that they are not very friendly, but I hope that they will be so -in the future!"</p> - -<p>So the affair ended—so far as public investigation went, though it was -talked over again and again by the boys. The Head communicated with the -police, and a detective came down; and however much he may have been -bewildered and ready to put it down to the tricks of schoolboys, yet -after he had seen the ladder and the bloodmark, and heard Ralph tell -his story, he also had to admit that the boy was undoubtedly telling -the truth, and that the school had been entered in the manner described.</p> - -<p>But Ralph worried over it. The very mystery surrounding it brought back -the mystery of his father's disappearance. He pondered all day over it, -until he felt weary and angry with himself; and he hailed the close of -school with delight, suggesting to his chum and Warren that they should -go for a good long walk, a proposal with which they immediately agreed.</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_90" id="Page_90">[Pg 90]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Now, look here," said Ralph, when the trio had started, "there is only -one thing; for mercy's sake don't talk about that business of last -night! I am fairly tired of it, and I want to forget it if I can!"</p> - -<p>"All right, old chap," answered Warren, with a laugh; "let us go into -the woods and see if we can find anything worth taking in the way of -specimens. I got two lovely orange-tips there the other day, and some -silly fellow went and knocked over my setting-board, and spoilt them -both!"</p> - -<p>"The woods be it," answered Ralph readily.</p> - -<p>And so they sought the green, cool, shady glades, where the wild birds -were so tame, and where such splendid butterflies and dragon flies were -to be captured.</p> - -<p>They wandered hither and thither, enjoying the quiet sylvan beauty; and -presently, stretched on the grass, they spoke of the difference of this -scene to that which Ralph had known in his younger days; and Warren lay -flat on his back, and asked question after question concerning the wild -people of the great Texan plains.</p> - -<p>"I didn't know that there were any Indians left," the monitor -confessed; and Ralph laughed.</p> - -<p>"Plenty of them; and then there are the Gauchos—they are of Spanish -descent, and they are for ever fighting with the Indians. It is very -different living out there; and, even in the towns, men seldom go about -unarmed."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_91" id="Page_91">[Pg 91]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Pleasant," was Warren's remark. "I think that I will stop where I am; -even if we do get midnight visitors now and again."</p> - -<p>"I say, that subject is forbidden," laughed Ralph.</p> - -<p>And then he was silent so long that, presently, Warren asked him what -he was thinking of, and Ralph sighed.</p> - -<p>"Something that is hardly ever out of my thoughts," he answered -gravely. "Speaking of my old home brought it back——"</p> - -<p>"Your father?" queried Warren; and Ralph nodded.</p> - -<p>"It must be precious hard for you," the monitor said. "I think that if -I were in your place I should go silly."</p> - -<p>"No, you would do what I do, old fellow; just pray to God to bring -things right. I felt bad at first, and it was Mrs. St. Clive who taught -me to be brave."</p> - -<p>"I like her," remarked Warren, with a nod. "She is awfully nice, Ralph. -I wonder if ever you will hear anything about your father?"</p> - -<p>"Yes," came the confident answer. "I feel sure that I shall; and -sometimes, Warren, it may seem strange, but it comes to me that he is -not dead, and that he will come back!"</p> - -<p>"But if he were not dead he would not have gone off and left you all -alone like this," objected Warren. "I should not think that."</p> - -<p>"He may not be able to help it. There, we won't<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_92" id="Page_92">[Pg 92]</a></span> talk of it; only I -cannot help thinking like that sometimes. Where is Charlton?"</p> - -<p>The question brought the fact out that they were alone; their companion -had gone off and left them there while they were talking.</p> - -<p>"Now, where has that silly chap got to?" queried Warren, sitting up.</p> - -<p>"Gone after a butterfly, perhaps. He will soon be back."</p> - -<p>"But it is time that we began to move. He is such a silly fellow that -he is as like as not to go and lose himself. Hallo! Charlton! Charlton! -Coo-ee! Charlton!"</p> - -<p>They paused and waited, but no reply came; and Warren got up, a trifle -cross.</p> - -<p>"Of all the silly kites!" he said. "What trouble has he got into now? -Charlton, I say, where are you?"</p> - -<p>"Better let us go and have a look for him," said Ralph; and the two -started, Warren grumbling all the way, until in response to their -shouts, they heard an answering call, and saw their companion appear.</p> - -<p>"Well, you stupid!" began Warren; but Ralph checked him, for the other -boy looked scared and pale.</p> - -<p>"Why, what is the matter?" he asked. "You look as if you had been -scared. Has any one frightened you?"</p> - -<p>"I! Any one frightened me? Oh, no!" answered Charlton quickly. "How -silly! Who could be with<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_93" id="Page_93">[Pg 93]</a></span> me? I got lost—and lost my head! I felt a -little afraid, until I heard you call."</p> - -<p>"We have been shouting for the last half hour!" grumbled Warren. "Come -along! We shall be late for tea!"</p> - -<p>But Ralph said nothing. He was puzzled. The spot where they stood was -damp and clayey; and on the soft ground were the imprints of two pairs -of feet, going towards the bushes from which Charlton had emerged. Of -those footprints, one set was a boy's, and evidently made by his chum; -the other set was a man's.</p> - -<p>Charlton said that he had been alone, but Ralph knew better. A man had -been with his chum, but who was that man? Was he the one who had broken -into the school the previous night?</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_94" id="Page_94">[Pg 94]</a></span></p> - -<h2><span>CHAPTER X</span> <span class="smaller">COUNSELS AND PROMISES</span></h2> - -<p>"My dear lad, it certainly is very strange. You seem, since your -arrival in England, to be surrounded with mysteries."</p> - -<p>Ralph was sitting alone with Mr. St. Clive; and the latter, having -questioned him as to how he had got on during his first week at school, -Ralph had told him of his various experiences—of his quarrel with -Horace Elgert, and of the strange midnight episode which had taken -place—Mr. St. Clive listening with interest, and making the remark -that it was very mysterious, as the lad concluded his story.</p> - -<p>"It is strange, sir," answered Ralph, "and at first Dr. Beverly seemed -inclined to doubt my story; while Horace Elgert, instead of taking it -seriously, actually said that it was not true, and that I had gone into -the Fifth dormitory on purpose to play some trick with him. I think, -though," he added, "that he only said that to anger me."</p> - -<p>"It is very strange," Mr. St. Clive repeated. "And then this other -boy——"</p> - -<p>"Charlton, do you mean, sir?"</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_95" id="Page_95">[Pg 95]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Yes. You say that you are sure he was with some man, and that he -denied it?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, sir. I asked him if he had been with any one, and he looked quite -frightened."</p> - -<p>"That may easily be. I know something of his history, or rather, of the -family's. His father was accused of some crime, and, strangely enough, -Lord Elgert was the prosecutor. A cheque was forged, I believe. Mr. -Charlton managed to escape, but he was never able to come back; and it -was finally said that he was dead. It is quite possible that he has -returned, and that he got into the school to see his son, and went into -the wrong dormitory. That is possible, I say, though I do not think it -likely. He would hardly run such a risk, in my opinion; and more so, as -he could have gone to his wife, and then let her send for the lad."</p> - -<p>"I did not think of it being his father," acknowledged Ralph. "I was -thinking of something else."</p> - -<p>"Yes?" inquired Mr. St. Clive.</p> - -<p>"Cannot you guess, sir? My father is gone, and I know nothing of his -fate. What if this man was the one who met him in Stow Wood. He might -be able to solve the matter."</p> - -<p>"He might," was the reply, "but it is not likely. Charlton, as I -remember him, was a timid, shrinking man; that was proved by the way he -took to flight. He would not be likely to do such a thing."</p> - -<p>"But he might, sir. Some one must have done it,"<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_96" id="Page_96">[Pg 96]</a></span> persisted Ralph. "I -feel as if I ought to watch Charlton, and find out who it was that he -met. I could do it, too! I may not be very clever with books, but I -could do that kind of thing."</p> - -<p>"And then?" came the grave question.</p> - -<p>And Ralph cried, almost fiercely—</p> - -<p>"Can you ask me that, sir? If my father has come to harm, the one who -harmed him must be punished."</p> - -<p>"Even though he is your chum's father. Ralph, this is quite natural; -and even beyond that, I do not say that if you could discover the man -who killed your father—supposing that he is killed—he should not be -given up to justice. I only say, 'pause, and be careful.' Remember the -man your chum saw may be his father, and yet may be entirely innocent -of the crime which you naturally desire to have punished. You, in your -eagerness, may deliver an unfortunate man up to justice, and then find -out that he is not the man you seek. And if I can read anything of your -nature, that would be a cause of bitter regret with you for many a long -day."</p> - -<p>"It would, sir," acknowledged Ralph readily. "But unless I can find the -man, how can I know the truth?"</p> - -<p>"Well, my lad, I feel that I can only advise you to be careful; -and, above all, even in this desire to have your father's assailant -punished, see to it that no motive of revenge actuates you. Remember -that it is written: 'Vengeance is Mine. I will repay, saith<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_97" id="Page_97">[Pg 97]</a></span> the Lord.' -Remember also that it is 'As we forgive them that trespass against us.'"</p> - -<p>"But you would not have me let the man go free, sir?" protested Ralph. -"The only thing I seem to have before me is to find out what happened -to my father."</p> - -<p>"But not of necessity to help hunt any man down. Besides, Ralph, there -is another thing. You mention that you have again seen the tracks of -that horse. Now, does it not strike you that, if this man is the father -of your chum, and a fugitive from justice, he would be the last person -in the world to be riding about in a trap? That is a very important -thing to remember."</p> - -<p>"I never thought of that," the boy acknowledged. And Mr. St. Clive -nodded.</p> - -<p>"Precisely; and yet such things, in so important a business, must be -taken into consideration. Now, Ralph, my advice—my earnest advice—is -that you proceed very carefully, and be quite certain that you have -reason for each step before you take it. And one thing more, my -dear boy. It is not well to say that even unravelling the mystery -surrounding your father's disappearance is the chief object of your -life. The chief object should be to become a noble, true man, alike -a blessing to your fellows and an honour to God. Do you remember how -it says in the Bible: 'There is a banner given to thee, that it may -be displayed because of righteousness'? Now, that is a verse I<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_98" id="Page_98">[Pg 98]</a></span> like. -God gives you His standard, and He says not only 'march under it, but -bear it for Me.' Die for the colours of the King, if need be, and fight -always under honour's flag. Ralph, that is my counsel, the best I can -give you, as your true friend. Wait for God to bring the mystery to -light. Do not let revenge be your life's object, for revenge is of the -devil. Let love be your watchword, and honour your banner. Ralph, will -you promise me this?"</p> - -<p>"I will, sir," answered the boy, deeply moved. "I will try and be a -good standard-bearer."</p> - -<p>"I feel sure of it. Shake hands. I know that I shall have cause to be -proud of your friendship. Now, I must not take up all your time. I know -that Irene is waiting patiently for you, so run and join her, and make -the most of your brief holiday."</p> - -<p>And what a delightful holiday it was, in spite of the trouble over -him! It was a splendid thought to think of himself as being a -standard-bearer. And he told Irene all about it; and she, in return, -told him of the young hero who, being wounded, and fearing that the -colours he bore would be taken from him, placed them beneath him, and -lay in silent suffering until the enemy found him and, in pity, sought -to help him. And then she told how he begged so hard that he might not -be moved that they wondered; and when, even against his wish, they -raised his dying form, there they found the colours which he loved, and -which he had guarded so well; and they wrapped them round him and bore<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_99" id="Page_99">[Pg 99]</a></span> -him away. And when he died they buried him with the flag which he had -carried, and gave him all honour for being true man and hero.</p> - -<p>It was a fine story, and set Ralph's heart beating more quickly. And -then Irene said that he must be as true, and be her champion, and win -in the battle of right against wrong. And Ralph—well, I do not mind -owning that he kissed her; and seeing that he had been brought up all -his life on the plains, and had never been used to girls' society, that -really was a daring thing to do.</p> - -<p>So the holiday was spent, and Sunday passed in quiet and worship. And -then on Monday morning back he went to Marlthorpe College, and the -fight of another week.</p> - -<p>And the battle began almost at once, for very soon after his arrival he -was called into the doctor's study, where he found two stern-faced men, -whom he was told were detectives; and they questioned him closely as to -the events of that night when he had seen the man, and even went so far -as to hint that he must have been dreaming and walking in his sleep, -and that made Ralph feel very like losing his temper. Dreaming! As if -he did not know that he had been very wide awake indeed!</p> - -<p>And they called Horace Elgert in also, and questioned him as to whether -he had seen anything, or whether he could think of any one likely to -harm him. And Elgert laughed in the most insulting manner.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_100" id="Page_100">[Pg 100]</a></span></p> - -<p>"I don't believe a word of it!" he said, with seeming frankness. "It is -a silly business, and it had best be forgotten. There is a great deal -too much being made out of it. I suppose that Rexworth wants to pose as -a hero. I told my father of it, and he laughed about it; but he said -that he would ride over this morning and question Rexworth himself."</p> - -<p>"I do not want him to question me!" cried Ralph, flushing angrily. And -Elgert laughed again.</p> - -<p>"Very likely not; but he will do it, all the same," he replied. And -then Dr. Beverly interrupted them sternly.</p> - -<p>"Silence, both of you! I did not tell you to come here to have this -nonsense, but to answer any questions which these gentlemen might wish -to ask you. Back to your classes, both of you, and mind that I have no -trouble with either of you! If you cannot be friendly, keep apart!"</p> - -<p>"I am sure that I want to," muttered Elgert, as he went; but he only -spoke loud enough for the words to reach Ralph's ears.</p> - -<p>It was very hard to keep cool and pay attention to his work; but Ralph -remembered his promise to his good friends, and he set sternly to the -tasks before him, only to be interrupted an hour afterwards by the -doctor sending for him again; and this time—how hot and angry he came -all in a moment!—it was to be questioned by Lord Elgert, who sat there -as cold, as haughty, and overbearing as ever.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_101" id="Page_101">[Pg 101]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Now, young man," he said, when Ralph entered, "I want to hear, for -myself, this remarkable story."</p> - -<p>Ralph paused a moment. With a strong effort he mastered himself. If -he was a standard-bearer, he must remember to give soft and polite -answers, so he said politely—</p> - -<p>"I am afraid that I have little to tell, sir, that I have not told -already; and, unfortunately, it does not seem to be believed."</p> - -<p>"Never mind that. Begin at the beginning, and tell me all that -occurred."</p> - -<p>So Ralph complied, and Lord Elgert sat listening with frowning face and -watchful eyes; and Ralph could see that he, like his son, really did -believe the story, even though he pretended not to.</p> - -<p>"Well, well, doctor," said his lordship, when the tale was told, "I am -inclined to think that it is a case of sleepwalking——"</p> - -<p>"But did I put the ladder against the window in my sleep, sir?" asked -Ralph. "The detectives did not think that, nor do you. I have no -interest in inventing such a story; and I have no wish to do anything -to annoy your son, so long as he leaves me alone——"</p> - -<p>"I do not think that the boy dreamed it," said the doctor. And Lord -Elgert frowned.</p> - -<p>"Hum! Hark, boy! I suppose that it was not your own father, come to see -you, eh?"</p> - -<p>Then up started Ralph indignantly, and cried—</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_102" id="Page_102">[Pg 102]</a></span></p> - -<p>"You have no right to insult me like that! Why should you? I know -nothing of you, and yet, upon the only two occasions when we have met, -you have spoken in that way. My father! Why should he come like a thief -at night? He has never done anything to be ashamed of. Never, I say, in -spite of the tale you told. That tale is not true!"</p> - -<p>"Each to his own opinion, young man," retorted Lord Elgert drily. "You -take my advice. Attend to your studies, learn all you can, and then go -back to the land you came from; for you will get on best there!"</p> - -<p>"Lord Elgert," answered Ralph fearlessly, "you may mean that kindly -or you may not. I neither know nor care. It is your advice, but it is -advice which I shall not take. I have something to do here. I have -to find out what has become of my father, and I have to prove that -your accusation that he is a thief is not true. I am only a boy, Lord -Elgert, and you may laugh at me, but I know that I shall succeed -presently, and when I do perhaps I may also learn the reason for your -disliking me so much."</p> - -<p>"What do you mean by that?" shouted Lord Elgert angrily. And Ralph -replied—</p> - -<p>"Just what I say!"</p> - -<p>Then he turned and asked the doctor if he wanted him any more. And -receiving permission to go, he went back to his class; while Lord -Elgert rode homewards, with black looks and frowning brow.</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_103" id="Page_103">[Pg 103]</a></span></p> - -<h2><span>CHAPTER XI</span> <span class="smaller">GOING IN FOR GRINDING</span></h2> - -<p>"Boys, I have an announcement to make."</p> - -<p>The whole school were gathered for the usual morning prayers, the -masters each at the head of his class; and when the reading was over, -the doctor, instead of dismissing them to their classes as usual, still -stood at his desk, and the boys looked up eagerly. Was it a holiday, or -a challenge from some neighbouring school to a football match?</p> - -<p>Alas, for such hopes! It was neither the one nor the other. It was -something which only interested a very few of the most industrious -there.</p> - -<p>"The Newlet gold medal examination for mathematics will be held in a -month's time from now; and it will be needful for intending competitors -to hand in their names to their masters at once. I trust that the -school will be well represented at the examination. We lost the medal -last year, though we had a very good average; but the year before that, -Kesterway, who was then only in the Fourth, gained it. That debars -him from again trying for it; but I hope that others will enter the -field, and do as<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_104" id="Page_104">[Pg 104]</a></span> well as he did. The second and third boys gain silver -medals. That is all. Dismiss to your classes."</p> - -<p>"I say, Dobby, there is a chance for you to distinguish yourself," -whispered one boy in the lazy one's ear, as the Fourth trooped away. -And Dobson glared, for of all things, mathematics was his weak point.</p> - -<p>"Dobson cannot do it," laughed Warren, overhearing the words. "His -system of mathematics is erratic. When it comes to eating tarts at -some one else's expense, it is wonderful how many he can take without -counting them up; but if he has to treat—well, one multiplies itself -into twenty."</p> - -<p>"You shut up," growled Dobson. "I never had tarts at your expense."</p> - -<p>"No, my son, and you never will," laughed Warren. "Hurry up and take -your place. You know where it is—top wrong end."</p> - -<p>Mr. Delermain entered, and the class settled down to work; but Ralph -found himself pondering over that prize which was offered. True, -figures were not his strongest point; but then he had a great belief -that any one who sets his mind to a thing can manage to do it in time, -and, somehow, he felt that it would be very nice to take that medal -home and show it to Irene.</p> - -<p>So when recess was called, he managed to get hold of Warren and -question him about it.</p> - -<p>"The Newlet," explained the monitor. "Well, it<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_105" id="Page_105">[Pg 105]</a></span> certainly is rather -stiff. I suppose that I must go in for it, though I don't think I -shall stand much chance. There will be Philmore and Standish of the -Fifth; I don't know if Elgert will try for it. He thinks no end of his -mathematics, but if you ask me, I think that a crib has a good deal to -do with it."</p> - -<p>"A crib?"</p> - -<p>"Yes. You know. Don't know what a crib is!" as Ralph shook his head. -"Oh, you sweet innocent, I thought I explained that to you before! It -is a book with all the answers in it——"</p> - -<p>"That is cheating," said Ralph. And Warren nodded.</p> - -<p>"Of course it is; but it is frequently done, not only for exams, -but for class work. Suppose a fellow is late in—been at cricket or -anything—and he hasn't got time for prep., and don't want to lose his -place, a crib comes in very handy; only some fellows always use 'em, -because they are so lazy——"</p> - -<p>"Dobson, for instance," suggested Ralph. But Warren laughed, and shook -his head.</p> - -<p>"Bless you, no. He is too lazy even to use a crib. He does not even -pretend to do his lessons; and he is in pretty little danger of losing -his place, seeing that it is always at the bottom of the class."</p> - -<p>"Well, I think it mean and dishonourable to use cribs," Ralph declared. -"If I could not manage without that I would not manage at all."</p> - -<p>"It is pretty often done," Warren replied. He was<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_106" id="Page_106">[Pg 106]</a></span> not quite guiltless -himself; and he felt a trifle ashamed of Ralph's honest wrath. "I -suppose it is wrong; only a fellow does not think so at the time. -But you were asking about the Newlet. It is stiff, but it is worth -winning——"</p> - -<p>"I should like to try for it," murmured Ralph. And the monitor stared.</p> - -<p>"You! Well, there is nothing to prevent you from doing so; only you -will have to grind awfully, if you don't crib——"</p> - -<p>"I shall not do that," interrupted Ralph firmly. "Once for all, let -that be understood. If I cannot stand a chance without cheating, I will -not go in for it."</p> - -<p>"Well, then, it is just grinding, that is all."</p> - -<p>"Grinding," repeated Ralph, raising his brows. And Warren laughed again.</p> - -<p>"Bless your heart! It is refreshing to find any one as innocent as you -are. Grinding, my dear fellow, is working, swatting, putting in full -time, giving up games and larks and story books, and working on every -moment you have got to spare. It is living on mathematics all the time."</p> - -<p>"In plain words, it is working hard," laughed Ralph. "And if a thing is -worth doing, it is worth working well for——"</p> - -<p>"Right you are. Go ahead, and good luck. You are letting yourself in -for a nice thing, though; but, I suppose, that if you enter you will -stick it out. Best tell Mr. Delermain; it will please him to have<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_107" id="Page_107">[Pg 107]</a></span> you -enter. He likes his Form well represented, even though we cannot all -win."</p> - -<p>Warren was right in that; the master was very pleased when Ralph spoke -to him about it.</p> - -<p>"I should like to go in for it, sir," the boy said. "I suppose it seems -rather absurd; but I could try at least, and the study will not do me -any harm."</p> - -<p>"Not if it is honest study, Rexworth," replied Mr. Delermain. And those -truthful eyes were raised steadily to his own.</p> - -<p>"It will not be anything else, sir," Ralph said. "If I cannot do it -honestly, I shall not do it at all."</p> - -<p>"That is the way, Rexworth." Mr. Delermain laid one hand on the boy's -shoulder as he spoke. "And even if you do not win, the work itself is -sure to prove of great use to you later on. By all means enter; and if -you want any assistance or advice, do not hesitate to come to me. I -shall always be very glad to do anything in my power to assist you."</p> - -<p>So Ralph put his name down, and some of the boys stared when they heard -it. A new boy, only a week there, putting his name down for the Newlet!</p> - -<p>"Cheek!" said Elgert.</p> - -<p>"Rubbish!" said Dobson.</p> - -<p>"No use!" said a good many; but Ralph paid no heed to it all. One thing -nerved him. Elgert was going in for it; and he felt that if he could -not beat him, it would be strange.</p> - -<p>"You will have to work very hard, Ralph," was the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_108" id="Page_108">[Pg 108]</a></span> verdict of Mr. St. -Clive, when he heard of it. "It is an honour to gain the medal, but it -is an honour that has to be earned by hard work."</p> - -<p>"You will try your very best, won't you, Ralph?" pleaded Irene. "I -should just love you to win it, the same as if you were my very own -brother."</p> - -<p>Brother! Well, well; Irene and Ralph were but young; perhaps, later on, -it would not be brother, perhaps—who can say?</p> - -<p>So Ralph began to undergo that process which Warren called swatting, -or grinding, and it was not all easy. When the day's work was over, -and the boys ran off to their games, or settled down to their story -books—and Ralph loved story books—it was not easy to get out the -dry figures and bend over them, studying tricky sums, or working out -obscure equations; it was not easy, but it had to be done. Ralph was -beginning to understand what work meant.</p> - -<p>And Charlton proved himself a good chum in the hour of need, for he was -farther on than Ralph, and could help him in many points. Indeed, Ralph -wondered why he had not entered himself; but Charlton sighed and shook -his head.</p> - -<p>"He did not want the worry of it," he said.</p> - -<p>Ralph had said nothing more to him concerning his suspicions, but -they were frequently in his mind. He never lost sight of his father's -disappearance. He was for ever keeping his eyes open for anything<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_109" id="Page_109">[Pg 109]</a></span> that -might put him on the right track. But Mr. St. Clive's remark that he -might perhaps be the means of harming a man who had never harmed him or -his, made him very careful about saying or doing anything. Something -was worrying Charlton, that he could plainly see; but since the boy did -not say anything to him, he hesitated to try and force his confidence -in any way.</p> - -<p>So he worked with Charlton; and sometimes Warren would pop in and ask -him how he got on, or compare notes with him. And Warren confessed -that he had been influenced by Ralph's words, and that he was working -on what he called "the square," which meant that he was doing without -cribs and keys.</p> - -<p>And when particularly knotty points occurred, Ralph would carry his -books away and consult Mr. Delermain; and the master helped, and -advised, and praised him, and spoke very encouragingly of his progress -and his chances.</p> - -<p>"There is nothing to beat honest, hard work, Rexworth," he said one -evening, as the lad sat in his room. "What you gain unfairly, you soon -lose; but what you learn honestly, that you hold, and it serves as a -foundation to build other knowledge upon."</p> - -<p>"I do not know how to thank you enough, sir," the lad answered, and Mr. -Delermain smiled.</p> - -<p>"The fact that I see you working honestly, is<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_110" id="Page_110">[Pg 110]</a></span> more than reward for -me, Rexworth. Now if there is nothing more, run away, for I have some -letters to write."</p> - -<p>Ralph rose, and as he did so, in gathering up his books he knocked a -piece of thin paper on to the ground from off the table. He stooped -with an apology and picked it up. He could not help seeing what it -was—a five-pound note—and he handed it to his master, who took it and -placed it on his desk.</p> - -<p>"Thank you, Rexworth. Do not forget to come to me at once, if you want -any more help."</p> - -<p>Charlton awaited him in their study, and the lad seemed but ill at -ease. He looked at Ralph doubtfully for a while; and, at last, said -timidly—</p> - -<p>"Rexworth, I hope that you won't be angry, but could you—that is, I -mean, will you——"</p> - -<p>"Out with it, old fellow," laughed Ralph. "Will I what?"</p> - -<p>"Lend me some money. I am without any, and I want some——"</p> - -<p>"I can lend you ten shillings, if that is any good," answered Ralph -readily. And Charlton beamed.</p> - -<p>"Will you? Oh, I am obliged! I will pay you back soon. I shall have a -little money in a few weeks."</p> - -<p>"That is all right. Here you are," and Ralph handed him the money, and -turned back to his task again.</p> - -<div class="center"><img src="images/i110.jpg" alt="That is all right. Here you are" /></div> - -<p class="bold">"<span class="smcap">'That is all right. Here you are,' and Ralph handed -him<br />the money.</span>" p. 110.</p> - -<p>But now he could not work. He wondered what<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_111" id="Page_111">[Pg 111]</a></span> Charlton wanted the money -for, and where he was going to get any more to pay him again. Somehow -the sums seemed to get muddled; and he jumped up at last, with an -exclamation of annoyance—</p> - -<p>"Bother it! It won't come right! I quite forget how Mr. Delermain -said I was to do it. I will run and ask him again; he won't mind my -bothering him."</p> - -<p>He took his book and went out. The corridor leading to the masters' -rooms was rather dark, for the gas had either not been lit, or had been -turned out by some one. Just before the room was reached the corridor -turned sharply to the right, and here it was quite dark. And, as Ralph -turned this corner, he encountered some one, who ran against him with -such force that he almost fell down; and before he could recover from -his surprise, that unseen boy had disappeared round the corner, running -swiftly and silently, as if anxious to escape notice.</p> - -<p>Ralph muttered something about clumsy fellows, and picked up his -papers, which had been scattered in all directions. Then he went on to -Mr. Delermain's room, and saw that the door was open, but the room in -darkness. His master had evidently finished his letters and gone.</p> - -<p>"I shall have to let it wait until to-morrow," he said. "It's jolly -vexing, just as I was getting on so nicely."</p> - -<p>He turned from the door, when a step sounded<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_112" id="Page_112">[Pg 112]</a></span> in the corridor, and a -light glimmered round the corner. Some one was coming. And then a voice -said—</p> - -<p>"Why, Rexworth, what are you doing here? You have no business in this -corridor." And Ralph found himself face to face with Dr. Beverly.</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_113" id="Page_113">[Pg 113]</a></span></p> - -<h2><span>CHAPTER XII</span> <span class="smaller">THE STOLEN BANKNOTE</span></h2> - -<p>Now, why Ralph should have felt in the slightest degree confused by the -sudden appearance of Dr. Beverly, he could not have said; and yet he -was conscious that he exhibited something of hesitation in his manner. -It was perhaps due to the doctor finding him there in the dark, and -looking rather suspicious and stern.</p> - -<p>The fact was that the doctor was so used to his pupils playing tricks -and getting into scrapes, that it was but natural that he should scan -the boy's face closely, and he noted that Ralph looked confused.</p> - -<p>He repeated his question sharply, and then the boy recovered himself -and described how he had come to ask Mr. Delermain to again explain the -point which had escaped his memory.</p> - -<p>"Mr. Delermain has gone out, I believe," Dr. Beverly said, when Ralph -concluded. "But perhaps I may be able to make the point clear. Come to -my study and let me see what you are doing."</p> - -<p>Ralph followed the doctor, not without some little nervousness; for, -like all the boys, he stood somewhat in awe of the head master; but the -doctor<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_114" id="Page_114">[Pg 114]</a></span> smiled, and was so kind that he soon put the boy at ease; and, -after scanning the neat rows of figures in the exercise-book, he nodded -approval.</p> - -<p>"I am glad to see that you work so neatly, Rexworth," the Head said. -"Now, this point. Here is your error—it is very simple, though easily -made."</p> - -<p>And taking a pencil, he worked out the sum himself, making Ralph go -over it with him, and explaining each detail as it was done, so that -Ralph was able to understand it quite easily; and, with words of -thanks, took his books and went off, the doctor saying, as he departed—</p> - -<p>"But let me give you one word of advice, Rexworth. It is all very well -to be industrious; but remember, the brain wants rest, and you cannot -learn properly when you are jaded. Put the books away, and do something -else until bedtime—draw, read, or whatever you like. It pays to have a -little relaxation when one is working hard."</p> - -<p>Now Ralph valued the master's experience too much to neglect that -advice; and, though he had intended to work for another hour, he put -his books away when he reached his little study, and, picking up his -long-neglected story, he settled down with a sigh of relief for a quiet -read.</p> - -<p>But he could not read. He wondered who it was that had run up against -him, and what he was doing in the master's quarters. He felt uneasy, he -could not say why. Then he had behaved so foolishly<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_115" id="Page_115">[Pg 115]</a></span> when the doctor -first met him! As if any one had any need to be afraid of such a kind -man as Dr. Beverly!</p> - -<p>Then he fell to thinking of Lord Elgert; and he wondered why he should -seem to be so bitter against him, and why he seemed to take a delight -in saying that his father was a thief. Ralph could not understand Lord -Elgert; he was as much a mystery as was his father's disappearance.</p> - -<p>Then, from thinking of the father, his thoughts went to the son; and he -wondered whether Horace Elgert would stand any chance of winning the -gold medal, and whether he was working with one of those cribs; and he -caught himself thinking how nice it would be to defeat his rival and -carry off the prize.</p> - -<p>But then he checked himself. He wanted to win, but that ought not to be -the real motive for it. After all, to want to win only to make Elgert -vexed, was a very poor sort of thing.</p> - -<p>"I seem to be for ever catching myself up," he reflected. "It is harder -work being a standard-bearer than I supposed at first."</p> - -<p>The bell rang for supper, and there was no more time to think then. -Boys were laughing, shouting, enjoying the freedom which was allowed at -this last meal of the day; and after that was over, the classes went -off to their dormitories, and silence soon reigned in the school. And -Ralph slept calm and peaceful, little dreaming what trouble was coming -for him in the morning.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_116" id="Page_116">[Pg 116]</a></span></p> - -<p>But that trouble came, sharp and swift, before the classes assembled -for morning school—the heaviest trouble that Ralph had been ever -called to face, with the exception of that all-supreme one—the loss of -his dear father.</p> - -<p>Breakfast was over, and the boys crowding from the dining-hall to -snatch a few minutes' play prior to entering classes, when Ralph felt a -hand laid on his shoulder and, turning, saw Kesterway by his side.</p> - -<p>"Rexworth, the Head wants you in his study at once!" the monitor said; -and Ralph, wondering what could be the matter, turned and went to the -doctor's room forthwith.</p> - -<p>And when he entered, he found both Dr. Beverly and Mr. Delermain there; -and both looked very grave he thought.</p> - -<p>"You sent for me, sir?" he asked, looking towards the doctor, and the -master nodded.</p> - -<p>"I did, Rexworth. Come in and shut the door. Now sit down and listen -to me. You know that neither I nor Mr. Delermain would willingly say -anything to hurt your feelings—I am sure that you realize that?"</p> - -<p>"Of course I do, sir," replied Ralph, wondering greatly. "You have both -always been kind to me."</p> - -<p>"Well, now, I am going to say something that may seem hurtful," the -master went on. But then he stopped as he encountered those calm, brave -eyes, and he motioned to Mr. Delermain. "Suppose you<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_117" id="Page_117">[Pg 117]</a></span> speak?" he said, -and Ralph's own master complied.</p> - -<p>"Rexworth," he said quietly, "it is not pleasant to say anything that -could be interpreted into the faintest suspicion of doubting your -honesty——"</p> - -<p>"I hope that you do not doubt it, sir," replied Ralph quickly. "It -would be a very great trouble to me if you did! But I see that -something is wrong; and if that is so, it is best to know it at once -in plain language. If you have to say anything to hurt me, it must be -something grave indeed!" he added.</p> - -<p>"It is grave," acknowledged the master. "You remember, last evening, -knocking a banknote from my desk, and picking it up for me?"</p> - -<p>"Perfectly well, sir."</p> - -<p>"I replaced that note on my desk, and, having some letters to write, I -forgot to take it up again; and when I went to post my correspondence, -I left it there on the desk. When I returned, the note was gone, and -the only person who was near my room, so far as we know, was yourself. -Dr. Beverly saw you there."</p> - -<p>"And you think that I have stolen your banknote, sir?" cried Ralph, -regretfully. But Mr. Delermain shook his head.</p> - -<p>"No, no, Ralph! You must not go so far as that. I only tell you the -facts, as far as we know them. The note was there, the note has gone, -you are the only one who was seen near the spot!"</p> - -<p>"There was some one else, sir!" cried Ralph; and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_118" id="Page_118">[Pg 118]</a></span> he narrated how some -one had pushed against him and run down the dark corridor. Both masters -listened gravely as he did so.</p> - -<p>"And you have no idea who this was? Did not recognize either voice or -figure?"</p> - -<p>"No, sir. He did not speak, and it was so dark, and the thing so -sudden, that I was taken quite by surprise!"</p> - -<p>"You can think of no one? Know of no lad you saw in that part of the -house?"</p> - -<p>"No, sir," answered Ralph; but even as he spoke one thought flashed -into his mind. "Charlton, his chum! Charlton was in need of money! -Could it have been Charlton?"</p> - -<p>"I can think of no one, sir," he replied. "I can quite see how it looks -against me; but Mr. Delermain has proved so good a friend to me, that -it seems hard that I should be thought capable of robbing him."</p> - -<p>"Let me impress upon you, Rexworth," said the doctor, "that we do not -look at the matter in that light. We sent for you because we knew that -you were near the place—in the room, indeed. The matter must be made -public, and questions must be asked; and it is natural that, since you -are the only one who was near the place——"</p> - -<p>"I was not the only one, sir," he answered quietly.</p> - -<p>"No, there is that other boy whom you say ran past you in the dark; -but, my lad, unless something can be found out concerning that boy, we -have only<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_119" id="Page_119">[Pg 119]</a></span> your bare word; and suspicion is bound to fall mostly upon -yourself. That is why we both felt that you should be seen privately, -before the circumstance was made known to the whole school. That is -all. You can go!"</p> - -<p>"It is impossible that such a boy can be a thief, sir!" cried Mr. -Delermain to the Head, when Ralph had gone. "I would stake my life upon -his honesty!"</p> - -<p>"I feel somewhat the same, Delermain," answered the Head. "But the note -is gone, and he is the only one known to have been near. The school -will not view the thing in that light."</p> - -<p>"I should rather that the school did not know, sir," suggested the -master; but at this Dr. Beverly shook his head.</p> - -<p>"No, no, Delermain, I will not have that. We will have no -favouritism—no keeping things back. If it was my own son who was -implicated, the thing should be gone on with. For the sake of every one -concerned, it must be gone on with."</p> - -<p>But what a sensation it caused when the doctor made the announcement -to the school! He had classes stopped, and all the school assembled in -the hall; and there, standing at his great desk, he spoke to the lads, -telling them that the banknote was lost.</p> - -<p>"It can hardly have been mislaid," he said, "for Mr. Delermain put it -beneath a heavy paper-weight; and upon his return he found that weight -had been moved. Now, there are two things I want to <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_120" id="Page_120">[Pg 120]</a></span>impress upon you -all, very solemnly. Some one must have done this—some one acting, -perhaps, under a sudden temptation; some one, perhaps, who did not -understand the full gravity and magnitude of his offence. Let that some -one come and own his fault to me, like a man and a Christian should do. -Remember, also, that the number of that note is known. It cannot be -parted with, or converted into money, without eventually being traced, -even through successive stages, back to the one who originally parted -with it.</p> - -<p>"Then, remember also, that there is one of your number who is -particularly affected by this loss; there is one boy who knew this note -was there, and who is known to have been near the study during Mr. -Delermain's absence. A boy who frankly explains what took him there, -and who declares that some one passed him hurriedly in the darkness of -the corridor. That boy is Ralph Rexworth, and the boy who passed by him -must undoubtedly be the thief!"</p> - -<p>It was kindly put by the Head, for it seemed as if it exonerated Ralph -from all suspicion; but there were those in the classes who, as the -Head had foreseen, did not look at it from that standpoint; and Dobson -muttered to his nearest neighbour—</p> - -<p>"That is all very well, but why may not Rexworth have taken it himself? -He is the only one who knew that it was there."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_121" id="Page_121">[Pg 121]</a></span></p> - -<p>And the boy to whom this was addressed nodded.</p> - -<p>"I again earnestly entreat the boy who has done this thing to confess -his fault!" the Head went on. "Do not let us have the taint of a -thief amongst us! Let the culprit act the better part, and remove the -disgrace from the school! Now go to your classes, and think over what -I have said, and I trust ere the morning has passed, the boy who is -guilty will have taken the better course and have come to own his fault -to me!"</p> - -<p>Away to their rooms they went; and now tongues were loosened, -and comments made; and oh, how hard it was for Ralph to keep his -temper! for Elgert was not slow to take all the advantages which the -circumstance offered to him.</p> - -<p>"It is all right to talk about shame being on the school!" he said to -his companions. "What else can you expect? There is Charlton—look -at him! 'Like father, like son,' you know. Then there is his chum, -Rexworth. 'Birds of a feather flock together.' It does not take very -much to see who the thief is, Rexworth was caught almost in the act, -by the Head himself; and it is very easy to make up a tale of some one -running by him in the dark."</p> - -<p>"Of course," was the answer; and Ralph heard it all so plainly, as -Elgert had intended that he should do. Poor Ralph, it was a hard task -for him to keep his temper—to remember his promise, and act the -standard-bearer's part!</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_122" id="Page_122">[Pg 122]</a></span></p> - -<h2><span>CHAPTER XIII</span> <span class="smaller">DIVIDED OPINIONS</span></h2> - -<p>There was but one serious theme of conversation at Marlthorpe College -during the remainder of that day, and it is not difficult to guess that -the theft of the banknote formed its subject. From the highest class -to the lowest—from the First Form youngsters right up to the Upper -Fifth—the boys discussed the business eagerly, and, it must be owned, -with divided opinions.</p> - -<p>For there were some there who, being quick to perceive true nobility of -character, felt that it was impossible for such a boy as Ralph Rexworth -to be a thief. They were like Dr. Beverly and Mr. Delermain, and felt -that, dark as the circumstances made it appear for Ralph, he could not -be guilty of such a mean action. And there were others who, with all -the thoughtlessness of youth, and influenced, perhaps, by the words of -Elgert and Dobson, were quite ready to declare Ralph guilty off-hand, -without the slightest hesitation.</p> - -<p>And it was bitter for Ralph—far more bitter than any there could -understand. He felt that they all looked with suspicion upon him. And -he even did his<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_123" id="Page_123">[Pg 123]</a></span> best friends some injustice, yet they, right down to -their hearts, believed him to be guilty.</p> - -<p>He wanted at first to throw aside his books and go back to Mr. St. -Clive and to Irene, but he pulled himself up sternly. He would not run -away like a coward. It would appear as if he were really guilty. He -would stay and fight it out and prove his innocence. He felt sure that -it would aid him in getting at the truth concerning his father, and so -he settled sternly down to his work, and even, in his battle, seemed a -little cold and standoffish to his best friends.</p> - -<p>And Charlton—ah, Ralph could not help thinking that Charlton -knew something about this. He seemed so strange, so different and -hesitating. He felt like challenging him to tell the truth, but -something, he was not quite clear what, made him hesitate. It was bad -enough to be suspected himself, and he was a fairly strong boy, able to -take his own part, but what would timid, weakly Charlton feel if the -suspicion were thrown upon him?</p> - -<p>"I won't do anything to let him think that I suspect him, until I can -be sure that I have good grounds for suspicion," Ralph reflected.</p> - -<p>And then he paused. And if he had those good grounds, what then? -Suppose that he could even be certain that Charlton was the culprit, -what then? The boy would have taken the money for his mother in all -likelihood, and——</p> - -<p>Ralph shrugged his shoulders and turned resolutely<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_124" id="Page_124">[Pg 124]</a></span> to his work, and, -though plenty there believed that he was guilty, there was such a look -upon that strong young face that they forbore to speak their opinions -directly to him, but only revealed them by cutting him contemptuously -whenever he chanced to be in their company.</p> - -<p>But he was not left without comforters. Mr. Delermain took the -opportunity to speak with him quietly, and as he placed one hand gently -upon the strong young shoulder, and looked gravely into the face, now -somewhat clouded with its sorrow, the kindly master said—</p> - -<p>"Rexworth, my dear boy, I could find it in my heart to wish that I had -never mentioned this loss."</p> - -<p>"I do not, sir," answered Ralph quickly. "If the thing has been done it -ought to be mentioned, no matter upon whom the blame may fall. It is -rather hard to feel that so many of the boys believe that I have done -it, but then, you see, I was in your room, and things look black, and I -have no means of proving that my story of some one having passed me is -really true."</p> - -<p>"I would that we had any clue to that," observed the master. "If we -could only find out who that was! You have no suspicion, Ralph?"</p> - -<p>And he glanced into the boy's eyes.</p> - -<p>"No sir." Then Ralph hesitated. That was not quite true. He had a -suspicion. "I would rather not talk of it, sir," he answered, after a -pause. "Perhaps it is not quite right to say that I have no suspicion,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_125" id="Page_125">[Pg 125]</a></span> -but it is only a suspicion, and I have no right to talk about it, -seeing that I have no solid grounds to go upon. I am accused solely -upon suspicion, and I know how hard it is."</p> - -<p>"I applaud your sentiment," said Mr. Delermain. "Well, my dear lad, let -me impress upon you that I do not believe you to be a thief. Let me -give you my sympathy, and let me encourage you to bear this trial—I -fully understand how hard it must be for one of your nature—bravely; -and let me assure you that I shall look forward with just as much -pleasure as formerly to your visits in the evening. Do not let this -interfere with your studies for the Newlet medal, and rest sure that I -should not again invite Ralph Rexworth into my study if I suspected him -of being a thief."</p> - -<p>"The boy has some sort of suspicion," reflected the master, after Ralph -had gone. "He suspects some one. Now whom can that be? Is he shielding -that boy Charlton? He is a weakly dispositioned lad—one likely to fall -into temptation, and to yield to it too. I must watch him quietly. -Charlton is the most likely boy to have done this. He is poor too. -Perhaps he took it to help his mother. Poor lad! if that is the case, I -would be the last one to bring him to punishment." He paused and shook -his head. "I ought to take a lesson from Rexworth," he went on, with a -smile. "He will not speak upon mere suspicion, and here I am weaving a -theory without the slightest ground for so doing, and actually arriving -at the conclusion that a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_126" id="Page_126">[Pg 126]</a></span> certain boy is guilty, when I have not the -least right to even connect him with the theft."</p> - -<p>Mr. Delermain went back to his duties, but still that thought was in -his head—was it possible that Charlton had taken that five-pound -note, and that Ralph Rexworth knew it, and was silent only for the -sake of his chum? Ralph felt quite cheered by his master's words. -He did not dream that Mr. Delermain thought anything about Charlton -being the thief, and he soon found another comforter in the person -of good-hearted Tom Warren; for the monitor came up to him with -outstretched hand, crying heartily—</p> - -<p>"Look here, Rexworth, you are asking for a fight with me, that's what!"</p> - -<p>"Eh?" said Ralph, staring. "I don't understand."</p> - -<p>"Well then, why are you cutting me like this? Oh, think I don't notice -it? You are sitting moping, just like an old magpie that is moulting. -Look here, don't be so jolly silly as to worry about what these kites -say or do. It's only Elgert and his gang, and Dobby and Co. They are -always glad to be able to chuck stones at another fellow's glasshouse; -but they will get their own windows smashed in time. Now, don't hide -your head as though you had done something to be ashamed about. Come -into the playground with me."</p> - -<p>"The other fellows don't want me, and I don't want to go where I am not -wanted."</p> - -<p>"Rubbish! Downright silly rubbish!" retorted<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_127" id="Page_127">[Pg 127]</a></span> Warren. "I want you! -I want you to show me how to throw one of those ropes like you do. -I cannot manage it. I was trying the other day, and I caught Bert -Standish an awful smack in the eye, and jolly nearly knocked it out for -him; and if you had seen him scudding after me, one hand on his injured -optic and the other shaking in very wrath! I didn't stop to argue until -I got safe inside my study and had the bolt drawn; and then he stood -outside kicking the panel, and calling me a chump, and a kite, and a -cuckoo, and all manner of pretty and polite names, and inviting me to -come out and let him wipe up the floor with me. I spoke soft words, and -tried to pour oil on troubled waters, only the troubled waters were not -taking any, and would not be assuaged until Kesterway came along and -said that he would report him for damaging the paint if he didn't stop -it. I have kept out of Bert's way since then, and he has got a lovely -bruise under his eye. Come on, Ralph, and show me how you do it without -knocking any one's head off."</p> - -<p>So Ralph suffered himself to be taken into the playground, and though -some looked at him suspiciously and edged away from him, others of -Warren's disposition resolved that, at any rate, they would wait for -proof before condemning him, gathered round Ralph, and made him feel -that they were his friends.</p> - -<p>So opinions were divided, and Marlthorpe College split into two -parties, one for, and one against Ralph—one with Tom Warren at its -head, and the other with<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_128" id="Page_128">[Pg 128]</a></span> Horace Elgert, the Honourable Horace Elgert, -the nobleman's son!</p> - -<p>And Elgert was not quite satisfied, for he saw that Ralph was not sent -to Coventry, as he had intended that he should be. He saw that some -of the boys recognized that he was not the sort of lad to be a thief, -and he determined that, if it could be done, their opinions should be -changed.</p> - -<p>"If I can only prove that he did it," he mused, "I may be able to -manage that, if I have any luck."</p> - -<p>So the days of the week slipped away, once more bringing the Saturday -holiday near, and it had been one of the hardest weeks that Ralph -Rexworth had ever known—a week that had called for all his strength of -will and purpose to enable him to face and overcome its difficulties -and temptations.</p> - -<p>It was Friday afternoon, and Ralph was in his study putting his books -straight prior to leaving—he was always neat in his habits—when -Charlton came in, hesitating, troubled-looking, as ever.</p> - -<p>"Glad the week is over, Ralph?" he asked, after he had stood in silence -for a little while watching his chum.</p> - -<p>And Ralph nodded.</p> - -<p>"Yes. It has been a little hard. I shall be glad to have a rest from -it," he answered.</p> - -<p>"They are wicked to try and make out that you took that note. They -ought to know that you did not. I know you did not."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_129" id="Page_129">[Pg 129]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Do you? How?" was the quiet answer to this indignant outburst.</p> - -<p>And Charlton seemed confused.</p> - -<p>"Why, because—don't you see—because—you could not do it, of course."</p> - -<p>"Thanks!" said Ralph. "It is nice to hear you say that."</p> - -<p>But, alas! he wondered whether Charlton had any better grounds for his -belief.</p> - -<p>And then the boy went on, taking ten shillings from his pocket.</p> - -<p>"Here are the ten shillings which I owe you. I am much obliged."</p> - -<p>Ralph looked hard at him, and made no attempt to pick up the money.</p> - -<p>"Charlton," he said quietly, "I thought you said that you would not be -able to repay me for some time."</p> - -<p>And Charlton looked more confused than ever.</p> - -<p>"I know, but I—I can pay you now."</p> - -<p>"How did you get the money?" asked Ralph.</p> - -<p>And his chum grew more nervous.</p> - -<p>"I had it given—I mean that I—— Why do you ask that?"</p> - -<p>"I will tell you, Charlton," answered Ralph gravely. "I don't mean to -tell any one else, though. You had no money at the beginning of this -week, and now you can pay me ten shillings. Where did you get the money -from? Did you take that five-pound note?"</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_130" id="Page_130">[Pg 130]</a></span></p> - -<p>For a moment the lad stood silently staring at Ralph. Then his pale -face went crimson, and he burst out indignantly—</p> - -<p>"What do you mean? Do you think that I stole it? Do you mean that I am -a thief? You can't mean that, Rexworth! Did you ever catch me telling a -lie?"</p> - -<p>"Yes," said Ralph quietly. "I did once."</p> - -<p>"When?" demanded Charlton.</p> - -<p>And Ralph answered—</p> - -<p>"Last week in the woods, when you said that you were alone. I know that -there was a man with you."</p> - -<p>"That is a lie!" answered Charlton wildly. "There was no one. You have -no right to say there was any one with me." He seemed quite beside -himself with terror. "I know what it is, Ralph Rexworth! You have taken -that note after all, and now you are trying to put the blame upon me. -We are not chums any longer. I hate you!"</p> - -<p>And with that Charlton rushed off, choking with anger and bitter grief, -and Ralph stood there looking after him, more in regret than in anger.</p> - -<p>"Poor chap!" he muttered. "I ought not to have spoken like that. It -only shows how easy it is to make a slip, if you are not for ever -watching. Perhaps I am wronging him, after all."</p> - -<p>He paused. His eyes fell upon the money which Charlton had placed upon -the table. If he was wronging him, then where had Charlton managed to -get that money from?</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_131" id="Page_131">[Pg 131]</a></span></p> - -<h2><span>CHAPTER XIV</span> <span class="smaller">BY THE RIVER SIDE</span></h2> - -<p>"I wish that I had not spoken like that to him."</p> - -<p>So Ralph Rexworth mused as he left the study and went along the -corridor—anger at the violent outburst and the accusation which -Charlton had hurled at him, he felt none.</p> - -<p>A muffled sound broke upon his ears—the sound of some one sobbing -violently, and he stopped, peering along the corridor until he made -out the form of his former chum. Charlton had flung himself down full -length, and was crying as if his heart would break.</p> - -<p>It was more than Ralph could stand—he went up to him and laid a hand -upon the prostrate boy's shoulder.</p> - -<p>"Charlton," he said kindly, "don't cry. I am awfully sorry that I have -offended you, and that we have quarrelled. I did not mean to do it. -Won't you get up and shake hands with me?"</p> - -<p>"No!" came the broken answer. "Go away, I don't want you! You were the -only chum that I had, and now you say that I am a thief! I never said a -word against you. I told Dobson that he was telling lies when he said -that you had stolen the note, and he<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_132" id="Page_132">[Pg 132]</a></span> beat me. I did not mind that, -because I was trying to stick up for you; and now you say I stole it!"</p> - -<p>"Come, shake hands," pleaded Ralph, feeling somehow that he was on the -wrong track. "I am sorry."</p> - -<p>"You ought to have known how it feels to be called a thief," the other -lad continued. "You are not my chum—I don't care about you being -strong and me being weak—I don't want to be your chum. I know that my -father was called a thief, but it was not true—he never did anything -wrong—and I know that people sneer at me. But I am not a thief—I -never stole anything, and you, seeing what Elgert has said about your -father, and that you have been accused, might have been a little more -kind to me."</p> - -<p>"Well, I have said that I am sorry. Won't you shake hands?" said Ralph -again. "And I had a note from Mr. St. Clive, and he told me to ask you -and Warren to come over to-morrow. Won't you come?"</p> - -<p>"No," answered Charlton. "You don't want boys there who have convict -fathers, and who you believe to be thieves. You go away, Ralph -Rexworth. We shall never be friends any more until you have been proved -wrong. When I can prove to you that I had no hand in taking that note, -then we will be chums again.</p> - -<p>"And," he added, sitting up, "it is a wicked, wicked lie to say that I -was with any man in those woods. It is not true, and you are making it -up. There—go away, and make what chums you like. I suppose that we<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_133" id="Page_133">[Pg 133]</a></span> -must still share the same study! I won't worry you with my presence -very much, I can promise you; but I won't make friends, and I won't -forgive you, and I won't take back one word of what I have said that I -believe about you—not even if you beat me—and you are strong enough -to do that, I know."</p> - -<p>"I am sorry. I don't want to beat you, Charlton," responded Ralph, "and -I am very grieved that we are not to be chums. Perhaps after Sunday you -will think differently."</p> - -<p>"I will never think differently—never—never!" cried Charlton. And -jumping up he rushed off, leaving Ralph to continue his way alone, and -somewhat heavy-hearted, for he had a genuine liking for the lonely, -sad-faced boy, and was indeed truly sorry that he had said anything to -cause him such pain and grief.</p> - -<p>"Hallo, Rexworth! What have you been doing with Charlton?" asked -Warren, meeting him in the playground a little later. "He rushed across -here a little while ago as though he were training for a race; and when -I asked him if he had seen you, he said that he didn't know anything -about you, and that he didn't want to know, either. Whatever have you -done to upset him in that way?"</p> - -<p>"We have had a bit of a quarrel," answered Ralph. "Don't ask me about -it, old fellow, for I don't want to talk of it. I hope that he will -be all right again next week. By the way, Mr. St. Clive has asked me -whether<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_134" id="Page_134">[Pg 134]</a></span> you would care to come over and spend the afternoon with me -to-morrow."</p> - -<p>"Will a duck like to swim when it gets enough water to paddle its -little tootsies in?" laughed Warren. "My dear chap, I will come on the -wings of greased lightning. I must go home and tell the mater first -though, or she will wonder what has become of me—fancy that I have met -with an accident, or something. Fellows ought not to be careless about -such things as that. Then I will come on, if that will do, and—great -guns! there goes the bell, and it is my turn to see the school ready -for calling over. I am off"—and away Warren sped as fast as he could -run.</p> - -<p>The evening passed, the following morning came and went, and -still Charlton gave Ralph no opportunity for renewing his offer -of friendship. He looked pale, miserable, but determined—Ralph -had wounded him to the very soul, and he would not—could not -indeed—forget or forgive it.</p> - -<p>The hour of departure came, and still Charlton avoided Ralph. They left -without wishing each other good-bye, and Ralph set out for Mr. St. -Clive's, feeling disappointed and heavy-hearted.</p> - -<p>But disappointment and heavy-heartedness could not long find place in -that bright home. The very first greeting, the warm handshake of Mr. -St. Clive, the smile of his wife and the rush with which Irene came to -greet him, altogether united to banish every melancholy thought, and to -bring sunshine to his heart.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_135" id="Page_135">[Pg 135]</a></span></p> - -<p>And what a circle of sympathetic listeners he had when he told them -about the theft, and how he had chanced to be upon the scene. And both -Irene and Mrs. Clive laughed, and were at the same time very indignant -that any one should dare to suppose, even for one moment, that Ralph -could possibly be a thief.</p> - -<p>But Mr. St. Clive looked grave, for he could see how hard this was for -the lad, and could understand what a big fight it must have been for -Ralph.</p> - -<p>"Never fear, my boy," he said when the story was told. "It is hard, but -the truth must come out at last—it always does in this world of ours. -But now," he continued, "about your friends—I hope they are to be my -guests to-day."</p> - -<p>"Warren will be here, sir," answered Ralph. And Mr. St. Clive asked, -"And not Charlton?"</p> - -<p>"No, sir, he could not promise." Ralph did not go into the matter of -his quarrel with his chum then; he wanted to talk to Mr. St. Clive -alone about that; and the gentleman, seeing that something must have -gone amiss, did not press his questions further.</p> - -<p>Then Ralph went off with Irene, and had to tell her everything over -again, while she sat and listened with sparkling eyes, especially when -he told her how Mr. Delermain had behaved.</p> - -<p>"I would like to kiss him," she said. "He is a nice man." And Ralph -suggested that, as she could not do that, the next best thing would be -to kiss him<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_136" id="Page_136">[Pg 136]</a></span> instead—a thing which proves very conclusively that Ralph -was very quickly getting used to the ways of Western civilization.</p> - -<p>And then, with a merry call, Tom Warren came upon the scene, for he had -arrived, had been welcomed by his host, and sent out into the garden -to meet his friend. Irene was introduced—she had known him before, by -the way, but that doesn't matter—and Warren was nice, and didn't think -girls a bit of a nuisance—which shows that he was a wise boy—and the -three just got on as well as could be, until the bell rang for lunch, -and—</p> - -<p>Well, well, they did enjoy that lunch, that is all; and they -demonstrated very clearly what exceedingly healthy appetites they all -possessed; and then, that over, they set out for a stroll along the -river's bank—for it was very pretty there, and Irene loved the spot. -The trees were so stately, and, in some places, grew right to the -water's edge, and the grass was so green and velvety, and the river -ran so smoothly—perhaps too smoothly—for the current was strong -and swift, and glided along, making the water look like a stream of -glass as it turned the curve towards Becket Weir, and went roaring and -foaming down twelve feet like a little Niagara.</p> - -<p>But to-day, when they reached the spot they were somewhat disappointed -to find that they were not the only occupants. A party of boys were -there—boys from the college—and, of all boys in the world, Elgert,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_137" id="Page_137">[Pg 137]</a></span> -Dobson, and some of their chums who had been to Mr. St. Clive's.</p> - -<p>Some of the boys were fishing, for there were excellent perch and roach -in the still pools; and Horace Elgert had his canoe, a pretty little -boat—light, easy, and graceful, so long as it was kept away from the -immediate neighbourhood of the weir.</p> - -<p>"Oh," growled Warren, as he saw the others. "How jolly annoying!" And -at that Irene burst out laughing, and inquired how anything could -possibly be "jolly annoying."</p> - -<p>"Well, very annoying, Miss St. Clive," was Warren's answer. "Just to -think of that lot being here!"</p> - -<p>"I don't see that they need annoy us," she answered.</p> - -<p>"We will go a little farther along the bank, down by the weir."</p> - -<p>Some of the other boys greeted Warren, and raised their hats as they -saw Irene—whom most of them knew by sight; but of Ralph they took no -notice, and Elgert, coming by in his canoe, called out loud enough for -all to hear—</p> - -<p>"Keep your eyes on your property, you fellows, you might lose something -here."</p> - -<p>"The cad!" muttered Warren, while Irene gave Ralph's arm a little -squeeze, as if to tell him never to mind.</p> - -<p>"The cad!" said Warren again. "He would not dare do that if you were in -the playground; and just<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_138" id="Page_138">[Pg 138]</a></span> look at him showing off in that canoe—as if -no one but he could use a paddle."</p> - -<p>"He cannot use one," laughed Ralph. "That is not the way to swing it. -He takes it over and over like the sails of a windmill, describing -circles with every stroke."</p> - -<p>"Well," asked Warren, "how would you use it? I confess that is the way -I should handle it."</p> - -<p>"It is not the right way. It should be swung from side to side, and he -will be over if he tries to play tricks like that"—as Elgert made a -fancy stroke which brought the boat down on one side.—"There, he has -dropped his paddle! Be careful"—and he raised his voice—"Be careful! -He is over!"</p> - -<p>Yes; the warning came too late. Elgert reached over to regain his -paddle, the canoe took one sudden lurch, turned bottom up, and sent the -boy struggling into the water. Elgert could not swim—Ralph saw that -at a glance; and, without waiting, off went coat and waistcoat, and -into the river Ralph Rexworth went after his foe—the river that ran so -swiftly on to the boiling, roaring weir.</p> - -<div class="center"><img src="images/i138.jpg" alt="Into the river Ralph Rexworth went" /></div> - -<p class="bold">"<span class="smcap">Into the river Ralph Rexworth went after his -foe.</span>" p. 138</p> - -<p>It was a hard fight, but Ralph had the advantage of being carried by -the current right down to the struggling boy, and, ere long, he had -reached him, was gripping his arm, and had commenced the struggle back -to the bank, only to find that Warren was by his side ready to give his -help.</p> - -<p>And between them they managed to get Elgert<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_139" id="Page_139">[Pg 139]</a></span> back to the shore. Not -without a big battle, for the water pulled like giant hands, seeking to -sweep them all away. They had to swim in a slanting course, and even -then, ere the bank was reached, they were perilously near to the spot -over which the water took its leap, and where the notice-board with the -big "Danger" was so prominently fixed.</p> - -<p>But they managed it; and Elgert was hurried off by his friends, while -Warren and Ralph, soaked as they were, had to race back to Mr. St. -Clive's, with Irene behind them urging them not to stop for her, but to -get back as quickly as ever they could.</p> - -<p>Only to think of it! Ralph Rexworth had actually rescued, with the help -of Warren, his enemy Horace Elgert from almost certain death!</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_140" id="Page_140">[Pg 140]</a></span></p> - -<h2><span>CHAPTER XV</span> <span class="smaller">THE LOST POCKET-BOOK</span></h2> - -<p>Ralph Rexworth was inconsolable—he had lost his pocket-book. Now, a -lost pocket-book may not seem a very big thing to grieve over, seeing -that another one can be bought for a reasonable sum; and yet Ralph did -grieve, and grieve greatly.</p> - -<p>For this pocket-book was not like other pocket-books that might be -bought. It was one which his father had given to him—the very last -present which he had ever received from him—and it contained, amongst -other things, and the greatest treasure of them all, a portrait of -his darling mother, and the letter which his father had written to -him on the day he made the present. What wonder, then, that a boy who -loved his parents as Ralph Rexworth had done should grieve, and grieve -greatly, over such a loss?</p> - -<p>He found out the loss shortly after he reached Mr. St. Clive's, after -rescuing Horace Elgert. He had been looking at some portraits of Irene, -which had only just arrived from the photographers, and she had<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_141" id="Page_141">[Pg 141]</a></span> given -him one to keep for himself. What should he do with such a gift but put -it into his pocket-book—and his pocket-book was not there!</p> - -<p>Irene saw the change which came over his face when he had discovered -the loss, and she asked him what was the matter. His face went quite -white, so that Tom Warren, looking at him, wondered why such a manly, -sensible chap should look so bad over such a little thing.</p> - -<p>But then Tom Warren had father and mother living, and plenty of friends -around; so that made all the difference. He did not understand what it -was to be all alone in the world, or how people like that treasured -every relic of friends and happy days that had been.</p> - -<p>"Perhaps it tumbled from your pocket when you threw your coat off down -by the river?" he suggested. "Let us go and have a look for it." And -the two boys set off together.</p> - -<p>"He does seem cut up," the monitor reflected, as they ran on; for Ralph -hardly had a word to say now, so anxious was he.</p> - -<p>But, no—no pocket-book was to be found. They searched every foot of -the towing-path, and then went into the wood, to the very spot where -they had rested that afternoon; but not a sign of the book could they -see, and at last Warren declared that it was no use looking further.</p> - -<p>"You cannot have dropped it anywhere about here,"<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_142" id="Page_142">[Pg 142]</a></span> he said, "unless -some one has seen it and picked it up. Had it got your name inside?"</p> - -<p>"Yes," answered Ralph; "but then they won't know where to bring it. How -will they know who Ralph Rexworth is, or where he lives? I am afraid I -shall never see it again; and—and—" And Ralph broke off, unable to -finish his sentence.</p> - -<p>"Oh, come, don't be like that, Rexworth!" protested Warren. "At any -rate, you can advertise for it and offer a reward; and any one who -found it would be only too glad to bring it back and get the money. An -old pocket-book is not so great a find that any one would want to keep -it from you."</p> - -<p>"No; it is only of value to me," admitted Ralph, giving one last vain -look round. "Well, it is no use staying here now; and it is beginning -to grow dark. I suppose that we had better go back."</p> - -<p>The St. Clives were quite anxious to know whether the book had been -recovered when the two boys once more reached the house, and they were -full of sympathy when Ralph sadly shook his head.</p> - -<p>"I suppose you are quite sure that you brought it away from school -with you, Ralph?" said Mr. St. Clive; and that brought just one little -ray of hope. Ralph could not be quite sure. He thought that he had -done so—he always took it from the pocket of the coat he took off and -transferred it to that of the one he was going to wear. He had taken -off his school-jacket when he left that afternoon, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_143" id="Page_143">[Pg 143]</a></span> though he felt -nearly sure that he had done so, he could not be quite certain that he -had taken his pocket-book from the pocket.</p> - -<p>But he felt so anxious and worried that all the pleasure of the evening -was gone; and when Warren finally said good-night and ran off to his -own home, it was still with the reflection that Ralph Rexworth must -indeed be a queer sort of chap, or else there must be some extra -special reason for his worrying over that pocket-book in the way he did.</p> - -<p>And when Warren had gone, Irene came and sat by her friend's side, -being, indeed, a staunch little friend herself, and wanting to do -something to comfort him; and she whispered again how she sympathized -with him, and that perhaps the book was still at school, or, again, if -it were really lost, it would be sure to be found by some one who would -be likely to see the advertisement which Mr. St. Clive said should be -printed, and then they would certainly bring it back to him.</p> - -<p>And then she talked of the deed which Ralph had done that day, and how -glad she was that he had been the means of saving Horace Elgert; and -how, in returning good for evil, he would be sure to conquer; and just -for the moment Ralph forgot his loss, and was interested.</p> - -<p>"I could not do anything else, Irene," he said. "When it comes to -saving a fellow's life, one cannot stop to consider whether they are -friends or enemies.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_144" id="Page_144">[Pg 144]</a></span> It had to be done, though it has cost me enough," -he added sadly.</p> - -<p>"You think that you lost your pocket-book then?" she said; and he -nodded.</p> - -<p>"Yes. I must have jerked it out of my pocket when I threw my coat off."</p> - -<p>"Well, then some of the other boys will most likely have found it, and -they will bring it back to you on Monday."</p> - -<p>"I hope, if they do find it, they will not open it and get playing -about with its contents," he said anxiously; and she laughed.</p> - -<p>"Why, how silly, Ralph! How can they possibly find out to whom it -belongs unless they open it? Why should you mind that? You have nothing -in it that you are afraid for people to see?"</p> - -<p>"Oh, no, no; of course not!" he answered quickly. It was not that. -He could not explain it to Irene—he could hardly understand it -himself—but the idea of other hands touching that, and other eyes -prying at its treasured contents, was very repugnant to Ralph's -feelings.</p> - -<p>The next morning Ralph was up early, almost as soon as it was light, -and back in the neighbourhood of Becket Weir; and there, all alone in -the freshness of the early day, he hunted this way and that, far more -carefully than he had done the previous evening, but with as little -success. There was not a trace of the pocket-book, but—he paused, his -nerves tingling<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_145" id="Page_145">[Pg 145]</a></span>—some one had driven along the towing-path. The tracks -were perfectly plain upon the dew-damp earth; and the tracks were -those of a light cart which was drawn by a horse lame in its left fore -foot—the same tracks which he connected with his father's fate, and -which he had not seen for some time now!</p> - -<p>He stood looking round. It was Sunday—the day of peace and rest -and gentle thoughts, and yet for the moment his heart filled with -hard ones. He must follow these tracks! They might not lead to the -recovery of his father—alas! he could not but believe now that father -was dead—but they would lead to the man who had killed him; and -then—then——</p> - -<p>Sweet and low the bells came from the distant church, ringing for the -first early morning service. They seemed to whisper messages to Ralph; -but for once he turned a deaf ear to their voices. He must follow these -tracks, Sunday or no Sunday.</p> - -<p>Along the path he went, his eyes fixed on the ground—past the roaring, -tumbling weir, and the marks grew clearer. Hope rose in his excited -heart. This was more in accordance with his tastes and desires. It was -like being back on the long, rolling prairies. He would find out the -truth now—at least, he would find out who this man was who drove a -lame horse!</p> - -<p>Vain hopes, vain thoughts! Clear and unbroken, the marks ran until -the towing-path turned out on the main road just by Becket Bridge, -and there, on the hard, stony road, all tracks were lost. It was<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_146" id="Page_146">[Pg 146]</a></span> -failure again; and a sudden rush of sorrow came to Ralph, a sudden -sense of disappointment and loneliness; and sitting down there on -the stone coping of the wall that separated the road from the river, -Ralph Rexworth burst into tears. He could not help it—he felt so very -depressed and weary; and not even the thoughts of Mr. St. Clive and -Irene could drive that depression away.</p> - -<p>But still the bells rang, and their sweet voices thrust themselves upon -him. I am not sure that a good cry is not a good thing sometimes, even -for a boy. He felt all the better now, and he thrust back his weakness -and squared his shoulders, turning once more for the house, lest his -absence, being noticed, the family might wonder what had become of him.</p> - -<p>But his adventures were not quite over for the morning; for, as he -went back, he became aware that far off to the right, just where the -spinney came creeping down to the common, there were two persons -walking—a man and a boy. He could see them quite plainly; and though -they were so far off, his eyes, accustomed in the past to be used on -the sweeping plains, where safety, and even life, may depend upon keen -sight, distinguished the boy as his former chum, Charlton—Charlton and -a man—who but his father? And again came the thought, in spite of all -the reasoning which Mr. St. Clive had used—was there any connexion -between that man, the tracks of the lame horse, and his own dear -father's disappearance?</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_147" id="Page_147">[Pg 147]</a></span></p> - -<p>Very slowly did Ralph return to his benefactor's house. He was -restless, anxious; all the stormy feelings seemed to have returned. And -all this had come through the loss of his pocket-book!</p> - -<p>That Sunday was a hard one for Ralph. Even the quiet church, with its -solemn service, its sweet music, and its glorious coloured windows, did -not seem quite the same to-day. It was as though Satan was combating -with him, whispering that it was no use striving to go Christ's -way—that the road was too hard and the service too ill-paid—that it -was far better to give up trying to be noble and good and just be as -other boys were—as Dobson and Elgert, and that sort.</p> - -<p>Indeed, the temptation came that it was just downright silly to go to -school at all, when he could go back to his old life and live in all -the wild freedom of the plains. So Ralph was tempted; and it seemed as -if he could get no good from the day at all—as if all striving to do -so were in vain—and as if he would have been just as well if he had -stopped away from church altogether.</p> - -<p>Even Irene did not seem able to cheer him up. Despairing thoughts, dark -thoughts, doubting thoughts—one after another they came; for Ralph was -like Christian in <i>Pilgrim's Progress</i>—he was in the dark valley, and -all manner of evil things seemed to assail him as he journeyed.</p> - -<p>Perhaps Mr. St. Clive understood—he seemed to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_148" id="Page_148">[Pg 148]</a></span> understand most -things—for that night, when the family knelt at prayers together, he -prayed especially for all who had special grief to bear and special -temptations to endure; and somehow that prayer seemed to do Ralph more -good than anything else had done. It seemed to pull him up, and to tell -him that, let him be tempted as he might, conquest was possible if the -temptation was met in the strength which comes through prayer.</p> - -<p>Monday morning came at last—the first Monday morning when he had -really felt anxious to get back to school; and off he set, promising to -write to his friends and let them know whether the pocket-book was safe -at the school in the pocket of his other coat.</p> - -<p>He met Warren on the road, and the monitor asked him if the book was -found; but Ralph shook his head in token that it was still missing.</p> - -<p>The school was reached at last, and Ralph hurried across the playground -and darted up to the dormitory. His coat was in his box. He felt in the -pocket; the book was there—safe! There had been no need to worry! He -had left it behind him, and it had been safe all the time!</p> - -<p>Warren had followed him, and Charlton was there, and half-a-dozen of -the others. Charlton had taken no notice of him when he ran in.</p> - -<p>"There you are, you kite!" laughed Warren. "You left it here all the -time, and you have been worrying yourself to fiddle-strings, as if it -contained the most<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_149" id="Page_149">[Pg 149]</a></span> important things in the world, and just trembling -in your shoes for fear any one should find it and open it, and——"</p> - -<p>Warren stopped short. A boy, running by, accidentally pushed against -Ralph and sent the book flying from his hands. It fell at Warren's feet -and burst open; and from it there fluttered on the floor, in plain view -of every boy there—a five-pound note!</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_150" id="Page_150">[Pg 150]</a></span></p> - -<h2><span>CHAPTER XVI</span> <span class="smaller">THINGS LOOK BLACK FOR RALPH</span></h2> - -<p>A five-pound note!</p> - -<p>There it lay, face upwards; and for a moment there was silence in the -dormitory. Every eye was turned upon the boy, who stood staring at that -accusing piece of paper, as if turned to stone. If ever any one looked -guilty, Ralph Rexworth did at that moment. It was so unexpected, so -inexplicable—and worst of all, though not a word was spoken, he seemed -to feel what his companions thought, to know that they looked upon him -as a liar and a thief.</p> - -<p>As for Warren, he stood with open mouth and staring eyes, as if he -could not believe his senses. So this was why Ralph had been so anxious -about finding his pocket-book! But when Elgert, who had also come -into the room, took in the scene and muttered scornfully something -about "Like father like son," Warren turned on him savagely, with a -contemptuous—</p> - -<p>"Shut up, you cad! You, at any rate, should be the last one to speak, -seeing that he saved your life on Saturday." And at that sharp reproof -Elgert shrank away, abashed for once.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_151" id="Page_151">[Pg 151]</a></span></p> - -<p>Then Warren stooped and picked up the note, for it still lay there, and -every one seemed too bewildered to move—and he held it out to Ralph.</p> - -<p>"Rexworth," he said, in low, grave tones, "this was in your -pocket-book. It don't want much talking about, you can see what it -looks like against you. But I want to say, and I feel that I must say -it, I cannot believe that a chap like you can really be guilty of such -a horribly mean thing. You and I have been good chums, and if any one -had asked me my opinion, I should have said that there was no chap in -the school I could more honour and trust. But this thing has got to be -explained, and I must do my duty as a monitor, even if it gets my best -chum into trouble. I must tell the Head of this. If I did not, some one -else would, and it is my duty to do it."</p> - -<p>"You don't think that I stole it," faltered Ralph. It seemed so -horrible that it unnerved him, and made him lose his firm resolution -for the moment. It would be only for a little while: presently the old -grit would come back, and he would be firm enough. But the greatest may -flinch for the moment—recoiling from the horror of the accusation or -suspicion—and others may put down their agitation to a wrong cause, -think it the evidence of a guilty conscience, and condemn them untried.</p> - -<p>"You don't think that I stole it?" he faltered, as if pleading that -Warren would not think so poorly as that of him. But the monitor -replied gravely:</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_152" id="Page_152">[Pg 152]</a></span></p> - -<p>"I don't think anything about it, Rexworth. I don't want to think, for -if I did, I should think wrong, perhaps. I can only act on the thing as -I know it. You lost your pocket-book, you said. You were in a terrible -mess over the loss. You, yourself, said to me that you hoped no one -would look inside it if they picked it up; and I, with my own eyes, saw -this note fall out of it just now, the note I suppose Mr. Delermain -lost, and which you declared that you had not seen. I must tell the -Head. I only wish that it were not part of my work to have to do so."</p> - -<p>Then the old resolution came back. Ralph's self had not deserted him, -and he spoke, quietly and calmly, so that all the dormitory could hear -his troubled tones.</p> - -<p>"Thank you, Warren. I value your friendship, which makes doing your -duty so hard a thing for you, and I quite understand that you cannot -give me that friendship now, while this thing is over me. I know it -looks very bad against me. I have some enemy here, and that enemy has -been just a little too clever for me."</p> - -<p>Just as he spoke his eyes caught sight of Charlton, standing looking so -white and scared, and the thought came: Had he done this? He seemed to -avoid his gaze. Ralph paused only a moment, and then went on—</p> - -<p>"There is one thing, however, that I can do to prove that I value your -friendship, and that is take the task of speaking from you. If you -choose to wait until after prayers, I will tell the Head myself, in -open school, and you can all hear me do it."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_153" id="Page_153">[Pg 153]</a></span></p> - -<p>Warren hesitated for a moment. He hated to have to do the task, and if -Ralph would tell himself, it would do just as well.</p> - -<p>"Very well," he said, "if you will do that, I have no objection; and, -look here, you fellows," he added, turning to the others, "do, for -mercy's sake, keep this to yourselves, all of you; or it will be all -over the school, and it is not a nice thing to have connected with our -Form. We may have been a bit wild, but we have never had a thing like -this before, and I would have done anything rather than have had it -now."</p> - -<p>He turned away as he spoke, and the others followed slowly, leaving -Ralph there alone—alone with his pocket-book, and the note which had -come from it.</p> - -<p>No, not quite alone, for Charlton still stood there regarding him with -the same half-frightened, half sorrowful look; and at last Ralph, -becoming aware of his presence, turned and looked at him.</p> - -<p>"Well," he said, "what do you want? Why don't you clear off, like the -rest have done?"</p> - -<p>The boy backed away from him, as if almost frightened.</p> - -<p>"And it was you, all the time," he said, in low tones. "You, whom I -thought so noble and good! You took it, and then you dared to ask me if -I had taken it, to hint that it was me. Oh, Ralph Rexworth, I did not -think that there was any one as mean as you."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_154" id="Page_154">[Pg 154]</a></span></p> - -<p>Ralph regarded him gravely for a little while, and then he said—</p> - -<p>"And suppose that I still think that you took it, Charlton? Suppose -that I ask you whether you put this note in my pocket-book?—for some -one put it there, that is quite certain. Is this done in spite, because -of what I said to you on Friday?"</p> - -<p>Then Charlton started forward, as if beside himself with anger.</p> - -<p>"How dare you, Ralph Rexworth—how dare you! Is that the way in which -you are going to try and get out of it? Try and put it on to my -shoulders! Ralph Rexworth, I stayed here when the others went because I -was going to offer you something—going to offer to take the blame and -seem to be the thing which you accuse me of being. The boys all look -upon me as a thief's son, and it would not make much difference if I -were turned out. I was going to offer to say that I had done this, and -put it into your book. Going to do it because you were kind to me, and, -even after what you said, you tried to make friends again. I would have -done it, Rexworth, but I will not now. If you can be as mean as that, I -will not do it."</p> - -<p>"Hold on a bit, Charlton," answered Ralph. "If you had any idea of that -sort, I thank you for your kindness. But you don't suppose that I would -be a party to a thing of that kind, do you? Let you tell a lie and get -the blame, that I might escape trouble!<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_155" id="Page_155">[Pg 155]</a></span> Not me! If you have done it, -own up or hold your tongue, as you like. But if you have not done it, -you shan't say that you have, and that is all about it." And he added, -as Charlton turned away—</p> - -<p>"If I have wronged you with my suspicions, I am sorry. I know how easy -it is to be wrongly judged."</p> - -<p>"And you will find how hard it is to bear," the other boy said, and -then he, too, turned away, leaving Ralph considerably perplexed. Had -Charlton taken the note and placed it in his pocket-book? After all, -Ralph hardly thought so, it was not like him to do that, and yet—yet -some one must have done this wicked thing, some one who wanted to get -him into trouble!</p> - -<p>But there was no more time to spare, the bell for prayers was ringing, -and he went down to his place.</p> - -<p>In spite of Warren's pleading, it was evident that the story had leaked -out; for, as Ralph appeared, there was a considerable amount of subdued -hissing and groaning, which made the masters look up in surprise, and -the monitors to call silence in angry tones.</p> - -<p>Then the Head appeared, and prayers were read. Poor Ralph! It was -harder than ever to attend to worship now. He felt nervous at the -ordeal before him, and yet he felt also that to seem nervous was to -seem guilty—and he was innocent! That thought calmed him. The service -was over, the Head was just going to dismiss the school when Ralph rose -in his seat, and said in clear tones—</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_156" id="Page_156">[Pg 156]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Please, sir, may I say something in open school? It is something of -importance, something connected with the banknote which Mr. Delermain -lost."</p> - -<p>The words created quite a sensation amongst those who were ignorant of -what had transpired, and the doctor answered—</p> - -<p>"Would it not be better to speak with myself first, Rexworth? Then I -can decide whether what you have to communicate should be made public."</p> - -<p>"I would rather speak here, sir. In fact, I have promised to do so. It -only concerns myself, please, sir."</p> - -<p>"Then you may speak. Be brief and plain, and let us hear what you have -to say."</p> - -<p>So Ralph spoke, turning half to the Head, half to the school; and -describing how he had thought that he took his pocket-book with him and -how he had found it in his other coat, when he got back that morning; -and how, also, the five-pound note had been seen to tumble from it, -when it fell on the floor.</p> - -<p>"I know, sir," he said, in conclusion, "that the thing looks as bad as -bad can be, and that if every one here believes me to be a thief, it -is only natural; but I can only say, sir, what I have said from the -beginning. I am quite innocent. I never saw that banknote from the time -when Mr. Delermain laid it on his desk until this morning, when it fell -from my pocket-book and Warren picked it up."</p> - -<p>The doctor listened in silence, his keen eyes fixed<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_157" id="Page_157">[Pg 157]</a></span> upon the face of -the lad before him; and Dr. Beverly felt perfectly certain that Ralph -Rexworth was speaking the truth.</p> - -<p>And yet, if that were so, it meant not only that some other boy was a -thief, but also that a boy must be deliberately trying to get Rexworth -wrongly accused; and that seemed a very dreadful thing in the eyes of -the noble, upright master of Marlthorpe.</p> - -<p>"You say you were under the impression that you took your pocket-book -home with you, Rexworth?" he said, when the boy had concluded; and -Ralph replied—</p> - -<p>"Yes, sir. I can say yes to that, though I suppose that I must be -mistaken, seeing that I found it safely in my coat-pocket when I went -to the dormitory the first thing this morning."</p> - -<p>A low murmur went round the school. Some of the boys were evidently -convinced that Ralph was guilty, and that he was only striving to -screen himself, and their youthful hearts rebelled against such -behaviour.</p> - -<p>"Hiss, hiss!" "Thief, thief!" ran round, and Ralph started as though he -had been struck by a whip.</p> - -<p>The doctor struck his bell sharply, and silence followed. The offenders -looked somewhat dismayed at their own audacity.</p> - -<p>"Silence, there!" he cried. "Is it the custom to call a man guilty -before even the whole evidence is heard? What Rexworth says is very -true. The facts do seem<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_158" id="Page_158">[Pg 158]</a></span> to unite to condemn him, and yet it is -possible that those facts are unworthy of credence."</p> - -<p>"Whatever does the Head favour that fellow for?" muttered Elgert, -to one of his own friends. But he received a look of disgust and an -impatient—</p> - -<p>"Oh, shut up! Didn't he pull you out of the river?" That was the second -time that morning Horace Elgert had been so rebuked.</p> - -<p>"This," the Head continued, "demands the most careful, searching -investigation. If Rexworth is guilty, I shall be the last to screen -him; if he is innocent, it is but my duty to strive to establish that -innocence. If any boy has been wicked enough to deliberately do this -for the very purpose of getting this lad into trouble, I most earnestly -entreat that boy to think of what he has done, and to confess his fault -before this goes farther, and——"</p> - -<p>The Head paused and looked round, the door was opened, and Lord Elgert -had entered, just in time to overhear his last words.</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_159" id="Page_159">[Pg 159]</a></span></p> - -<h2><span>CHAPTER XVII</span> <span class="smaller">THE PLOT THAT FAILED</span></h2> - -<p>The entrance of Lord Elgert interrupted the serious business being -carried on; and somewhat impatient, even if curious, glances were -directed towards him as he walked up to Dr. Beverly.</p> - -<p>"I evidently come at an inopportune moment," the nobleman said, as he -surveyed the scene before him; "and yet, perhaps, it is a fortunate -interruption, if this lad is in trouble, as he seems to be"—and -he nodded towards Ralph, who met his gaze with some coldness. "If -my interruption is untimely I will withdraw." And he looked round -inquiringly.</p> - -<p>"We certainly are in the midst of a painful inquiry," replied the -headmaster gravely. "I do not suppose that your visit is connected with -it in any way."</p> - -<p>"My visit is wholly and solely to thank Ralph Rexworth and Tom Warren -for their bravery in rescuing my son last Saturday," was the reply.</p> - -<p>And these words also caused something of a sensation, for, to the -school at large the adventure at the river side was still unknown.</p> - -<p>The Head himself had evidently not heard of it,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_160" id="Page_160">[Pg 160]</a></span> for he looked -surprised, and Lord Elgert continued—</p> - -<p>"The two boys risked their lives to save that of my son, and I cannot -be slow in coming to express my thanks and admiration. If Rexworth is -in any trouble, I sincerely trust that any influence which I may have -will be allowed to weigh in his favour."</p> - -<p>"Perhaps we had better finish the business in hand first," suggested -the Head. "It is connected with something of which I understand you -have already been informed. A banknote which was missing some time ago -has been recovered, and it was found in Ralph Rexworth's pocket-book."</p> - -<p>"Dear, dear," said Lord Elgert, in grieved tones; "I am truly -sorry—very sorry. But the temptations to which youth are exposed are -great. It may be possible to overlook this unhappy matter for once——"</p> - -<p>"Sir—sir," broke in Ralph, indignantly appealing to Dr. Beverly, "I -know that you have always been kind to me, and I ask you to protect -me from Lord Elgert's insults, lest I may forget myself and say words -which I ought not to say. I want no friendship nor influence of his. I -am not guilty, and I will not accept anything which will make it appear -that I am. As to saving his son, Warren did as much as I did, and we -could do no less for any one who was in danger, but I can honestly say -that I wish that it had been any one else than Horace Elgert."</p> - -<p>A very ugly look swept over the face of Lord Elgert, and he stepped -back, remarking to Dr. Beverly—</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_161" id="Page_161">[Pg 161]</a></span></p> - -<p>"In that case, there is no need for me to interrupt you any longer—at -any rate, so far as this boy is concerned."</p> - -<p>"Now, attention!" said the Head; and the school straightened up again. -"We have heard what Ralph Rexworth has to say, and some of you are -evidently quite certain that he is guilty—that he is a thief, and, -worse, a liar also—and that in face of what we have just heard. A -boy who risks his life to save that of another is surely not so poor -spirited as this. To believe that he is, is to believe that utter -contradictions can be reconcilable."</p> - -<p>"Please, sir," said one lad, rising in his place, "there is one thing -which I should like to say."</p> - -<p>"You may speak, sir," was the reply which he received; and the boy went -on—</p> - -<p>"Rexworth says that he thought he took his pocket-book away with him on -Saturday. Please, sir, so he did, for I saw him take it from his other -coat. He laid it on his bed for a minute, and then looked at a likeness -in it, and afterwards put it into his pocket. So that if it was found -here this morning, some one must have picked it up and brought it back."</p> - -<p>"That is most important, if it is true," said the Head, while Ralph -felt a rush of relief, and turned grateful eyes upon the speaker.</p> - -<p>"Are you sure that he did put it into his pocket, and not either -replace it in the coat from which he took it, or leave it lying on the -bed?"</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_162" id="Page_162">[Pg 162]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Quite sure, sir," answered the lad confidently. "I saw him slip it -into his pocket, and I wondered whose likeness it was that he carried -about with him."</p> - -<p>"It is my mother's, sir," said Ralph in a low voice.</p> - -<p>And the Head nodded.</p> - -<p>"Then, if this be true, a most wicked and evil plot has indeed been -attempted—one so bad that, when I discover those who invented it, they -shall surely be expelled. I am glad to have this testimony, although it -was almost needless, for I am already quite certain that Ralph Rexworth -is innocent—or, I had better say, that the evidence against him is -valueless.</p> - -<p>"In the first place, this pocket-book"—and he held it up—"has -certainly been dropped, for its side is still stained with mud, and -there is the mark of a boot, where some one has stepped upon it. In the -next place—and this in itself is sufficient—a little mistake has been -made. Is this note yours, Rexworth?"</p> - -<p>And he turned, holding the banknote to the astonished Ralph.</p> - -<p>"No, sir," the boy answered, not knowing what to make of this turn in -affairs.</p> - -<p>"Have you not such a thing as a five-pound note?" he was next asked.</p> - -<p>And again he replied in the negative.</p> - -<p>"Well," the Head went on, "it certainly is not the one lost by Mr. -Delermain. Every banknote, as I suppose you know, has its own number, -and this number is not that of the note lost, so that either<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_163" id="Page_163">[Pg 163]</a></span> some one -has been kind enough to make Rexworth a present of a five-pound note, -or else they have, by oversight, or through ignorance, put a note into -his pocket-book to make it appear that he is a thief, not considering -that it is as easily distinguished from the one which is missing, as if -it were for a different amount, and——"</p> - -<p>The doctor paused once more, for Ralph broke down. He had kept stiff -enough so far; but now, as he heard that by no means could he be -accused, and that some one must certainly have done this out of spite, -his courage gave way, and he cried out—</p> - -<p>"Why should any one want to harm me so? I have done nothing to make any -one wish me evil. I am almost a stranger in England, and yet people try -to do such things as that! I cannot stay, sir. I must ask Mr. St. Clive -to send me back. England is a wicked place, and strangers are treated -wickedly."</p> - -<p>"Perhaps all England is not as bad as you think it, my lad," replied -the Head kindly, "though I confess that your experiences are enough -to make you form such an opinion. But do not decide hastily. I think -that out of all such trials you will emerge a conqueror, and I know -that such wicked attempts as have been made against you must, sooner or -later, recoil upon the heads of those who make them."</p> - -<p>"I sympathize with the lad," said Lord Elgert, "and I take no offence -at the way in which he spoke. You remember, Rexworth, that if ever you -want a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_164" id="Page_164">[Pg 164]</a></span> friend you can come to me. I think your decision a wise one. -This land is no place for you, and if you wish to return to your old -home, I will myself provide all the money which is required. I want you -to let me give you a gold watch—I have one for Warren, also."</p> - -<p>"I will take nothing from you," cried the boy, so that all could hear. -"I do not trust you. For some reason you seem to hate me, and I believe -that you are at the bottom of all my troubles."</p> - -<p>"Rexworth," said the Head, in grave remonstrance; and the boy checked -himself.</p> - -<p>"I am sorry, sir. I ought not to have spoken like that," he said -penitently; "but Lord Elgert knows how impossible it is to take any -favours from him, after what he has said about my father. All I desire -of him is that he will leave me alone to fight my own battle."</p> - -<p>Lord Elgert shrugged his shoulders.</p> - -<p>"If that is so, I cannot help it," he said. "If you change your mind -and need a friend, you can come to me. Now for Master Warren."</p> - -<p>"Please, sir," said Warren rising, "I don't want anything for just -doing my duty; and, anyhow, I could not take any present or reward -without first asking my father's leave."</p> - -<p>Lord Elgert bit his lip.</p> - -<p>"It seems that I am to be deprived of the pleasure of giving any -reward at all," he said. "In that case, I will intrude no longer, Dr. -Beverly."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_165" id="Page_165">[Pg 165]</a></span></p> - -<p>And with a sense of discomfiture Lord Elgert departed, and the Head -again addressed the boys, enlarging upon the wickedness of what had -been done, and once more pleading that the culprit, whoever he was, -would act a man's part, own his wrong, and ask for mercy. Alas! there -was no response to his pleading, and after a short pause the Head -dismissed the school to its various classes.</p> - -<p>But surely never before had Marlthorpe had so much to talk of; and -never before did the masters allow more talking. For the thing was so -bad, and the lessons to be learned so grave, that each master felt as -if it were almost his duty to bring the subject before the boys, even -to encourage them to talk of it, if in so doing those lads could be -taught that honesty and truth must prevail in the end, and that deceit -and wrong-doing must fail.</p> - -<p>But oh, what a good thing it was for Ralph when Mr. Delermain shook -hands with him.</p> - -<p>"My dear boy," the master said, "none can rejoice more than I do that -the clumsy attempt to fasten this theft on your shoulders has failed. -Had it not been shown to be such an attempt, I should still have felt -confident that it was so, being sure that you would not have done -this thing. Still, it is well to have it proved to be but an attempt. -Now, take my advice, and banish it from your mind. Do not even worry -as to who did it, nor as to their motive. These things will manifest -themselves in time, and until they do<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_166" id="Page_166">[Pg 166]</a></span> they are not worth troubling -about, nor allowing to interfere with your work, and particularly with -your chances for the Newlet."</p> - -<p>And Warren came to him also, as frank and good-hearted as could be.</p> - -<p>"I suppose that you feel as if you wanted to punch my head," he said; -"but I had to do my duty, old fellow, even if it were an unpleasant -one."</p> - -<p>And to him Ralph had answered—</p> - -<p>"I should have thought precious little of you if you had not done it. -Of course, you could not have done anything different from what you -did."</p> - -<p>Charlton said nothing—only he looked at Ralph wistfully, and it seemed -as if there was something of relief in his eyes. Charlton was a puzzle -to Ralph. He could not understand the boy anyhow.</p> - -<p>Nor was Warren the only one who came and spoke to Ralph and expressed -abhorrence for the attempt to brand him as a thief, and satisfaction -that he was cleared from the accusation.</p> - -<p>But that same day, in a quiet corner of the playground, Horace Elgert -came across Dobson, and, seizing him by the collar, he shook him -savagely.</p> - -<p>"You great blundering donkey," he said. "How did you come to do it? You -have made a pretty mess of things."</p> - -<p>"Well," growled Dobson, shaking himself free, "it is no good to kick up -a row about it. No harm is done, only he has managed to get clear."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_167" id="Page_167">[Pg 167]</a></span></p> - -<p>"But how did you do it? I cannot think how it was."</p> - -<p>"Easy enough. I had five pounds that my aunt sent me. I am a favourite -with her"—and Dobson smiled complacently. "Well, I had that in my -pocket, and when you handed me over the other note, after I picked up -his pocket-book, I must have put the wrong note in, that is all."</p> - -<p>"But what did you do with the one I gave you?" demanded Elgert quickly.</p> - -<p>"Changed it up in the town."</p> - -<p>"Changed it!" he gasped. "You idiot! Don't you know that it can be -traced by its number? I suppose that you wrote your name on the back?"</p> - -<p>"Of course I did," said Dobson, looking very scared.</p> - -<p>"Yes, and that note will come back to you, perhaps brought by a -constable. You have done a nice thing!"</p> - -<p>"But I didn't steal it—you stole it!" cried Dobson, in alarm. And -Elgert struck him a savage blow.</p> - -<p>"So you would turn sneak, would you? Well, there is no proof that I -stole it. There is plenty of proof that you had it, changed it, and put -your note into the pocket-book. You will suffer, and not me."</p> - -<p>"What—what can we d-d-do?" gasped Dobson, his knees knocking together. -And Elgert answered—</p> - -<p>"We must go up into town to the place where you changed it. We must get -that note back if we can, even if we have to give double for it. There -is no telling what will happen, unless we get hold of it."</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_168" id="Page_168">[Pg 168]</a></span></p> - -<h2><span>CHAPTER XVIII</span> <span class="smaller">WHERE THE BANKNOTE WENT</span></h2> - -<p>Brown's cake-shop was out of bounds for the younger boys at -Marlthorpe College. The boys in the upper classes might go there if -they chose; but as it was over a mile from the school, the Head had -wisely determined that it was too far away for the little lads to be -continually running there to spend their pocket-money; especially as -there was a very clean and nice shop in the village close by—a shop -kept by a kindly old dame, where Dr. Beverly was certain the boys could -not come to harm.</p> - -<p>It was quite as good a shop as Brown's; but, because it was within -bounds, and because the lads were forbidden to go to the town, it was -not patronized as it should have been; while Brown's received many a -secret visit. It was a shame that the upper fellows might go there, -when the juniors might not! It was the cause of heartburnings. There -were no cakes in all the world like those which Brown's sold! The chief -inducement to get promoted was that Brown's might be visited freely.</p> - -<p>Of course, it was wrong and foolish; but then,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_169" id="Page_169">[Pg 169]</a></span> boys are apt to think -wrongly and do foolishly; and, therefore, the reason of two small -mortals scuttling along the road, and dodging into Great Stow, with -eyes ever on the alert for monitors and masters, was not hard to -seek—their destination was, of course, Brown's.</p> - -<p>A nice pair of young rebels they were. One was small and freckled and -sandy, with small eyes, and a decidedly pug nose; and the other was a -remarkably fat youth—so fat that it really seemed wonderful that he -could run as he did.</p> - -<p>They darted along, avoiding the main street, until the noted -establishment was reached; then, after a careful and cautious peering -in, to make sure that the coast was clear, they dived in, and the door -closed behind them.</p> - -<p>Now, Brown knew about these unlawful visits. He was very glad that -he was without bounds, for he was quite certain that being so would -increase his trade. He encouraged his youthful customers. He called -them noble-spirited boys, who refused to bow to harsh rules. He said -they were young heroes; and he had a nice little room behind the -shop, with the window screened by a thick curtain—rather holey and -dirty, it is true—and there was a bell to ring for Brown; and little -white-topped tables to sit at; and it seemed so grand and "grown-up" to -call for the waiter—though it was Brown himself who came—and to order -a penny bun, or a jam tart, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_170" id="Page_170">[Pg 170]</a></span> for Brown to say "Yes, sir; at once, -sir." Oh, it was very, very delightful, and it had a spice of adventure -about it.</p> - -<p>So into the private room dived the two youthful spendthrifts, and -ordered tarts and ginger-beer and ices, and then seated themselves at -their ease to enjoy this forbidden feast.</p> - -<p>"Ain't they prime, Jimmy?" gloated the fat boy, as he put himself -outside a three-cornered puff; and Jimmy, with his mouth full of tart, -was understood to reply that they were "ripping."</p> - -<p>The shop-bell tinkled, and Jimmy jumped up. He was not quite sure who -might come in, and he squinted through one of those convenient holes in -the blind, a fragment of tart still in his hand.</p> - -<p>"I say, it is Elgert's man!" he said, looking round. "I wonder what he -wants here?"</p> - -<p>"Oh, he doesn't signify. Let us enjoy ourselves, for we cannot stay -long, and we shall have to run all the way back."</p> - -<p>That eating cakes was a good preparation for running a mile is open -to question, but the two boys evidently had no doubts concerning the -matter; and so they sat there, while the man who had entered talked to -Brown over the counter, and, seeing that the door was not quite closed, -the boys could not help hearing a little of what passed.</p> - -<p>"I'll bide my time, Brown," Elgert's man said. "I will not be -impatient, but I will humble that<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_171" id="Page_171">[Pg 171]</a></span> young cub yet! I hate him even more -than I do his father. He treats a man like the dirt beneath his feet!"</p> - -<p>"So he does," muttered Jimmy Green to Tinkle; "that is quite right!"</p> - -<p>And Tinkle nodded. He was busy with an ice just at the moment.</p> - -<p>"I say," said Brown to the man, "if you are not in a hurry, I wish that -you would run over to the inn and ask them to change me this five-pound -note? It is one which I changed for one of the boys from the school the -other day."</p> - -<p>Two youthful pairs of ears pricked up, two hands were arrested as they -conveyed two cakes towards two mouths. A five-pound note changed for a -boy from the school! This was exciting!</p> - -<p>"I can cash it for you myself," the man said; "I have just been paid my -month's money."</p> - -<p>"I shall be obliged," said Brown. And then followed the ringing sound -of money being counted out; the man picked up the note, glanced at it -and put it into his pocket.</p> - -<p>"I will look in as I return," he said to Brown; and away he went.</p> - -<p>"I say! Think we can get out of Brown who changed that note?" said -Tinkle to Green. "It's jolly funny, after what took place to-day!"</p> - -<p>"I don't know," answered Green thoughtfully. "Fact is, Tinkle, old man, -I don't know that I am<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_172" id="Page_172">[Pg 172]</a></span> anxious to do it. It is awkward to know too -much sometimes. There is the chance of having to split on some chap you -are friendly with. If you don't know you can't say."</p> - -<p>"And if you don't say, some one may stay wrongly suspected," was the -retort of Tinkle. And then, the shop-bell sounding again, necessitated -another going to peep through the blind.</p> - -<p>"Oh, I say!" gasped Tinkle, as he looked through a hole; "if it isn't -Elgert himself this time, and his crony Dobson is with him!"</p> - -<div class="center"><img src="images/i172.jpg" alt="Oh, I say, gasped Tinkle" /></div> - -<p class="bold">"<span class="smcap">'Oh, I say,' gasped Tinkle; 'if it isn't Elgert -himself<br />this time.'</span>" p. 172</p> - -<p>"Well, they won't split," was the philosophic reply. "They will only -want to go shares. I know 'em both."</p> - -<p>"Eat cakes while we pay; and Dobson is such a greedy beast!" And Tinkle -groaned to himself.</p> - -<p>"Perhaps they are not going to stop," whispered Green. "They may only -be going to take something back with them."</p> - -<p>It seemed like it; for the two boys outside made no attempt to enter -the inner room. They both seemed rather flustered and out of breath, -and as Brown came forward to attend to their wants Dobson panted out—</p> - -<p>"Oh—er—I say, Brown. That—that note I changed the other day. I -should like—that is—I mean——"</p> - -<p>"We want it back!" put in Elgert impatiently,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_173" id="Page_173">[Pg 173]</a></span> pushing his companion -aside. "We cannot explain why, but we are very anxious to get hold of -it!"</p> - -<p>"Fact is, we fancy that it is bad, and we don't want you to be the -loser, you see," added Dobson. And Brown smiled slightly and nodded.</p> - -<p>"That's very good of you young gentlemen—very good and honourable. But -you have no occasion to worry; the note was good enough. I saw to that."</p> - -<p>"Well, good or bad," Elgert said, "I want to get hold of it! And, as -you know, I am always willing to pay for what I want. I will give you -six pounds for that note, Brown!"</p> - -<p>The man glanced at him shrewdly. What did this mean? Why had they -invented that lie about the note being bad; and why were they willing -to give a pound extra to get it into their hands again?</p> - -<p>"I am very sorry, sir," he said slowly, "but the fact is, I have parted -with that note. I changed it only a short time ago."</p> - -<p>"Changed it!" Elgert went rather white, and Dobson groaned dismally. -"Whom did you give it to?" was Elgert's quick inquiry. "Perhaps he has -it still!"</p> - -<p>"Well," responded Brown, "the fact is, I can hardly remember. You see, -a lot of money passes through my hands, and I have passed on four or -five notes to-day. I should have to inquire of the different people, -and find who had the identical note that you require."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_174" id="Page_174">[Pg 174]</a></span></p> - -<p>"And will you do it?" cried Elgert quickly. "I will not grumble about -the price. I want to get the note back, and I am willing to pay well -for it. When can you let me know about it?"</p> - -<p>"If you came to-morrow, sir, about this time, I'd see what I could do -meanwhiles. I may be able to get hold of it again, if it has not been -paid into the bank."</p> - -<p>There was nothing more to be done. Elgert and Dobson came away with a -horrible feeling of nervous apprehension filling their hearts. If that -note was gone, what might not the consequences be for both of them? -They were quarrelsome—each blamed the other—each tried to screen -himself. But recriminations were of no avail; nothing was of avail, -unless it was getting hold of the note once more.</p> - -<p>And when the two had gone, the feasters on unlawful pastries came forth -from their hiding-place; and having settled their bill with lordly air, -they also set out for the school, for there was no time to lose if they -were to be back before calling over.</p> - -<p>But they had something to think about indeed! Why did Elgert want that -note? And how came it that Dobson had possessed one to change at all?</p> - -<p>"What are we going to do about this, Jimmy?" inquired Tinkle, as they -ran along, and Green answered without the slightest hesitation.</p> - -<p>"Nothing! That is my advice, Tinkle. We can't do anything without -owning up to having been out<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_175" id="Page_175">[Pg 175]</a></span> of bounds; and I don't want my name down -for punishment now. We don't know that the note is the one which Mr. -Delermain lost. We only know that it is one Elgert and Dobson want to -get hold of for some purpose of their own; they may be trying to trace -something about it."</p> - -<p>And then Brown went to stand at his shop-door, impatiently watching for -the return of his companion, and hailing him as he saw him appear round -the bend of the road.</p> - -<p>"It's curious that they should be so anxious to get that note back" he -said, when he told the other of Elgert's request. "Offered a pound, and -said he was willing to go beyond that. Well, as you have changed the -note, it is your property, and the profit will be yours. Of course, you -will part with it?"</p> - -<p>The man drew the note from his pocket-book, and examined it carefully -ere he answered.</p> - -<p>"It is quite genuine," he said, and Brown laughed.</p> - -<p>"Of course, it is! I knew that all along. That part of their story was -all nonsense. There is something up, but you may as well make your -little bit out of it. Say I give you six pounds for it, and chance -making any more myself?"</p> - -<p>"Not to-day," was the quiet answer. "You shall have it in a day or two. -You can say that you have been promised that it shall be returned."</p> - -<p>"But what do you want to do with it for a day or two?" asked Brown, -with something of curiosity.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_176" id="Page_176">[Pg 176]</a></span></p> - -<p>And the man looked him in the face, and replied, with a quiet smile—</p> - -<p>"Do? Oh, nothing! I only think that it may be as well if I have this -banknote photographed. You can have it after that, and we will share -the profits."</p> - -<p>Then Brown laughed, and clapped him on the back.</p> - -<p>"You are a smart fellow!" he cried.</p> - -<p>And the man answered.</p> - -<p>"There are some people living who will find that out to their cost one -of these fine days!"</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_177" id="Page_177">[Pg 177]</a></span></p> - -<h2><span>CHAPTER XIX</span> <span class="smaller">THE LAME HORSE ONCE MORE</span></h2> - -<p>If Elgert and Dobson and the two juniors who had overheard that -conversation in Brown's cake-shop were the four most excited concerning -the five-pound note which had been stolen from Mr. Delermain, they were -not the only ones in Marlthorpe College who were interested in the -matter.</p> - -<p>From first to last the whole school could do nothing but discuss the -mysterious business; and, whatever else it did, the attempt to put the -guilt upon Ralph's shoulders resulted in his being all the more firmly -established in the favour of most of the boys.</p> - -<p>Even those who had not liked him were more friendly now; for there was -something so shameful and wicked in trying to get him accused of that -which it had been proved he was innocent of, that they could not but -feel sympathy for him. Then the story of his brave deed in rescuing -Elgert was strongly in his favour. After all, boys at heart love -bravery.</p> - -<p>But of all there, Warren and Ralph himself pondered most. Their -friendship was quite restored, and together they talked and discussed, -and wondered<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_178" id="Page_178">[Pg 178]</a></span> who it could possibly be who would want to harm Ralph.</p> - -<p>And poor Charlton! Ah, how miserable he was now! He had his own weight -of sorrow, and it was very, very heavy to bear; and after what Ralph -had said he could never hope that they would be friends again.</p> - -<p>"I suppose that I am to blame," he said. "Perhaps I took things too -much to heart. I feel that I am never to have friends. I—I don't care! -Rexworth might give me another chance; but if he won't—if he is so -taken up with Warren—he can do as he likes. I don't care!"</p> - -<p>Poor Charlton! He did care, for all his talk—care very much. He was -lonely and sad; but he did not stop to think that Ralph had already -given him chances, and that it was his own fault that he had not taken -them. When we are miserable we are also apt to be unjust, and to put -the blame for our own actions upon other people's shoulders.</p> - -<p>And how interested and indignant, and yet withal delighted, were the -St. Clives when they heard of what had happened.</p> - -<p>"A clean reputation is a good thing, you see, Ralph," Mr. St. Clive -said. "It is surely worth something to feel that people have such a -high estimate of you as to realize that you are utterly incapable of -doing a mean thing, even though appearances are so strong against you."</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_179" id="Page_179">[Pg 179]</a></span></p> - -<p>"It is just splendid to think how you have come out of it, Ralph!" was -Irene's delighted comment when the two young people were alone. "It is -like when wicked people tried to injure the brave knights of old, and -when truth and valour and true chivalry triumphed over all opposition. -There is something, even here and now, to be gained when people know -that you are fighting under honour's flag!"</p> - -<p>And Ralph had to acknowledge that she spoke the truth, and to own that -he was now very glad that he had resisted the temptation to yield and -to run away from his troubles.</p> - -<p>That Saturday holiday—the one after the business of the note being -found in his pocket-book—was one of the happiest that he had spent -since coming to Stow Ormond—a day when the clouds seemed to have -lifted, when the sun seemed brighter, and when faith grew more strong. -It came from the feeling that he had fought a good fight, and that he -had been helped to be more than conqueror.</p> - -<p>And yet he had forgotten nothing of his father. He was as anxious as -ever to solve the mystery surrounding his disappearance; only now, -instead of being impatient, he felt that he was preparing in the best -way for seeking the truth by staying with Mr. St. Clive, and by working -as hard as ever he could.</p> - -<p>And on that same afternoon he walked with Irene as far as the pretty -old inn; and old Simon, the <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_180" id="Page_180">[Pg 180]</a></span>landlord, greeted him with a cheery smile; -for, indeed, Simon felt a great interest in the lad, seeing that the -first scene in his strange story was enacted beneath his roof.</p> - -<p>"And how are you, young gentleman?" he asked. "And you, too, -missie?"—as the two entered the yard. "Come to pay a visit to old -Simon—eh?"</p> - -<p>"I have come to talk to you, Simon," answered Ralph. No one ever called -the landlord of the <i>Horse and Wheel</i> anything but Simon. "I have come -to ask you something."</p> - -<p>"That's right, sir! Ask away—though I don't promise to answer if it is -a poser. I haven't had the education which you young people enjoy."</p> - -<p>"It is nothing to do with education, Simon," laughed Ralph. "I want -to ask you whether, now that you have had plenty of time to think of -it—as I feel sure you must have thought—do you think that you have -any recollection of ever having seen my father before? I feel certain -that he knew the place; and if he knew it, perhaps you may be able to -think of some one whom he reminds you of."</p> - -<p>But Simon shook his head at that question.</p> - -<p>"I am afraid that I cannot answer that, sir. Your father certainly did -know the place; for when I told him the number of his room he walked -right up to it without waiting to be shown. And, in some way, I seem to -have a faint recollection of having<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_181" id="Page_181">[Pg 181]</a></span> seen him before; but it is all dim -and hazy like, and it wouldn't do to go upon."</p> - -<p>"Thank you, Simon. Now the other question—and I want you to keep this -to yourself; I have a particular reason for that. Do you know any one -in the neighbourhood who drives about in a light trap, and who has a -horse lame in its left foreleg?"</p> - -<p>"Well," said the old man thoughtfully, "come to that, there are plenty -of folk with light traps hereabout; and I know of two lame horses. Old -Saxer, the carter, has one, and Hopkin, the butcher, has one, and—why, -yes, Lord Elgert himself has a pretty little mare lame in her left -foreleg. She hurt herself in a hole, and, though she goes all right -now, she has a bit of a limp. And, why, come to think of it, now I -remember who your father put me in mind of."</p> - -<p>"Who—oh, who?" cried Ralph eagerly; while Irene looked on not less -interested.</p> - -<p>"Who?" said the innkeeper. "Why, of old Lord Stephen! He was Lord -Elgert's uncle, and he died without leaving child of his own. He had -one son, who died long, long ago. That is it, for certain! But what -ails you, young sir?"</p> - -<p>For Ralph had gone quite white. He had never expected that answer. Lord -Elgert had a lame horse! Lord Elgert was the nephew of some one whom -his father had resembled! Lord Elgert had told that wicked story about -his father; and Lord Elgert<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_182" id="Page_182">[Pg 182]</a></span> was so very anxious for him to go back to -the plains, and leave England behind him for ever! Surely it could not -be! And yet, as Ralph pondered, he seemed to call to mind a hundred -things to strengthen his suspicions. It could not be that Lord Elgert -knew anything about his father!</p> - -<p>A very grave Ralph walked home to lunch; and a very grave Mr. St. Clive -listened to his story.</p> - -<p>"I could wish that this had not been brought up, Ralph," he said. "I -fear that it will only unsettle you again; and, in spite of all that -you advance, I cannot bring myself to believe that you are anything but -mistaken. Lord Elgert may not be a pleasant man to deal with, but this -is a very, very grave thing to even so much as hint at."</p> - -<p>But whatever Mr. St. Clive might say, Ralph could not get the thing -out of his head. It is not to be wondered at that it should haunt him -and make him feel excited. After waiting so long, this was like the -first real tangible clue. And he had been thinking that it was poor -Charlton's father who must be at the bottom of it! Poor Charlton!</p> - -<p>Walking by himself, Ralph pondered upon the fact that, after all, if -any one had hinted to him what he had hinted to his chum he would have -been just as hurt and indignant. And now that he was cleared it would -be manly and nice to go and ask him to be friends again.</p> - -<p>"He can hardly do anything if I don't give him<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_183" id="Page_183">[Pg 183]</a></span> the chance," he told -himself. "I will do it as soon as I get back to school on Monday."</p> - -<p>His head full of the tracks of lame horses and light traps, he had -taken his way across towards Stow Wood, the scene of that tragedy—for -tragedy he believed there had surely been—and as he walked over the -common he reflected that those marks had led away in the direction of -Great Stow; and in Great Stow or just beyond it, Lord Elgert lived.</p> - -<p>And then, as he walked along, his eyes thoughtfully fixed upon the -ground, he stopped suddenly. Surely things were going strangely to-day; -for, coming on top of old Simon's words, here was the track of the lame -horse again!</p> - -<p>"I will follow it this time," said Ralph to himself.</p> - -<p>And he set forward rapidly. There was plenty of both light and time -this afternoon, and if the tracks led to hard roads he would go on and -search beyond them.</p> - -<p>But he did not have very far to go this time, though he gained but -little for his trouble. The other side the common, and close to Stow -Wood, he came upon the vehicle he had followed—a light trap, truly, -and drawn by a pretty little mare; and with it were three men, one in -the uniform of a constable and the others in ordinary dress.</p> - -<p>"Who does this trap belong to?"</p> - -<p>The question was absurd, perhaps, but he blurted it out without -thinking; and the men turned and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_184" id="Page_184">[Pg 184]</a></span> regarded him with mingled surprise -and amusement.</p> - -<p>"And what has that to do with you, if you please?" said one—the one in -uniform.</p> - -<p>And what could he say? Whatever the other two were, one was a -constable; and surely a constable was sufficient evidence that he had -followed a wrong trail!</p> - -<p>"You seem to have a liking for asking questions, young gentleman," said -one of the other men. "Now, suppose that we ask you one? Have you seen -any one out here—any one that seemed as if they were trying to hide? -We are looking for a prisoner of ours, who escaped some time back, -and who, we believe, is hiding in this locality. Have you seen any -suspicious character about?"</p> - -<p>Detectives! A prisoner! It must be Charlton's father! How glad he was -that he could answer truly that he had seen no one! And the man who had -put the question replied to him, when he had finished:</p> - -<p>"Thank you. Now, as you have answered me, I will answer you; though -I confess that I do not understand the reason for your question. The -horse and trap belong to Lord Elgert. Doubtless you have heard of him. -He kindly lent them to us that we might be saved a long walk."</p> - -<p>It was Lord Elgert's! And these men, in Lord Elgert's trap, were -looking for poor Charlton's father! Ralph thanked the constables, -letting them remain in ignorance as to the real reason for his -question, and with slow and thoughtful steps turned into Stow Wood.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_185" id="Page_185">[Pg 185]</a></span></p> - -<p>He was bewildered, perplexed, stunned. It was Lord Elgert's trap! Could -Lord Elgert be the one who had harmed his father?</p> - -<p>Pondering deeply, he walked on, hardly noticing where he went, until -suddenly a slight exclamation recalled his wandering senses. He looked -up. He had penetrated into a little glade, and there before him stood -two people—his chum Charlton and a man! He had found the one for whom -the police were searching so close at hand!</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_186" id="Page_186">[Pg 186]</a></span></p> - -<h2><span>CHAPTER XX</span> <span class="smaller">TO MR. ST. CLIVE'S</span></h2> - -<p>The man started to his feet, with an exclamation of mingled rage and -despair; while Charlton stood before his father, his arms outstretched, -as if he feared that Ralph would rush forward and seize him.</p> - -<p>His face was very white, as he looked at the boy who had been his -friend and champion, and cried, in tones of misery and reproach—</p> - -<p>"You! Oh, this is mean and cruel! I did not think that you would act -the spy and hunt us down. Let him go—let him go quietly; and, if you -want to harm any one, hurt me. I will not move, or cry out, no matter -how much you beat me—only let my poor father go, and do not tell any -one you have seen him."</p> - -<p>Now, Ralph had been standing in silence, too surprised to say anything. -Despite what Mr. St. Clive had said, he had some sort of idea that this -man must, in some way, know of his father's disappearance, even if he -himself had no hand in it, just as he still thought that Charlton knew -more about the missing note than any one else, though that suspicion -was beginning to weaken considerably now.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_187" id="Page_187">[Pg 187]</a></span></p> - -<p>But as he looked from the boy to the man, and as he heard that pathetic -appeal, every feeling, save that of pity, vanished. This man should not -be captured, not if he could hinder it; and he said, advancing a step, -and holding out one hand in friendship—</p> - -<p>"Why, Charlton, you don't think as meanly of me as that, do you? I -neither want to harm you nor your father, though it is quite true that -I came here to find you."</p> - -<p>"But—why? How did you know that we should be here?" questioned the -boy, not yet reassured.</p> - -<p>And Ralph hurriedly explained how he had followed the trap and come -upon the policemen.</p> - -<p>"I felt certain that it must be your father whom they were after," he -said; "and so I determined to come through the wood to try to find you -and give you warning. We must be quick, or there will be no chance of -getting away."</p> - -<p>"Oh, father," wailed Charlton, "I wish that I had not persuaded you to -come here again! You will be taken! What shall we do?"</p> - -<p>"My boy," answered the man calmly, "try and be brave. We owe our thanks -to this young gentleman for the kindly warning he has brought. If I -must be taken, I must; and I will try to bear it patiently, though it -is very hard. It is strange that they should have Lord Elgert's trap," -he added bitterly. "Elgert has been at the bottom of all my troubles."</p> - -<p>"Look here!" expostulated Ralph bluntly. "It's<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_188" id="Page_188">[Pg 188]</a></span> no good stopping here -talking and wasting time when every minute is precious. Those fellows -are on the farther side of the wood, and they are beginning to search, -and they won't leave off until they have hunted right through the -place."</p> - -<p>"But where can we go?" asked Charlton, wringing his hands. "This place -has nowhere to hide in; nowhere that could not be found if once people -were really searching."</p> - -<p>"They will search; there is no doubt of that," answered Ralph. "But we -may manage to elude them. We cannot stay here dodging round, that is -quite certain. We must manage to get out of it and find somewhere else -to hide."</p> - -<p>"Ah, my kind boy, but where shall that somewhere be?" said the man, -shaking his head. "It might have been in my own home, but now that they -think that I am here, and are on my track, they will keep their eyes on -that spot, and I have not one single friend who will shelter me."</p> - -<p>"Hush! Hush!" cried Ralph suddenly. "Listen! There is no time to lose. -They are in the wood on that side. Creep after me. Stop! Cover those -leaves over or they will see where you have been standing."</p> - -<p>"You are thoughtful for one so young," murmured the man, as he obeyed -Ralph's instructions. "Well, I will place myself under your guidance, -and trust to you. Where shall we go? Through that undergrowth?"</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_189" id="Page_189">[Pg 189]</a></span></p> - -<p>"No, no! You cannot move through that without making a noise and -leaving traces. Keep to this path. I feel sure that is wisest. Bend -low, and step lightly. Come! Now, Charlton, buck up, and we will save -your father yet."</p> - -<p>His confidence inspired them with hope. Unhesitatingly they followed -his lead. The path he chose led them into another clear little space, -away to the right of that which they had left. They could hear the -noise made by their pursuers in their rear, and they did not seem any -better off here. It was only putting off the end for a little time, -and so Charlton's father said, but Ralph would not listen to him. He -had been in as tight a corner before, when he and his father, and two -more, had been pursued by the Indians of the plains, and had dodged and -doubled for three whole days ere they had thrown their foe off their -track. Ralph was not going to give up yet.</p> - -<p>"Stop!" he said. "You must climb up this tree. No, not that one!" as -Charlton ran to a big, old decaying oak.</p> - -<p>"But this is hollow. We can hide in it," objected the boy.</p> - -<p>But Ralph shook his head.</p> - -<p>"I can see it is hollow, and so can any one who has a pair of eyes. -That is just why we must not go there, for they will be sure to look in -it. Up this one!"</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_190" id="Page_190">[Pg 190]</a></span></p> - -<p>"But we shall be seen."</p> - -<p>"Do as your friend bids you," said the man.</p> - -<p>And Charlton obeyed, his father following him.</p> - -<p>Then did Ralph show his cunning, for, directing them to stand with -their backs against the trunk, he showed them how to draw the branches -down until they made a thick canopy all around them. Ralph himself -stood at the bottom, carefully examining their hiding-place.</p> - -<p>"Now, if you stand quite still, as you are, no one will be able to see -you," he said. "But remember there must be no noise and no movement; -everything may depend upon that. Keep still. Here is some one coming!"</p> - -<p>A man appeared at the end of the glade, and, catching a glimpse of the -boy's form, gave a shout and ran forward; but he stopped, and looked -very cross, as Ralph himself walked innocently to meet him, with the -question—"Have not you found him yet?"</p> - -<p>"No," grumbled the man. "He is a slippery fellow, and is giving us a -lot of trouble; but we will have him yet. We are working right through -the wood, and we must be driving him before us, and when he gets to the -other side——"</p> - -<p>"He will bolt," said Ralph.</p> - -<p>But the man smiled grimly.</p> - -<p>"Into our arms. We have four men stationed keeping watch there. No, we -shall have him yet. You have not seen him?"</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_191" id="Page_191">[Pg 191]</a></span></p> - -<p>"There was a man in that little hollow, the other end of this path. I -saw him there," said Ralph, with perfect truthfulness.</p> - -<p>"Which hollow? The one to the right?" said the man quickly.</p> - -<p>And Ralph nodded.</p> - -<p>"Ah, we have looked there! He has bolted. Then we are right on his -track. Stop a minute, though. That old tree looks a likely place. Here, -give us a hand, boy! I will lift you, and you look in. Can you see -anything?"</p> - -<p>And he lifted Ralph, and helped him to scramble up, and peer down into -the hollow depths of the old oak.</p> - -<p>"Can't see much," said Ralph, his head in the hollow. "There is a gleam -of light below, and something dark. Can't you clear away the leaves a -bit, and then I can see whether it is a man or not?"</p> - -<p>The constable sprawled on the ground, and thrust his arm into the hole -at the bottom of the trunk, dragging out leaves and dust, till Ralph -cried—</p> - -<p>"It is all right; I can see now. There is no one there. What I was -looking at was a lot of leaves. They have tumbled over now, and you are -pulling them out."</p> - -<p>"That's no good, then; only it looked a likely place. Down you come, -boy!"</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_192" id="Page_192">[Pg 192]</a></span></p> - -<p>And, helping Ralph down, the man turned and ran off, satisfied that -he had looked in the only place where the fugitive could have hidden -himself.</p> - -<p>"I see that you are a clever lad," said Mr. Charlton when the fugitives -again stood beside Ralph. "But what now? You heard what he said? There -is no getting away on that side."</p> - -<p>"We are not going out that side, though," was Ralph's answer. "We are -behind them now, and while they are hunting forward, we will go back."</p> - -<p>"They will have left watchers behind them."</p> - -<p>"I suppose so. They cannot have left many, though, for they had not -enough men. Back is our only chance. We will try it. There is no time -to stop talking now," he added, as he saw that the man was going to ask -more questions. "Come, follow me!"</p> - -<p>Going cautiously, pausing to listen again and again, he led the way; -and soon they were getting close to that side of the wood from which -the search had commenced. Then he bade the other two remain hidden, and -he went forward by himself, until, at last, he was able to peer from -the hedges.</p> - -<p>He did not see a single man, though he looked carefully; but he did -see—and the sight made his heart jump wildly—the horse and trap, the -horse contentedly feeding on the rich grass. He would risk it! One -chance, and one alone, offered, and he would take it!</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_193" id="Page_193">[Pg 193]</a></span></p> - -<p>He beckoned to his companions to join him, and whispered his plans.</p> - -<p>"It is the only chance. No one is near the trap, and we can drive off -before they will even know that it is gone. Will you dare it?"</p> - -<p>"Yes," said the man desperately.</p> - -<p>And Ralph, with a "Follow me, then!" was at the trap, had the rope, -with which the horse had been tethered, cut; the other two were up -after him, and, with a crack of the whip, away they went, clean across -the open moor.</p> - -<p>Lame or not, that pony had to go, for once. They were right across, -close on two miles away, and getting near to Great Stow, before a -distant shout, and figures running from the wood, told them that the -theft had been discovered.</p> - -<p>"Lie down, Charlton," he said, "and you sit directly behind me," he -added to the man. "It will be far better if they can only see one -person in the trap. We don't want them to know that I helped you if it -can be avoided."</p> - -<p>They reached the road; then turned to the right, so that the view was -shut off from those behind. No one had seen them with the trap, and now -Ralph reined in, and jumped down.</p> - -<p>"Come on!" he said. "Lord Elgert's pony must look after itself now. -Quick, we must hurry!"</p> - -<p>"Where are you going to, Rexworth?" cried<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_194" id="Page_194">[Pg 194]</a></span> Charlton in surprise. "There -is nowhere about here where father can hide."</p> - -<p>But Ralph answered with a smile, never slackening his pace as he spoke—</p> - -<p>"Hurry up! There is one place—a safe place. I am going to Mr. St. -Clive's."</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_195" id="Page_195">[Pg 195]</a></span></p> - -<h2><span>CHAPTER XXI</span> <span class="smaller">A HOUSE OF REFUGE</span></h2> - -<p>"To Mr. St. Clive's!"</p> - -<p>What wonder that the words filled Charlton with surprise. Ralph was -surely risking a great deal in taking such a step. But Ralph knew -Mr. St. Clive, and Charlton did not—and that made a great deal of -difference. Besides, the case was desperate. Somewhere must be found in -which to hide; and no other place offered, so to Mr. St. Clive's they -went; and Ralph, leaving his two companions in the garden, went indoors -by himself.</p> - -<p>But if the Charltons were surprised when Ralph announced his intention -of going to Mr. St. Clive's, that gentleman was still more astonished -when the lad told him of his adventures, and what he had done.</p> - -<p>"You know that you said, sir," Ralph concluded by saying—"that you -always had a great idea that Mr. Charlton was innocent; and that if I -were instrumental in getting him taken I might regret it all the rest -of my life, and so I thought that you would be sure to sympathize with -the poor man, and be ready to help him."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_196" id="Page_196">[Pg 196]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Well, Ralph," laughed Mr. St. Clive, "you have certainly taken me at -my word. However, I do not know but what I am glad that you have done -so; and Mr. Charlton being here, I may be able, after consultation with -him, to devise some means of proving that he was innocent of the crime -laid to his charge. Let us go and welcome him."</p> - -<p>It was very affecting, that meeting between the two men—the one so -weary and dispirited, the other such a true Christian gentleman; but -Mr. St. Clive soon put the other at his ease, and they all entered the -house. Irene was out with her mother at the moment; and after Mr. St. -Clive had seen that his new guest was provided with food, he spoke, and -the other three sat listening attentively.</p> - -<p>"Now, Mr. Charlton," he said, "I have been thinking, and I can see one -way for your remaining here in safety, and being able to communicate -freely with your wife."</p> - -<p>"That is a blessing too great to be possible," sighed Mr. Charlton; but -Mr. St. Clive smiled kindly.</p> - -<p>"I differ from you. It is not only possible, but easy. Listen to me. -It is unlikely that any one will dream of looking for you here; but -to make doubly sure, we can disguise you. Now, it so happens that I -am in need of a gardener, and there is a cottage vacant. You must be -gardener. If you know nothing of gardening, that does not much matter; -I can post you up in it. Then, my wife can invite Mrs. Charlton<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_197" id="Page_197">[Pg 197]</a></span> to -visit here, and there will be nothing to prevent her coming frequently, -and staying all day. There is only one thing to remember. Of course, -I shall tell my wife everything, but I do not think that my little -daughter ought to be made a party to this; so to her you will be, say, -Thomas Brown—that is an easy name—and before her our manner towards -each other must be that of master and servant. You will not mind that?"</p> - -<p>"Mind!" cried Mr. Charlton, the tears rolling down his cheeks. "Mind! -Can you think that I shall mind such a trifle as that, when you are so -good, and ready to take the risk of helping me? But this morning I felt -that, excepting wife and son, I had not a friend in the world. Now I -find that God has not forsaken me utterly."</p> - -<p>"He never does forsake those who put their trust in Him," was the -gentle answer. "Well, come with me at once, and we will see about -making a gardener of you, before any of the servants can see you as you -are. And you, boys, remember how you behave to my gardener," he added, -looking at them. "You, Ralph, have been very thoughtful in the way you -have managed—mind you do not make a slip."</p> - -<p>"I will try my best, sir," answered Ralph; and then he and Charlton -were left alone. And then—then all of a sudden Charlton was kneeling -at his feet, holding his hand and kissing it, and sobbing out his -thanks; until Ralph cried out that if he didn't get<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_198" id="Page_198">[Pg 198]</a></span> up he would punch -his head for him, to give him something to cry about, and to show that -he was his friend; and that made poor Charlton laugh feebly.</p> - -<p>And, sitting there, Charlton explained what he was too proud to tell -before—how he had wanted that ten shillings to help his father; and -how his father, not using it, had given it back to him.</p> - -<p>"Indeed, I knew nothing about the note, Ralph," he said. "I know that -you thought I had stolen it, and it made me miserable, but I am sorry -that I spoke to you as I did."</p> - -<p>"All right, old fellow!" answered Ralph, wringing his hand. "Do not let -us think of it any more. Besides, I have a pretty good idea of who took -that note now—or, rather, who caused it to be taken. I don't know for -certain, so I will accuse no one; but I don't think that it was you."</p> - -<p>"You mean Horace Elgert!" cried Charlton; but Ralph smiled and shook -his head.</p> - -<p>"Won't do, old fellow. I said that I would not mention names. But look -here, Charlton, I do want to ask your father one thing. Does he know -anything about my father?"</p> - -<p>"Your father! How can he, Ralph?"</p> - -<p>"He might have been in Stow Wood that night, and have seen or heard -something," the boy said.</p> - -<p>"I will answer that question for myself!" Mr. Charlton entered as -Ralph was speaking, and the boys started, for even Charlton would -not have known<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_199" id="Page_199">[Pg 199]</a></span> his father in the half-bald, grey-bearded old fellow -who stood before him. "I will answer that question, Ralph Rexworth; -and then, after that, I am only Brown, the gardener, remember. I can -give you no information beyond this. On the night of your father's -disappearance—my son has told me about that—I was in Stow Wood, and -I heard a shot; and afterwards I saw a trap being driven rapidly away. -There were two men in it, and one of those two leaned up against his -companion as though he was helpless or badly hurt. Hiding myself, I -could not follow them; but I thought at the time that it looked like -foul play."</p> - -<p>"The second man was not dead?" cried Ralph anxiously; and the answer -was very positive—</p> - -<p>"No, I am quite certain of that, for I heard him groan as they passed -in the darkness. That is all I can tell you. It was natural that you -should think that I knew something about it. I have also heard that I -am supposed to be the one who entered the dormitory at the school one -night; but I am innocent of that. A little thought ought to convince -any one that to do such a thing would be the very last object of my -wishes—the danger of being captured would be too great; and I do not -quite see what any one can imagine that I should want to go there for."</p> - -<p>"It is all a mystery to me," said Ralph. And then Irene's voice was -heard in the hall, and she and her mother entered.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_200" id="Page_200">[Pg 200]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Back again, Ladybird!" said her father, kissing her. Then, seeing her -eyes fixed on the strangers, he went on: "Ah! you want an introduction? -This is Fred Charlton, Ralph's friend; and this is a man who is to be -our new gardener. His name is Thomas Brown. Run off with Ralph and -Charlton for a little while; I want to talk to your mother."</p> - -<p>When the young people were gone, Mr. St. Clive told his wife of Ralph's -adventures, and introduced Mr. Charlton in his proper character. And -Mrs. St. Clive spoke so nicely and kindly, and promised to go and see -Mrs. Charlton the very next day; and when she met Ralph she squeezed -his hand, and gave him such a kiss as made him know that she was glad -he had acted as he had done.</p> - -<p>And on the Sunday Mrs. St. Clive went for Mrs. Charlton, and brought -her back with her. No one saw the meeting between the husband and wife -save their own son; for Ralph had to take Irene right out of the way, -lest she should wonder at their guest talking to the gardener, or going -to his cottage.</p> - -<p>But afterwards, when Mrs. Charlton met the boy to whom she owed so -much—oh, the look of gratitude which she gave him, and the way in -which she spoke! It made Ralph very happy, but it made him very -uncomfortable at the same time.</p> - -<p>And then, the day past and morning come, it was once more back to -school; and some of the boys stared when they saw Ralph and Charlton -appear<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_201" id="Page_201">[Pg 201]</a></span> arm-in-arm, for their quarrel had been noticed and discussed.</p> - -<p>But when Tom Warren saw them, he came running up, a real glad smile on -his face.</p> - -<p>"Hallo, you two!" he said, as he met them. "I am awfully glad to see -this. It's the right thing; and I do hope that you won't quarrel again."</p> - -<p>"I shall never quarrel with Rexworth any more," said Charlton, in low -tones. "You have no need to fear that, Warren. I owe him more than I -can ever repay, though I cannot tell you why!"</p> - -<p>"Perhaps I can tell you why," replied Warren, with a laugh. "For it is -all over the place. Elgert set it going."</p> - -<p>"Set what going?" demanded the two chums, in one voice; and the monitor -went on—</p> - -<p>"Oh, he says that—I don't want to pain you, Charlton, but it is better -to hear it from a friend than from an enemy"—and Warren turned, half -apologetically to Charlton as he said this—"he says that your father -was in Stow Wood, and that the police were looking for him——"</p> - -<p>"And that Lord Elgert lent them his pony and trap to hunt him down," -put in Charlton bitterly.</p> - -<p>"No, he didn't say that. Did he, though? The mean sneak! Well, he says -that your father was there, and that the police saw Ralph, here, go -into the wood. Some one must have warned your father, for he managed to -get out, and got off in the pony and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_202" id="Page_202">[Pg 202]</a></span> trap they had left. They didn't -say it was Lord Elgert's, though. Elgert at once jumped at it that -it was you, Ralph, did the warning, because you are Charlton's chum. -He says it is additional proof that you two had that note, and he is -making a jolly lot about it; though half the fellows, and more than -half, are strong on your side, and say that if it is true, they would -have done the same thing. Elgert says that the police inspector is -ready to knock your head off for the way in which you cheated him."</p> - -<p>"Is he, though!" laughed Ralph. "Well, Warren, as you know so much, -we may as well tell you all about it, when we have time—with one -exception, though. You must not ask us where we took Mr. Charlton, or -where we hid him. That is our secret. The rest you may know. By the -way, I wonder how Elgert will like it if he knows that it was I drove -off in that trap?"</p> - -<p>"You! What a prime joke! I say, Ralph, what a chap you are! Come along, -and let us get in!"</p> - -<p>That the story had got about was very clear, for curious glances were -cast at the pair as they crossed the playground with the monitor; and -then a group of juniors, led by Tinkle, suddenly piped up—</p> - -<div class="center"><div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> -<div>For he's a jolly good fellow,</div> -<div>For he's a jolly good fellow!</div> -</div></div></div> - -<p>Elgert, standing near them, turned with a frown.</p> - -<p>"Shut up that howling, you young cubs!" he<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_203" id="Page_203">[Pg 203]</a></span> growled fiercely; but from -the other side of the playground, and from the Fifths, the same words -came.</p> - -<p>Elgert turned and went into school. He was furious. He had come down -thinking that he had a good chance of getting Ralph into disgrace, and -here the fellows were actually praising him! It was gall to Horace -Elgert; and, through the window, still came the sounds of the refrain -being shouted below—</p> - -<div class="center"><div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> -<div>For he's a jolly good fellow,</div> -<div>And so say all of us!</div> -</div></div></div> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_204" id="Page_204">[Pg 204]</a></span></p> - -<h2><span>CHAPTER XXII</span> <span class="smaller">AN AFTERNOON RAMBLE</span></h2> - -<p>"I say, you two chaps, what are you going to do this afternoon?"</p> - -<p>The question was asked by Tom Warren, as Ralph and Charlton stood at -the entrance to the playground.</p> - -<p>Another week had passed, and it had been a delightful one for both -Ralph and his chum, now that they were friends again. For these two, -so different in natures, liked each other very much; and now that the -trouble was gone, they were drawn still closer together. Of course they -were. Had not Ralph proved what a staunch good fellow he could be? and -had not Charlton shown that he was not only innocent of stealing that -note, but that he was a loyal, true son, doing what he could to help -his unfortunate father?</p> - -<p>It was good to see how the boys had come round and how they regarded -Ralph as a comrade to be proud of; though Elgert and Dobson and the set -whom they led, glowered and sneered, and said unkind things that hurt -no one, and were treated with contempt.</p> - -<p>And Saturday had come, and the boys were preparing to set out for their -homes, and Ralph had a bundle<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_205" id="Page_205">[Pg 205]</a></span> of books under his arm, for he meant to -have another quiet read that evening. The Newlet would want a lot of -working for, and, since he had entered, he meant to do all he could to -win success.</p> - -<p>"What are you going to do?" said Warren; and the pair confessed that -they had made no particular plans.</p> - -<p>"I cannot spare very much time, anyway," said Ralph. "I want to put in -a few hours' work to-night."</p> - -<p>"You will go and make yourself silly if you do too much," answered Tom -Warren. "All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy, you know. Will you -both meet me after you have had lunch—say about one o'clock—and we -will go for a ramble?"</p> - -<p>"Where?" asked Charlton. "Anywhere in particular?"</p> - -<p>"I will tell you a nice walk. Let us go over the moor, and past Great -Stow, out to Crab Tree Hill. It is jolly out there; and there are some -lovely butterflies in the chalk there."</p> - -<p>"Butterflies in chalk?" said Ralph, raising his brows in wonder; and -Warren laughed.</p> - -<p>"You kite! I mean that it is chalk country all round there, and the -butterflies keep to it—fritillaries and skippers and browns; and we -can find some grass snakes there."</p> - -<p>"Don't like snakes," said Ralph decisively, thinking of the terrible -species which he had known in his<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_206" id="Page_206">[Pg 206]</a></span> younger days—snakes whose bite -means certain death. "Well, I don't mind coming. Will you go, Fred?" -And he turned to Charlton, who nodded his assent.</p> - -<p>"That is all right, then," answered Warren. "I will be over for you -just after one, and we can pick up Charlton on our way and—— Hallo! -what is the row?"</p> - -<p>The three lads turned. A scrimmage of some kind was evidently in -progress at the other side of the playground, for there came some hoots -and groans, and, mingling with the noise, a shrill cry of pain.</p> - -<p>"You great coward, let go my arm!"</p> - -<p>"Dobson and Co.," muttered Warren; and the three darted across to the -scene of the trouble; and there they found Tinkle and Green, standing -defiant and somewhat tearful, confronted by Dobson, Elgert and some of -their cronies, while a scattered crowd of angry juniors kept in the -safe background, hurling taunting jeers at the bigger boys.</p> - -<p>"I will half kill you, you cheeky little beggar!" they heard Dobson say -to Tinkle. He had got hold of his arm, and, according to his favourite -fashion, was twisting it painfully. "I will teach you to cheek me! I -suppose it is that beggar Rexworth who has taught you to do it."</p> - -<p>But then Dobson stopped. He had thought that Ralph was gone; and even -as he spoke, he caught sight of him. It certainly was very awkward for -Dobson, and before he knew what to say next, Ralph<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_207" id="Page_207">[Pg 207]</a></span> had quietly but -firmly removed Tinkle from his grasp.</p> - -<p>"You suppose wrong, Dobson," he said calmly. "I should not encourage -any junior to cheek a senior; but I won't see a junior bullied, and you -will please let that youngster go."</p> - -<p>"I didn't cheek him!" cried Tinkle—"leastways, not until he kicked me. -I was standing here talking to Jimmy Green, when he and Elgert came up; -and Elgert shied a stone at Green's head, and Dobson kicked me—the -great coward! Let him stand up fair, and I will fight him myself."</p> - -<p>"Oh, no, you won't, sonny!" laughed Tom Warren. "You will clear off, -and get home at once. No fight if you please."</p> - -<p>"It seems to me," sneered Elgert, "that this school is to be run by -Rexworth and Co. You look here, Warren. It is out of school hours; -and if you think that we are all going to stand being ruled by you -especially when you are under the thumb of such a fellow as that—well, -all I have to say is that you are jolly well mistaken."</p> - -<p>"I mean to say," was Warren's calm reply, "that there is not going to -be any fighting here; and I mean to say that we have the Head's own -orders to stop any more bullying of juniors. There has been a great -deal too much of it in the past."</p> - -<p>"And if we don't obey, you will run sneaking to the Head?"</p> - -<p>"Oh, no, I won't," came the answer. "I will give<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_208" id="Page_208">[Pg 208]</a></span> you a jolly good -licking myself. If it has got to come, let us get it over. Here are I -and Rexworth—Charlton don't count. If you want to see which side is -the best, just you——"</p> - -<p>"Just you all clear off; and you, Warren, don't make an ass of -yourself," said a pleasant voice; and Kesterway, the head monitor of -the school, appeared upon the scene. "Off you go, now! And you look -here, Elgert. You may be an honourable, and a lord's son, but that is -no reason why you should behave like a prig. You keep a civil tongue in -your head, or you may get into trouble."</p> - -<p>Elgert and his companions turned away, for it did not do to defy the -authority of Kesterway; but he muttered as he went—</p> - -<p>"Only wait a little while. I will get some of my own back. If I don't -make Ralph Rexworth suffer for it, I will know the reason why."</p> - -<p>But two youthful individuals, as they also walked away—Tinkle and -Green to wit—discussed darkly the chances of getting equal with Dobson -and Elgert.</p> - -<p>"I vote we tell about that note," said Tinkle; but Green shook his head.</p> - -<p>"What is the good? Suppose they denied it, how could we prove it? You -bet, there would be no chance of old Brown owning up. And besides, -wouldn't it be telling that we had broken bounds? No; we had best wait -a while, Tinkle, and presently the chance will come."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_209" id="Page_209">[Pg 209]</a></span></p> - -<p>"S'pose we sent 'em a what-you-call-it letter?"</p> - -<p>"What is that?" demanded Green; and Tinkle answered lucidly—</p> - -<p>"You know. One of them sort that don't come from nowhere, and is writ -by nobody."</p> - -<p>"Annie nonimus," was Green's suggestion; and Tinkle nodded.</p> - -<p>"Yes, that's him. We might do that; and write on it, 'Who stole the -five-pound note?' or 'What price Brown's cake shop?' or something."</p> - -<p>"We'd best do nothing of the kind," was Green's crushing answer. "That -wouldn't do no good, and it would make 'em think that something was -known. No, Tinkle; you leave 'em alone; and presently they will make a -slip, and then we can have 'em."</p> - -<p>"I'd like to help Rexworth, though," murmured Tinkle.</p> - -<p>"But he don't want no help now. He's cleared about the note. No one -thinks that he took it, not for a moment. It wouldn't help Rexworth. -The thing is dropped, and we'd best leave it alone for the time."</p> - -<p>Meanwhile, Ralph and his friends took their way homeward, ignorant -alike of the threats of their foes or the good wishes of the juniors; -and after lunch was over, Warren in accordance with his promise, called -for Ralph.</p> - -<p>"Hallo! got a new gardener here?" he remarked, as he caught sight of an -old man who was sweeping<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_210" id="Page_210">[Pg 210]</a></span> the path; and Ralph thought how little Warren -guessed who that man really was.</p> - -<p>They set off in high spirits, and after calling for Charlton, they -started upon their long ramble. They rattled on at a good pace, and got -away to the hills, and then—it was most provoking—great dark clouds -had been rolling up, and suddenly, with a roar of thunder and a blaze -of lightning, the storm burst, and it rained—gracious, how it did rain!</p> - -<p>It is not pleasant to be caught in a violent shower at the best of -times, but to be caught when you are away from all shelter is decidedly -unpleasant.</p> - -<p>"Wherever can we shelter?" cried Charlton in dismay, as the three -bolted along, with heads bent down and collars turned up. "This is -cheerful!"</p> - -<p>"I say," suddenly suggested Warren, "there is a thick preserve over -by the road; I noticed it as we came along. Of course, it will be -trespassing and we might get into trouble, but I suggest making for it. -We can get some sort of shelter under the trees, and we may stumble -upon a shooting hut or a keeper's cottage, and if we explain why we -have come, they surely will not mind."</p> - -<p>"Cannot help it if they do," said Ralph desperately. "We cannot go on -in this, and it's five miles into Stow, if it's a yard. Show us the way -Warren, and be quick about it."</p> - -<p>With a whoop and a yell, off scudded Warren, the other two close in -his rear, while the thunder growled<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_211" id="Page_211">[Pg 211]</a></span> and grumbled and the lightning -flickered, and the sky grew so black that things promised to get worse -instead of better.</p> - -<p>They struck the path for which Warren was making; and there, sure -enough, a little farther along, divided from the road by a meadow and a -stout gate, the tall trees of a dark covert waved to and fro. It might -not mean much shelter, but it would mean some, and with a scramble they -were over that gate.</p> - -<p>"This is better," panted Warren. "It is some sort of a screen. I am -jolly well drenched!"</p> - -<p>"I wish that I could get a cup of warm cocoa or tea," shivered -Charlton. "I got hot running, and now it strikes horribly cold."</p> - -<p>"Let's push on a bit," suggested Ralph. "We are trespassing, and we -may as well be hanged for a sheep as for a lamb. Perhaps we shall find -shelter somewhere. Come on, you two, and keep to these open paths. If -you get right into that undergrowth, you may do some damage—disturb -some nests, or something."</p> - -<p>"Right you are, Ralph. I don't think it is much good, though; there -seems no sign of life here."</p> - -<p>"I will soon see if there is." Ralph paused as he spoke. He put his -hand to his mouth and gave a ringing call—one he had learnt from the -Indians on the plains. "If any one is about, they will hear that; and, -at any rate, they cannot say that we are trying to hide from——"</p> - -<p>He stopped and started back, turning as white as<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_212" id="Page_212">[Pg 212]</a></span> death; for from -somewhere, ringing through the silences of that preserve, there came a -sound, muffled, but clear. It was Ralph's call repeated!</p> - -<p>What wonder that he trembled. What wonder that he looked so white. -There was but one other person whom he knew who would answer that call -in that way; and that one person was his own father!</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_213" id="Page_213">[Pg 213]</a></span></p> - -<h2><span>CHAPTER XXIII</span> <span class="smaller">THE RUIN AND THE LONELY HOUSE</span></h2> - -<p>Just that one cry, ringing wild and plaintive through the wood; and -then silence, broken by a loud, angry rumble of thunder.</p> - -<p>Ralph stood there trembling, too agitated to speak; and his two chums -turned anxiously towards him, bewildered at the change which had come -over him.</p> - -<p>"Ralph, old fellow, why, whatever is it? What has come to you?" they -asked; and he replied in hoarse, trembling tones—</p> - -<p>"That call! Did you not hear it? There is only one person who would -give that, and he is my own father."</p> - -<p>For a moment they were staggered by his answer; then Warren said -gently—</p> - -<p>"But, Ralph, how can it be your father? It was only the echo, old -fellow."</p> - -<p>"It was not the echo. It was his voice. Listen—try and hear where it -comes from!" And once again, through the dripping wood, he sent the -Indian cry.</p> - -<p>"Now, listen—listen!" he said; and they waited, but no sound came in -answer—nothing but the shiver<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_214" id="Page_214">[Pg 214]</a></span> of the trees, the patter of the rain, -and the distant growling of the storm.</p> - -<p>"There, you see. It must have been the echo!" said Warren; but Ralph -shook his head.</p> - -<p>"Do not be silly, Warren. If it was the echo it would be heard again; -but we heard nothing."</p> - -<p>Which direction did it come from? They forgot about the wet and the -storm; they forgot everything in the excitement of the moment. Which -direction had the cry come from?</p> - -<p>Warren declared that it sounded as if it was under ground; Charlton -said he fancied that it came from high up, as if some one was in the -air; and Ralph fancied that it was straight ahead.</p> - -<p>"What shall we do?" was the question of Warren and Ralph answered—</p> - -<p>"I am going forward. I mean to search this plantation from end to end, -if I am trespassing twenty times over."</p> - -<p>So on the three went, and again and again did they pause while Ralph -uttered his wild call, but no answer was heard.</p> - -<p>They pushed on, their hearts full of excitement, until they emerged -from the trees with almost startling suddenness. The plantation was -nothing like so thick as they had thought—it was a mere belt of wood, -surrounding a neglected lawn; and in the centre of this, encircled by -a wall, stood the very last thing they would have expected to find -there—a house.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_215" id="Page_215">[Pg 215]</a></span></p> - -<p>A house; but so dreary, desolate looking. All the windows stared blank -and empty, and were encrusted with dirt and grime. Not a trace of smoke -curled up from the chimney-stack, not a sound of life was heard. It -seemed empty, desolate, drear; and the masses of creeper, hanging down -and swinging in the breath of the storm, only intensified the desolate -picture it made.</p> - -<p>The three lads, standing there with every nerve thrilled by a strange, -inexplicable excitement, surveyed the place, and looked at each other -in questioning silence, until Warren said softly—</p> - -<p>"Well, I am blest! Who would have thought of finding a house here?"</p> - -<p>"Where are you going, Ralph?" cried Charlton, for Ralph was moving -forward; and he replied firmly—</p> - -<p>"To that house. I mean to see if any one lives here."</p> - -<p>Right up to the wall walked Ralph. It was a high wall, and only the -upper part of the house could be seen above it. But they found a gate -on the other side; and, without a moment's hesitation, Ralph pushed -it open, entered the garden, and, walking up to the door, lifted the -knocker.</p> - -<p>With what a dull, hollow sound did it fall! A ghostly sound, that -echoed through the house, with that peculiar vibration which is heard -when a place is empty.</p> - -<p>"There is no one here," whispered Warren, after a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_216" id="Page_216">[Pg 216]</a></span> pause—somehow they -found themselves speaking in whispers. "The house is empty."</p> - -<p>Ralph, for answer, knocked again, a louder and longer summons. -"Listen!" he said; and from somewhere they heard a faint sound, as of a -door being shut.</p> - -<p>"It's only the wind, making a door slam," was Warren's comment. But, -for the third time, Ralph sent his call resounding—there was no -mistake about that knock—if any one was in the place they must hear -it, for the door fairly creaked beneath the blows.</p> - -<p>Another pause, a shuffling noise from within, the sound of some one -coming from distant passages, then the unfastening of bolts and chains, -and the door was opened a little space, while a man, big, burly, and -brutal looking, filled the doorway, and barred their entrance—an -altogether evil-looking, cruel-faced man, who, scowling upon the three -lads, demanded in gruff tones what they wanted, and how it was they -were here.</p> - -<p>Just for the moment the three were taken aback; or, brave as they might -be, still they were only lads, and that scowling presence was certainly -very ominous. But Ralph plucked up his courage, and answered that -they were three lads from the distant school, and that they had been -overtaken by the storm and were seeking shelter.</p> - -<p>The man had stood glaring from one to the other as<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_217" id="Page_217">[Pg 217]</a></span> the explanation was -given; and then he said, in the gruffest of accents—</p> - -<p>"Well, and what is all this to me? That is no reason why you should -trespass on my land, and come knocking at my door. I don't want to know -that you are getting wet. It's no interest of mine, is it?"</p> - -<p>"But we are seeking for shelter," persisted Ralph. "Surely you will not -refuse to give that to us?" And he made a slight attempt to push his -way in. The man gave him a shove that sent him almost off the step.</p> - -<p>"Here, none of that sort of thing," he said, "or you will be sorry for -it, my young bantam. You don't think that you can shove your way into -my premises. You three just take yourselves off. You are trespassing on -my ground; and it's lucky for you that the dog is tied up, or he would -tear you limb from limb. Hear him!" And he paused, as a deep, distant -baying was heard from somewhere within. "He is a beauty big enough to -eat you. You just get off as fast as you can. Clear! If you are here in -five minutes time I will set the dog on you!" And he slammed the door, -and left them standing there.</p> - -<p>"What a particularly unpleasant person!" said Warren. "His politeness -is only exceeded by his good looks. Come on, Ralph, it won't do any -good to stand here; and I don't fancy a meeting with that loud-voiced -brute we heard. He had got a bark like a bloodhound."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_218" id="Page_218">[Pg 218]</a></span></p> - -<p>"We had better do as Warren says," added Charlton, a trifle timidly, -for he could understand how badly Ralph must feel. "I know what you are -thinking of. You want to see inside that house, but it is impossible -now. If it is done at all, it would have to be some other time, when -that man did not suspect us. Only I don't think that you are right. I -don't see how you can be."</p> - -<p>"I shall never rest until I have contrived some way of doing as you -say," was Ralph's reply, and his face looked very resolute again. "That -cry was raised by my father. He may not be there—I do not say he -is, but somehow I dislike that man and distrust him. Let us go right -through the grounds. Don't you understand, Warren? I want to see if -there are any other places hidden away here. Who would have said a -house like that was here; and who can say what other house may be here? -You go back if you like, you and Charlton; I am going on."</p> - -<p>"Then on we all go," was Warren's reply; and he and Charlton -accompanied Ralph.</p> - -<p>They crossed the lawn and went out by the gate, and Ralph was conscious -of the face of that man peering at them through one of the upper -windows. He might be a recluse, a miser, a madman—that seemed the most -probable thing; and yet, yet somehow Ralph must get inside that house.</p> - -<p>They pushed their way on into the wood again, making for the opposite -side to that on which they had<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_219" id="Page_219">[Pg 219]</a></span> entered; and then Ralph's words that -they did not know what else they might find were proved to be very -true, for, upon its farther side, bordering upon a stretch of wild -open land, they came upon a ruined building. It looked as if at one -time it had been a chapel, or monastery, or something of that sort; -the pillars, the pointed windows, and the arched doors gave them that -impression. It was a fairly large building, larger than the house they -had left, and its crumbling walls were thickly overgrown with ivy. A -mournful, silent ruin it was, where only the shapes and shadows of -those whose feet had once trodden its stone floors now seemed to lurk; -but it was a shelter, and in Ralph went.</p> - -<p>"I don't care for twenty men and dogs," he said resolutely. "I am not -going on in this rain, and I am going to have a look in this ruin."</p> - -<p>"But you do not think that you will find any trace of your father -there, Ralph," protested Warren.</p> - -<p>"I don't, old man; I only hope for shelter. Come on. If the worst comes -we will get on the stairs and drive off the dog with stones. Come on."</p> - -<p>It looked gloomy outside—it looked more gloomy within, as they passed -in through the yawning space where once a stout oak door had been. How -their footsteps echoed, and how great piles of damp, decaying leaves -lay in the corners, and ugly lizards scuttled away as they went on. -But, for all that, after the first disinclination was got over, there -was something<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_220" id="Page_220">[Pg 220]</a></span> very exciting in wandering about the ruin, exploring -this way and that, going down into dark, oozy places underground, or -clambering up into the old, deserted turret above, at the no small risk -of breaking one's neck. They wandered here and there, until at last a -single ray of sunlight, falling through a broken casement, awoke them -to the fact that the storm was over, and that they could get on their -way again.</p> - -<p>"We had better go, Ralph," said Charlton. "I must, for think how mother -will feel if I am not home when she expects me."</p> - -<p>"Well, I don't think it is much good staying," Warren added. "It seems -impossible that your father should be about here, Ralph. That sound was -an echo."</p> - -<p>"I suppose it must have been something of that sort," Ralph admitted -reluctantly. "There seems to be no other explanation. You must forgive -me for seeming stupid; but, you see, it—it is my father!" He stopped -and Charlton pressed his hand sympathetically, while Warren said -hastily—</p> - -<p>"Oh, of course, old fellow, I understand; and I only wish that we could -have found something out. What a stunning place this ruin would be for -hiding in! You could play hide-and-seek about it for a week!"</p> - -<p>They emerged from the place, and speedily were in the public road again -and walking, with their faces in a homeward direction. But as they went -Ralph turned, and once again he uttered that wild signal cry; and then, -then—was it an echo, or was it indeed a human<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_221" id="Page_221">[Pg 221]</a></span> voice?—after a pause, -faint and low the sound came back once more—whether from earth, or -from air, they knew not; but the cry was taken up and repeated note for note.</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_222" id="Page_222">[Pg 222]</a></span></p> - -<h2><span>CHAPTER XXIV</span> <span class="smaller">FOR THE SAKE OF REVENGE</span></h2> - -<p>Now, on that very afternoon when Ralph and his two friends, on their -visit to Crab Tree Hill, were driven by the storm to seek shelter in -that preserve, Horace Elgert and his companion Dobson, were standing in -close consultation.</p> - -<p>And a very discontented, savage, and disconcerted pair they were, for -things did not seem to be going right with them.</p> - -<p>In the first place, that miserable five-pound note was still missing, -and though the man at the cake-shop had promised that he would get it -for them if possible, he had not yet kept his word; and while it was -still in other hands both boys trembled with apprehensive fears.</p> - -<p>They quarrelled over it, too, Elgert still declaring that, as Dobson -had changed it, he would alone be to blame, and Dobson retorting by -saying that he would confess that he received it from Elgert.</p> - -<p>Then, added to this source of annoyance, there was the fact that, -in spite of all their efforts, Ralph Rexworth was rising in his -schoolmates' esteem, and his<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_223" id="Page_223">[Pg 223]</a></span> influence, coupled with that of Warren -and Charlton, was making itself steadily felt, to the diminution of -their own powers.</p> - -<p>"It seems to me," grumbled Elgert moodily, "that the fellows look -upon trying to give a criminal up to justice as a crime. Some of them -actually hissed at me—and why? Just because my father lent the police -his pony and trap! I can't make out what is coming to them."</p> - -<p>"They are just as down on me in the Fourth," answered Dobson. "There is -no fun in the place now. All the kids have got to be coddled like a lot -of babies; and if you catch one of them a smack on the head for being -cheeky, there are a dozen fellows ready to take his part. Look how that -little beggar Green cheeked me."</p> - -<p>"Well, why didn't you give him a hiding? You were afraid to, that is -the fact."</p> - -<p>"Afraid yourself!" retorted Dobson angrily. "As if I should be afraid -of him! You know that if I had done anything I should have had Rexworth -and all his set about me, and a fellow can't take the lot of them. You -don't care to meet Rexworth yourself, and you know it."</p> - -<p>A dark frown gathered upon Horace Elgert's handsome face. Ah, how that -frown spoilt all his good looks!</p> - -<p>"Perhaps I don't, Dobson," he said grimly. "But there are better ways -of getting even with Rexworth<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_224" id="Page_224">[Pg 224]</a></span> than fighting; and I mean to try them -all. Have you seen Brown again?"</p> - -<p>"Yes," said Dobson.</p> - -<p>And Elgert went on—</p> - -<p>"Well, what did he say?"</p> - -<p>"Only just what he has said all along. He has not been able to get it -yet, but he thinks that he will. I tell you, Elgert, that I believe he -is playing with us——"</p> - -<p>"What do you mean?" cried Elgert sharply. "How playing with us?"</p> - -<p>"Well, he either knows more than he pretends to, or else he suspects -something. I don't think that he means to let us have that note."</p> - -<p>Horace Elgert was silent for a few moments. Evidently he found that -statement very disquieting.</p> - -<p>"It will be a nice mess if it is like that," he said at last. "But it -is no good worrying over it unless it comes. I will go and see him -myself. You are a bit of a messer when it comes to doing anything. You -don't seem to use your wits——"</p> - -<p>"Can't use my wits to make him give me a thing which he has either not -got or don't mean to part with," grumbled Dobson.</p> - -<p>"You might have used your wits to make sure that he never got it. I did -all the dangerous part of the work, and only left you something which -was safe and easy, and you went and bungled it!"</p> - -<p>"Oh, don't begin that all over again. I am sick<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_225" id="Page_225">[Pg 225]</a></span> and tired of hearing -of it. Whenever you have nothing else to grumble about you bring that -up. Just drop it, or don't talk at all!"</p> - -<p>Elgert saw that his companion was getting really cross; and though he -despised Dobson at heart, he could not afford to quarrel with him, for -the boy knew too much of his evil ways; so he affected to laugh at the -angry words.</p> - -<p>"Don't lose your temper," he said. "I never came near such a surly -chap! A fellow can't speak to you without your taking offence."</p> - -<p>"Well, then, drop it. I don't like having things thrown in my face like -you throw that. It is done, and it can't be undone, so what is the good -of talking of it?"</p> - -<p>"You will find there will be some talking about it if ever it comes to -light," was the grim answer. And Dobson looked miserable. How he wished -now that he had never had anything to do with the wretched business.</p> - -<p>"I wonder," mused Elgert, "what became of that fellow Charlton?"</p> - -<p>"We'd best let that alone," retorted Dobson. "We have got ourselves -disliked quite enough over it."</p> - -<p>"What do I care for that? If only I knew where he was, do you think -that I would hesitate to tell? I would do it, if it was only to spite -Rexworth."</p> - -<p>"It would not hurt him," answered Dobson. "It is not his father."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_226" id="Page_226">[Pg 226]</a></span></p> - -<p>"No, but it is his chum's, and he would be sure to feel it. I only wish -I knew where he was."</p> - -<p>"But you don't," remarked Dobson.</p> - -<p>"But I might find out. I only wish that I could!"</p> - -<p>"Talk of angels and see their wings," said Dobson; and at this -apparently vague proverb Elgert turned excitedly.</p> - -<p>"Where? What do you mean? Not the man?"</p> - -<p>"No," answered Dobson, with a shake of the head.</p> - -<p>"I don't see Rexworth or Charlton." And Elgert stared round. "Bother -it! Don't stand grinning there like a monkey. Tell me what you mean."</p> - -<p>"Only that there goes Charlton's mother," said Dobson, nodding in the -direction of the common.</p> - -<p>"Well, what of that? We don't want his mother, do we? It is his father -we are talking about."</p> - -<p>"I know that," came the calm answer. And Dobson looked very knowing. "I -am a monkey and a silly, and I don't know what besides, but I may be -able to think smarter than you can, Elgert. May not Charlton's mother -lead us to Charlton's father? She is sure to know where he is, and do -you know that since that affair she has been going to the St. Clives' a -lot——"</p> - -<p>"How do you know?" demanded Elgert.</p> - -<p>"My sister told me that she has seen her go there frequently; and -sometimes, instead of going right in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_227" id="Page_227">[Pg 227]</a></span> at the front gate she has gone in -at the side one. That looks strange, don't it? And she was not visiting -there before—I know that."</p> - -<p>Elgert pondered a while in silence, then he suddenly turned, and Dobson -inquired where he was going.</p> - -<p>"To follow her. There may be something in what you say. I should hardly -think that they would hide a convict away, but they might—some people -do such strange things—and St. Clive don't like my father, I know. Let -us follow her."</p> - -<p>"Well, it will only be to St. Clive's place. And what are we to do -then? We can't say that she goes to see her husband because she goes -there."</p> - -<p>"What did you tell me about it for, then? You looked knowing enough. -It is not much good talking of a thing if we cannot follow it up. I am -going after her, at any rate. You need not come if you don't want to."</p> - -<p>"Oh, I will come, Disagreeable!" answered Dobson. And the two boys set -out, following the lady, who was quite unconscious of their wicked -desires.</p> - -<p>And they could follow her openly and without fear, for if she had seen -them close by her side she would have thought nothing of it. The boys -from the school were common enough objects in the place.</p> - -<p>And it chanced that Mrs. Charlton was indeed going to see her poor -husband; to try and cheer him,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_228" id="Page_228">[Pg 228]</a></span> and urge him to be hopeful and patient, -and to tell him that presently the clouds would all vanish, and the sun -shine out again.</p> - -<p>And after her the two boys went like spies, and neither Elgert nor -Dobson thought what a wicked thing they were doing. There was with -them the love of doing evil and causing sorrow—the delight of little, -spiteful natures—but there was also the greater desire to cause Ralph -Rexworth pain. That was before everything, and so on they went. And -Mrs. Charlton, all unconscious of evil, entered the grounds of Mr. St. -Clive's house, and as Dobson had said, she went in at the side gate.</p> - -<p>Mr. St. Clive had arranged that with her, so that she could go directly -to her husband's cottage without any of the servants in the house -knowing that she was there.</p> - -<p>And the boys stood at that gate undecided for a little while. The path -was soon lost to view amidst the bushes. Elgert looked round, and then -deliberately climbed over the gate.</p> - -<p>"You can stay or come," he whispered to Dobson; "I mean to go on and -see this through." And Dobson, not without some inward fears, followed -his example. It was delightful, this tracking a man down; it was like -the stories of adventure, and he wanted to see the end of it.</p> - -<p>"Come quietly," directed Elgert in suppressed tones. "Don't make a -noise with your feet, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_229" id="Page_229">[Pg 229]</a></span> stoop down; they might see your head over -the bushes. That is it. Now follow me."</p> - -<p>Creeping along stealthily, Dobson in the rear, he followed the -direction which Mrs. Charlton had taken, and presently the shrubberies -ended, and there were flower beds and lawns. Clearly, it would be -dangerous for them to go any farther if they wished to remain unseen.</p> - -<p>"We will stop here and watch," said he to Dobson. And the latter, -crouching there, whispered—</p> - -<p>"Where has she gone? I don't see her anywhere."</p> - -<p>"She must have gone into that cottage. I would creep across and try to -peep through the window, but I am afraid that I should be discovered; -and if we gave them the alarm, he might be off."</p> - -<p>"You don't think that the man is hiding there, do you?" queried Dobson, -trembling betwixt fear and excitement.</p> - -<p>Truth to tell, when he had made his suggestion, it had been merely from -the love of talking; he had not thought really that there was anything -in it; and now there seemed to be a very great deal.</p> - -<p>"I do think it," Elgert answered. "Hush! Let us watch. No one knows -that we are here, and no one can see us. We can easily creep out the -same way that we came. Keep still, she is coming out of the cottage!"</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_230" id="Page_230">[Pg 230]</a></span></p> - -<p>Yes, Mrs. Charlton was coming out, and with her a poor, bent decrepit -old gardener. But—but she held his arm, and once she pressed a kiss on -his cheek! Horace Elgert felt his heart thrill with evil triumph. He -saw it all now. Mr. St. Clive was keeping the man here, in the position -of a gardener, and Mrs. Charlton came to see him!</p> - -<p>"We have got him now, Dobson," he whispered to his companion. "We have -got him now, and he will not get away from the police a second time! It -is the first step to paying Ralph Rexworth what we owe him!"</p> - -<div class="center"><img src="images/i230.jpg" alt="We have got him now, Dobson" /></div> - -<p class="bold">"<span class="smcap">'We have got him now, Dobson,' he whispered to his<br /> -companion.</span>" p. 230.</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_231" id="Page_231">[Pg 231]</a></span></p> - -<h2><span>CHAPTER XXV</span> <span class="smaller">JUST IN TIME</span></h2> - -<p>"What shall we do next, Elgert?"</p> - -<p>Dobson whispered that question in his ear, as the two crouched in the -shrubbery watching Mrs. Charlton and her husband.</p> - -<p>"Do! What a question! Get away from here, and then go straight to the -police and give them information. They won't mention our names, and the -fellows at the school need never know that we have had any part in it. -We have seen enough, so come on, and mind you don't let them either see -or hear you. I would not have them alarmed for anything."</p> - -<p>The two stole silently off, treading on tiptoe, walking with the -greatest care, until once more they climbed over the gate, and stood -safely in the roadway.</p> - -<p>"Thank goodness we are out of that without any trouble," said Dobson; -and Elgert inquired, contemptuously, what danger he feared would come -to them in the grounds.</p> - -<p>"Dogs," retorted Dobson tersely. "We weren't to know that there were no -dogs loose. I thought<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_232" id="Page_232">[Pg 232]</a></span> that I heard a rustling in the bushes once, as -though one was pushing his way towards us, and it made me turn cold. -Well, now we are here, what next?"</p> - -<p>"The police, at once. How dark it is getting, and was not that thunder?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, I reckon they are getting a smart storm not far from here. The -police-station, is it?"</p> - -<p>"Of course. The man is here, we do not know how long he may remain, -so we cannot waste time; and I am not going to let the possibility -of getting caught in a shower prevent me from having my revenge on -Rexworth, and making things unpleasant for these stuck-up St. Clives. -I hate them! St. Clive himself, because he backs this Rexworth up; his -wife, because she is so very goody-goody; and the girl, because she is -a proud little minx, who turns up her nose at me, and——"</p> - -<p>"Ha, ha!" laughed Dobson. "Jealous because Rexworth cut you out, that -is it! Well, I don't mind. Come on, if you are coming. The police will -be pleased enough to know; and if there is a reward, we may as well -have it."</p> - -<p>"You can take it, if you like," retorted Elgert. "I don't want their -money. All I want is to see the man taken again, and taken there to -prove that the St. Clives are in it."</p> - -<p>They turned and hurried off; and then, very cautiously, from amidst -the laurels, there arose a little scared and indignant face—a face -surrounded<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_233" id="Page_233">[Pg 233]</a></span> by golden hair. Irene St. Clive had seen them and heard all -that they had said!</p> - -<p>She had seen them go into the shrubbery, and had wondered what tricks -they were about to play. Her first idea was that it was something to do -with Ralph, something to vex him; for she knew both the boys, and was -aware that they were his enemies. So she had followed them, that she -might see, and then warn Ralph. And then it had flashed upon her! Mrs. -Charlton was there with her husband; and the boys were spying upon her. -Oh, what mean, miserable boys to call themselves gentlemen, and do such -things!</p> - -<p>She heard what they said when they stood in the roadway, and then she -turned and raced indoors to tell her father; even in her dismay, she -was thoughtful enough not to go to her mother first, lest she should be -needlessly alarmed. Her father would know best what was to be done.</p> - -<p>And her tidings filled Mr. St. Clive with concern. Where could poor Mr. -Charlton go? Where else was there for him to hide?</p> - -<p>He reproached himself now that he had not sent him away sooner. But Mr. -Charlton had seemed to derive such comfort from being able to see his -son and wife frequently, that Mr. St. Clive had allowed things to go on -as they were, and now it might be too late!</p> - -<p>Yes, even with Irene's warning, too late; for the man could not go out -just as he was. Mr. St. Clive knew full well that every hiding-place -would be<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_234" id="Page_234">[Pg 234]</a></span> searched—that escape would be almost impossible—and he -shrank from being the bearer of such bad tidings to the husband and -wife.</p> - -<p>But it had to be done, the warning must be given, and given at once, -and he rose, Irene following him, and went into the grounds and towards -the cottage. His own wife was there at the moment speaking with Mrs. -Charlton.</p> - -<p>And the dismay, the sorrow, that they exhibited when the tidings were -told! The poor man must fly from here and be a wanderer again—hunted -hither and thither, not knowing from hour to hour if he should be -captured, not able even to get a message to his wife, or to hear how it -fared with her and his son. It was very hard indeed.</p> - -<p>"You have done all that one man could to help another, sir," he said to -Mr. St. Clive, as he held his weeping wife in his arms. "I shall never, -never forget your kindness, nor that of your good wife and dear little -daughter. You will be a friend to my poor wife and my boy—I feel sure -that you will be—and now I must change this disguise, and go. To go -as the old gardener might be more dangerous than to go as the escaped -prisoner."</p> - -<p>"But where can you go? Where can you hide for the time? If you could -only find a place, the police might come to the conclusion that the -boys had made a mistake, and abandon the search again, so giving you -opportunity of getting out of England.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_235" id="Page_235">[Pg 235]</a></span> So far as money can aid, you -can count upon me, but money will be of no avail, if you cannot elude -your pursuers, and——"</p> - -<p>A hurrying of feet! Oh, surely the police could not be there already! -No; a well-known shrill whistle! Ralph and his chums were coming, and -Ralph must be told.</p> - -<p>Now, Warren knew nothing about Charlton's father being there, and the -two boys had allowed their chum to come in because there was no danger; -he would only think that it was an old gardener at work.</p> - -<p>But when they saw Mr. St. Clive and all the others in that little -cottage, they stopped, and Charlton faltered out—</p> - -<p>"What is it? Oh, what is it, father?" And so he gave away his secret to -the monitor.</p> - -<p>And they told them, and Charlton stood very white, and clenched his -fist.</p> - -<p>"Elgert again," he said. "Oh, I hate him! I should like to kill him." -But his father put his hand on his arm and said, almost sternly—</p> - -<p>"My son, such words are not for the lips of a Christian boy."</p> - -<p>"Well, sir, at any rate you can't blame Fred for using them," broke in -Warren. "I know I should feel like it. They are a pair of cads, and -deserve kicking."</p> - -<p>"Be quiet, Tom," chimed in Ralph. "Never mind them. The thing is what -can we do? Where can<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_236" id="Page_236">[Pg 236]</a></span> Mr. Charlton go so that he can hide in safety for -the time?"</p> - -<p>"Nowhere," said the man sadly. "There is no spot about here where I can -be safe. I am afraid that I am losing heart," he added, "but it seems -hopeless."</p> - -<p>"Never say, die, sir," cried Warren. "I know a place, a jolly place, -where you could hide for a month; yes, even if they knew you were there -they would not be able to get you. You could dodge them, and dodge -them, for ever so long——"</p> - -<p>"The ruin!" cried Ralph suddenly. "Warren, you're a brick! The ruin, of -course——"</p> - -<p>"What ruin? Where?" asked Mr. St. Clive, while the rest listened -anxiously. "Speak quickly, lads, for time is precious." And Ralph -explained their adventure of that afternoon, adding—</p> - -<p>"Of course, there are the dogs, but even if they scented him down he -could shut them out; they couldn't get at him, and the very fact that -the dogs were loose would hinder people from imagining that any one was -hiding there. Besides, I don't believe that any people know about it. I -didn't until to-day, and I thought that I had pretty well explored the -country round here."</p> - -<p>"How am I to get to this place, boys?"</p> - -<p>"By following us," said Ralph. "Yes, we will all three go, and skirmish -out one ahead of the other, so that if danger is about we can give -warning. Never you fear, we will get there safe enough, if we have a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_237" id="Page_237">[Pg 237]</a></span> -little start. But you will want things, even at once; light—you must -be careful to hide that from being seen—and food, and some rugs."</p> - -<p>Away hurried Mrs. St. Clive and her husband and hastily procured what -they thought would be immediate necessities, while Mr. Charlton took -off the disguise. His rest there had done him good. He was strong and -well, not a bit like the wearied man who had at first come there. The -boys divided the burdens between them; and then, with last hand shakes, -and with a parting embrace between husband and wife, Mr. Charlton -followed the three boys from the place where he had been so kindly -treated.</p> - -<p>"Won't Elgert and Dobson be precious mad!" said Warren. "It was -fortunate for you, sir, that little Irene heard them talking."</p> - -<p>"It is fortunate for me that my boy has two such faithful friends -as you and Ralph here," answered Mr. Charlton. "I feel that Heaven, -knowing my innocence, has raised me up helpers all round."</p> - -<p>"That is the way, sir," said Ralph heartily. "Go on thinking that and -you won't lose heart, and presently the truth will come to light——"</p> - -<p>"Now then, Ralph," cried Warren, interrupting him. "Send on ahead, and -keep both your eyes open, get well on in front, and give the Fourth's -whistle if you see any one about."</p> - -<p>They were now getting away from the road and on towards Stow Wood. They -would have to go<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_238" id="Page_238">[Pg 238]</a></span> through that and then out across the common, leaving -Great Stow on their right. It would have been shorter to have gone -through Great Stow, but they did not dare that, there were too many -people about.</p> - -<p>Away raced Charlton, pushing into the wood, and then Warren dived away -to the right, and Ralph led Mr. Charlton directly on.</p> - -<p>But no warning whistle came. The storm was gathering up again, and no -one who could avoid it was out of doors. They pushed through the wood -and across the common, out to Crab Tree Hill; and then they circled -the preserves, and came to the place they sought; and, as Ralph said, -it looked as if they had been led to the spot that afternoon, in order -that they might know where to bring Mr. Charlton.</p> - -<p>And into the ruin they led the way with a lighted candle, and showed -the man all the windings and secret ways that they had found out.</p> - -<p>"I dare say that there are plenty more, for it is a strange old place," -Ralph said, "and you will be able to find them out for yourself."</p> - -<p>"The only thing that I see, is you cannot make a fire here. At least, -if you did, the smoke might be seen," added Warren; and Mr. Charlton -smiled.</p> - -<p>"We can do without the fire, my kind young friend," he said. "I shall -manage here very well. But now do you all go, for you are nearly wet -through, and I fear that you may suffer some ill effects, and you all<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_239" id="Page_239">[Pg 239]</a></span> -look tired to death, too. Shake hands with me, and be off."</p> - -<p>"We shall manage to let you know soon, sir, how things go," said Ralph, -"and we will bring more food and things. Good-bye, sir, and keep up a -good heart."</p> - -<p>"Good-bye, and good-bye and God bless you, my own dear son." And the -father and son embraced.</p> - -<p>Then the three lads dashed away, making for home as fast as they could; -and though Warren wondered what his people would think of him for being -so late, nothing could persuade him to refrain from going back to Mr. -St. Clive's, just to see how things had gone.</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_240" id="Page_240">[Pg 240]</a></span></p> - -<h2><span>CHAPTER XXVI</span> <span class="smaller">TOM WARREN SPEAKS HIS MIND</span></h2> - -<p>If ever three boys were tired and wet and cold, Ralph and his chums -were when they once again arrived at Mr. St. Clive's; but for all -that, they were three delighted boys, for they had succeeded in their -mission, and Mr. Charlton was safe.</p> - -<p>They found that the police had been and gone, and were none the wiser -for their visit. Mr. St. Clive had received them readily, and told them -that he certainly had employed an old gardener, but that the man had -left his employ only a short time before they came, and that he could -give them no information about him.</p> - -<p>It was highly distasteful to an honourable gentleman like Mr. St. -Clive even to say anything which, while strictly true, had yet the -qualities of a lie, but in this case he was forced to do so. He could -not give the poor man up to justice—a man whom he honestly believed to -have been wrongly convicted—especially after having received him and -sheltered him so long.</p> - -<p>But when Elgert and Dobson heard that the search was unsuccessful, oh, -how angry they were! They<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_241" id="Page_241">[Pg 241]</a></span> had come back with the constables, and Mr. -St. Clive turned to them and spoke very sternly.</p> - -<p>"So it appears that I am indebted to you two young gentlemen for this -visit," he said. "First of all you trespass upon my grounds; then you -take upon yourselves to give this information to the police; and now -you have come back uninvited. Kindly oblige me by taking yourselves -off; and understand that if I find you on my grounds again, I shall not -have the slightest hesitation in horsewhipping the pair of you!"</p> - -<p>Oh, what a rage Elgert was in! To be spoken to like that! He, the -Honourable Horace Elgert!</p> - -<p>He went home and told his father, and Lord Elgert rode over in a -terrible passion to demand an explanation from Mr. St. Clive.</p> - -<p>But that gentleman took things very calmly, and his lordship got little -satisfaction from him.</p> - -<p>"It is my belief, sir, that my son is correct, and that you have been -harbouring a fugitive from justice!" shouted his lordship. "It is like -you to do that. You have taken that young rascal, Rexworth, in spite of -the knowledge that his father is a man who attempted to rob me."</p> - -<p>"Pardon me, Lord Elgert," answered Mr. St. Clive, "I have tried to -repay a debt of gratitude I owe to a brave boy, who rescued my child -from death, at the peril of his own life, because you would not take -the trouble to have your bull properly secured. As to the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_242" id="Page_242">[Pg 242]</a></span> knowledge -that his father tried to rob you, I know nothing of the kind."</p> - -<p>"I have told you so. You have my word for it," replied Lord Elgert; and -Mr. St. Clive answered drily—</p> - -<p>"That is a very different thing from knowing it."</p> - -<p>"You insult me, sir! You deliberately insult me! But be careful, or you -shall answer for it. Make no mistake, you shall answer for it!" And -with that, his lordship rode off in a towering rage.</p> - -<p>Mr. St. Clive did not trouble to tell Ralph all the unkind things which -Lord Elgert had said, for there was nothing to be gained by causing the -boy pain; and so, after giving them all hot cocoa, Warren and Charlton -were sent off to their homes, and Ralph was glad to get to bed, for he -was quite tired out.</p> - -<p>And then, after one of those quiet Sundays which he had got to value -so much, he set off for school on the Monday morning, calling for -Charlton, and meeting with Warren on the way.</p> - -<p>"Well, Rexworth, and how do you feel to-day?"</p> - -<p>Now, if Warren or Charlton had asked that question, there would have -been nothing strange in it; but it was neither of the boys. It was Mr. -Delermain, when the class was assembled; and Ralph, although he felt -surprised, answered that he felt very well.</p> - -<p>"Ah!" said the master, and he smiled. "Well, I am glad of that, for -to-day you have to uphold the honour of the Fourth. You will not take -your place<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_243" id="Page_243">[Pg 243]</a></span> for lessons as usual. The examination for the Newlet is -to-day. You are to go to the Head's class-room immediately after -prayers."</p> - -<p>"Good luck to you, Rexworth," whispered Charlton, looking quite -nervous; and Tom Warren patted him on the shoulder and added -imploringly—</p> - -<p>"Now, mind you keep cool, Ralph—keep quite cool. Don't get flustered -if you cannot answer every question, and don't spend too much time over -the easy ones. Answer them first, as briefly as you can, and then go -for the others. Keep cool, old fellow, for the honour of the Fourth."</p> - -<p>Certainly Ralph did feel just a trifle anxious and nervous; but he had -worked hard, and felt pretty well grounded in his subjects, and he -meant to do his best honestly.</p> - -<p>So when prayers were over, he rose and went out of the class-room, -while the boys, thinking that the occasion admitted of it, cried out -aloud: "Good luck to you, Rexworth! Hope that you will succeed!"</p> - -<p>"Jolly lot of fuss they make about that chap," sneered Dobson to the -boy next him. "It is just a disgrace to let such a fellow as that sit -for the Newlet."</p> - -<p>"Especially when a bright, intellectual fellow like Dobson does not -go in for it!" was the answer he received; and Dobson glowered and -muttered something about his "cheek."</p> - -<p>Somehow, Charlton could not get on as he ought<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_244" id="Page_244">[Pg 244]</a></span> to have done that -morning. He was so anxious about Ralph, and he was so full of his -father, and wondering whether he was all safe. Mr. Delermain had to -rebuke him once or twice—he did not understand things like Warren -did—and poor Charlton lost his place and got a bad mark; and somehow -he could not help it, the tears would come into his eyes. Dobson saw -it, and grinned. He sniffed, and drew his handkerchief out, pretending -to wipe away tears and wring the water out on the floor. Mr. Delermain -saw him, and Dobson got something to cry for. Six handers, and a bad -mark. Dobson vowed to make Charlton suffer for it, as if it were his -fault that he had been caned.</p> - -<p>And he had his chance when recess came.</p> - -<p>"Hallo, Elgert!" cried Dobson, as he saw his friend. "I say, I want to -ask you a question. Who was the first gardener?"—and he winked towards -Charlton, who was standing near.</p> - -<p>"Adam," was Elgert's reply; and Dobson nodded.</p> - -<p>"Quite right; and who was the very last one that we know anything -about, eh?"</p> - -<p>"A fellow named Charlton, some relation to one of your Form, I think. -Quite a public personage, and eagerly sought after by the police."</p> - -<p>Poor Charlton! His face went white, and his eyes sparkled with anger. -Dobson saw it, and laughed mockingly. Charlton was a weakly boy, and -the bully was by no means afraid of him.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_245" id="Page_245">[Pg 245]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Funny how some people have queer tastes," he went on. "I should have -thought that breaking stones was no harder work than digging. By the -way, it is breaking stones that they put convicts to, is it not?"</p> - -<p>"You say that to insult me?"</p> - -<p>Charlton spoke in low tones, and his face was very white; and Dobson -laughed again.</p> - -<p>"Oh, I say, you chaps, is not this a rich joke? Here is Charlton asking -if we mean to insult him! My dear fellow, your presence is such an -insult——"</p> - -<p>Dobson stopped and ducked, for the maddened boy had struck so fierce a -blow that had the bully received it, it would surely have knocked him -down.</p> - -<p>"Go on, Dobson! Give him a hiding!" cried Elgert. But then Tom Warren -pushed forward and cried out—</p> - -<p>"Drop that! Charlton, don't be stupid; and you, Dobson, if you want to -fight, fight me."</p> - -<p>"I say, you fellows," said Elgert, "how much longer are we going to -be dictated to by Tom Warren? Charlton struck the first blow. It is -his fight, and he ought to go through with it. It is a condescension -on Dobson's part to fight with such a fellow." And some of the boys -murmured approval.</p> - -<p>"Hold hard a minute," said Warren. "Since Elgert puts it that way, we -will see if the boot is not on the other foot. Let me see, Dobson asked -who was the last gardener, didn't he?"</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_246" id="Page_246">[Pg 246]</a></span></p> - -<p>"That is it, Warren!" cried some of the others. "And Charlton got mad."</p> - -<p>"Very well; now I will tell you why. It seems that Elgert and Dobson, -wanting a little employment, and liking to play the part of spies and -informers——" Elgert started. He had no idea that Warren knew about -that, and it was the very last thing he wished the school to hear of. -He attempted to turn away, but Warren noticed it, and went on.</p> - -<p>"You had better stop, Elgert, unless you are too ashamed to let -gentlemen see your face." And Elgert stopped, white to the lips with -passion.</p> - -<p>"That is better," said the monitor. "Well, you chaps, I was saying that -our gentlemanly friends, Messrs. Elgert and Dobson, finding it to their -taste to play the part of spies, must needs dog the steps of a lady, -and that lady Mrs. Charlton, under the impression that she would guide -them to the spot where her husband was hidden.</p> - -<p>"Now, having played this delightful part, these refined young gentlemen -came upon an old gardener in Mr. St. Clive's grounds, and jumped to the -conclusion that it was the lady's husband in disguise.</p> - -<p>"Then they came away and quietly enough, for they had no wish to -disturb the parties concerned. But once away, they set off as hard as -they could go, running all the way, to the police-station, to tell the -constables that the man they wanted was hiding at<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_247" id="Page_247">[Pg 247]</a></span> Mr. St. Clive's. -I would mention the fact that there is a reward offered for the -apprehension of this man; perhaps that had something to do with their -action. And this pair of spies and informers have the impudence to -speak of it being a condescension for one of them to fight a boy in no -way his equal."</p> - -<p>"I say, Warren, it can't be true!" cried one boy in disgust. "No fellow -at our school would be such an awful cad!"</p> - -<p>"Look at Elgert's face. Does that look like innocence?" answered -Warren. "You can ask Mr. St. Clive, if you like; but you ought not to -want to after that!" And he pointed to Horace Elgert.</p> - -<p>Ay, there was no mistake; he looked guilty, and he knew it was no good -trying to deny the charge. He strove to look careless and dignified, -and he turned away on his heel; but then a storm of hisses broke out. -Hisses! They were hissing him! And he had once been their leader! And -above the clamour came the shrill voices of the juniors—</p> - -<p>"Sneak! Sneak! Sneak!"</p> - -<p>He felt as if he must press his fingers in his ears and run, but he -managed to maintain his slow walk, and got into the class-room, Dobson -at his heels; and the latter asked in consternation—</p> - -<p>"How ever did they find out?"</p> - -<p>"I don't know—I don't care!" was the fierce answer. "But I will pay -them all out! And to think of Rexworth going in for the Newlet!"</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_248" id="Page_248">[Pg 248]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Won't he crow if he manages to get through!" remarked Dobson; and -Elgert jumped up.</p> - -<p>"He must not get through, Dobson; somehow we must stop him."</p> - -<p>"That is all very well. But how can we do it?" queried Dobson, with a -shake of his head. And Elgert replied—</p> - -<p>"Wait until morning school is over, and I will tell you."</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_249" id="Page_249">[Pg 249]</a></span></p> - -<h2><span>CHAPTER XXVII</span> <span class="smaller">IN THE DEAD OF THE NIGHT</span></h2> - -<p>"I tell you that it can be done. What danger is there, if we are only -careful not to make a noise? What a miserable coward you are, Dobson!"</p> - -<p>So said Horace Elgert. He and Dobson were together, and morning school -was over. They had met that Elgert might unfold his plan for preventing -Ralph Rexworth having any chance of gaining the Newlet medal, and -also for getting him into disgrace by making it appear that he had -been cribbing; and apparently Dobson did not much like the plan, and -had been making objections which had called forth Elgert's angry -remonstrance.</p> - -<p>"What danger can there be?" The question came again, when Dobson did -not reply. "Why, you have risked more than that when we have left the -house at night! You have thought that a lark. And now we have only to -go to the Head's desk, and then sit in the class-room for an hour or -so."</p> - -<p>"It will be awfully cold there," shivered Dobson.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_250" id="Page_250">[Pg 250]</a></span> "And just -think—stopping for two hours, and the chance all the time that some -one will come!"</p> - -<p>"Rubbish! If it is cold, put on your overcoat. You don't call it cold -when you stand for longer than that keeping goal, with an east wind -blowing. It is no use trying to make objections. I am determined to try -it, and you have just got to help me."</p> - -<p>"I don't see how we can do it," grumbled Dobson. "I think we had better -leave him alone. After all, it don't matter to us if he gets the medal."</p> - -<p>"Everything matters that advances him. Now, look here. After the exam. -is over, all the papers are taken to the Head, and he puts them in his -desk, and sends them to the examiners in the morning. We know that -much."</p> - -<p>"Yes," assented Dobson.</p> - -<p>"Very well. Now, the catch of the Head's roller desk is broken. I heard -him say yesterday that he had forgotten to send for a man to repair it. -There the papers will be, with nothing to prevent us from getting hold -of Rexworth's. That is easy enough. We wait till the place is quiet, -and then go to the Head's class-room and take what we want. Then we go -to our own class-room, and have our bicycle lamps to give us light. You -know that I can write like Rexworth; and even if I did not, no one will -know. The Head does not examine the papers himself, and the chap he -sends them to would not know the difference, even if you scrawled the -answers."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_251" id="Page_251">[Pg 251]</a></span></p> - -<p>"But what do you want me for?" objected Dobson. "We can't both write."</p> - -<p>"You sneak! You want me to do it all. Why, to keep me company, and -to be in it as well as me. Besides, I shall want you to read me some -answers from Grimwade. I have a copy; and I don't mean only to write -wrong answers to some questions, but to put in extracts, so that it -will look as if he had been using a crib——"</p> - -<p>"It will take an awful long time! He takes all day over the papers."</p> - -<p>"Yes; but he has got to think of the answers, and we shall not have to -do anything of the kind. We can copy a lot of what he has written—you -reading and I writing. Then we just take our set of papers back and put -them with the others, and we destroy his, and who is to know a thing -about it?"</p> - -<p>"I don't like it," protested Dobson. "I know that we shall get caught -one of these days, and then we shall be expelled, and it will be all -your fault."</p> - -<p>"Then you have just got to like it!" retorted Elgert; and Dobson burst -out furiously—</p> - -<p>"Oh, have I? Think I am going to be ordered about by you, Horace -Elgert! Why have I got to like it, pray?"</p> - -<p>"Because you changed that five-pound note!"</p> - -<p>"But you gave it to me," retorted Dobson, changing colour, and falling -back upon his old plea; and Elgert laughed.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_252" id="Page_252">[Pg 252]</a></span></p> - -<p>"You prove that, if you can. You are the only one implicated in it."</p> - -<p>"You are a jolly mean sneak!" cried his companion; and again Elgert -laughed, this time rather menacingly.</p> - -<p>"I wouldn't talk in that way if I were you, Dobson," he said. "It is a -bit foolish to quarrel with me. Now, don't be silly, but say that you -agree."</p> - -<p>"I suppose I must," was the sulky reply; "but I tell you I think it -risky. Besides, all that we have yet done has not harmed Rexworth; but -it has jolly well hurt us."</p> - -<p>"We will be more successful this time. But let us clear off, for that -little sneak Charlton is watching us, and he may get suspicious if he -sees us talking together."</p> - -<p>"Punch his head!" said Dobson. He was brave enough when it came to -ill-treating boys weaker than himself. "He is alone; punch his head!"</p> - -<p>"No. You forget we should have Warren and all his gang down on us, and -perhaps Kesterway taking the matter to the Head. Let him go for the -time. We will have him over his father yet, and that will be better -than giving him a licking."</p> - -<p>It was quite true that Charlton had seen the two together, and he was -indeed wondering what mischief they were plotting. Ralph was still a -prisoner over his examination papers, for until they were done he was -not allowed to leave the class-room; and Warren<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_253" id="Page_253">[Pg 253]</a></span> was at the moment -away, so that Charlton was alone.</p> - -<p>He was very anxious for Ralph's success, and perhaps that very anxiety -made him suspicious of the two boys who were such bitter enemies of his -chum. At any rate, Charlton determined to keep a very sharp eye upon -the movements of Elgert and Dobson, though he was quite ignorant of any -way in which they could harm Ralph.</p> - -<p>But, in spite of his watching, nothing occurred. The dinner-hour -passed and afternoon school began, and all went smoothly; and Charlton -managed to retrieve the loss which his anxiety had brought to him in -the morning. And then, when the bell rang, and the boys filed out, free -to do as they liked, until teatime, there Ralph joined them, a trifle -tired, it is true, but very hopeful, for he felt confident that he had -answered every question that had been given to him without making a -huge number of mistakes.</p> - -<p>A general rush of Fourth Form boys occurred, and he was surrounded by a -throng of eager questioners.</p> - -<p>"How did you get on, Rexworth? Was it very stiff? Could you manage it? -How many questions did you get through?"</p> - -<p>These and a score of kindred questions were asked; and when Ralph -answered that he thought he had managed all right, and that he had -answered every question, a hearty cheer followed.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_254" id="Page_254">[Pg 254]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Hurrah for Rexworth and the Fourth!"</p> - -<p>Dobson and Elgert heard it, and the latter laughed quietly, and said, -with a sneer upon his handsome face—</p> - -<p>"Go on; cheer away. You will have something to cheer for presently."</p> - -<p>The evening wore away—tea, and preparation, and recess, and finally -bed; and after the usual chatter and skylarking when monitors' backs -were turned, the boys of Marlthorpe College were all snugly in bed, the -gas had been turned out in the dormitories, save for one faint glimmer -at the end of each room, and silence reigned throughout the old school.</p> - -<p>Perhaps it was because he was so anxious for Ralph's success, perhaps -it was that he was thinking of Dobson and Elgert, or of his poor -father away there in that dreary ruin, but somehow Charlton could not -get to sleep. He lay there thinking, thinking, long after the regular -breathing from Ralph, and the occasional gurgle and snore from Warren, -announced that his two chums were fast asleep.</p> - -<p>Would Ralph get the medal? Would his father ever get safely away? Or, -better still, would he ever be proved to be innocent? Would——</p> - -<p>A stealthy movement caused him to open his eyes. A boy, higher up the -dormitory, had got out of bed; and that boy was Dobson!</p> - -<p>Charlton held his breath and felt himself trembling with excitement. -Elgert and the bully had plotted<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_255" id="Page_255">[Pg 255]</a></span> something, after all, then; -and—and—why, Dobson was dressing! And now he crept out of the -dormitory with careful, noiseless steps!</p> - -<p>Then Charlton, as soon as he was gone, slipped from his bed also. At -first he thought of rousing Ralph and Warren; but he paused. A strange -ambition filled his heart. How lovely it would be to do this all by -himself—to follow and see what mischief they were doing, and, if it -was anything to harm Ralph, to frustrate their plot, alone and unaided!</p> - -<p>Rapidly he slipped on his clothes. At any other time he would have -trembled at the audacity of such a deed after hours; but now he was -filled only with the one thought of serving Ralph, and he neither -considered the risk of being discovered, nor the seriousness of -matching himself against two such boys as Elgert and Dobson—for he -felt absolutely certain that Elgert would also be in this business.</p> - -<p>Then, in his stockinged feet, he also slipped into the corridor -and stood listening. Where had Dobson gone? How horribly dark it -seemed—and how cold and desolate! He stood undecided for a moment; -then he heard a stealthy sound—and from the entrance to the Fifth he -saw Elgert come. Ah, he had not been mistaken, then! He stepped back -and peeped round the dormitory door. Elgert was stealing down the -stairs, and—yes, there Dobson was awaiting him. The two glided on, -noiseless as mice; and Charlton, his heart thumping so that it seemed -as if the two in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_256" id="Page_256">[Pg 256]</a></span> front must hear it, creeping cautiously in the rear, -determined to ascertain what they were going to do.</p> - -<p>Down, past the Fourth class-room, they groped their way, and then to -the Head's room. The Head's room! The room in which the examination -papers were kept!</p> - -<p>Charlton, crouching at the door, watched them as they lit their bicycle -lamps and stole to the big desk at the top of the room. Then came a -slight click and the top was rolled back, and he could see the two -bending over the interior, searching for something.</p> - -<p>"Here we are!" whispered Elgert, as he took up a neat little roll of -papers. "Mind your fingers, silly!"—and he let the top of the desk -down with the greatest care. "You see how easy it is."</p> - -<p>"Best blow out the lamps until we get to the class-room," suggested -Dobson. "Some one might see them. You never know." And Elgert, willing -enough to take every precaution, complied.</p> - -<p>"We will precious soon spoil Rexworth's chances now!" he laughed -softly; and Charlton understood—or thought that he did. They were -going to destroy Ralph's answers, and they should not do it!</p> - -<p>Regardless of secrecy or of self, he sprang from the darkness; and, -before either of the startled boys could realize what had happened, he -had snatched that roll of paper from Elgert's grasp.</p> - -<p>"You sha'n't have them!" he said aloud. "You want to destroy them, and -you shall not have them!"</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_257" id="Page_257">[Pg 257]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Charlton!" cried Elgert, in furious rage; and forgetful of all -precaution, he struck a savage blow at him, which sent him spinning -backwards over a form with a crash.</p> - -<p>"Keep quiet! You will rouse the whole school!" cried Dobson in terror. -"Hark! I hear some one coming. Run—run, I say, or we shall be found -here!" And Elgert, awakening to the danger of the position, glided away -with him, as voices were heard calling and asking what was the matter.</p> - -<p>"What shall we do now?" groaned Dobson; but his companion answered in a -fierce whisper—</p> - -<p>"Quick—get back to your room and pull off your clothes, as if you had -just slipped out of bed. Be quick! Then come out on to the landing, as -if you were only half awake. They are certain to catch him, and we must -declare that we know nothing of it. He has the papers in his hand, and -it is our word against his, and appearances are upon our side."</p> - -<p>Dobson nodded, and hastily dragging off his clothes, he sat on the edge -of his bed, and called aloud: "Who is there?" That roused the others; -and he asserted that he had been scared by a noise downstairs. Up -tumbled Warren and Ralph and some more, and Charlton's bed was seen to -be empty.</p> - -<p>Then the Fifth Form boys, aroused by Elgert, came out on the landing, -only to be met by one of the masters, who quietly said that nothing was -wrong, and directed them all to go back to bed again.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_258" id="Page_258">[Pg 258]</a></span></p> - -<p>Nothing wrong! Go back to bed! But why was Charlton's bed empty? And -what did that glimpse of the boy, in the custody of Kesterway, the head -monitor, mean? Ralph looked at Warren in dismay. Whatever mischief had -Fred Charlton been up to?</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_259" id="Page_259">[Pg 259]</a></span></p> - -<h2><span>CHAPTER XXVIII</span> <span class="smaller">THE NEXT DAY</span></h2> - -<p>"Believe it! Of course we don't believe it. And I do not think that -the Head does, either. You cheer up, old fellow! I know you were only -trying to serve me; but you were silly to go without waking Warren, or -myself."</p> - -<p>The speaker was Ralph, and he addressed his chum Charlton, who was a -prisoner. A prisoner, that is, inasmuch as the Head had forbidden him -to go out into the playground until he had thoroughly gone into the -incidents of the previous night.</p> - -<p>It was all very well for Ralph to say "cheer up," but Charlton did not -feel very cheerful. His sensitive nature shrank from the position in -which he found himself, and his heart revolted at the wicked falsehoods -which were told so calmly by both Dobson and Elgert. Besides, he was -kept in, and that afternoon he had hoped to get across to see how his -father was getting on.</p> - -<p>And though we, who know the truth, may wonder how it was that the Head -should do this, still, the doctor himself did not know the truth, and -he could<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_260" id="Page_260">[Pg 260]</a></span> hardly think that two lads would tell such wicked deliberate -lies; and, moreover, everything pointed to Charlton being guilty.</p> - -<p>Dr. Beverly had been sitting up late, deep in a learned work with -which he was greatly interested, when he had heard the noise in his -class-room, followed by the voice of the head monitor, calling from -above, and asking what was the matter; and he had hurried out—to find -Charlton lying half dazed on the floor, having apparently fallen over a -form and struck his head; and in his hand was Ralph's examination paper.</p> - -<p>Charlton being a nervous boy, his very manner seemed guilty when the -Head had questioned him; and his story seemed to be false, for upon -Dr. Beverly hurrying upstairs, Elgert was found with only his trousers -on, as if he had just slipped out of bed, and Dobson was the same. -Moreover, the boys in the Fifth declared that Elgert was sitting up in -bed when they were aroused; and even Ralph and Warren had to own that -Dobson appeared as if he had only just woke up.</p> - -<p>And both Dobson and Elgert declared that they had never been -downstairs, and that Charlton had invented the story.</p> - -<p>So, still under the suspicion, he was kept in, and Ralph and Warren -seized the first opportunity of going to comfort him.</p> - -<p>"If the Head knew them as well as we do, he would not be in much doubt -about things," was Warren's<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_261" id="Page_261">[Pg 261]</a></span> verdict. "Don't you worry, old chap! We -know you would not do anything to harm Ralph."</p> - -<p>"I wanted to go and see my father this afternoon," sighed Charlton; and -Ralph answered—</p> - -<p>"Never mind. I will go. Tom will come with me."</p> - -<p>"I am awfully sorry, but I cannot," the monitor put in. "I would in a -minute, but I promised mother to go round for her to my aunt's, and I -must not disappoint her."</p> - -<p>"Of course not," said Ralph immediately. "Well, I will go alone, and -explain to your father, old chap; so don't you worry about that any -more. I wish, though, that I could see some way of bringing this home -to those two, but I confess that I don't."</p> - -<p>"Wait a bit. Give them a rope long enough and they will hang -themselves!" growled Warren. "Now, buck up, Charlton, and don't let -them think that you are beaten!" And with that the two had to leave -their chum, and Charlton felt decidedly comforted.</p> - -<p>And, after school, Tom Warren went off to obey his mother's desire; and -Ralph, true to his promise, started on his journey to the man hiding in -the old ruin away by Crab Tree Hill; and the rest of the boys prepared -to spend their time according to their own inclinations.</p> - -<p>Jimmy Green and his chum Tinkle had made their plans. They were going -fishing. It is sometimes a matter for wonder why small boys will go -fishing,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_262" id="Page_262">[Pg 262]</a></span> seeing that they seldom catch any fish, and don't know what -to do with them if by chance they manage to secure a few. Still, that -matters nothing. Jimmy and Tinkle were going fishing, and were busily -preparing a wonderful and fearful assortment of tackle and bait. Bait! -They had worms several inches long, and what they called paste—a -fearsome concoction of bread and clay kneaded together into little -balls. And they had a landing-net. We mention this for two reasons. -First, because of its size—it would have held a small salmon—and then -because it was destined to aid in landing some queer fish. We may not -say of what kind yet—but the point to remember is that they had the -landing-net.</p> - -<p>And Jimmy Green and his chum were discussing the problem of Charlton's -guilt, and their small minds appeared to be fully made up.</p> - -<p>"I just believe every word he says!" declared Green; and Tinkle nodded -his fat little head.</p> - -<p>"So do I!" he said.</p> - -<p>"Those two chaps are awful cads—dreadful cads!" continued Green, -with much warmth; and again Tinkle nodded. He did not believe in the -exertion of talking, unless it was absolutely necessary.</p> - -<p>"I wonder," he said slowly, as he pushed back a particularly lively -worm into the bait-tin—"I wonder, Jimmy, if we ought to tell what we -know about that note? I often wonder that." But Jimmy was still firm -upon that point.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_263" id="Page_263">[Pg 263]</a></span></p> - -<p>"What's the good? If we had the note now we might do it. But suppose -they treat us as they have treated Charlton, and say they did not go -there? How are we to prove it? And we let out that we have been there -ourselves. It ain't no good, Tinkle. I would tell if I thought it was; -but it isn't, and there is no getting away from it."</p> - -<p>"I suppose it ain't," was Tinkle's regretful answer. "Well, come on, -Jimmy! I think we have got everything we want, and we may as well have -all the time we can."</p> - -<p>"Where shall we go?" inquired Jimmy Green.</p> - -<p>"Oh, the pool below Becket Weir," answered Tinkle; "where Elgert nearly -got drowned."</p> - -<p>"Very well; come on, and let us see if we have any luck." And the two -young anglers set out, little dreaming what a very queer fish they were -going to catch that day.</p> - -<p>And what of Elgert and Dobson? Mean lads that they were, they were -delighted, and congratulated themselves upon their astuteness. True, -they had not got possession of Ralph's papers, and had failed in so far -as spoiling his chances for the medal went; but they had got Charlton -into fine disgrace.</p> - -<p>It was wonderfully smart upon their parts, they thought; and, as if to -add to their good fortune, Dobson had a little scrap of paper brought -to him by a town urchin—a message from Brown of the cake-shop, to the -effect that the latter had been successful<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_264" id="Page_264">[Pg 264]</a></span> in obtaining the "article" -he had inquired about; but that the price would be seven pounds for it, -cash down.</p> - -<p>Seven pounds! Elgert growled at that, but the note must be got again at -any cost; and so Dobson was given the sum required, and dispatched upon -his errand.</p> - -<p>He wanted Elgert to go with him, for company, but Elgert was too -cunning for that. He had kept out of the business all along, and he did -not mean to be seen in it now. To be sure, he had been with Dobson to -inquire about it in the first place, but he had no fear that the man -would betray him. Dobson had done the changing, and Dobson should do -the buying, and bring the note back to him.</p> - -<p>"I cannot come," he said, in answer to the boy's remonstrance. "I -expect our man over with a letter from my father, and I want to stay -here to get it. You must go alone. It won't take you long. Hurry back, -for I shall not go out until you return."</p> - -<p>"I always have to do the work," grumbled Dobson. "It is a horrid long -way to go alone."</p> - -<p>"Get out! Have not I found the money? And as to a long way, you don't -make much fuss about that if you think that you are going to be treated -to tarts. You clear off, and look sharp; and thank your lucky stars -that we have got out of the mess so nicely, for I confess that I did -not think that we were going to manage it!"</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_265" id="Page_265">[Pg 265]</a></span></p> - -<p>So Dobson set off, and Horace Elgert turned back to the playground, -to await his return with what patience he could; and there the Head -himself came upon him, and stopped, and placed one hand upon his -shoulder, looking searchingly into his face.</p> - -<p>"I am glad that I have met you alone, Elgert," the doctor said. "For -I want to speak to you very seriously. I want to speak to you about -Charlton."</p> - -<p>"Yes, sir?" said the boy inquiringly. It was wonderful how calmly and -innocently he spoke. "What about him, sir—has he owned that his story -is false?"</p> - -<p>"Not so, Elgert. Nor am I satisfied that it is false, Elgert. Are you -satisfied that it is?"</p> - -<p>"Why, sir, of course I am!" he answered, staring up as if unable to -comprehend the Head's meaning, though he knew it well enough.</p> - -<p>"Elgert, there is an old Book with an old law, which says: 'Thou shalt -not bear false witness against thy neighbour.' In face of such a solemn -command, are you still sure that Charlton's story is false?"</p> - -<p>"You don't mean to say that I and Dobson were there taking those -papers, do you, sir?" he queried indignantly. "Ah, I see how it is! -You believe his word. I don't think that quite fair, sir. Consider the -difference between his surroundings and mine. Which will most likely -speak the truth—the son of a man wanted by the police, or the son of a -nobleman like my father?"</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_266" id="Page_266">[Pg 266]</a></span></p> - -<p>"You still adhere to your statement, Elgert?" said the Head, taking no -notice of the latter part of his speech. And Elgert answered at once—</p> - -<p>"Of course I do, sir!"</p> - -<p>"Then," said the Head, "I have no option but to be guided by -circumstances, and they all point to Charlton being guilty." And with -that he turned away.</p> - -<p>Elgert felt anxious and angry. What right had the Head to suspect -him of telling lies, or to doubt his honour? It is wonderful how -dishonourable people will talk of their honour. And suppose the Head -got Dobson, and began to question him. He must warn the fellow to be on -guard against that.</p> - -<p>The man he expected did not come. Elgert was angry. He told himself -that Dobson was taking double the time he need; and when at last his -companion returned, he asked very shortly—</p> - -<p>"Well, have you got it?"</p> - -<p>"Yes; here it is, all safe. It is delightful to feel that danger is -past!"</p> - -<p>"A danger of your own making," retorted Elgert. "A danger that I have -had to pay for, and that has cost you nothing. And you look here! The -Head has been questioning me. He is suspicious, and preaches about -false witnessing. Mind what you are at if he begins on you; for if you -let anything out I will pay you out for it. You had better clear off -now, to be out of his way."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_267" id="Page_267">[Pg 267]</a></span></p> - -<p>Dobson complied readily enough. The last thing he wanted was for the -Head to carpet him. And then Horace Elgert, the note safe in his -pocket-book, put on his hat and went out. He was enraged that his man -had not been, and was going home to give him a good rating; and he, to -take a short cut, must go past Becket Weir, where Tinkle and Green had -gone to fish.</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_268" id="Page_268">[Pg 268]</a></span></p> - -<h2><span>CHAPTER XXIX</span> <span class="smaller">WHAT TINKLE AND GREEN CAUGHT</span></h2> - -<p>"There don't seem to be much sport," said Tinkle to Green, as they -sat side by side on the river bank, casting longing glances at their -floats. Tinkle's bobbed under, and he pulled up sharply—he had hooked -a fine piece of weed, the tenth catch of the kind he had made.</p> - -<p>"Bother!" said Green, putting down the landing-net, which he had seized -to be in readiness to help his friend. "I am jolly well sick of it. Let -us drop it."</p> - -<p>Tinkle agreed; the rod was taken to pieces and the lines put away, and -then the pair stood up.</p> - -<p>"Ugh—ah-r-r!" sighed Tinkle. "Don't it make you cramped, and—— I -say, Green, there's a man coming, and by gum, I believe it's that -Elgert's man—the chap we saw in the cake-shop!"</p> - -<p>"So it is," was Green's answer. "And look how he is sauntering. Perhaps -he is going to meet some one."</p> - -<p>"Let us hide," suggested Tinkle eagerly, "in the old boathouse. We may -hear some more secrets."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_269" id="Page_269">[Pg 269]</a></span></p> - -<p>Green made no objection on the score of eavesdropping; the two -boys, bending low, darted across the towing-path, and into an old, -dilapidated, wooden building, now fast falling to decay, that had once -done duty as a boathouse.</p> - -<p>"Oh, I say, here comes Elgert himself!" said Green excitedly, peeping -through a hole. "Don't make a sound. I believe——"</p> - -<p>"Oh," interrupted Tinkle, in consternation, "they are coming in here! -Oh, what ever shall we do?"</p> - -<p>"Be quiet, you silly. Hide! Down you go flat under that old boat. Hold -up the end while I creep under; and whatever you do, don't sneeze. Mind -the net, and——"</p> - -<p>His words were cut short by the boat slipping from Tinkle's hands and -extinguishing them both. They lay side by side. They were quite safe, -for it was most unlikely that Elgert or the man would look beneath it.</p> - -<p>One of the planks had started, and they could hear plainly, and even -see a good deal of the interior of the place. They did see—saw Elgert -and the man enter; and Horace Elgert sat down on the top of that boat.</p> - -<p>"If I only had a pin!" muttered Green. And Tinkle dug him in the ribs -and breathed in his ear—</p> - -<p>"Be quiet, or I will punch your head when I get you out!"</p> - -<p>"You are an impertinent rascal!" was Elgert's<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_270" id="Page_270">[Pg 270]</a></span> first polite remark. -"But don't you forget the book I have, with the confession in it. It -may get you into trouble yet."</p> - -<p>"And don't you forget, Mr. Horace, that it was your own father who -put me up to it. He wanted Charlton got out of the way, and he showed -me how to make a hundred pounds for myself, and make an innocent man -get the blame. I haven't had a single day's peace of mind since. My -conscience has accused me."</p> - -<p>"Your conscience! Where do you keep it?" laughed Elgert, while the ears -of the two hidden boys were strained to their utmost. "A pretty sort of -fellow you are. My father put you up to it! How can you prove that?"</p> - -<p>"I cannot," was the sulky answer. "He was too clever for that. I wrote -the truth in my pocket-book——"</p> - -<p>"Like the ass you are! What good would that do to you, or to Charlton?"</p> - -<p>"It did no good. But it made me feel better, even to confess it like -that. You stole the book—you, a fine gentleman! You stole it from my -coat!"</p> - -<p>"Yes; it was safer in my keeping than in yours. Such things are -dangerous if they are left lying about."</p> - -<p>"And you have used it as a threat to me ever since; and have ordered me -about as if I were a dog!" was the angry retort. And Elgert laughed.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_271" id="Page_271">[Pg 271]</a></span></p> - -<p>"I have found it useful certainly. And, my man, do you see that scar on -the back of your hand? It was a bad cut, I think. How did you manage -it?"</p> - -<p>The man, with a swift motion, put his hand in his pocket.</p> - -<p>"I cut it," he said. And Elgert laughed again.</p> - -<p>"Yes. Do you know what housebreaking is? I suppose you know nothing of -some one who broke into the school, the beginning of this term; and -who was found near my bed, with a pillow; it looked very much as if he -were going to try and kill me by smothering me. I wonder what that man -wanted. He was frightened away by one of our boys, and he cut his hand -getting over the wall. I wonder who that man was?"</p> - -<p>"You know it was me. I would have done it, too, if I had not been -found. I was frightened then, but I am not now. I am not in your power -any more."</p> - -<p>"Oh, and what has happened to change things?" inquired Horace Elgert -mockingly.</p> - -<p>"This," said the man fiercely. "If I have done wrong, what about you? -There was a five-pound note stolen at your school——"</p> - -<p>"What do you know about that?" cried Elgert quickly.</p> - -<p>"I know that it was changed in the town by your friend; and I know that -you and he went to buy it back, and paid far more than it was worth for -it, and——"</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_272" id="Page_272">[Pg 272]</a></span></p> - -<p>"And having got it back, there the thing ends," laughed Horace; but the -man laughed also.</p> - -<p>"Oh, yes, you got it back; but not before I had photographed it! I have -the negative here, a beautiful negative that will enlarge."</p> - -<p>Elgert regarded him in silent fury.</p> - -<p>"Well," he said, altering his tone, "what do you want for it? I suppose -you are trying to make money?"</p> - -<p>"My book—the one you stole. If it is just as it was when I had it, -you shall have this; if it is torn or damaged, then I take this to the -police."</p> - -<p>"You are smarter than I thought," answered Elgert blandly; but oh, in -his heart, how he determined that in some way he would make this man -suffer! "Well, here is the book. You can see it is not harmed."</p> - -<p>The man snatched the book which the boy took from his pocket, and ran -to the door to get all the light he could, as he eagerly glanced inside.</p> - -<p>"It is all right," he said. "Here is the negative." And he handed it -to Elgert. "And now you go!"—this to the book. "You have caused me -trouble enough. Go where no one can get at you!" And, in a fit of rage, -he threw it into the river; and then he turned back to the boy.</p> - -<p>"Get it again, if you can!" he laughed. "My word is as good as yours, -now; and while you have the negative, you have not got the prints I -took from<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_273" id="Page_273">[Pg 273]</a></span> it. You are in my power now, Mr. Horace, and you had best be -civil, or there will be trouble." And with that he turned and hurried -off, leaving Horace Elgert alone, white with passion and fear.</p> - -<p>"I need not fear him," he muttered. "It only means paying enough, and I -shall get them. This can go, the water will soon wash the film off."</p> - -<p>He skimmed the negative away, but it slipped from his fingers and fell -into shallow water. He did not trouble; in less than an hour it would -be washed clean away. Then Horace Elgert produced a book from his -pocket, and this he, having tied a stone to it, also threw into the -river; then, finally, he took that dreadful banknote from his pocket, -and, striking a match, he set it alight and watched it burn to ashes. -Then, hands in pockets, he sauntered off, and Tinkle and Green crept -from their refuge.</p> - -<p>"We must get back," said Green. "We shall be late."</p> - -<p>"Get back be bothered!" rejoined Tinkle eagerly. "We are going to fish -again. Be careful. Here, hold open your book—I see one in your pocket!"</p> - -<p>Tinkle carefully picked up all the grey, fluffy ash of that burnt -banknote, and placed it between the leaves.</p> - -<p>"My father says that banknotes have a queer ash, and we may want to -show this. Now let us see if we can get those things out of the river. -That negative seemed to fall close in."</p> - -<p>"I see it!" cried Green, pointing into the water.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_274" id="Page_274">[Pg 274]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Look, there it is, out on that patch of white sand—see, there!"</p> - -<p>A clever stroke or two with the landing-net, and then the little square -of glass was in their hands. It was scratched somewhat, but unbroken. -Tinkle laid it on the grass carefully.</p> - -<p>"That is one," he said. "Now let us try for the others."</p> - -<p>He weighted his line heavily, and started. He fished and fished, and at -last he was rewarded—up came the pocket-book; and soon after, up came -another book with a stone tied to it.</p> - -<p>"It is a crib," pronounced Tinkle. "Come on, Green; we are in an awful -mess, and we are in for a caning, I suppose; but we have caught our -fish, and I don't care a bit."</p> - -<p>The two boys raced back to the school, and they were accosted in the -playground by Warren.</p> - -<p>"Hallo, you two kids! Where have you been, and how did you get into -that state?" the monitor asked. "You are over an hour late. Have you -seen anything of Rexworth?"</p> - -<p>"No, Warren. Isn't he in? We wanted him. Oh, we have got something to -tell him!"</p> - -<p>"You will have something to tell the doctor," answered Warren grimly. -"He is bound to want to know what you have been up to."</p> - -<p>"Don't go, Warren. Do listen to us. It concerns Rexworth and Charlton. -We know about Elgert."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_275" id="Page_275">[Pg 275]</a></span></p> - -<p>"What is that?" cried Warren, turning. "What do you mean?" And the -boys, with many "you sees" and "you knows," told their story, and -exhibited their treasures.</p> - -<p>"Here, you come with me!" said Warren. "You are a pair of little -bricks. Come with me!"</p> - -<p>"Where to, Warren?" they asked, as he hurried on—not in the direction -of their room, but towards the Head's house. "Where are we going?"</p> - -<p>"To the Head himself. He must deal with this. Don't you be frightened. -I don't think he will punish you for being late, after he knows what -kept you. Come on and speak up like men!"</p> - -<p>"Why, Warren!" exclaimed Dr. Beverly, in mild surprise, when the -monitor of the Fourth entered his presence, accompanied by the two -little draggled objects. "What is this? Have these boys been in the -river? Take them to the housekeeper at once. They are soaking wet!"</p> - -<p>"They won't hurt for a minute or two more. They have something to tell -you, sir—something I thought that you ought to hear before any one -else."</p> - -<p>"Indeed!" said the Head. "And what is it? Speak quickly, and let them -go; they will catch bad colds."</p> - -<p>So Warren told the story for them, and placed their catch before the -Head. And Dr. Beverly, great man as he was, shook these two happy -juniors by the hand, and called them clever boys, and dismissed them -to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_276" id="Page_276">[Pg 276]</a></span> revel in special tea in the matron's room after he had strictly -enjoined both them and the monitor not to say a word of this, even to -Charlton or Ralph Rexworth.</p> - -<p>But Ralph had not come home, and it was getting late now. He had been -long enough to get to Crab Tree Hill and back twice over. What could -have happened to Ralph Rexworth?</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_277" id="Page_277">[Pg 277]</a></span></p> - -<h2><span>CHAPTER XXX</span> <span class="smaller">WHAT DETAINED RALPH REXWORTH</span></h2> - -<p>Ralph Rexworth stood in the old ruin, looking very perplexed. He could -not find Mr. Charlton anywhere. He had whistled, and called, and -searched, but not a trace of the hiding man could he discover.</p> - -<p>He felt anxious. What could it mean? Had the hiding-place been -discovered, and his chum's unfortunate parent again been taken -prisoner? Unless that was the case, he was at a loss to account for the -man's absence.</p> - -<p>"It is no use waiting any longer," he mused, after he had searched the -ruin through for the third time. "He has not hurt himself and fallen -anywhere in here. He must have been alarmed, and have fled, unless he -is taken. Poor old Fred will be horribly worried when I go back and -tell him; but there is nothing else for me to do, and I shall be late -back, as it is."</p> - -<p>He sighed. His friend's anxiety for his parent would be something like -what he felt for his missing father. It made Ralph think of that again, -and of the strange cry which he had heard in that place.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_278" id="Page_278">[Pg 278]</a></span> He could not -understand that. As he stood there he felt an uncontrollable impulse to -penetrate to that lonely house again, to risk meeting the dogs, and to -try the effects of his call once more.</p> - -<p>"I am bound to be late, anyhow," he muttered, "so here goes." And he -set off. Perhaps he might meet Charlton's father in the wood.</p> - -<p>But—he stopped suddenly—what did this mean? There, on the soft -ground, were those tracks once more! Lord Elgert's lame mare had been -here! Did that mean that Lord Elgert himself had been; or had he lent -his trap to the police again, and had they managed to run their victim -down?</p> - -<p>The tracks did not touch the ruin; they began some way from it, and -swept round the spinny towards that lonely house. For Ralph to follow -them was but child's play. He had hardly to slacken his pace a bit, so -plainly the marks were to be seen on the soft, little-trodden earth. -They guided him to the spinny—to a little path cut through it, of -which he had been ignorant before—right up to the house itself; and -there, standing before the open door, was Lord Elgert's trap and the -lame mare. It was not to the ruin, but to that mysterious house that -the trap had been driven. But why? Ah, how Ralph asked himself that -question, and how impossible it was to find an answer to it!</p> - -<p>Lord Elgert seemed to have hated his father. Lord Elgert was here, -and he had heard his father's signal<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_279" id="Page_279">[Pg 279]</a></span> in this place. Ralph, crouching -behind the trees, uttered his old call, and then listened with almost -breathless attention.</p> - -<p>Yes. There—there, muffled but indistinct, the answer came! It came -from the house. His father was there, and his father was in Lord -Elgert's power!</p> - -<p>Ralph's first impulse was to dash forward; but he paused. He must -be cautious here. He remained hiding, waiting to see if any one had -noticed his call, and his prudence was rewarded by seeing Lord Elgert -himself come to the door, accompanied by the brutal-looking man whom he -had seen before, and glance anxiously round.</p> - -<p>Then the two seemed to consult; and presently the man went away, to -return with a couple of great tawny hounds, both of which he let loose. -Ralph's heart stood still. What could he do against those fierce -brutes? The man and Lord Elgert went in, and the dogs roamed round. -They had not struck his scent yet; but presently they would do so, and -then it would be a hard business for him.</p> - -<p>Ralph was preparing to cautiously creep away, when he heard a shout -from the house—a cry for help, and in his father's voice! That put all -else out of his head, and he dashed like a deer across the grass and -into the open door of that house. His father was there; his father was -crying for help, and he would stand by his side!</p> - -<p>The dogs saw, and raised a deep-voiced bay. He<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_280" id="Page_280">[Pg 280]</a></span> slammed the door and -shut them out, then darted along in the direction of the sounds he had -heard.</p> - -<p>They came from a room on the first floor and he rushed in, and -there—there his father struggled in the grasp of Lord Elgert and -his fierce companion. Mr. Rexworth had evidently been kept a captive -by being bound to the wall by a stout chain; and one of his arms was -swathed in dirty bandages, as though he was hurt.</p> - -<p>Whether his captors wished to bind him still more securely, or whether -it was that they sought to convey him somewhere else, Ralph did not -know. He saw his father with his back to the wall, brandishing a stool -in one hand. He saw the man rush in, dodge the blow, and strike his -father down; and then, with a cry of rage, he sprang forward, seizing a -heavy stick that lay on the table, and struck wildly at the aggressor. -Alas! what could one stripling like he do against two such men? They -both turned, and Ralph received a heavy blow upon the temple; and then -all was darkness, and he knew nothing more.</p> - -<p>But when he opened his eyes, where was he? What had happened? Why could -he not move?</p> - -<p>He strove to rise. He felt giddy and sick, and his head ached and -throbbed dreadfully. Why he was bound—bound hand and foot, and he was -stretched upon the floor!</p> - -<p>He rolled on his side. His father lay back against<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_281" id="Page_281">[Pg 281]</a></span> the wall, but his -chain was gone. He was only secured with a rope, in the same manner -that Ralph was fastened. But his eyes were closed, and his face was -very white. A dreadful fear filled the lad's mind—that he had come too -late, that his father was really dead now.</p> - -<p>For a few minutes he lay still, quietly trying the strength of his -bonds. He knew that knots hastily tied could frequently be worked -loose; but, alas, it was a vain hope in his case! Those who had secured -him had done their work well.</p> - -<p>And then suddenly he became aware of a hot, choky feeling in the air, -and a sound of crackling. He struggled into a sitting posture, and—oh, -horrible, horrible!—the room was full of smoke. The place was on fire, -and he and his dear father were there, helpless and bound, left to -perish in the flames!</p> - -<p>What wonder that terror claimed him for the moment? Who would not -flinch then in such an awful position?</p> - -<p>"Father! Father!" he cried; but the prostrate man returned no answer. -He lay silent, motionless. Ralph rolled over and over to his side. -Alas, what good would that do? He managed to struggle to his feet by -supporting himself in an angle of the room, and he gazed around. The -smoke was growing worse—he could hardly breathe when he stood up—and -hot puffs of air were forcing themselves through the flooring and -whirling along the passage and through<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_282" id="Page_282">[Pg 282]</a></span> the door of the room—the door -which was cracking and glowing red now, ready to burst into flame.</p> - -<p>Oh, was there no help, no succour? If only his faithful Warren or dear -old Charlton knew of his peril, how they would come to his aid! Alas, -they were far away, and they did not know.</p> - -<p>But what was that? A sound outside! A shout, and the dogs barking and -raging more than ever, in a perfect fury of anger. Then a smashing of -glass. Had the fire broken the windows? No. A form rising above the -sill, a man who staggered as the hot smoke met him, and who bent down -on all fours to creep across the room—a man who cried aloud—</p> - -<p>"Ralph Rexworth, are you here? Are you here?"</p> - -<p>It was Mr. Charlton; it was Mr. Charlton come to his aid. Oh, what a -swift rush of thanksgiving filled Ralph's heart then!</p> - -<p>"Here, here!" he answered. "I am tied up; I cannot move. And father is -here, too; he is senseless." And Mr. Charlton was by his side in a few -moments.</p> - -<p>"Thank God you are unharmed," he said, as he drew his knife across -the ropes that held Ralph prisoner. "I saw you enter, and I feared -mischief; and when those two came out and drove off, I knew not what to -think. There are two brutes of dogs there, and they prevented my trying -to get in. Then I saw the smoke and flame, and I knew what they had -done. I grew desperate, and made a dash for it.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_283" id="Page_283">[Pg 283]</a></span> The dogs almost got -me, but I managed to get into a tree that grew close to the house; and -I passed along one branch to the top of the verandah, and so worked my -way round. It was risky, for if I had slipped those two brutes would -have been on me in a moment."</p> - -<p>Mr. Charlton was not idle while he was talking. He had set Ralph free, -and had cut the ropes that held Mr. Rexworth, who now opened his eyes -and stared around in bewilderment.</p> - -<p>"Oh father, father!" cried Ralph. "Thank God that you are alive! Try -and rouse yourself, father dear. We are in great danger. The house is -on fire, and if we do not get away quickly we must all perish."</p> - -<p>"Ralph, what is it! How did you come?" the father asked vacantly. And -Mr. Charlton shook him.</p> - -<p>"Never mind that now, friend!" he cried. "The fire is upon us. Ah, see -there!"—as the door fell with a crash and a burst of flame swept in -upon them. "We have not a moment to lose. Out you go, Ralph, and hold -on like a limpet! Be ready to aid your father, that is all"—as Ralph -scrambled through the window and managed to find footing on a narrow -ledge that ran round the house. "Now, Mr. Rexworth, prove yourself -a man. If you fall, the dogs won't give you a chance. Now, sir, for -Heaven's sake, try!"</p> - -<p>"I will manage it all right, my good friend," answered Mr. Rexworth. -The flame and smoke had<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_284" id="Page_284">[Pg 284]</a></span> recalled him to the immediate peril. "Just a -hand through, that is all." And, summoning all his reserve of strength -and resolution, he managed to get from the window, aided by Mr. -Charlton in the room, and somewhat supported by Ralph behind him.</p> - -<p>Cautiously holding on with grim energy, the three managed to creep back -to that point from which the rescuer had first started—the top of the -verandah. But this was a position of great peril now; for the flames -were breaking through it, and darting from the windows above it, and -the melted lead of roof and gutter hissed and spluttered. It seemed -death to go on; it was death to go back. And the two hounds below had -followed them round, and now stood barking up at them.</p> - -<p>"We must risk it," panted Mr. Charlton. "Let me go first, and show you -how to do it. If you step on the wall you can reach the branch of the -tree in three strides. It seems very dreadful, but the peril is more -apparent than real. Look!"</p> - -<p>He boldly jumped to the brickwork around which the fire darted. He took -three quick firm steps, and was able to swing himself into the limb of -the tree, safe from the fire's reach.</p> - -<p>Mr. Rexworth followed by the same dangerous path. "Now, Ralph!" he -cried. But almost as the words came the whole of the verandah, and the -brickwork supporting it, fell in; and there Ralph was left clinging to -that narrow protection of the wall.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_285" id="Page_285">[Pg 285]</a></span></p> - -<p>And the wall itself was cracking with the heat. He could not maintain -his position for long. At any moment it might fall and cover him in its -heated ruins.</p> - -<p>Mr. Rexworth groaned in horror; Mr. Charlton looked on in dismay; and -Ralph clung there, with death behind, and death above, and death—the -worst death of all, red-eyed and lolling-tongued death—beneath -awaiting him!</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_286" id="Page_286">[Pg 286]</a></span></p> - -<h2><span>CHAPTER XXXI</span> <span class="smaller">THE TABLES ARE TURNED</span></h2> - -<p>"Ralph! Oh, my son!" cried Mr. Rexworth, as he saw the peril in which -the brave lad stood. And the boy turned and looked at his father.</p> - -<p>"I cannot hold on here much longer, father," he said. "I shall have to -drop, and take my chance with the dogs."</p> - -<p>"Wait—wait a moment, Ralph!" answered the agonized man. "Let me get -down and attract their attention, and then you will have a chance."</p> - -<p>"Don't, don't father," implored Ralph. "What chance will you have with -them with your arm hurt? I may manage it."</p> - -<p>"I will do it," volunteered Mr. Charlton; "I am uninjured. You stay -here, sir."</p> - -<p>"Don't either of you do it!" cried Ralph, shifting his position a -little so as to avoid the smoke if he could. "I am going to try and -creep back a bit. I may find a better place."</p> - -<p>"It is useless, Ralph," was his father's answer. "The wall is cracking -behind you. I can see the smoke coming through. Oh, if we only had a -rope!"</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_287" id="Page_287">[Pg 287]</a></span></p> - -<p>"A rope!" cried Mr. Charlton. "If a rope can aid in such an extremity, -I can supply that; for I have kept a long one on my person in case I -might be in need of it to escape from my own enemies."</p> - -<p>As he spoke he threw off his coat and waistcoat, and there, wound round -his body, was a long but fine line, one quite long enough to serve the -purpose of reaching to where Ralph clung, though he could not see of -what avail it would be.</p> - -<p>But Mr. Rexworth saw. And, shouting to Ralph to keep up his courage and -to look out, he threw one end of the rope—not to the boy—but up over -another branch of the tree that was some height above them. Then he -caught this end as it fell, and gave the other to Mr. Charlton, bidding -him give one turn round the trunk and hold on with all his might. The -other end he whirled round his head, and, with practised aim, he sent -it to Ralph, who gripped at it with one hand, having to risk falling to -earth as he did so.</p> - -<div class="center"><img src="images/i287.jpg" alt="With practised aim, he sent the rope to Ralph" /></div> - -<p class="bold">"<span class="smcap">With practised aim, he sent the rope to Ralph, who -gripped it<br />with one hand.</span>" p. 287</p> - -<p>But, having got it, the rest was easy. He was able to swing across that -fiery gulf which separated him from safety, and the next moment was -safely beside his father, while the dogs ran to the tree and leaped -against its trunk in vain rage. And almost at that moment the wall to -which he had been clinging collapsed and fell in fiery ruin. A few -moments sooner, and it would have carried the brave boy with it to his -death.</p> - -<p>Safe so far, but still held prisoners by those dogs;<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_288" id="Page_288">[Pg 288]</a></span> and still with -the flame and smoke blowing upon them. If the walls fell in their -direction death might claim them after all.</p> - -<p>"If we only had some weapon to beat these brutes off with," said Mr. -Charlton, as he looked down. But Mr. Rexworth replied—</p> - -<p>"We had better remain here. The fire is sure to be seen, and help will -arrive soon."</p> - -<p>Help! Yes, help for Ralph and his father. But what would that help mean -to poor Mr. Charlton—what but being taken prisoner again? He sighed, -but said nothing. He had done his best to help the boy who had helped -him, and if that must be the price paid he would pay it.</p> - -<p>But Ralph had little idea of remaining perched in a tree. He saw that -there was a weapon, and one which, in skilful hands, would prove very -effective—one which he excelled in the use of.</p> - -<p>The rope was coiled in his hands, and a running noose was formed at -one end. He crawled far out on the branch, and got a firm hold with -his legs; then he gave his rope a whirl, and sent it flying downwards. -And soon one of those great dogs was jerked into mid-air, and when it -touched earth again it was dead—its neck was broken.</p> - -<p>They hauled it up and loosened the noose, letting the body fall heavily -to the earth. And ere long the second animal had shared its fate, and -there was nothing to hinder them from descending.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_289" id="Page_289">[Pg 289]</a></span></p> - -<p>Nothing! No, that was not quite right. There was a desperate man, who -had remained hidden, to see the result of his wicked work—a man whose -face was dark with wrath, and whose heart was maddened with fear. For -if these escaped unscathed, it meant the ruin of everything for him.</p> - -<p>Mr. Charlton and Ralph had helped Mr. Rexworth to the ground, and -either from weakness, or from the reaction of feeling, Mr. Rexworth -staggered and sunk half swooning at the foot of the tree; while the -other two bent over him anxiously.</p> - -<p>That was the chance. Lord Elgert and his brutal follower suddenly -dashed from the shelter of the trees and rushed upon them. The man was -armed with a rugged stick, and Lord Elgert had a heavily-loaded whip. -It seemed as if the others were at their mercy; but Ralph's quick -ear caught the sound of their approach, and with a cry of warning he -started up. The others were almost upon them, and they were unarmed. -The lad glanced around; at his feet one of the dead dogs lay; he seized -it, he put out all his strength, and sent the heavy body direct at the -pair, who, quite unprepared for such an unexpected assault, received it -full in their faces.</p> - -<p>The man fell heavily, Lord Elgert turned and fled. And Ralph, with an -eager cry, darted after him, rope in hand. The man who had treated his -father thus should not escape him now.</p> - -<p>But now through the growth there came the crashing<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_290" id="Page_290">[Pg 290]</a></span> of heavy bodies, -and loud shouts were raised. The fire had attracted attention, and -people were rushing from Crab Tree village to see what was the cause.</p> - -<p>And not only villagers, but policemen—policemen who had patiently -waited and watched, feeling sure that the man they wanted was still -hiding in the locality. It was a constable who grabbed hold of Ralph's -arm, and, pulling him up with a sudden jerk, demanded what he was doing -and what had occasioned the fire.</p> - -<p>Ralph struggled. It was maddening to think that he was stopped while -Lord Elgert was escaping. He did not stop to think that escape was next -to impossible. He was accustomed to the ways of the wild plains, and -there, if a man once got away, it was almost certain that no one would -catch him again.</p> - -<p>"It was Lord Elgert who did it, and he is running away!" he cried. "My -father is there. You know how he was missing, and we thought he had -been murdered. Lord Elgert had him. He is here."</p> - -<p>"Whatever are you talking about, young man?" the constable demanded, -perplexed at such a dramatic statement. But the sergeant, who had come -up with a horse-constable interposed—</p> - -<p>"Don't stand there talking, man, see what is amiss!" The constable had -let go of Ralph, and the mounted man had jumped from his horse. Ralph -caught sight of a trap being driven at full speed over the moor. He -had no need to ask who was in that. Lord Elgert<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_291" id="Page_291">[Pg 291]</a></span> was making good his -escape. With a shout of anger and defiance, Ralph had sprung into the -empty saddle and was off before a single man there could get over his -surprise and hinder him.</p> - -<p>"There he goes, there he goes!" he shouted, pointing after the trap. -"That is Lord Elgert, but I will ride him down!" And away he went, -leaving the men open-mouthed.</p> - -<p>They found the two dead dogs, they found Mr. Rexworth, and alas! they -found poor, patient Mr. Charlton. He might have attempted to escape, -but he would not leave the injured man. Besides, it was no use now; -there was nowhere else to hide, and he must be taken sooner or later.</p> - -<p>And after the galloping mare went Ralph, riding hard. It was -like the old life once more—this wild gallop. He had ridden the -half-wild broncho steeds of Texas, and he had no difficulty with this -well-trained horse.</p> - -<p>On he went; on, on, near and nearer to the flying man in front. He -saw Lord Elgert look back at him. A man against a boy! Surely the man -need have no fear in such a contest! And yet Lord Elgert did fear. He -had feared this boy from the very first time he had seen him in Stow -Wood. He had feared him from the moment Ralph had cut that bullet -from the tree, and from the time when he had heard him declare that -he would never rest until he had solved the mystery of his father's -disappearance. That mystery<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_292" id="Page_292">[Pg 292]</a></span> was solved, all his wicked devices were -brought to naught, and now he was fleeing for life and for liberty, -being hunted just as he had made the police hunt Mr. Charlton. The -tables were being turned indeed!</p> - -<p>Nearer and nearer Ralph drew, and fiercer and more cruelly did the -man lash the sides of his faithful little mare. Ralph stood up in his -stirrups, and Lord Elgert looked at him over his shoulder. The boy had -the rope in his hands. Ah, the very first thing he did when he had come -to the place was to rope his black bull! Now he was going to serve him -in the same way—to serve him as he had served the two dogs!</p> - -<p>Lord Elgert saw the arm of the boy sweep round his head, and he ducked.</p> - -<p>But Ralph had not aimed at him, he had a better plan than that. The -noose settled over the little mare. Ralph pulled up, and braced himself -for the shock which he knew would follow—a shock which nearly pulled -him from his saddle. The mare went down, the trap was shattered, -and Lord Elgert, totally unprepared—not even looking where he was -going—was sent flying through the air to fall heavily, striking his -temple against a rugged stump.</p> - -<p>Ralph was at the spot in a moment. The man was stunned and at his -mercy. The rope had done its duty as a lasso, and was now used to bind -Lord Elgert. Ralph felt no remorse or compunction about that. He must -take this man to his father, and his father must declare what should -next be done.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_293" id="Page_293">[Pg 293]</a></span></p> - -<p>"He isn't much hurt," he muttered; "nor are you, you poor thing," he -added, turning to the plunging mare. "There you are"—as he cut her -free from the ruin of the trap. "Now I reckon that you can find your -own way home, and, in the meantime, I will wait here."</p> - -<p>He placed his hands to his mouth, and gave his old wild call, and from -the distance it was answered by his father. They would soon be here -now. Ralph tethered the horse, and seated himself on the grass. Lord -Elgert opened his eyes, and looked at him with an expression of the -deepest hate; but Ralph little heeded that. His father was safe, and -that was all he thought of then. Ralph Rexworth felt happier at that -moment than he had done for many a day, and, paying no attention to his -fallen foe, save to take care that he did not get free, he waited until -the police, people, and Mr. Rexworth arrived upon the scene. Yes, the -tables were turned now; and had he but known it, they were turned at -school also.</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_294" id="Page_294">[Pg 294]</a></span></p> - -<h2><span>CHAPTER XXXII</span> <span class="smaller">FLOGGED AND EXPELLED</span></h2> - -<p>"The whole school to assemble in the hall!"</p> - -<p>The order was received in every class-room, and masters and boys looked -surprised. It was generally known that Ralph Rexworth had been absent -all night, and that a message had been sent over to Mr. St. Clive's -asking whether the boy had been detained there. It was also known that -Charlton was in disgrace—that he had been accused of stealing Ralph's -examination papers, for the purpose of correcting them from a crib.</p> - -<p>The idea was that it must be on one of these accounts that the school -was summoned—either Ralph had got into trouble, or Charlton was to be -punished.</p> - -<p>But there was no time for speculation. Into the hall the boys trooped, -class by class—juniors, middle division, and seniors—their masters -following, and their monitors leading the way; and there upon the -doctor's desk an ominous object was to be seen—the school birch, -rarely taken from its resting-place in the cupboard, rarely used, and, -if the truth must be told, rarely needing to be used. Woe betide the -unlucky boy who<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_295" id="Page_295">[Pg 295]</a></span> so far disgraced the honour of Marlthorpe as to render -its presence needful, for what he got from the Head was as nothing to -what he would receive from the angry scholars later on.</p> - -<p>"Silence!"</p> - -<p>Kesterway's voice rang out as Dr. Beverly entered and an expectant hush -fell upon the whole school.</p> - -<p>"Frederick Charlton, stand out!"</p> - -<p>Charlton obeyed. Boys who knew how nervous he was were surprised to -see him quite calm now. He moved forward towards the Head's desk and -saluted; and then the Headmaster of Marlthorpe spoke.</p> - -<p>"Charlton, you were found in my class-room the other night, with -Rexworth's examination papers in your hand. Tell the school your reason -for being there!"</p> - -<p>The Head spoke shortly, but kindly, as if inviting the boy to be at -ease; and Charlton told his story, and explained how he had seen Dobson -and Elgert break open the desk.</p> - -<p>"The desk was unlocked. There was no need to break it open," the Head -said; and then he turned to the other two boys, and asked them what -they had to say.</p> - -<p>What they had to say indeed! Such indignant denials, and such plain -statements that it was all up between Rexworth and Charlton.</p> - -<p>"Rexworth is detained, and cannot be here yet," said the Head quietly. -"But we can proceed with this inquiry in his absence. Elgert and -Dobson, stand out!"</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_296" id="Page_296">[Pg 296]</a></span></p> - -<p>And the two obeyed, ill at ease, wondering what was coming next, and -casting suspicious looks at each other, as if each thought the other -had turned informer.</p> - -<p>"Horace Elgert, did you ever see this before?" asked the Head.</p> - -<p>And Elgert turned white, for the doctor held out that wretched crib -which he had thrown into the river.</p> - -<p>"No, sir," he answered, averting his eyes.</p> - -<p>And the same answer was asked of Dobson, who gave the same answer.</p> - -<p>"James Green! Henry Tinkle!" cried Kesterway.</p> - -<p>And the two small chums jumped up eagerly.</p> - -<p>"Explain how you became possessed of this crib," said the Head.</p> - -<p>Green spoke first, and Tinkle backed him up, and then a low angry hiss -rang through the school, and Horace Elgert turned a pair of anxious, -frightened eyes towards his companions.</p> - -<p>"Do you deny this story, Elgert?" asked the Head sternly.</p> - -<p>And the boy was silent. If those two juniors had picked up his book, -had they picked up anything else?</p> - -<p>"There was a banknote missing some time ago," the Head went on. "You -may remember that a note was found in Rexworth's pocket-book, and I -showed how he had been the victim of a plot. The banknote that was -stolen was never discovered; but I now know that it was changed by you, -Dobson, at a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_297" id="Page_297">[Pg 297]</a></span> low cake shop in the town, and that afterwards it was -bought back by you and Elgert from that man for far more than it was -worth. That note, Elgert, you destroyed yesterday by burning it, and -here are the ashes." And the Head produced the filmy ash still lying -in <i>Tom Brown's Schooldays</i>. "But that note had been photographed, -and you purchased the negative by giving to the person who held it a -pocket-book which you had previously taken from him. The negative you -also threw into the river, and the person you were with threw in the -book which you had just restored to him. Do you deny these statements?"</p> - -<p>Still Elgert did not answer. He felt hot and cold by turns. He did not -know where to turn his eyes. It was no use denying in the face of such -proof.</p> - -<p>"You cannot answer!" the Head went on. "You, Dobson, what do you know -of this?"</p> - -<p>"Oh—oh—oh!" yelled Dobson, clasping his hands, and falling upon -his knees. "Oh, forgive me, sir! Oh, I will own up, sir! It was all -Elgert's fault. He made me do it, sir! I never wanted to do it, sir! It -is all true, every bit of it, sir! Oh——"</p> - -<p>"Silence!" cried the Head, in ill-disguised contempt. "No one can force -another to do evil. You two boys have conspired together to injure -the good name of a companion, whose only offence has been that he has -tried to act a noble manly part amidst very difficult and adverse -circumstances. You would have branded him a thief; and to do it you -did not hesitate to <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_298" id="Page_298">[Pg 298]</a></span>become thieves yourselves. You have told the -vilest lies—and you, Elgert, have done worse. It will be for other -authorities to deal with this; but I will mention it here. You have -allowed one of these boys—Charlton I mean—to suffer much torture -because of his father's unhappy position. You knew that his father was -innocent, and you held the proof of that, and——"</p> - -<p>Then the Head stopped, for Charlton had turned very white. He had not -known of the business of the pocket-book.</p> - -<p>"Oh, sir," he said, "my father innocent! And he knew it, and—and——"</p> - -<p>He put his hand to his head, and Kesterway sprang forward and caught -him, or he would have fallen, for he fainted away; and the Head, with -tears in his eyes, murmured—</p> - -<p>"Poor boy! Poor boy! Take him to the matron."</p> - -<p>They carried him out, and not one of those who had jeered at him but -now felt sorry and ashamed, and full of anger against the two culprits, -to whom the Head now turned again.</p> - -<p>"It is possible that others outside our school may have something to -say to you about this business," he said. "That has nothing to do with -me. I have only to deal with your offence as it touches the honour of -the school and for that offence only the severest punishment can be -inflicted——"</p> - -<p>Whereat Dobson uttered a howl, and Elgert clenched<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_299" id="Page_299">[Pg 299]</a></span> his hands and -looked desperate. The severest punishment! That was why the birch was -there.</p> - -<p>"You will both be publicly flogged," continued the Head, "and then you -will be expelled!"</p> - -<p>And at this a shout of approval went up. Marlthorpe was going to be -avenged for the slight put upon its honour.</p> - -<p>"Oh, mercy—mercy!" cried Dobson. "Oh, don't flog me, sir! I won't do -it any more, and it was all Elgert's fault."</p> - -<p>Elgert looked at him in scorn. If he must be flogged, he would crave -no mercy. He would show them that he did not care. But flogged! A gasp -went round as the school porter and the man who kept the lodge came -in. It was useless to resist, though Dobson kicked and struggled, and -shouted in his anger and fear. The Head laid aside his gown, and took -the rod; and then the sound of the hissing cuts came. Dobson was the -first victim, and with the strokes came the yells—awful yells, for the -Head did not spare him in the least, and Dobson plainly found himself -in a very uncomfortable position.</p> - -<p>He was released at last, and then Elgert—the Honourable Horace -Elgert—took his place. He bit his lips until the blood came, but he -would not cry out. But oh, how he hated Ralph Rexworth then! If he -could have hurt him—if he could have killed him, he would not have -cared what they did to him afterwards.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_300" id="Page_300">[Pg 300]</a></span></p> - -<p>It was over at last. And he stood breathless, smarting, a mist before -his eyes, until he caught sight of Tinkle's fat face; and he thought -that Tinkle was grinning.</p> - -<p>Then, rage overcoming him, not thinking what he was doing, he rushed -at the little fellow, and, had not Warren been near to prevent it, he -would have knocked him down.</p> - -<p>And then, Head or no Head, Marlthorpe lost its calmness, and the boys -sprang up, and surged forward at the two offenders—angry boys, with -menacing eyes. Elgert's courage failed him then. He turned and ran, and -Dobson went after him. In vain masters shouted, and the Head rang his -bell. In vain Kesterway rushed after them. Not another monitor paid any -attention. Out into the playground they streamed, and around it they -chased the two boys.</p> - -<p>Around they went. They drove them to the small pond, and threw them in. -They dragged them out, and hustled them, dripping and breathless, to -the gates. The Head had no need to expel the pair.</p> - -<p>As Elgert and Dobson were thrown out a little party approached the -gates; and from its number, one boy darted forward to throw himself -between the two miserable victims and their pursuers, and that boy was -Ralph Rexworth himself.</p> - -<p>"Here, I say, drop that! It is not fair!" giving Warren a shove -backwards. "It isn't the right thing! Drop it, you fellows! And look -out, here comes the Head!"</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_301" id="Page_301">[Pg 301]</a></span></p> - -<p>Yes, the Head with his cane, and the masters with their canes, coming -to insist upon order, and to show Marlthorpe that it could not be -permitted to do just as it chose even with boys like Dobson and Elgert. -It certainly looked as though some one was going to get caned just then.</p> - -<p>But Warren uttered a whoop.</p> - -<p>"Hallo, Ralph! Fellows, here is Rexworth turned up. Just too late to -see the fun! You ought to have heard Dobby yell, my boy! It was lovely!"</p> - -<p>"Here is Rexworth!" echoed the boys.</p> - -<p>They pounced upon him. They grabbed arm or leg, whichever they could -get hold of, and dragged him somehow upon their shoulders, and marched -back triumphantly; while the Head and the masters did not know what to -do.</p> - -<p>And behind Ralph came Mr. Rexworth, and Mr. St. Clive and Irene—a very -radiant Irene—who whispered to Tom Warren that the gentleman with the -injured arm was Ralph's father, and that he was Lord Rexworth, because -he was the son of the old Lord Stephen, and his right name was Rexworth -Stephen, and Ralph would be the Honourable Ralph Rexworth Stephen. She -told it very excitedly, and Tom Warren whistled, and then yelled—</p> - -<p>"Three cheers for Ralph's father—Lord Rexworth Stephen! And three more -cheers for the Honourable Ralph Rexworth Stephen! Come on, you fellows, -out with it!"</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_302" id="Page_302">[Pg 302]</a></span></p> - -<p>What shouting and cheering there was then! And how, while Mr. Rexworth, -as we will still call him, was talking to the Doctor, Ralph got nearly -pulled to pieces. Why, they even forgot the birching in the excitement -of Ralph's return. They had to hear his story, and how he had found -his father; and then Warren explained how they had found out that Mr. -Charlton was innocent.</p> - -<p>That was good news for Ralph—the best news that could possibly be—and -escaping with Warren and Irene, he hurried across to the matron's -house, and begged that he might see his chum.</p> - -<p>Charlton was all right, only he was so excited, and just a little -inclined to cry. And he wanted to know where his father was; and when -Ralph explained how Mr. Charlton had given himself up, he exclaimed—</p> - -<p>"Oh, Ralph, let us go and explain! Let us go now!"</p> - -<p>"Come and tell my father. He will understand," said Ralph; but there -was little need for telling.</p> - -<p>Already Mr. St. Clive had been informed, and he had hurried off at -once. It would not be long before Mr. Charlton was a free man.</p> - -<p>And then Mr. Rexworth, seeing that there would be much to talk about, -went back with Ralph and Irene and Charlton to Mr. St. Clive's house, -there to tell his story, and explain how it was that he had become the -prisoner of the man who had treated him so very cruelly.</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_303" id="Page_303">[Pg 303]</a></span></p> - -<h2><span>CHAPTER XXXIII</span> <span class="smaller">CONCLUSION</span></h2> - -<p>Seated in the drawing-room at Mr. St. Clive's house, an interested -party gathered around Mr. Rexworth to hear his story. And not only -an interested party, but a happy one, for the trouble was gone, and -the sun was shining for all there. It was no wonder that, even before -stories were told, Mr. Rexworth should have said, "Let us all kneel -and thank our Heavenly Father for His great mercy and goodness," nor -that every heart should have been filled with devout gratitude as, with -bent heads, they listened to the words of thanksgiving, for, like the -psalmist of old, they could say, "God hath done great things for us, -whereof we are glad."</p> - -<p>And so they sat, while Mr. Rexworth told his story, a story that had -its moral, too, for it revealed how disobedience to a father might -bring sore punishment afterwards.</p> - -<p>For, as we now know, Mr. Rexworth was the son of old Lord Stephen, and -in his early days he had been wild and headstrong, and had frequently -disobeyed his father's commands. And in that he had been aided<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_304" id="Page_304">[Pg 304]</a></span> by his -cousin Elgert. For Elgert envied the young heir his position, and hoped -to make a bad quarrel between the father and son.</p> - -<p>And he was successful. The quarrel came, and Mr. Rexworth had run away -from home, dropping his name of Stephen, and going away to the wild -plains of Texas, to indulge in the roving life for which he longed. -But he soon found that it was not all pleasure—that hardship and -disappointment followed, and that whether in England or away in wild -lands, the best thing for a man was to be a follower of the Lord Jesus -Christ.</p> - -<p>But he did not write to his father, for he believed that he would never -be forgiven. And he met his wife, and married, and Ralph was born; -and then he was content, and put all thoughts of the old home away, -striving to bring his son up as a true Christian, even amidst their -wild surroundings.</p> - -<p>But his wife, when she was dying, spoke seriously to her husband, for -she knew the truth, and she said that their boy ought to come to his -own; and so, because she wished it, for the first time Mr. Rexworth -wrote home to his father.</p> - -<p>But Lord Stephen was dead, and his nephew reigned in his place; and -Lord Elgert had sent a cold letter back, saying that he did not wish to -have anything to do with a man who had broken a good father's heart, -and that everything had been left to him.</p> - -<p>But with that letter there came another, one written<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_305" id="Page_305">[Pg 305]</a></span> by a faithful old -servant, enclosing a will. Lord Stephen had made that will just before -he died, and had entrusted it to his old retainer; so that if ever his -son, whom he had forgiven, should come back, he should have his own -again.</p> - -<p>Then Mr. Rexworth had started for England with Ralph, but he had not -told his son anything of the business which took him there; and when at -last they had reached Stow Ormond he had left the boy at the <i>Horse and -Wheel</i> with old Simon, and had started off for Castle Court.</p> - -<p>And an angry, disappointed man was Lord Elgert when he found that his -cousin was to take from him everything which he had schemed to gain.</p> - -<p>"He had nothing to say," said Mr. Rexworth, "but he looked very strange -as I left—as if he would have liked to kill me. I had told him that -no one knew who I really was, and that my own son was ignorant of the -truth. It was a foolish thing to have done, for it meant that if I were -out of the way, no one would know anything about the business which had -brought me home.</p> - -<p>"It was dark and cheerless, and I was anxious to get back to you, -Ralph, so I took the short cut through Stow Wood past the black mere; -and just as I reached the pond I was startled by some one firing at me -from behind a tree. The first shot missed, but the second struck my arm -and broke the bone. It has never been properly set, and has caused me -much pain.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_306" id="Page_306">[Pg 306]</a></span></p> - -<p>"I must have fainted, for when I recovered my senses I was a prisoner -in a strange place—the very house in which you found me. My cousin's -first intention had been to kill me; but when he found that he had -failed, his courage wavered, and he had me taken to that place and put -that man to guard me. He promised to set me free if I would give him -the will, but that I would not do. I had taken the precaution to leave -that in London with a lawyer I had known in my younger days, and there -it is now.</p> - -<p>"Lord Elgert's next offer was to set me free if I would sign away half -the property to him; but that I also refused to do. The man used to -urge him to kill me, but he seemed possessed with the fear that you, -Ralph, would find it out if he did so.</p> - -<p>"Then one day when I felt very depressed and ill and on the point of -yielding, I heard your old call, and I answered it, and I knew that you -had in some way got on my track. And Lord Elgert found that out also, -for yesterday he came to take me away to another hiding-place, and I -refused to go. We struggled, and again your call came, and that made -him desperate. The rest of the story you know, my dear boy. And now you -must tell me how you managed to get on my track."</p> - -<p>So Ralph told his story, and then Mr. Charlton explained how he had, -whilst hiding in the old ruin, become convinced that Lord Elgert held -some one prisoner in that strange house, and on the very day<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_307" id="Page_307">[Pg 307]</a></span> when -Ralph had gone to take his chum's message, he had stolen out to watch. -Mr. Charlton had seen Ralph go in, and had watched until both Lord -Elgert and his man came out; then, perplexed and fearing foul play, -he had stood there until the flames burst out, and that sight had -dispelled his fear of the dogs and sent him to the rescue.</p> - -<p>And then, when the police had arrived and had taken their prisoner -again, Mr. St. Clive had come after him, not only with that diary, -but with the man who had written it, and who confessed that he had -committed the offence at the instigation of Lord Elgert, who had a -spite against Mr. Charlton.</p> - -<p>The innocent man was soon set free after that, and was able to rejoin -his wife and his son openly and without any fear.</p> - -<p>But Lord Elgert? Ah, that was the one thing that made Mr. Rexworth sad. -He would have forgiven his cousin if he could, much as he had suffered -at his hands, but the law would not allow that. Lord Elgert had been -arrested, and the miserable Horace, together with his partner in -disgrace, Dobson, had run away, and no one knew where they were.</p> - -<p>But they were found, for Mr. Dobson set a detective on their track, -and they were brought back, a pair of sorry-looking objects, dirty and -ragged.</p> - -<p>Mr. Dobson immediately apprenticed his son to a firm of shipowners, -and sent him off to sea; and Mr. Rexworth, seeing that Horace had no -friend, did the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_308" id="Page_308">[Pg 308]</a></span> same for his nephew, hoping that in his new life -he would become a true and good man. Ralph would have been friendly -to Horace at their parting, but the proud boy would not accept his -friendship. Later on they heard that he had deserted his ship when it -got to Australia, and after that they heard no more of him.</p> - -<p>And so punishment overtook those who had done evil, and patience and -truth reaped their reward at last, as they ever must in the end; -and Ralph Rexworth was the Hon. Ralph Rexworth Stephen amongst his -schoolfellows, for Mr. Rexworth thought that it would do him no harm to -stay at the good doctor's school for a little while before he went to -college.</p> - -<p>Yes, he was "the Honourable." Indeed, he had been the Honourable all -the time in the true sense of the word. He did not put on any airs—our -Ralph could not have done that if he had tried—and he and Charlton and -honest old Tom Warren were three of the staunchest chums that ever you -met with—always together, and all three working for the good of the -Fourth; so that when they were promoted to the Fifth, Mr. Delermain -said that it was one of the greatest losses he had received, and that -the best influences in his class had all been taken away together.</p> - -<p>"But," some of my readers may ask, "did Ralph Rexworth win the Newlet?" -I declare that I had nearly forgotten that. He did win it; and it will -not be a bad idea to finish the story by having a peep at him when he -received it.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_309" id="Page_309">[Pg 309]</a></span></p> - -<p>Of course, that was on breaking-up day. What a lovely day that always -is, especially when you know that you have a good report to take home, -and some prizes to carry away with you.</p> - -<p>The great hall at Marlthorpe was decorated with flags, and crowded with -visitors; while on the platform, which had been constructed at one -end, all the boys were gathered, class by class, and in the middle of -them was the Head's chair, and the masters' seats, and a place for the -speakers—and there was Mr. Rexworth among the speakers!</p> - -<p>Well, there they all were; and the Head read his report; and they all -clapped and shouted at the part where it said that for the second year -in succession, Marlthorpe had the honour of carrying off the Newlet.</p> - -<p>"Good old Rexworth!" shouted one boy. And the Head had to cry order -sharply; whereat Jimmy Green nudged Tinkle and said "Shut up, you -silly!" so it must have been Tinkle who shouted.</p> - -<p>And then there were the speeches, and then the recitations; and Tinkle -and Green were most wonderfully impressive in the quarrel between -Brutus and Cassius—only just at the part where Brutus had to say "Take -this dagger," he found he had no dagger with him; and Cassius said very -rudely, and quite out loud, so that every one could hear it—</p> - -<p>"You silly owl! I knew you would forget it; and I made such a lovely -one, with silver foil for a blade."</p> - -<p>"Imagine the dagger," whispered Mr. Rexworth,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_310" id="Page_310">[Pg 310]</a></span> his face red with -laughter. And the dagger being imagined, the quarrel went on, and was -made up in the most approved fashion.</p> - -<p>And then, recitations over, there came a short pause—an impressive -pause, during which small juniors pushed back their hair, and arranged -collars and ties, and tried to look irreproachable, for prizes were -coming—prizes!</p> - -<p>They began with the juniors first. That is a wise plan, because, having -got their share, they are more likely to sit still while the upper -classes are being dealt with. The juniors! And every one laughed and -clapped as the little fellows walked up to the Head, so stiff and -awkward, and saluted for all the world like penny dolls worked by a -string, and having clutched their prizes and bobbed to the audience, -scuttled back to their seats to have their immediate neighbours bend -enviously over that lovely book, and take hurried glances at the -pictures.</p> - -<p>The middle classes—that is the Upper Third and Lower Fourth—next. -With them we have nothing to do, beyond saying that both Tinkle and -Green were amongst the prize-winners and that almost before they had -got back to their seats, they had challenged each other to mortal -combat, because each said his book was better than the other's.</p> - -<p>Then the seniors—the Upper Fourth—Warren and Charlton. And each of -them got clapped and cheered, as they richly deserved to be.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_311" id="Page_311">[Pg 311]</a></span></p> - -<p>And then Ralph Rexworth Stephen—how strange it sounded to hear him -called that!—and such a burst of cheering and "Brave old Ralph!" and -"Buck up, Ralph!" Well, the Head smiled; and for once Ralph looked -quite foolish and nervous, and as if he would have liked to cry—it was -so good to feel that all his schoolmates respected him!</p> - -<p>But his prize given, the Head took up a little case by his side and -took from it a gold medal with blue ribbon attached to it. The Newlet -Gold Medal, won for Marlthorpe College by Ralph!</p> - -<p>Talk of cheering then! It almost deafened one. And—those boys had been -plotting together—Warren nodded and winked; and Charlton dived down -and got something from beneath the form; and Irene suddenly appeared at -Ralph's side with a tiny little laurel wreath, such as they crowned the -heroes with in the olden days, when men worked for honour and not for -gold; and while the people laughed and clapped she put it on Ralph's -head, and at that moment Tom Warren and Charlton held up a great -flag—Old England's Union Jack. They had thought all this out, mind -you—the sly fellows they were; and Kesterway, the senior monitor of -the school, shouted at the top of his voice—</p> - -<p>"Now then, fellows! Three times three for the Honourable Ralph, while -he stands under Honour's Flag!"</p> - -<p>"Hurrah! Hurrah! Hurrah!"</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_312" id="Page_312">[Pg 312]</a></span></p> - -<p>"And a whole holiday to-morrow!"</p> - -<p>"Hurrah! Hurrah! Hurrah!"</p> - -<p>And when no one was looking—a kiss from Irene for her hero!</p> - -<p class="center space-above">THE END</p> - - - - - - - - -<pre> - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Under Honour's Flag, by Eric Lisle - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK UNDER HONOUR'S FLAG *** - -***** This file should be named 60604-h.htm or 60604-h.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/6/0/6/0/60604/ - -Produced by Tim Lindell, Martin Pettit and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law 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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