he post-office ones, and he could get a pound a
piece for them if he kent their worth. Oh, what a bar, oh, what--"

Francie's eyes lit up greedily, and he looked at his two
silver shillings, and took two steps in the direction of the
sword-swallower's, and faltered and could not make up his agitated mind.
Tommy set off toward the square at a brisk walk.

"Whaur are you off to?" asked Francie, following him.

"To tell the man what his swords is worth. It would be ill done no to
tell him." To clinch the matter, off went Tommy at a run, and off went
Francie after him. As a rule Tommy was the swifter, but on this occasion
he lagged of fell purpose, and reached the sword-swallower's tent just
in time to see Francie emerge elated therefrom, carrying two Andrea
Ferraras. Francie grinned when they met.

"What a bar!" he crowed.

"What a bar!" agreed Tommy, and sufficient has now been told to show
that he had found a way. Even Gav acknowledged a master, and, when the
accoutrements of war were bought at second hand as cheaply as Tommy had
predicted, applauded him with eyes and mouth for a full week, after
which he saw things in a new light. Gav of course was to enter the
bursary lists anon, and he had supposed that Cathro would have the last
year's schooling of him; but no, his father decided to send him for the
grand final grind to Mr. Ogilvy of Glen Quharity, a famous dominie
between whom and Mr. Dishart existed a friendship that none had ever got
at the root of. Mr. Cathro was more annoyed than he cared to show, Gav
being of all the boys of that time the one likeliest to do his teacher
honor at the university competitions, but Tommy, though the decision
cost him an adherent, was not ill-pleased, for he had discovered that
Gav was one of those irritating boys who like to be leader. Gav, as has
been said, suddenly saw Tommy's victory over Messrs. Birkie, Francie,
etc., in a new light; this was because when he wanted back the shilling
which he had contributed to the funds for buying their purchases, Tommy
replied firmly:

"I canna give you the shilling, but I'll give you the lantern and the
tartan cloth we bought wi' it."

"What use could they be to me at Glen Quharity?" Gav protested.

"Oh, if they are no use to you," Tommy said sweetly, "me and Corp is
willing to buy them off you for threepence."

Then Gav became a scorner of duplicity, but he had to consent to the
bargain, and again Corp said to Tommy, "Oh, you critt