inence to the
junior master at Grandcourt. It is kind of you to take steps to make
your meaning quite clear on this matter.

May I suggest that we refer the matter to the session of masters, or, if
you prefer it, to Dr Ponsford? I believe the masters meet to-night.
Unless I hear from you, I shall conclude you are as anxious as I am to
have the matter thoroughly gone into by a competent tribunal, to obviate
any future misunderstanding on a point on which you naturally feel
strongly.

"Believe me, my dear Railsford,

"Yours, very truly,

"T. Bickers."

Mark was entertaining company when this uncomfortable letter arrived, in
the person of Monsieur Lablache, the French master. It would be
difficult to say what there was in the unpopular foreigner which
attracted the Master of the Shell. It may have been a touch of Quixotic
chivalry which led him to defy all the traditions of the place and offer
his friendship to the best-hated person in Grandcourt; or it may have
been a feeling that monsieur was hardly judged by his colleagues and
pupils. However it was, during the short time the term had run, the two
men had struck up an acquaintance which perplexed a great many
spectators and displeased a great many more.

"I think you should be careful with Lablache," said Grover to his
friend. "Not that I know anything against him, but his reputation in
the school is rather doubtful."

"I suppose the reputation of all detention masters is doubtful," said
Railsford, laughing; "yours or mine would be if we had his work to do.
But a man is innocent till he is proved guilty in England, isn't he?"

"Quite so," said Grover. "I don't want to set you against him, for, as
I say, I know nothing of him. All I mean, is, that you must be prepared
to share a little of his unpopularity if you take up with him. That's
all."

"I'll take my chance of that," said Railsford.

The first time Monsieur Lablache appeared in Railsford's house, in
response to an invitation from the new master to come and take coffee,
there was considerable excitement in the house. The juniors considered
their liberty was at stake, and hissed their master's guest down the
corridors. The Shell boys presumed still further, and raised a cry of
"Turn him out!" and some even attempted to hustle him and trip him upon
the stairs.

But the most curious incident of that untriumphal progress was when
Munger, the cad of the Fifth, confronted monsieur in the lobby