ch these weak heathen believe. Now, do
you think it possible that you could prevail upon your young friend--"

"Oh no, I am sure I couldn't," said Morris, trying hard to read the
distant church clock.

"But say you convey to him my invitation, and ask him to bring the belt
to my rooms one afternoon."

"Oh, really I--"

"Oh, such a simple thing--educational, and--I beg your pardon, you must
go? Of course. I am afraid I have been prolix; but my dear Morris,
bear that in mind. A little discussion upon those inscriptions would be
beneficial to the boy--I could tell him things he would be proud to
know--and it would enable me to send a profitable description to the
newspapers.--Yes, good-bye till we meet again."

They separated, and the Professor walked slowly away, with his attention
equally balanced between recollections of the Nawab's clasps and the
last little dinner he had eaten at the country refreshment-house at
Morris's expense, what time he played a pleasant little game of raising
one half-crown from where it lay upon its fellow at the bottom of his
pocket and letting it fall again with an agreeable chink.

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN.

"WHERE'S MY PRACTICE-BAT?"

The Doctor was quite facetious one morning, for, in addressing the
masters, his words being meant for the whole school, he said jocularly
that if Severn and Singh had formed any intention of devoting their
pocket-allowance to ordering a castle from London they were too late.
He looked very hard at Morris as he spoke, and waited for him to reply.

"A castle, sir?" said the master. "I don't quite apprehend your
meaning."

"Oh, it was only this, Mr Morris. My mind does not serve me as to what
these things are called in India; but I think, and I dare say Mr
Rampson will set me right if I am wrong, that in the old classic days in
the Punic or Carthaginian wars what were termed castles were fitted on
to the backs of elephants, from which archers, slingers, and
javelin-throwers dealt out destruction among their foes."

"Yes, sir. Quite correct, sir," said Rampson, "for Pliny states--"

"Oh, I don't think we will disturb Pliny to-day, Mr Rampson," said the
Doctor, smiling, "unless your pupils particularly wish it," and he
glanced round the school.

"No, sir!"

"No, sir!"

"No, sir!" came in chorus.

"Very well, gentlemen; then Pliny shall be left at rest. It occurred to
me that if there was to be much more of the pursuit of elephant-riding
a