roken three of the clock-glasses."

"Aye, and cracked neighbour Hodge's, and neighbour Smith's as well,
'ee have," interrupted the man, "besides frightening Master Sparrow's
good 'ooman, who has been that ill for a month as nothing was like
afore."

"I am sorry, sir," said the doctor, addressing the man, "that any of
my pupils should have been guilty of such a thoughtless action; tell
your friends from me that they shall be amply compensated, while the
boys themselves shall be duly punished."

When the visitors had departed, the doctor said, "Ross, and Lynch, do
you know why rules are made? Do you think they are made to be broken
or kept? Your conduct last evening fully answers the question; and as
you have thought proper to break one, that of being absent from school
after the proper hours, you must also bear the consequences; recollect
no wrong can be done without punishment following it; you will,
therefore, each of you confine yourself to the school grounds for one
month, and bring me twenty lines each day; besides which, you will
have to make good the damage you committed. Boys, to your lessons."

"This is more than I bargained for," said Lynch, making a wry face to
Leslie.

"Or I either," replied Leslie, returning the grimace.

"Fancy a whole month!"

"Bad as being in prison."

"I wish we had kept in, now," sighed Lynch.

"Yes, so do I, but it can't be helped."

"No, we've had the 'lark,' and must now be physicked."

When morning school was over the doctor took Leslie into his study,
and seating himself, laid one hand upon his shoulder, and in a kind
but grave voice said, "Ross, I am sorry, more so than I can express,
that you should have been guilty of so thoughtless an action as that
of last night; what do you think your father will say? If you do not
overcome this weakness of yours it will lead you into many more
troubles. You must keep watch and guard upon yourself. When tempted
you must ask yourself whether the action is right, and what are likely
to be its results. He that over-cometh himself, is stronger than a man
who taketh a walled city."

When Leslie left the doctor's study it was with the fall determination
never to indulge in another "lark."

CHAPTER IV.

THE LINCHPIN.

"Rain, rain, rain, I think we are going to have a second deluge," said
Arthur Hall, looking disconsolately out of one of the school-room
windows.

"Yes, I think so, too," said Fred Moore, joining him.

"