after a lengthy interview with the
head of the firm, during which he had given him gratuitous advice on
three coming races, had left Gillespie's, declaring with pronounced
language that if certain persons did not obtain certain things for L40
he, Mr. McGuffie, although not a person giving to betting, would wager
ten to one that the place of business would close in a year. It was
whispered therefore in the corridors, with some show of truth, that the
Seminary was going to take vengeance on Bulldog with a gift, and that
the gift, whatever it might be, was lying in Gillespie's shop. And the
school speculated whether there was any one of their number, even Speug
himself, who would dare to face Bulldog with a gift; and whether, if he
did, that uncompromising man might not occupy his last week of
mastership in thrashing the school one by one, from the oldest unto the
youngest, for their blazing impertinence.

The closing day was a Thursday that year, and it was characteristic of
Bulldog that he met his classes as usual on Wednesday, and when
Howieson disgraced himself beyond usual in Euclid, having disgraced
himself more moderately on four preceding days that he administered
discipline on Jock with conscientious severity. Jock was the last boy
Bulldog thrashed, and he was so lifted up as to be absolutely
unendurable for the rest of the day, and boasted of the distinction for
many a year. As four o'clock approached, the boys began to grow
restless, and Bulldog's own voice was not perfectly steady when he
closed the last problem with Q. E. D.

"Q. E. D.; yes, Q. E. D., laddies, we have carried the argument to its
conclusion according to the principles of things, and the book is
finished. There is still seven minutes of the hour remaining, we will
spend it in revising the work of the Senior Algebra Class."

Their work has not been revised unto this day, for at that moment the
door opened without any one knocking, and without any one offering an
apology, and William Pirie, Master of Arts of Edinburgh, and scholar of
Trinity College, Cambridge, and Duncan Robertson, 2nd Lieutenant in the
Perthshire Buffs, made their appearance, accompanied by Bailie
MacConachie, whose dignity was fearsome; the Count, who waved his hand
gracefully to the school, and Mr. McGuffie, who included everybody in an
affable nod; and behind this imposing deputation every boy of Muirtown
Seminary who was not already in the mathematical class-room. Bulldog