, and hailed him half across the Quadrangle.

"Hullo, Georgie, old man!" said he, running up. "So awfully sorry you
couldn't come on our spree too. What's the matter?"

What, indeed? Georgie, with an elaborate air of unconsciousness either
of the voice or the presence of his comrade, walked on looking straight
in front of him and whistling more jauntily than ever.

Dick stood for a moment aghast. He would fain have believed his chum
had either not seen him or was joking. But a sinking at his heart told
him otherwise, and a rush of anger told him that whatever the reason
might be it was an unjust one.

So he checked his inclination to pursue his friend and demand an
explanation there and then, and strolled on, whistling himself.

Heathcote pursued his dignified walk until he concluded he might safely
stop whistling and venture to peep round.

When he did so he was dismayed to see Dick walking arm in arm across the
Quadrangle with Coote, laughing at some narration which that pliable
young gentleman was giving.

Poor Georgie! This was the hardest blow of all. If Dick had appeared
crushed, if he had even looked hurt, or said one word of regret,
Georgie's heart would have been comforted and his wrath abated.

But to have his elaborate demonstration of rebuke ignored and quietly
passed by in favour of Coote was too much! Georgie could not bear it.
Pledge and all Pledge's sophistry vanished in a moment with the loss of
his friend.

If Dick would only give him another chance!

CHAPTER TWENTY.

HOW COOTE COMES OUT AS A SUSPICIOUS CHARACTER.

It would have been well for Heathcote if he had acted on the impulse of
the moment, and made it up with Dick that same evening.

Dick had come back from his boating expedition better disposed towards
his lieutenant than he had been for a long time. He had come determined
to befriend him, and rescue him from his enemies, and set him up upon
his feet. He had come, reproaching himself with his former neglect, and
convinced that Georgie's fate was in his hands for good or evil; and
that being so, he had determined to make a good job of his friend and
turn him out a credit to Templeton.

But in all this modest programme it had never occurred to him that
Georgie would be anything but delighted to be taken in hand and made a
good job of.

Therefore, when in the fulness of his benevolence he had found his
friend out immediately on his return, and been repulsed for his