nd his coat-sleeves
tightly sewn up with packing-thread, and Simmons's pockets had been
crammed with moist, wriggling earthworms.

Knowing this, it may be wondered that they were prevailed on to agree to
Jack's scheme for the coming Saturday. But our hero was wily, and he
worded his suggestion so carefully that they did not for a moment
imagine that their enemies the boarders were at all connected with the
plan, which seemed to offer scope for fun and adventure of a new
description. Was not Saturday Jack's regular day of release? Of course
this was to be an "out-of-school" affair altogether. So they imagined.

"Now then, you fellows!" cried Jack, bursting into the school-room like
a frolicsome whirlwind, "who said I wouldn't get leave? West and I have
settled it all most comfortably, patted each other on the head, and so
forth. Let you go? Why, he'd like nothing better than to let you go for
good and all!"

"So you've let the whole lot of us in for it, young man?" said
Trevelyan, looking amused.

"Why, nobody asked to be left out," returned Jack.

This was quite true, and there was no more to be said. Hallett had taken
kindly to the idea to begin with, and set the fashion by doing so. One
or two lazy lads would not have been sorry in their hearts if Mr. West
had vetoed the scheme, but they had not the courage to refuse to join in
it.

"Now to business!" Jack continued. "We must send Mr. Thompson himself
word of our intentions; let's write a proper, tradesman-like letter!
Vickers, you're the fluent, flowery one. Bottle up your metaphors and
give us a page of business-like fluency! Here's some paper."

After a good deal of discussion the following letter was composed:--

_To Mr J. Thompson Nurseryman._

_Dr Sir/_

_Having heard of yr intention to dispose of yr stock-in-hand
(Plants) we have pleasure in proposing to undertake transport of
same (carriage free) on Saty next ensuing between 2 and 4 p.m. from
yr house to Rookwood Elmridge Middleshire for sale advd to be held
there at 6 p.m. Safety of goods guarantd. Unless we hear to contry
we shall presume this meets yr views and take action accordly._

_Yrs etc._

_(Signed) T. Vickers_
_N. Hallett_
_J. Brady &c._
_pro) Students of Brincliffe Elmridge._

"If that isn't business-like, I don't know what is!" exclaimed Cadbury,
when it was read through. "If ink was a