re we stood, if that process should not be rendered
unnecessary by our being frozen beforehand from cramp through remaining
so long in the one position.

When the bed gong sounded, we heard the boys trooping up-stairs; and
then Dr Hellyer rose at last.

"Martin Leigh and Thomas Larkyns," he rolled out in his very deepest
voice, making the ceiling of the refectory ring as usual. "I intend to
expel you from my school. I shall write to your friends in the morning;
and, in the meantime, you will be confined here until they come to
remove you!"

He then left the room, locking the door behind him, when the single jet
of light from one burner went out suddenly with a jump, showing that he
had turned the gas off at the main, and that we should not have a
cheering beam to illumine our solitary vigil throughout the weary night.

A little bit of fire was still flickering in the grate, however, and, by
this feeble light Tom and I looked at each other in desperation.

We were in a hobble, and no mistake!

What was to be done?

CHAPTER SEVEN.

CATCHING A TARTAR.

"Well, this is a nice mess we're in!" said Tom, after a moment's pause,
during which we stared blankly at each other in front of the fire, which
we had approached as soon as our janitor had departed. My chum seated
himself comfortably in the Doctor's armchair, which he drew near the
hearth, putting his feet on the fender so as to warm his chilled toes;
but I remained standing beside him, leaning against the chimney-piece.

"Yes," I replied, disconsolately. "It's too bad though; I say, old
fellow, I'm awfully hungry!"

"So am I," said Tom, "but I don't suppose we'll be able to get anything
whatever to eat before morning--if the Doctor lets us have breakfast
then!"

"Oh, bother him!" I exclaimed; "I'm not going to starve."

"Why, what can we do, Martin? I don't think you'll find any grub here.
The old woman swept away every crumb, even from the floor, after tea; I
was watching her like a dog after a bone."

"What are we to do, eh?" I repeated, cheerfully, my spirits rising to
the occasion; "why, get away from this as soon as we can!"

"Run away?" ejaculated Tom in astonishment.

I nodded my head in the affirmative.

"But how can we get out?"

"I'll soon show you," I said, complacently. "I thought we'd be placed
in a fix after our lark, and I made my preparations accordingly."

"By Jove, Martin, you're a wonderful fellow!" cried Tom, as I the