he had warned
Warde. Let him think so! The boys were still whispering together. "Not
to-night," Scaife said decisively. "No, no," Desmond replied.

John wondered what remained to be done. Warde, of course, would satisfy
himself that no boy in his house was missing except John, before he
pronounced him the absentee. Poor Warde! This would be a hard knock for
him. John's thoughts were jostling each other freely, when he recalled
Desmond's words: "I have one more chance before the term is over." He
had wished to clear the way for his friend, not to block it. Then he
remembered the terms of the bet, and laughed.

He ran back to the wicket, found the bicycle, lit the lamp, and hoisted
the machine over the gate. Then he laughed again. After all, this
escaping from bondage, this midnight adventure beneath the impending
sword of expulsion, thrilled him to the marrow.

* * * * *

When John returned on Sunday to the Manor, shortly after the doors were
unlocked in the morning, he found Dumbleton awaiting him. Dumber's face
expressed such amazement and consternation that John nearly laughed in
spite of himself.

"It's all hup, sir," said the butler. Only in moments of intense
excitement did Dumber misplace or leave out the aspirate. "You're to
come with me at once to Mr. Warde's study."

John followed the butler into the familiar room. Warde was not down yet,
but evidently Dumber had instructions not to leave the prisoner. John
stared at the writing-desk. Then he turned to Dumbleton, and said
carelessly--

"This means the sack, eh, Dumber?"

"Yes, sir. 'Ow could you do it, sir? Such a well-be'aved gentleman,
too!"

"Thank you, Dumber." John took an envelope from the desk, and wrote
Scaife's name upon it.

"Dumber, please give Mr. Scaife this--with my compliments. It is, as you
see, a bill of fare."

"Very good, sir."

John placed the card into the envelope and handed both to Dumbleton.

"With my compliments!"

"Certainly, sir."

"And _after_ Chapel."

"Yes, sir."

A moment later Warde came in. Dumbleton went out immediately with a
sorrowful, backward glance at John. The good fellow looked terribly
bewildered. For John's face, John's deportment, had amazed him. John was
quite unaware of it, but he looked astonishingly well. Excitement had
flushed his cheek and lent a sparkle to his grey eyes. He had enjoyed
his ride to town and back; he had slept soundly under the lee of a
hays