ing it out, was confronted with that
bristling obstacle--Tradition. He possessed enough moral courage to have
told Rutford to resign, because in a thousand indescribable ways the man
had neglected his duty; but, so said the Tories, such a step might
provoke a public scandal, and if Rutford refused to go--what then?
Nothing definite could be proved against the man. His sins had been of
omission. Dismayed, not defeated, the Head Master considered other
methods of regenerating the Manor. Very quietly he made his appeal to
the Old Harrovians, many of whom were sending their sons and nephews to
other houses. He invited co-operation. John Verney, the Rev. Septimus
Duff, Colonel Egerton--half a dozen enthusiastic Manorites--stepped
forward. Lastly, for Charles Desmond the Head Master baited his hook.

"The reform which we have at heart," said he, "must come from within
and from below. The house wants a Desmond in it. I was not allowed to
wield the axe; but, after all, there are more modern methods of
decapitation. And, believe me, I am not asking any man more than I am
prepared to do myself. My own nephew goes to the Manor after next
holidays."

"Um!" said Mr. Desmond, stroking his chin.

"Lawrence, the Head of the House, is a tower of strength, like all the
Lawrences."

"How did you beguile the Duke of Trent?"

"Fortune gave me that weapon. The duke"--he laughed genially----

"Yes?"

"Will turn scales which my heaviest arguments won't budge. A bit of
luck! The duke wanted to send his son, a delicate lad, to Harrow, and I
did mention to him that Rutford had a vacancy."

"O Ulysses! And Scaife? How did you handle that large bale of
bank-notes?"

"Rutford captured Scaife."

"Handsome boy--his son. Lunched with us this morning. Well, well, you
have persuaded me. But what an unpleasant quarter of an hour I shall
have with Harry!"

* * * * *

As a new boy, John slaved at "footer," and displayed a curious
inaptitude for squash racquets. At all games Caesar and Scaife were
precociously proficient. John's clumsiness annoyed them. Often the
Caterpillar joined him and Fluff, giving them to understand that this
must be regarded as an act of grace and condescension which might be
suitably acknowledged at the Tudor Creameries.

The Caterpillar mightily impressed the two small boys. He had acquired
his nick-name from the very leisurely pace at which he advanced up the
school. He wore "Charity