l brought
the deficit out at the same uncompromising figure.

"Let's have another look round," suggested Fisher. So once more the
study was turned topsy-turvy, and every nook and cranny searched. But
no money was there, nor any sign of it.

The captain looked grave.

"It's precious awkward," said he.

"It's sure to turn up," said Fisher. "I'll go over the whole thing
again, and have the room searched."

"Meanwhile," said Ranger, "it's to be hoped no questions are asked by
the fellows opposite."

"Not much chance; I hear they are none of them going to turn up," said
Dalton.

"That's their look-out," responded the captain.

Much to their disgust, Ashby and Fisher minor were summoned from the
vicinity of the shop that morning to assist the treasurer in his
hopeless search. They did not mind turning a study upside down on their
own account, but they strongly objected to have to do it for any one
else.

Fisher major did not at first vouchsafe much information with regard to
the missing object.

"Look round everywhere," said he, "and see if you see anything."

Ashby looked, and said he saw a lot of things.

"I mean money, of course," said the treasurer.

Whereupon the two simultaneously made a grab at the loose cash on the
table, declaring they had found it first go off.

"No--not that. It's some that's missing."

"How much?" asked Ashby.

"Never mind--a pound or two."

"Are you sure it's about in the room?"

"That's what I want you to look and see, you young donkey!"

"Two pounds," said Ashby; "was it all in silver?"

"No--it was three or four pounds--about L4 10. I don't know what it was
in."

"Four pound ten--that's a lot," said the young brother. "I thought you
said you were hard up?"

"So I did. It's not my money, but the club's. What's that to do with
it? I want you to see if you can find it while I'm down in class."

Whereupon they set to work. They emptied the contents of every drawer
in a glorious heap on the floor. They shook out his socks, and turned
the pockets of all his coats inside out. They pulled his bed about the
room, and shook out all his sheets. They raked out his fire, and prised
up a loose board in the floor. They emptied his basins into his bath,
and investigated the works of his eight-day clock. But high or low they
could find no money.

Fisher's study did not get over that morning's quest in a hurry. When
the owner returned, he wished devoutly he had