ide was heard
demanding a parley.

"Young Wheatfield," he said, "it will be wiser for you to open the door
at once. If you don't it will be broken open, and you needn't expect to
get off easy then. Take my advice, and don't be a fool."

"Thanks awfully," said Percy. "I and my chaps are just going to sit
down to tea. Wish you could join us, whoever you are. We've got as
much right to have tea in our study as you have in yours. That's right!
Kick away! Never mind the varnish! Somebody tapping at the study
door."

"It's no good wasting time over young asses like them," Brinkman was
heard to say.

"I don't mean to go now," said Clapperton. "They shall have such a
hiding, all of them, as they won't forget in a hurry."

"It's funny how when we seniors strike against the School it's so noble,
and when these juniors strike against us it's so inexcusable," said
Fullerton. "Strikes always did puzzle me."

"If, instead of talking rubbish, you'd go and fetch Robert with a
crowbar to smash open the door," said Clapperton, "you'd be more use."

It was getting quite dark in the room by this time, but Wally could be
heard refilling his squirt at the jug, "I mean to start now," said he.

Percy came beside him.

"All serene," said he; "but why use, water when there's ink?"

"My eye! I never thought of that. Rather! I say, old man, while I
remember it, I'll write home this week. Don't you fag, good old Percy."

"Oh no, it's my turn."

"Oh, let me. Is that the ink-pot? Hold it tight while I get a good go
at it."

"Suppose we tickle them up with the pea-shooter first," suggested
Lickford. "Mind how you go over the chairs, Cash," added he, as that
hero in the dark got entangled in the second line of fortifications.

"All serene--wire away! Young Ashby, you'd better mix up some soap and
coal-dust in the water for use when the ink's done."

By this time the attack without had redoubled, and Cash, mounting up to
the loophole, began to operate on the besiegers with his pea-shooter.
He had to guess where to shoot, for though the gas was alight in the
passage, he was unable for anatomical reasons to look and shoot through
the same hole at the same time. However, he had the satisfaction of
feeling sure his fire was taking effect, by the aggravated exclamations
of the besiegers, who vowed terrific vengeance for this fresh insult.
In due time the marksman fell short of ammunition and was carefully
helped down fro