sh, whose father
was in the Navy, was selected by general consent as the member of the
party best qualified to make the first ascent. He modestly tried to
induce some one else to assume the honour, but he was outvoted, and,
devoutly hoping to find the coast clear of the enemy, he addressed
himself to the venture.

It was not particularly arduous for a decent climber, and in a couple of
minutes his companions saw him swing himself on to the ledge, and
disappear into the room.

In a moment he put out his head.

"All clear," said he. "The door's smashed in, and all the things kicked
about anyhow; but there's no one about."

That was the main thing. The company speedily followed, materially
assisted in their clamber by sundry knots tied in the rope by the
ingenious Cash, and by his energetic hauling from above.

The programme was carried out without a hitch. Without waiting for the
bed-bell they one and all presented themselves to the dormitory dame,
and requested permission to turn in, pleading severe fatigue (which was
by no means imaginary) as the reason for this unwonted haste. So
smartly was the retirement effected, that no one was aware of their
return to their house until half an hour later. When the dormitory
filled up, their five noses were discernible peeping from out the
sheets.

Whatever chastisement the prefects may have had in store for them
evidently could not be administered at present. For a disturbance in
the dormitory was a capital offence in Mr Forder's eyes, and, as the
master's room was adjacent, and he was known to have returned and to be
within earshot, the only thing possible was secretly to promise the
rebels a warm time of it as soon as they woke next morning.

But Revenge sleeps sounder than Caution. As five struck in the clock
tower, Ramshaw, who had had it on his mind he might oversleep himself,
and, in consequence, had been up looking at his watch every ten minutes
during the night, slipped finally out of bed, and roused each of his
partners. He expected no gratitude for his good offices, and was not
disappointed. The sleepers growled and grunted at his well-meant
efforts, pulled the clothes over their heads, called him unfriendly
names, threatened him with untold vengeance, and scouted all idea of
danger by delay, till he was almost tired of trying. But by the end of
three-quarters of an hour, with the aid of a moist sponge and other
persuasives, he got them to their feet