all his fish, at Widow Wisdom's cottage, would have
been puzzled by his indifferent air.

That evening, as he was about to go to bed, he discovered the letters.

Dangle's letter, which he opened first, he scarcely seemed to heed. The
sight of the name at foot was sufficient. He crumpled it up and tossed
it in the corner.

But Yorke's aroused him. He read it through once or twice, and his face
grew grim as he did so. Presently he went to the corner and picked up
Dangle's letter and once more read it. Then he crumpled up both
together, and instead of going to bed sat in his chair and looked at the
wall straight in front of him.

The next day those who watched him saw him go into school and out as
usual, except that he seemed less listless and more observant. He
glanced aside now and then at the groups of boys who stood and looked
after him, and his face had a cloud on it which was almost thunderous.

"Did you give my letter to Rollitt?" said Yorke to Fisher minor.

"Yes, yesterday; and one from Dangle too," said the junior.

"Dangle!" said the captain to himself; "he'll think we are in collusion.
Why ever didn't I leave it alone?"

He felt thus still more when later on in the day Dangle came over.

"I hear you have written to Rollitt for an explanation. It was about
time. What does he reply?"

Yorke's back went up at the dictatorial tone of the inquiry.

"If there is anything to tell you, you will hear," said he.

"That means he hasn't replied, I suppose. I have taken care that he
shall reply. I have told Forder all about it."

"You've told Forder? You cad!" exclaimed Yorke, in a tone which made
Dangle thankful he was near the door.

"Yes," snarled he. "It may be your interest to shield a thief, but it's
not in the interest of Fellsgarth. You won't take the matter up; Forder
will. I've told him you know about it, and will give him all the
particulars. Hope you'll enjoy it."

And he disappeared, only just in time for his own comfort.

Yorke's rage was unbounded. Of all the masters, Mr Forder was the one
he would least have chosen to take up an affair of this kind. He was
harsh, unsympathetic, hasty. And of all persons to prime the master in
the circumstances of the case, Dangle was the least to be trusted.

His temptation was to go at once to Rollitt, and force the matter to a
conclusion before Mr Forder had time to interfere. Things were going
from bad to worse. Would they never come