he object of this remark was a stalwart, middle-aged, labouring man,
who carried an American cloth bag in his hand, and, to judge by the mud
on his garments, had travelled some distance. He was trying to open the
gate into the field, and on seeing our two juniors beckoned to them
inquiringly.

"You can't get in there," said Wally. "You'll have to go to the other
gate at the Watch-Tower."

"Is this here Fellsgarth School, young master?" said the man.

"Rather," replied Wally.

"Is the governor at home!"

"Who--Ringwood? I don't know; they'll tell you at the gate."

"He's come to mend the door of your young brother's room, I expect,"
said D'Arcy. "I hope he won't bung up the squirt-hole while he's about
it."

"No. I say, carpenter," said Wally, as the man was about to turn off in
the direction of the other gate, "when you mend that door in Forder's,
make it strong, do you hear? It gets kicked at rather by fellows. And
don't bung--"

"Carpenter? I ain't no carpenter. I want to see the governor."

Gruffly as the man spoke, he evidently regarded the two young gentlemen
as persons of some distinction, and lingered a moment longer to ask
another question.

"Beg your pardon, young gents," said he; "but you don't chance to know
if Alf Rollitt has come back?"

They gazed at him in amazement.

"Rollitt? no. Do _you_ know where he is, I say?"

"Not come back?" said the man, hoarsely. "I made sure as he'd be back
afore now."

"Do you know where he is?" repeated Wally.

"Not me--he's bound to be somewheres. But the missus, she wouldn't rest
till I come and see."

"The missus! I say, do you _know_ Rollitt?"

"Well, they do say it's a wise father as don't know his own child."

"What! Are _you_ Rollitt's father?" asked they, glancing involuntarily
at the shabby clothes and rough, weatherbeaten face.

"Nothing to be ashamed of, are it?" said the stranger. "'Tain't my
Alf's fault I ain't in gents' togs."

This rebuke abashed our two juniors considerably.

"Rather not," said Wally. "Our lot's backing Rollitt up, you know.
We've been out to look for him, haven't we, D'Arcy?"

"Of course we have; good old Rollitt," said D'Arcy.

"Thank you kindly, young gents," said Mr Rollitt, who seemed rather
dazed. "I ain't no scholar, nor no gent either. But my boy Alf's a
good boy, and he don't mean no disrespect to the likes of you by running
away. He's bound to be somewheres."

"I say," said Wally, "