alf-crown was on the wrong. However, there was no time for
explanations, as the shouting had ceased, and an evidently important
event was about to take place. This was the appointment of treasurer,
for whom each of the rival sides had a candidate; that of the Classics
being Fisher major, and that of the Moderns Brinkman of Forder's house,
a particular enemy of the other side, and reputed to be rich and no
gentlemen.

Both candidates were briefly proposed and seconded by boys of their own
side, and both having declared their intention of going to the vote, a
show of hands was demanded.

The excitement of our young friends at the end of the Hall while this
tedious operation was in progress may well be imagined. The captain had
sternly ordained silence during the voting; so that all they could do
was to hold up their hands to the very top of their reach, and keep a
wild look-out that they were being counted, and that none of the enemy
was in any way, moral or physical, circumventing them. As for Fisher
minor, he simply trembled with excitement as he cast his eyes round and
calculated his brother's chances. He could not comprehend how any one
could dare not to vote for Fisher major; and absorbed in that wonder he
continued to hold up his hand long after the two tellers had agreed
their figure, and the captain had ordered "hands down."

"Fisher major, one hundred and twenty-seven votes; now, hands up for
Brinkman."

"Whew!" said D'Arcy, fanning himself with his handkerchief; "it'll be a
close shave. I say, we'd better lean up hard against the door. It'll
keep out the draughts."

"They've got it, I'm afraid," said Ashby, looking round at the forest of
hands; "we hadn't as many as that."

"I say, that cad Brinkman is voting for himself," said some one.

"What a shame! My brother didn't. He's too honourable," said Fisher
minor.

"Hullo! `How now'--you there?" cried Wally.

Whereupon, amid great laughter, Fisher minor retired modestly behind the
rest.

The counting seemed interminable, and every moment, to the guilty ears
of Ashby, there seemed to be a sound of footsteps without. At last,
however, the cry, "hands down," came once more, and you might have heard
a pin drop.

"Fisher major, one hundred and twenty-seven votes; Brinkman, one hundred
and twenty-two. Fisher majors elected."

Amid the terrific Classic cheers which greeted this announcement, D'Arcy
and Ashby exchanged glances.

Those five vo