, and Warminster
promptly changed the subject.

"The thing now will be to put the papers about. I vote we each take a
batch and give them round."

"We might shove them under the fellows' doors," said Coxhead.

"The best way will be to do it in Big Hall," said the more practical
Purkis. "One or two of us can easily get in ten minutes early, and
stick one on every chap's place."

"But suppose you stick one on a day boy's place?" I suggested.

"What's the odds? the paper tells him he's out of it," replied Purkis.

It occurred to me that this would not cheer the day boy very much;
still, on the whole, Purkis's suggestion seemed the best.

"I tell you what," said Langrish, "I beg to move and second that the
President be authorised to stick round the papers."

"I third and fourth that," said Trimble.

"Carried unanimously," said Langrish.

"Look here, one of you had better do it," said I, feeling a little
alarmed at this imposing honour; "you know the way better."

"That's where you've the pull," said Purkis; "you're a new kid, they
won't interfere with you. Big Hall's at five, and you can easily slide
in at a quarter to, and do the trick. Hullo, there's bell."

School that morning went uncomfortably for me. I escaped being "lagged"
for my neglect of preparation, chiefly owing to the friendly prompting I
received from Dicky Brown. But it was a time of anxiety and
trepidation, and my nerves were somewhat strained before it was over.

The shock of the day, however, awaited me as I got outside on my way to
the fields.

A small youth of my own size accosted me.

"I say, are you the new chap?"

"What new chap?"

"The new chap that Redwood told to fetch his belt."

"Yes," said I, turning a little pale.

"All right. You've got to go to him, sharp."

"I tried to give it him back yesterday, really I did; but I was
stopped," said I. "Do you think I'll get in a row?"

"I wouldn't be in your shoes, that's all I know," remarked the messenger
brutally. "It'll be all the worse if you don't cut."

"Where is he?"

"In the captain's room at the School House."

I went off with my heart in my boots. And I had hoped so much to show
up well to Redwood! It was all Jarman's fault, and I wrote down yet
another grudge against him in my mental book.

The captain was alone, and evidently expecting me, as he rose and came
to meet me when I appeared.

"Here you are, then, youngster," said he, in a tone which, i