t lay with its lolling tongue under the
grating, to assure myself of its welfare. It was all right up till now,
and in two days it would be off my hands.

The square was empty as I crossed it, and, to my satisfaction, I found
the gymnasium door unlocked. I groped my way to the corner where the
parallel bars stood, and there found the blazer, which I carried off in
triumph.

As I emerged from the door and came down the steps, I became aware of
two points of light in front of me, and a voice out of the darkness,
which caused me to jump almost out of my skin,--

"Who is that?"

It was Mr Jarman's voice--and I could just discern his shadowy form
accompanied by that of Mr Selkirk standing before me. The two masters
were evidently taking an after-dinner turn with their cigars, and had
heard my footsteps.

"Jones iv., sir; I came to fetch Tempest's blazer."

"Who gave you leave?"

"Tempest, sir."

"Take the blazer back where you found it, and tell Tempest if he leaves
his things in the gymnasium he must fetch them at proper hours. This is
the third time I have had to speak to you, Jones iv. You must attend an
extra drill to-morrow, and learn fifty lines by heart. This constant
irregularity must be stopped."

So saying, he took his companion's arm and strolled off.

I returned dismally into the dark gymnasium and flung the blazer on to
the nearest seat; and then hurried back to report the result of my
mission to Tempest.

As I guessed, our poor guy downstairs was likely to be nowhere in the
explosion which this last insult called forth.

With clenched teeth Tempest sprang from his seat and snatched his cap.

"It's awfully dark," said I; "if you're going, you'd better take some
matches."

"Fetch me some," said he, with a harsh, dry voice. I fled off, and
returned with a box of fusees, which the Philosophers had laid in for
the approaching celebration of Guy Fawkes' Day.

Tempest snatched them from my hand and strode off. I wished he had let
me go with him. I heard his footsteps swing heavily across the
quadrangle, as if challenging the notice of the enemy. Whether the
enemy heard or answered the challenge I could not say. The steps died
away into silence, and I listened in vain for further sign.

Presently I returned to the faggery, where the Philosophers were just
preparing to obey the summons to bed.

Hurriedly I recited the event of the evening, and for once was honoured
with their rapt and e