-he sent this," said I.

Crofter took the envelope and opened it. Five sovereigns and a half-
sovereign dropped out on the table. No letter accompanied the money,
but its meaning was clear enough. Crofter's brow contracted, and his
habitual smile deserted him for once.

"What is this? Some mistake," said he.

"It's what he owes you," suggested I.

"I suppose so; but that was only L4 17 shillings 6 pence."

"Perhaps the rest is something for yourself," I remarked, making myself
scarce in time to escape the task of returning the change.

Bother it! Crofter must square this part of the business up with his
enemy. _I_ didn't want to be dragged any more into it.

There was a rush for the house board early next morning to learn our
fate as to the captaincy of Sharpe's.

"Whew!" said Langrish, as we reached it; "bracketed."

So it was. Tempest's and Crofter's names were braced together at the
head of the list.

"That's a nice go! I suppose they'll have to go halves. All the worse
for us."

"I should think, as Tempest was captain last term, he'll go on again
this," I said.

"He wasn't captain when term ended; Crofter was."

"I vote they fight it out," said Warminster. "Two to one on the
winner."

"It would save trouble if they made Pridgin head; he's third man up."

"Pridgin!" The easy-going owner of the name was spared something by not
being present to hear the amused contempt with which the suggestion was
greeted.

An hour later the doctor came down to settle matters for us.

"Under the circumstances," said he, "it seems right that Crofter should
take charge of the house. I understand that Tempest's debts, on account
of which he was removed from the headship last term, are now all
honourably settled. But as he was more than once reported for breaking
rules last term, it is only fair that Crofter, whose marks are equal,
and against whom no complaint was recorded, should captain the house."

That was all. Tempest, on the whole, looked relieved. Crofter smiled a
satisfied smile. Pridgin and Wales looked blue; and the Philosophers
took time to consider what they thought.

As for me, although Tempest had thrown me over, I could guess what a
blow this was for him; not personally, for he would probably be glad to
be rid of the responsibility, but as a public disgrace it was sure to
wound him keenly.

I longed to be able to go and tell him how sorry I was; but after what
had happened last ter