went his, while Riddell and Fairbairn
solaced themselves in one another's society.

"What is the use of keeping up this farce?" exclaimed Riddell, when they
were back in his study. "_Isn't_ it a farce?"

"Not a bit of it. I don't think much of this affair at all. Of course
there'll be a row, but it seems to me a case of temporary lunacy that we
can't be responsible for."

"But the doctor holds me responsible."

"You may be sure he won't be down on you for this."

"And then, isn't it just a proof to the whole school that I've no more
authority than the smallest junior? Look at that miserable notice there
on the door. Who has cared a rap about it?"

"My dear fellow, you're always flying off to despair whenever you get
the chance. The same thing might have happened to any captain."

"I wish some one else was captain," said Riddell. "The fellows will
mind what I say less than ever now. I'm sure I would gladly give it up
to Bloomfield."

"All bosh. You know you wouldn't. And when you've got your head back
you'll laugh at yourself for thinking it. Besides, wasn't Bloomfield
every bit as much cut up about it as you or me? But," added Fairbairn,
"to change the subject, do you see much of young Wyndham now you've left
us?"

"Not much. What about him?" asked Riddell, eagerly.

"Only I fancy he's not all straight," said Fairbairn. "He's fallen into
bad hands I'm afraid."

"That's an old story," said Riddell; "but what has he done?"

"Nothing particular. I caught him coming home one night late, long
after call-over. I ought to have reported him for it, but I thought I'd
tell you first. It's a pity for him, for he's not a bad fellow."

"I'd give anything to get him away from Silk!" said Riddell. "It seems
a sort of infatuation with him, for he knows well enough Silk means him
no good, and yet he's thick with him. And now I expect he'll cut me
altogether since I refused him a permit to the town this afternoon."

"He's gone down all the same," said Fairbairn.

"Yes, and not alone either," replied Riddell.

"Hullo!" exclaimed Fairbairn just then, as a sudden sound broke the
unwonted stillness of the deserted school, "that sounds like some of the
fellows coming back."

He was right. As the two seniors stood leaning out of the window, the
sounds which at first had been little more than a distant murmur
increased to a roar.

Willoughby was evidently returning in force, and anything but
peacefull