for the cricket-field, a small boy, whom he

peak to you pertic

un, I will go ro

have to say to him, Frank too

the prize-fighter as the latter

pus over this business a

umpus, P

so bad that the police, who came up after you left, took him to hospital; they brought him round all right, but it seems as how the bridge of his nose was broke, and it will be flat to his face fo

Frank said, "and I am sorry I hit him so har

gives lessons to some of you Westminster gents, and they guesses as some of you was with me. Now, as I tells them, what can they do? They was the first to begin it, and we was only standing on self-defence, that's the way I puts it. No magistrate would look at the charge for a minute. It stands to reason that nine men did not attack four or five hundred. They must have been attacking us, that's clear to any one; and if it was me I should not care the snap of a finger about it-that's what I tells the red-haired tailor when he came here with two of his pals this morning. 'We has as much

Mr. Norris, that any of you young gents had a hand in the fray, quite the contrary; but he has got it into his head that it is so, and he has made up

o would be to ask us if any of us were concerned in the affair. It's a beastly nuisance, for just now

o quid in the house; but I might manage to get it for you by the end of the week, if there ain't no other way. But my advice

the house; besides, if I am asked I must say it's me. Thank

oody and dejected. Harris was in his room

Jove! if it comes out, Litter would expel the four

get ten pounds; I have only

d James have not much more than I have. We might get something on our watches; but they are all silver, and I don't suppose we

cousin," Frank said; "Fred always se

Harris said. "I am mistaken if

ut to be right. After the next school Frank laid the case

when he had finished, "but I am

ways had money,"

am fond of books, and last week I paid my bill for

belonging to the rest of the boys up College together. Frank was too proud to suggest that his cousin could, if

he was engaged after his cousin had left the room,

l if I let it slip. The question is, how is it best to be managed. I should b

ing at their desks, which ran round the room. The Doctor was a fidgety man, and was always either twirling his watch-chain or eye-glass, or rattling the keys, knife, and other articles in his tro

r Greek play in his absence, he left the room and did not return for half an hour. While he was away the boys moved freely about, some to co

it he found, to his astonishment, that it contained only a bank-note for

ave got to know of his necessity for ten pounds at this special time none could imagine, as this was, as far as they were aware, known only to themselves and Fred Barkley. Frank at once concluded that his cousin must have sent him the money

t if I had it I would not have given it to you at once, instead of sending it in t

cters, so that it is impossible to say who wrote them. Well, it is an extraordinary business, an

; and knowing the hot temper of his uncle, he feared that the latter would view the matter in the most serious light. It was therefore with a light heart that he went across to the Bla

t in course if you decide not to face it out there's not

him in the library. Wondering at this unusual order, Frank at once repaired there.

ich has occurred to me during my head-mastership of Westminster. I may tell you that

ounds had become known to the headmaster. The tailor must hav

and confounded, while Dr. L

o to a Chartist meeting, and that I got into a row there. I am very

have to confess?" Dr.

rise, "I don't know that there

e most serious part of i

ean, sir," Frank said, m

im, and ver

s nose in the fight, but

nds to prevent his coming

d so, but I don't see th

the ten pounds from?" t

me in an envelop

sent it

't kno

id sternly, "you stole

ruck, the blood left his fa

epeated, in a lo

ed, "stole it from my ta

, in a burst of passion; "it i

tor touched a bell which stood on the tab

Mr. Richards I wish

y through Frank's brain. He was bewildered, and almost stupefied by this sudden charge, and yet he felt

. I was called out of the room for half an hour. When school was over I put the things back in my pocket, but it was not until the afternoon that I missed the note. Thinking it over, I could not recall taking it up with the other things fr

ss of the presenter, should it be brought in. It was presented yesterday by a man who, after being questioned, said he was a tailor, living in Bermondsey. As I was determined to follow the matter up, I saw the Superintendent of Police, and a policeman

ank. I sent a note to the man, requesting him to be good enough to call upon me this morning early. He did so. I told him that I had heard that he h

him he should do so did it come to my ears, there was no motive in his keeping silence, and it was Mr. Norris who had given it to him. On inquiry I find that the meetin

ion: Norris, having broken bounds, and got into a disgraceful fray, was afraid that the matter would come to my ears. It was absolutely necessary for him to procure ten

to the purpose of silencing this man, I should have gladly believed him-for hitherto he has stood high in my estimation, and I should certainly have considered him incapable of an act o

continued and the proofs appeared to accumulate, the expression changed, and they regarded hi

honourable lad; there is not a boy in the house of whom I would so absolutely have disbelieved this tale. That he did send this note to the man there can, by his own confession,

velope; here it is, sir, with, as you see, only the words 'From a friend.' I showed it when I ha

d the need you had of ten

ept those four and

one, and were asked if they had mentioned to any one the need which Frank h

ntaining the note he received;

sir," Harris said, "but none

harsh voice, "of having stolen th

four boys stood in

an angel from heaven came down and told me you were a thief I would not believe him," and Har

and set, but he broke down now, an

. You were pressed and afraid of exposure, and the temptation offered by the note was too strong for you; you thought you saw a way of escape, and to account to your comrades for the possession of the money, you put it in an envelope and posted it, directed to yourself. Even now, if you

the proof appears against me, I have spoken the simple truth, and I

d, with indignation, "this continued d

Frank rose and

ess," Mr. Wire said, as he follo

o well, that, absolutely conclusive as I allow the evide

Fred Barkley ran up

communicate with you, but I could not help running in

tterly. "But you can do something for me, Fred; I have wri

coming upstairs, so I must be off." He took the le

h I swear to you I am not guilty of, send me one line by hand when you

r after hour passed, and, except the servant who brought up his tea, no one came near him. He reasoned to himself that his uncle might be out. At eight o'cl

beg to tell you in the name of the whole house, and I may say the whole School, that not a boy here believes you to

as shouted

fellow," Harris said, "it wi

Frank was un

o me indeed to know that my old friends still believe in me; but, till my in

r boys ought to set a better example to the younger ones. I told you that t

felt we couldn't go to bed to-night without

"Good night, Norris!" "Good night, old fellow!" "Keep up your pluck!" and various other encouraging expressions,

up all hope of hearing from his uncl

better than any of them, condemns me. I wonder what Alice said. I d

and Fred Barkley entered. Frank leapt to his

out of College to see you, Frank, and Richards has given me leave to

etter to my uncle

once," he

was

mean to do?"

asked, "what

don't mean to stop h

k replied, "I had no

usiness; there hasn't been a boy expelled from Westminster for

where am I to go?" s

and in time this will be all forgotten. Perhaps it will turn out who sent that money. It is not as if fa

aid bitterly, "or he would hav

you would want some money, so have been round to Ginger's and have sold all my books. The old beggar would not give me more than twenty pounds for them, thoug

the terrible scene in the schoolroom, and of the tones in

Thank you, Fred, with all my heart; I will take your money and advice

is in his study, so you can go down

se I could not face the scene to-morrow, and that

put on his pea-jacket and the low cap he had worn in his unfortunate expedition to the