st the sort of table I like to play on," said Tom, elated with
his success, and unwilling to own that half his lucky shots had been
"flukes."

"I tell you what," said Gus; "you owe me my revenge, you know, from last
time. I'll play you to-morrow for half-crowns, if you'll give me the
same points as you did to Jack."

Tom was fast nearing the breakers now. He had nothing for it but to
accept the challenge, and the table was consequently engaged for the
next evening.

"I must be off now, you fellows!" he said.

"Nonsense! Why, you haven't yet seen the fun below. You must stay for
that."

"I wish I could," faltered Tom; "but I really must do some reading to-
night."

"So you can; the thing only lasts an hour, and you're not obliged to go
to bed at eleven, are you?"

Still Tom hesitated.

"You don't mean to say you are squeamish about it?" said Gus, in
astonishment. "I could fancy that young friend of your mother's turning
up _his_ eyes at it, but a fellow like you wouldn't be so particular, I
reckon; eh, Jack?"

And Mr John Mortimer, thus appealed to, laughed an amused laugh at the
bare notion.

That laugh and the term, "a fellow like you," destroyed the last of
Tom's wavering objections, and he yielded.

CHAPTER THIRTEEN.

HOW TOM DRIFT, STILL GOING DOWNHILL, MET MY OLD MASTER.

When Tom reached his lodgings that night he found a jubilant letter from
Charlie awaiting him.

"Just fancy," he said, "it's only three weeks more, old man, and then to
Jericho with books, and test-tubes, and anatomy! I'll drag you out of
your study by the scruff of your neck, see if I don't; I'll clap a
knapsack on your back, and haul you by sheer force down into Kent.
There you shall snuff the ozone, and hold your hat on your head with
both hands on the cliff top. I'll hound you through old castles, and
worry you up hills. If I catch so much as a leaflet on chemistry in
your hands, I'll tear it up and send it flying after the sea-gulls. In
short, I shouldn't like to say what I won't do, I'm so wild at the
prospect of a week with you. Of course, the dear old people growl at me
for leaving them in the lurch; but they are glad for us to get the blow;
indeed, my pater insists on paying the piper, which is handsome of him.
I expect I shall get a day in London on my way, either going or
returning; and if you can put me up at your diggings for the night,
we'll have a jolly evening, and you can show me all your haunts."