hould get a name for pluck and
_esprit de corps_; and Railsford and his boys should show the way to
Grandcourt! How Dr Ponsford and the "session of masters" would follow
their lead it did not at present enter into the head of the vain young
man to settle.

A knock came at his door as he stood lost in these pleasing reflections,
and Grover entered.

"Here you are, then, old man," said he--"an old stager already. It was
a great disappointment I could not be here when you got down."

"I wish you had. I have had not exactly a gay time of it."

And he related his experiences. Grover laughed.

"That's Ponsford all over," said he. "He's a fine fellow, but a bear.
How do you like your quarters?"

"I've only just got into them, and really haven't had time to look
round. And, to tell the truth, for the last ten minutes or so I've been
so interested in the scene below that I had forgotten what I was doing.
There was a most amusing chariot race between a cab and an omnibus."

Grover looked serious.

"I know," said he. "I'm afraid there will be trouble about that. It's
as well, perhaps, you are not expected to know the chief offenders. One
or two of them belong to your house."

Railsford looked uncomfortable. It had not occurred to him till now
that the proceeding which had so moved his interest and amusement was a
breach of discipline.

"I hope I shall not be called upon to deal with it," said he.

"No. I hear Ponsford has the matter in hand himself."

And the friends went on to talk of other matters.

After a while Grover hastened away to his own house, leaving Railsford
somewhat uneasy in his mind.

If Dr Ponsford were to question him on the subject of the chariot race,
he felt that he would be seriously compromised at the outset of his
career. He knew at least the nickname of one of the delinquents; and
had actually, by standing and watching the contest without protest, been
an accessory to the offence. He busied himself forthwith in his
unpacking, and studiously avoided the window until daylight departed,
and the court below became silent and deserted.

Just about four o'clock another knock sounded at his door, and Arthur
Herapath presented himself, leading by the arm the tawny-haired hero of
the chariot race.

"What cheer, Marky?" cried the brother-in-law to be. "Here we are. Had
a spiffing spin up from the station, hadn't we, Dig? This it Dig, you
know, Sir Digby Oakshott, Baronet, M.P., A.