weeks looked upon the Master of the Shell as
one of the most promising men on his staff; and he deplored the
infatuation which now promised to bring his connection with Grandcourt
to an abrupt end.

But there was no alternative.

"Mr Railsford," said he, "you have heard Mr Roe's statement; is it
correct?"

"Quite correct, sir."

"And you persist in your refusal to say whether or no you have any
knowledge as to who the persons were who assaulted Mr Bickers?"

"I cannot answer the question."

"You know that the inference from such a refusal is that you know the
names and refuse to give them up--in other words, that you are shielding
the evil-doers?"

"I cannot answer that or any question on the subject, Doctor Ponsford.
I am aware of my position, and feel that I have no course open but to
place my resignation in your hands."

Once more poor monsieur started up.

"Oh no. He has good reasons. He is not bad. He must not leave."

The doctor motioned him to be silent, and then, addressing Railsford
said--

"Your resignation of course follows as a natural consequence of the
position you adopt. It is better that you should offer it than that I
should have to ask for it. I shall take a week to consider my duty in
the matter. This meeting is now at an end."

CHAPTER TWENTY SIX.

THINGS GO WELL WITH MR. BICKERS.

It is not to be wondered at if the proceedings at the remarkable
masters' session just reported leaked out somehow, and became the talk
of Grandcourt. It was rarely that anything the masters did or said in
their solemn conclaves made much impression on the complacency of their
boys; but on the present occasion it was other wise.

Rumour had already been active as to the feud between Mr Bickers and
the Master of the Shell, and not a few of the better-informed boys had
heard that it was connected with the outrage last term, and that Mr
Bickers's intention was to bring that crime home, in some manner best
known to himself, to Mr Railsford.

The idea was generally pooh-poohed as a piece of vindictive folly. For
all that, there was a good deal of speculation as to the proceedings at
the masters' session, and, when it was over, curiosity to learn the
result. The hurried summons to the doctor during the evening had not
passed unnoted; the general opinion was that the "row" had come suddenly
and acutely to a head.

When two superior officers fly at one another's throats the spectacle
may be in