or the penalty attached to it.

On the whole, there was nothing to make Mr Bickers uncomfortable, and
it was observed in the masters' hall that evening that he made himself
quite agreeable, and even nodded in a half-friendly way to Railsford on
the occasion of his last appearance at school-dinner.

After the Master of the Shell had retired to his house the doctor asked
his other lieutenants to remain a few moments, as he had a statement to
make to them.

Every one knew what that statement was to be.

"It is only right that I should inform you," said Dr Ponsford, "that I
have considered it my duty to accept Mr Railsford's resignation, and
that he leaves Grandcourt to-morrow. I confess that I do this with
great pain and regret, for I have the highest opinion of Mr Railsford's
abilities and character. But discipline must be maintained in a school
like ours. I have no doubt that in acting as he has done Mr Railsford
considers that he is acting honourably. I do not wish to impugn his
motives, mistaken as I suppose them. But the fact remains that he
virtually admits his knowledge of the offender last term, and at the
same time refuses to give him up to justice. Under those circumstances
I had no choice but to accept his resignation."

For a moment Branscombe's letter burned uncomfortably in Mr Bickers's
pocket while the doctor was speaking. But it cooled again, and when Mr
Grover said,--

"I am sure, sir, you will not misunderstand me when I say that your
statement has caused some of us the deepest pain," he felt himself able
to join in the universal "Hear, hear," with quiet fervour.

"We fully recognise," continued Mr Grover, "that under the
circumstances you had only this one course left open to you. At the
same time, we who know and esteem our colleague, feel that his removal
will be a distinct loss to Grandcourt, and would like to add our own
opinion to yours, that in the course he has considered it right to take,
he has been actuated by conscientious and honourable motives."

Mr Bickers having said, "Hear, hear" once, did not feel called upon to
repeat it at the end of this short speech, and was, indeed, rather glad
to hurry back to his own house.

He had an idea that this time to-morrow he should feel considerably more
comfortable.

CHAPTER TWENTY SEVEN.

CLEARING UP, AND CLEARING OUT.

Railsford's farewell evening in his house was not destined to be a
peaceful one.

He had scarcely returne