back, "now if this were a question of a surd in a compound
equation I should be happy to tell you; but as soon as the captive is
taken again, and the `lark,' as you call it, is over, I should recommend
you to ask Mr Rampson. He'll tell you, and give you some information
as well respecting the Carthaginian army and the elephants with their
towers that they marched against the Romans. My mathematical studies
take up all my brain-power, and I never venture upon another master's
ground. By the way, who are those boys that we just saw walk through
that fence with the show-people? Trespassers, of course. We don't want
any of the town boys here. No violence, mind; but I think you might
give them a lesson and turn them out."

"But they were the two new pupils, sir."

"What! Severn and the Prince?"

"Yes, sir," came in chorus.

"Dear me! The Doctor would be very angry if he knew. He strongly
objects to his young gentlemen making friends with strangers."

"Yes, sir," said Burney; "and they have gone out of bounds."

"Will you keep your mouth shut?" whispered Slegge; and, dropping a pace
behind the master, he clenched and held up one fist very close to
Burney's nose as if it were a curiosity that the boy might like to see.

"Ah, well," said Mr Morris, "perhaps they thought that it would be the
safest place behind the elephant's keepers. These tamed animals have a
great dread of the whip."

All was beautifully calm now out in the field. The grass seemed greener
than ever. There was an excited crowd in the main road by the damaged
hedge, and quite a cluster of pupils, masters, and servants up by the
house; but Morris and his little party were alone, and all seemed so
safe that they grew thoroughly brave, and quite nonchalantly edged their
way on towards the broken panel which looked temptingly clear.

All was still, and there was no suggestion of danger, while as they
slowly went close up there was no sound of voice. It was perfectly
evident that the elephant must have been followed far away, and had
probably gone right on through the neighbouring grounds and made his way
somewhere out at the back.

They were approaching diagonally, and as they came very near to the
opening a curious electric kind of feeling such as is called by old
women "the creeps," manifested itself in what doctors term the "lumbar
regions" of every one's back.

But they were all very brave, and Morris suddenly became conscious of
the f