n the present instance, it would be folly to say
anything that should awaken suspicion. The big fellow hesitated; then a
happy thought occurred to him: he dragged his captive across the paved
playground, and stopping under the gas-lamp which lit up the archway
leading into the quadrangle, began a hasty examination of the contents
of the latter's pockets. There was no time to lose, and failing to find
what he sought, Noaks gave the youngster a final shake, saying as he
did so: "Look here, have you forgotten that coin robbery? Because, if
you have, I haven't. I've got that knife still. Don't you fall foul of
me, or you'll have reason to be sorry for it, d'you hear?"

The two boys ran quickly across to the big schoolroom, and entered just
in time to take their seats before the master on duty called, "Silence!"

As might have been expected, none of the Triple Alliance put in an
appearance at supper that evening; as a matter of fact, they were
congregated in a quiet corner of the box-room, listening to a graphic
account of Diggory's adventures. Noaks's threat about the pocket-knife
revived all their former feelings of dread and uneasiness respecting
their unfortunate expedition to The Hermitage, and there was a grave
look upon their faces as the narrative concluded.

"You see," said Diggory, as he brought his story to a close, "the thing
was this: he wasn't quite sure whether I knew anything or not, but he
said that to frighten me in case I did."

"I don't see that we can do anything," began Mugford uneasily. "You say
they aren't going to kick up any other row just yet, and it would be an
awful thing if Noaks found it out, and sent my knife to the police."

"No, I don't see very well what I can do," answered Diggory. "Somehow
it seems rather mean to hide away and then go and tell what you've
overheard. I think it's best to leave it, and keep a sharp look-out
and see what happens next."

"Fancy Fletcher inventing that cipher," said Jack Vance, "and being
mixed up with that lot. He is a double-faced beast; it was just like
him making that underhanded attack on the football team."

"Yes," added Mugford; "and fancy Gull being in both those rows, and
making every one believe he wasn't! They must be a deep lot."

"So they are," answered Diggory complacently; "but they aren't a match
for the Triple Alliance."

"I say, what made Noaks search your pockets?" asked Jack, as the three
friends prepared to break up the