Cresswell's study, as a last chance. The study was
empty; and even the caps were gone from the pegs. Base desertion!

As he left the study he met Pledge.

"Ah, youngster! Going to grind all to-day?"

"I was looking for Dick."

"Oh! David looking for Jonathan. Poor chap! Johnny has given you the
slip this time."

"Where has he gone?" asked Heathcote, trying to appear indifferent.

"The saintly youth has gone for a day's fishing in the Bay, with the
dearly-beloved Cresswell and the reverend Freckleton. They have got him
an exeat from the Doctor, they have bought him lines and bait, they have
filled his pockets with good things. So you see piety pays after all,
Georgie. What a pity you are not pious, too! You wouldn't be left so
lonely if you were."

Heathcote was too hard hit to reply; and Pledge was kind enough not to
attempt any further consolation.

It had been coming to this for weeks past. Georgie had refused to
believe it as long as he could. He had stuck to his chum, and borne all
the rebuffs which had rewarded him, patiently. He had even made excuses
for Dick, and tried to think that their friendship was as strong as
ever.

But now he saw that all the time Dick had been falling away and cutting
himself adrift. This was why he left the "Select Sociables" the moment
Heathcote joined them. This was why he went to the levee as soon as he
saw Heathcote was not going. And this was why he had hidden out of the
way this morning, for fear Heathcote should find out where he was going,
and want to come too.

Georgie laughed bitterly to himself, as he made the discovery. As if he
cared for fishing, or boating, or sandwiches! As if he cared about
being cooped up in a tarry boat the livelong day, with a couple of such
fellows as Cresswell and Freckleton! As if he couldn't enjoy himself
alone or with Coote--poor young Coote, who had come to Templeton
believing Dick to be his friend, whereas Dick, in his eagerness to toady
to the "saints," would let him go to the dogs, if it wasn't that he,
Heathcote, was there to befriend him.

So Heathcote went forth defiant, with Coote at his heels, resolved to
let Templeton see he could enjoy himself without Dick.

He laughed extravagantly at nothing; he feigned to delight himself in
the company of every idler he came across; he scorned loudly such stupid
sport as fishing, or tennis, or fives.

He meant to make his mark. And then Dick, when he came back, w