"Here you are, sir--this way for the school--this cab, sir!"--cried half
a dozen cabmen, darting whip in hand upon our heroes, as they stood
looking about them.

"Don't you go along with them," said one confidentially. "They'll
charge you half-a-crown. Come along, young gentlemen, I'll take you for
two bob."

"Go on. You think the young gentlemen are greenhorns. No fear. They
know what's what. They ain't agoin' to be _seen_ drivin' up the Quad in
a Noah's Ark like that. Come along, young gents; leave him for the
milksops. The like of you rides in a hansom, I know."

Of course, this artful student of juvenile nature carried the day, and
there was great cheering and crowing and chaffing, when the hansom, with
the two trunks on the top, and the two anxious faces inside, peering
over the top of their hat-boxes and bags rattled triumphantly out of the
station.

As Templeton school was barely three minutes' drive from the station,
there was very little leisure either for conversation or the recovery of
their composure, before the gallant steed was clattering over the
cobbles of the great Quadrangle.

They pulled up at a door which appeared to belong to a bell of imposing
magnitude, which the cabman, alighting, proceeded to pull with an energy
that awoke the echoes of that solemn square, and made our two heroes
draw their breath short and sharp.

"Hop out, young gentlemen," said the cabman, helping his passengers and
their luggage out. "It's a busy time, and I'm in a hurry. A shilling
each, and sixpence a piece for the traps; that's two and three makes
five, and leave the driver to you."

Considering the distance they had come, it seemed rather a long price,
and Heathcote ventured very mildly to ask--

"The other man at the station said two shillings."

"Bah!" said the cabman in tones of unfeigned disgust, "you are green
ones after all! He'd have charged a bob a piece for the traps, and
landed you up to eight bob, and stood no nonsense too about it. Come,
settle up, young gentlemen, please. The Templeton boys I'm used to
always fork out like gentlemen."

Dick took out his purse, and produced five-and-sixpence, which he gave
the driver, just as the door opened and the school matron presented
herself.

"Is that your cab?" said she, pointing to the receding hansom.

"Yes, ma'am."

"How much did he charge you?"

"Five shillings, ma'am."

The lady uttered an exclamation of mingled wrath and cont