had somehow expected that this visit would settle everything. But
instead of doing that, Mr Richardson had left Templeton almost as
anxious as when he entered it. Dick couldn't make it out, and he
returned rather dismally to Templeton.

Here, however, he had plenty to distract his attention. The fame of the
"Firm's" exploit on the previous day was still a nine days' wonder in
the Den, and he might, had he been so inclined, have spent the afternoon
in discoursing to an admiring audience of his achievement. But he was
not so minded. He was more in the humour for a football scrimmage, and
as to-day was the first practice day of the season, he strolled off to
the fields, and relieved his feelings and recovered his spirits in an
hour's energetic onslaught on the long-suffering ball.

Rather to his surprise, Georgie did not join him in this occupation.
That young gentleman, to tell the truth, was very particularly engaged
elsewhere.

His proceedings during the last few days had not been unnoticed by his
old patron, Pledge.

That senior, after his unceremonious deposition from the monitorship by
Mansfield, had been considerably exercised in his mind how to hold up
his head with dignity in Templeton.

He was acute enough to see that his chief offence in the eyes of these
enemies had been, not open rebellion, or a flagrant breach of rules, but
his influence over the juniors with whom he came into contact.

Over George Heathcote's soul, especially, he saw that a great battle had
been waged, and was still waging, in which, somehow or other, the two
great parties of Templeton seemed involved.

So far, the battle had gradually gone against Pledge. Just when he had
considered the youngster his own, he had been quietly snatched off by
Dick, and before he could be recovered, the monitors had stepped in and
taken Dick's side, and left him, Pledge, discomfited, and a laughing-
stock to Templeton.

Had they? Pledge chuckled to himself, as he thought of Mr Webster's
pencil, and of the toils in which, as he flattered himself, he still
held both Heathcote and Dick. They were sure of their darling little
_proteges_, were they? Not so sure, reflected Pledge, as they think.
They might even yet sue for terms, when they found that by a single word
he could change the lodgings of the two sweet babes from Templeton to
the county jail.

He, therefore, in moderately cheerful spirits, allowed a day or two to
pass, avoiding even a