uffle Frank's weight and reach gave him an advantage, and
in spite of his lack of science, he planted some heavy blows on Jack's
face, which, however, only seemed to increase the latter's stubbornness.
He took his punishment without a murmur, and, blinking to clear the
stars from his eyes, attacked his opponent with even more vigour and
fierceness than before. Then luck favoured him. He succeeded in
stopping an ugly rush with such abruptness as to make Frank stagger, and
followed it up with lightning-like rapidity.

That was the turning-point. Frank could no longer face him, but dodged
and scuttled round the room in a desperate hurry, vainly endeavouring to
avoid the blows. One more settled the matter. With a sharp and most
unpleasant thud Jack's fist struck him on the nose, and next moment the
bully was grovelling on the floor, writhing and shrieking as if in
agony, while a flood of tears poured down his cheeks.

It was a funny sight, and fat and jovial old Banks, who, at his
mistress's order, had scrambled hurriedly upstairs to learn what the
commotion was about, chuckled inwardly, and looked on in great
enjoyment. Nor was it the only part of the struggle he had witnessed.
He had arrived at the door of the play-room shortly after its
commencement, quite unknown to the boys, and there he remained,
listening for sounds from below, and waiting for a more opportune time
to interfere.

"That's it! Go it, my lads!" he murmured to himself, as he stood
panting on the landing outside. "You're bound to have it out, and I
ain't a-going to stop yer if I can help it. Best get it settled now.
That young Master Frank's been wanting a licking for a goodish time, and
I'll back Master Jack to give it him."

And so he stood calmly in the darkness, till Jack had, to the butler's
huge delight, proved victorious, when, having cautiously stolen back to
the top of the stairs, he returned, walking heavily across the landing,
and burst into the room. He was quickly followed by Mrs Somerton, at
whose appearance Frank's agonised bellows increased tenfold, while Jack
went sullenly to the fireplace and waited for the scolding which he knew
would undoubtedly be his. He was not disappointed, and a few minutes
later he had retired to his room in great disgrace.

On the following morning Captain Somerton called him into his study, and
explained with much kindness and sympathy that he had arranged to send
him away to school.

"It will