han ever. But Eely--oh, I
hope he isn't very bad!"

"I hope he is," said Mercer maliciously. "He's been fagging me these
three years. I know he's twice as bad as you, and serve him right."

We began our dinners, but Mercer's appetite was as bad as mine. The
salt made my mouth smart, and every bite hurt my loose tooth. But there
were congratulatory smiles from all round whenever I looked up, and
every boy who could reach me with his foot gave me a friendly kick under
the table, Mercer coming in for his share. In fact, I found that I had
suddenly become the most popular boy in the school, though I did not at
all appreciate the honour then.

"Look: there's Eely," whispered Mercer, as a tall thin figure now
appeared at the door, then suddenly grew shorter by the lad bending down
as low as possible, and creeping toward his place by Stewart and
Dicksee.

But it was all in vain, the clatter of the knives and forks ceased, and
the boys watched him, and whispered, drawing the Doctor's attention to
the bent figure; and once more, after fixing his gold eyeglasses on the
bridge of his nose by the hinge, and watching till my late adversary had
crept into his place, he tapped the table with his knife-handle loudly.

"Young gentlemen," he rolled out in sonorous tones, "have the goodness
to button up your pockets, and to be on the _qui vive_. I just saw the
door darkened by a sinister-looking figure, which crept in as if to
commit a burglary, a petty larceny, a scholastic form of shop-lifting,
or some crime of that kind, so be upon your guard. Did any one else see
the figure?"

There was a pause, then Dicksee spoke with a malicious grin upon his fat
face.

"Please, sir, I did. It was Burr major."

"Dear me! Indeed? Mr Burr, have the goodness to stand up and explain
this extraordinary conduct."

Oh, poor old Eely! I thought sympathetically, as poor Burr major stood
up, hanging his head, and looking much shorter than usual, and I
heartily wished that Mercer had punished Dicksee more.

"Dear me! Burr major, what is the er--er--eh? I beg your pardon, Mr
Rebble."

The Doctor bent toward his first lieutenant with great dignity, and the
latter said a few words in a low tone.

"Dear me! Indeed? Oh, I see!" said the Doctor. "Burr major, you can
sit down. You will come to my room directly after dinner, and--er--er--
what names did you say Mr Rebble?"

"Oh dear! It's coming, Frank," whispered Mercer.

"Exactl