ant?" It was evident from his
tone that he was greatly humbled. That is not surprising, for he must
have been very cold and very hungry, and Tony repeated the question.

"He will not promise. We must put the gag in again," said two or three
of the other fellows.

"Will you promise?" asked Tony again.

"Oh, do let him go!" again exclaimed Arthur, whose kind heart was moved
by the pitiable condition of our captive. "He will promise--I know he
will; and I do not mind if he bullies me ever so much. We should think
any one very cruel who kept us out in the cold as we have kept him. I
am sure that he will promise what we ask--won't you, Houlston?"

"No, he will not," said another boy. "He will have a couple of hours to
wait till the names are called over, and perhaps somebody will then come
and look for him. He will be much colder by that time."

"Oh yes, I will promise!" cried Houlston. "Let me go, and I will not
bully you little fellows any more. Just try me. And I will remember
what Mallet said--he has more feeling than any of you; I did not expect
him to have spoken as he has, for I treated him always worse than any of
you."

"You promise, on your word of honour," said Tony; "and you will not go
and complain of us? You must promise that too."

Houlston was completely humbled. He promised all we demanded.

"We may trust to his word. I am sure we may!" exclaimed Arthur. "Oh,
do let us loose him!"

"Thank you, Mallet. Thank you, Faithful. I am much obliged to you,"
whispered Houlston, as Arthur undid the handkerchief which bound his
wrists. The others were in the meantime casting off those round his
legs. We lifted him up, for he was so numbed and chilled that he could
not walk. Arthur had brought a slice of bread and butter doubled up in
his pocket. He offered it to Houlston, who took it gratefully. His
clothes, I felt, were covered with chips of wood and dust. We brushed
him with our hands as well as we could in the dark, and then led him
back into the playroom, where the boys were collecting after tea. I
watched him narrowly, fearing mat he might tell some of the big fellows
what had happened; but he went to his box without speaking to any one,
and then taking up his books, proceeded to the school-room to learn his
lessons for the next day. We kept our counsel, and were convinced that
Houlston wisely kept his, for not a word did he utter to any of his
companions of what had occurred. Fr