a job for me, I'll give
you sixpence," and I've done it and I want my money.'

'The job in question being to drive that pig into the school-yard?' said
the Head Master sharply.

'I said I'd say nothing about it and I won't,' answered the boy
stolidly.

Mr. Wilson eyed Baker with an air of meditation that took in everything
from the guilty expression on his face to the algebra book under his
arm.

'Give the boy his money, Baker,' he said, 'and I should like to see you
and Paynton in the study after afternoon school.'

'You won't catch me following any more of your precious plans,' said
Paynton, as, having paid the sixpence, the two boys hurried back to
their class-room.

* * * * *

When they entered the Head Master's study in the afternoon, a surprise
awaited them. Tea, accompanied by the most delicious cakes, was prepared
on the corner table, and Mr. Wilson talked to them and pressed the good
things upon them as if there were no such thing as a cane in the
cupboard behind the door. Under these strange new circumstances, their
awkwardness wore off, and they were soon talking to their Head Master in
a manner that surprised themselves.

It was not until tea was over that Mr. Wilson mentioned either the pig
or the algebra books, and then he did it in such a friendly way that he
astonished them more than ever.

'Well, now, about the pig this morning,' he began, 'suppose you arranged
the whole business in order to make me look out of the window, and give
you an opportunity of regaining the algebra books which you thought I
had forgotten?'

'Yes, sir,' said Baker, feebly.

'And I expect it was something to do with you two boys that the school
fire-brigade was summoned out by a false alarm last week, and that no
one could go into your class-room without the most frightful attacks of
coughing, one day in the week before.'

Baker nodded, but said nothing. He was wondering why he had ever
considered the Head Master absent-minded. Even Mr. Potter had not
connected him with either of these two exciting events.

'Well, these things all show a very high power of organization. You
evidently possess the abilities which, well trained and properly
disciplined, would be capable of manoeuvring an army, or at any rate, of
carrying their owners to a high rank in the Service.'

The boys stared in astonishment. They had never worried themselves as to
the particular nature of their abilities, but