ess."

This protest had its effect on Percy. The next day he struck, and
pleaded an excuse for accompanying the precious trio on an expedition to
Windsor, to be consummated by a champagne supper at the "Christopher."

They urged him hard, and tempted him sorely by the prospect of a row on
the river and any amount of fun. He declined stubbornly. He was
fagged, and not in the humour. Awfully sorry to back out and all that,
but he couldn't help it, and wanted to save up for the Sports and Boat
Race on Friday and Saturday.

They gave him up as a bad job, and started without him.

He watched them go without much regret, and then, putting on his hat,
walked off towards Paddington to meet Jeffreys, who was due in about an
hour.

The quiet walk through the streets rather revived him; and the prospect
of seeing Jeffreys again was still more refreshing.

Of course he knew he should have to tell him of his folly, and Jeff
would "sit on him" in his solemn style. Still, that was better than
getting his head split open with cigars, and having to laugh at a lot of
trashy jokes.

Jeffreys was delighted to see him; and the two were leaving Paddington
arm-in-arm when Scarfe and his two friends, alighting from a cab,
suddenly confronted them.

CHAPTER TWENTY TWO.

THE BAD NAME.

Percy was riotously greeted by Scarfe's two friends. "Hullo, old man!"
cried one of them; "then you thought better of it, after all, and mean
to join us! That's the style!"

"Bring your handsome friend with you. More the merrier. There'll be
champagne enough for the lot."

"Look alive," said Percy; "you'll lose your train. Jeff and I aren't
coming."

"Why not?" said they.

"Because we're going the other way," replied Percy, who, when his mind
was made up, did not appreciate anybody's importunity. "I've not seen
Jeff for a week."

"Who is this precious Jeff?" said one of Scarfe's friends, pointing over
his shoulder to the librarian.

"He's a gentleman employed by the month to look after Percy's morals,"
said Scarfe, with a sneer.

"A parson! What a game! No wonder Percy draws in his horns a bit when
he comes home. Anyhow, we must save him from the paws of the lion if we
can. I say, Percy, you must come, old man. We made all the
arrangements for four, boat and everything; and if you don't want to
stay late we'll give up the supper. Only don't spoil our day, there's a
good fellow. You'll be able to see lots of your friend