me the object of a special demonstration by the Monitors and Sixth
Form. Nearly every boy of note in the Upper School insisted upon shaking
his hand or patting him on the back. Scaife came up with the others, but
he left the Yard almost immediately and retired to his room. He had won
the great match; Desmond had saved it; and the School apprehended the
subtle difference. More, Scaife knew that John had gone up to Desmond
with outstretched hands after the match at Lord's. He could hear John's
eager voice, see the flame of admiration in his eyes, as he said, "Oh,
Caesar, I am glad it was you who made that catch!" And with those
generous words, with that warm clasp of the hand, Scaife had seen the
barrier which he had built between the friends dissolve like ice in the
dog-days.

* * * * *

The attention of the Manor was now fixed upon the house matches. It
seemed probable that with four members of the School Eleven in the team,
the ancient house must prove invincible. But to John's surprise, as this
delightful probability ripened into conviction, Warde betrayed unwonted
anxiety and even irritability. Miss Iris confided to Desmond, who paid
her much court, that she couldn't imagine what was the matter with papa.
And mamma, it transpired (from the same source), really feared that the
strain at Lord's had been too much, that her indefatigable husband was
about to break down. Finally, John made up his mind to ask a question.
He was second in command; he had a right to ask the chief if anything
were seriously amiss. Accordingly, he waited upon Warde after prayers.

But when he put his question, and expressed, modestly enough, his
anxiety and desire to help if he could, Warde bit his lips. Then he
burst out violently--

"I am miserable, Verney."

John said nothing. His tutor rose and began to pace up and down the
study; then, halting, facing John, he spoke quickly, with restless
gestures indicating volcanic disturbance.

"I'm between the devil and the deep sea," he said, "as many a better man
has been before me. I thought I'd wiped out the grosser evils in the
Manor, but I haven't--I haven't. Do you know that a fellow in this
house, perhaps two of 'em, but one at any rate, is getting out at night
and going up to town? You needn't answer, Verney. If you do know it, you
are powerless to prevent it, or it wouldn't occur."

"Thank you, sir."

"I can only guess who it is. I am not certain. And