be averse
to the visit.

On arriving at the island, the rebels were found to be in a very
deplorable condition. They had eaten nothing since dinner on the
preceding day, and were shivering with cold. Mr. Gault calmly inquired
what they wanted.

"We want to return," replied Nevers, whose teeth chattered as he spoke.

"Step into the boat, then."

But the boat would not carry them all, and it was necessary to make two
trips to convey the entire party. On the passage, Richard attended
closely to his duty, and did not speak a word to the rebels. The two
instructors were as taciturn as the boatman.

The party seemed to be astonished that their return created no
sensation. No restraint was placed upon them, and when they landed each
went where he chose, but most of them found their way to the warm rooms
of the Institute.

"Have you had a pleasant time, Nevers?" asked the colonel, when he met
the chief of the Regulators.

"Not very, sir," replied Nevers, with a ghastly smile.

This was all the allusion that was made to the affair. Provisions
disappeared with astonishing rapidity at the supper table that night.
The Regulators looked very tame and "chapfallen" for a day or two; and
Nevers condescended to inform Richard that the whole thing was a bad
failure.

Colonel Brockridge had requested Mr. Gault and Richard to be entirely
silent in regard to what had transpired while they were upon the
island. He did not explain his purpose to Richard, but his injunction
was faithfully observed.

The Regulators, even to Nevers and Redman, were very cordial and
considerate towards their intended victim, and Richard believed they
had abandoned their wicked purpose, till, on Saturday morning, he
missed his French exercise book. Without it, he could not recite his
lesson, and he was checked for the failure, and reported to Colonel
Brockridge. The principal sent for him, and every boy in school
supposed he was under censure for the deficiency.

On Sunday night, when the boys were permitted to walk, Masters told
Richard that Bailey wished to see him on particular business near the
Grove shed, as the building was called. Richard promised to meet him at
the place assigned. He waited there some time, but as Bailey did not
come, he returned to the parlor of the Institute. He met Bailey there,
and asked if he wished to see him.

"Yes; I wanted to show you something in the shed, but it will do just
as well in the morning," replied Bai