"You think I ought to cave in?" asked Tempest.

"I don't say that. But I'd let the matter alone."

"We shall never stop Jarman at that rate," said Wales. "I should say
fight it out."

"All very well for you and me," said Pridgin, "who are comfortably out
of it. But it means a big job for old Tempest. He'll have to bear the
brunt of it."

"I can't well drop it when he's told me to give him a list of the
youngsters present," said Tempest.

"You certainly are not called upon to give him a list of the day boys."

"Well, as I only know one of them, it wouldn't be easy. If he'd only
lagged me, and given me extra drill and lines, it wouldn't have been so
bad. But it was playing it low down to--"

Here came a knock at the door, and the school messenger entered with a
letter.

"No answer," said he, handing it to Tempest.

It was plain to see by the flush on Tempest's face as he read it that it
contained anything but pleasant news.

"It's from Jarman," said he, throwing it down on the table.

Wales took it up and read it.

"Mr Jarman informs Tempest that the list of names required in
connection with this afternoon's incident will not be required, as Mr
Jarman already has it. Tempest will please attend the extra drill with
the other boys of his house to-morrow, as his conduct this afternoon was
neither respectful nor a good example to others."

"Whew!" exclaimed Pridgin, rising, for a wonder, out of his chair;
"that's a nasty one, if you like. He's taken you at your word, old man.
Who's given the list of names? Did you, you young sweep?" he demanded
of me.

"Oh no," said I, glad to be recognised under any term of endearment. "I
wouldn't think of doing such a thing. But I'll tell you what I think."

"Really, Jones iv., it's nice to know you do think; but, if you don't
mind, we would rather not hear. If you _know_ anything, let us hear it,
but spare us your thoughts."

Pridgin was rather crushing sometimes.

"I meant we were marked off by the porter at the lodge as we came in,"
said I. "Perhaps that's how he's got the names."

"Evidently," said Pridgin, "he's had you for once. Tempest. He guessed
there'd be a bother about the list, and he has taken the wind out of
your sails. You'll attend extra drill, of course."

"Certainly."

"So that," said Wales, "all you will score by the affair will be a
public disgrace before the juniors."

Tempest's half dismal, half wrathful face was answer enoug