that the present change in their _protege_ was due to Riddell's
influence in opposition to their own. The two monitors felt hurt at
this; it was like a direct snub aimed at them, and, considering the
quarter from which it came, they did not like it at all.

"This sort of thing won't do," said Gilks to his friend one day, shortly
after Riddell's talk with Wyndham. "The young 'un's cut our
acquaintance."

"Hope we shall recover in time," said Silk, sneering. "Yes; he's gone
decidedly `pi.' the last week."

"It's all that reverend prig's doing!" growled Gilks. "I mean to spoil
his little game for him, though," added he. "How'll you do it?" asked
Silk. "That's just it! I wish I knew," said Gilks.

"Oh! leave it to me, I'll get at him somehow. I don't suppose he's too
far gone yet."

Accordingly Silk took an early opportunity of meeting his young friend.

"Ah! Wyndham," said he, casually; "don't see much of you now."

"No," said Wyndham, shortly; "I'm busy with the library."

"Oh! I'm afraid, though, you're rather glad of an excuse to cut Silks
and me after the row we got you into last week."

"You didn't get me into any row," said Wyndham. "What! didn't he lick
you for it? Ah! I see how it is. He's afraid you'd let out on him for
being down too. Rather a good dodge too. Gilks and I half thought of
reporting him, but we didn't."

"He had a permit, hadn't he?"

"Oh, yes--rather! I don't doubt that. Just like Brown's, the town
boy's excuses. Writes them himself."

"I'm certain Riddell wouldn't do such a thing," said Wyndham, warming.

"I never said he would," replied Silk, seeing he was going a little too
far. "You see, captains don't want permits. There's no one to pull
them up. But I say, I'm awfully sorry about last week."

"Oh! it doesn't matter," said Wyndham, who could not help being rather
gratified to hear a monitor making apologies to him; "only I don't mean
to go down again."

"No, of course not; and if Gilks suggests it I'll back you up. By the
way," he added, in tones of feigned alarm, "I suppose you didn't tell
him about going to Beamish's, did you?"

"No," said Wyndham, whose conscience had already reproached him several
times for not having confessed the fact.

"I'm awfully glad of that," said Silk, apparently much relieved.
"Whatever you do, keep that quiet."

"Why?" said Wyndham, rather concerned.

"My dear fellow, if that got out--well, I don't know what would hap