have lurked in the minds of any of the three students on account of the
diary. In the presence of a common danger like this, with the common
enemy, so to speak, at the very door, they were all friends and brothers
at once.

"Where? How do you know?" demanded the three.

"I was looking for a book I had lost," said Bosher, "in the Big near our
door, and I heard Cusack tell Pilbury to wait till he went and saw if
the coast was clear. So they'll be here directly."

"Jolly lucky you heard them," said Parson. "What shall we do, you
fellows?"

There was a slight interval for reflection, and then Telson said, "Fancy
the jug dodge is about the best. They won't be up to it, eh?"

This proposal seemed to meet with general approval, and as time was
precious Parson's tin jug, full of water, was forthwith hoisted adroitly
over the door, and delicately adjusted with nail and twine so that the
opening of the door should be the signal for its tilting over and
disgorging its contents on the head of the luckless intruder. It was
such an old method of warfare that the conspirators really felt half
ashamed to fall back upon it, only time was short and the enemy might
come any moment. As an additional precaution, also, a piece of the
twine was stretched across the doorway about three inches from the
ground, with the considerate purpose of tripping up the expected
visitors. And to complete the preparations, each of the besieged armed
himself with an appropriate weapon wherewith to greet the intruders, and
thus accoutred sat down and waited the event with serene minds.

The event was not long in coming. Before many minutes a stealthy
footstep was heard outside, which it was easy to guess belonged to the
spy of the attacking party. Parson motioned to the others to be silent,
and seated himself at his table, with a book before him, in full view of
the key-hole. The little manoeuvre evidently told, for the footsteps
were heard stealthily hurrying away, and the watchers knew the main body
would soon be here.

It seemed no time before the approaching sounds gladdened their
expectant ears. The invaders were evidently walking in step and trying
to imitate the heavy walk of some senior, so as to give no suspicion of
their purpose.

The besieged smiled knowingly at one another, glanced up at the
suspended jug, and then softly rising with their weapons at the ready,
calmly awaited the assault.

Whoever knew a set of Parrett's juni