books for distribution next day.

"Hullo!" said Gilks, with a show of cordiality; "here you are again.
You seem to live here."

"No, I don't," said Wyndham, looking not very pleased to be interrupted;
"but I always have to get ready an evening before the day, or the
fellows kick up such a jolly row when they're kept waiting."

"How long shall you be?" asked Gilks.

"I don't know. Why?" asked Wyndham.

"Only Silk wants to speak to you."

Wyndham's face clouded. He had come fresh from Riddell's study an hour
ago. His brother's friend had been as kind as ever. In a hundred ways
he had shown it without sermon or lecture, and Wyndham had felt stung
with a sense of his own ingratitude and dishonesty as he accepted the
help and goodness of his mentor.

Now, consequently, this summons to present himself before Silk was more
than usually distasteful.

"I can't come, tell him. It will take me all the evening to finish
this."

"You'd better go, though," said Gilks.

"I can't. Why had I better go?" asked Wyndham, looking uncomfortable.

"It's something important he wants you for. You'd better go, young un."

Wyndham flung down the book in his hand with a baffled air, and
muttering, "I hate the fellow!" walked miserably off. Gilks called him
back for a moment.

"I say," he said, "don't you be such a fool as to rile Silk, young un.
He could make it precious awkward for you and me too if it came to a
row. Take my advice and keep in with him."

Wyndham answered nothing, but went off moodily to Silk. "Ah, Wyndham,"
said the latter, cordially, as his young _protege_ entered, "I was just
wondering if you'd give me a look up."

"Gilks came and said you wanted me; that's why I came," said Wyndham.

"Awfully good of you," said Silk. "Of course I wanted you. The fact
is, young un," said he, becoming a little mysterious, "there's rather an
awkward thing turned up. I hope it won't come to anything, I'm sure,
but it doesn't do to be too sure."

"What do you mean?" demanded Wyndham, looking alarmed. "I mean," said
Silk, slowly, "that last time you took Gilks and me down to Beamish's--"

"_I_ took you!" exclaimed Wyndham. "_You_ took me--you made me go."

Silk laughed.

"Well, the last time we three went to Beamish's, if you like--the
Saturday before the race; last Saturday, in fact--somebody saw us, or
rather saw you."

"What!" cried Wyndham, turning pale. "Who was it?"

"It wouldn't do you any good to