ly; "most of it impromptu, too! Managed
to spin it out, I fancy!"

"Rather," said King, admiringly. "I began to make mine after you'd got
kicked out, but couldn't get out much of it."

"Well, all I can say is it was a jolly lark. I feel quite hungry after
it," said Telson. "Any of that jam left, old man?"

And so these heroes appropriately celebrated their glorious field-day
with a no less glorious banquet, which amply compensated for all the
little inconveniences they had had to endure in the course of the
afternoon's entertainment.

Meanwhile, rather more serious work was going on in the Great Hall.

The Skyrockets being ejected, the house proceeded in a somewhat humdrum
fashion to discuss the relative merits of classics and mathematics.
Several of the seniors and a few Limpets had prepared speeches, which
they duly delivered. Contrary to the expectation of most present,
Riddell took no part in the discussion. As head classic, a speech from
him had been quite counted on; but not even the calls of the one side or
the taunts of the other could get him on to his feet.

The fact was, he only half heard what was going on. His thoughts were
far away, busied with a far more serious inward debate than that on the
notice-paper.

At length he could remain idle no longer. He must go and find out
Wyndham, or see the doctor, or pay another visit to Tom the boat-boy--
anything rather than this suspense and misery and inaction.

He took advantage of a more than ordinarily dreary speech from Tedbury
to rise and make his retreat quietly from the room.

But before he had reached the door Tedbury's voice abruptly ceased and
Wibberly's was heard saying, "Mr Chairman, I see Mr Riddell is leaving
the meeting. Will you allow me to ask him a question before he goes?"

There was something strange about this interruption, and also in the
manner in which the question was asked, which drew the sudden attention
of the House, and all eyes were turned on the captain.

He stopped and turned in his usual nervous, half-inquiring way,
apparently not quite sure what had been said or who had spoken.

"Mr Wibberly," said Bloomfield, "wishes to ask a question of Mr
Riddell."

"It is merely this," said Wibberly, rapidly, and giving no time for any
objection to be raised on the point of order. "I wish to ask Mr
Riddell whether he has found out yet who cut the rudder-line of
Parrett's boat at the boat-race, or whether he suspects anyb