summoning him to the library.

On his arrival there he found, to his surprise, Silk standing alone in
the middle of the room, while the doctor was quietly writing at his
table.

"Riddell," said the doctor, as the captain entered, "you reported two
boys to me. Only one is here."

"I told Gilks he was to be here at nine o'clock, sir," said the captain.

"You had better go and see why he is not here."

Riddell obeyed, and found on inquiry at the schoolhouse that Gilks was
on the sick-list, and had obtained leave from the matron to remain in
bed till after dinner.

The captain had his private doubts as to the seriousness of the
invalid's case, especially as, of the two, he was the less damaged in
yesterday's fight. However, he had no right to question the matron's
decision, and returned accordingly to report the matter to the doctor.

"Humph!" said the doctor, who also evidently considered it a curious
coincidence that Gilks should be taken unwell the very morning when his
presence was required in the library; "he had better have come. You say
he is to be up after dinner?"

"Yes, sir."

"Then let him know he is to come here at four o'clock, and you, Silk,
come too at that hour."

Silk, who had evidently screwed himself up for the present interview,
looked disappointed.

"I should like just to say, sir--" began he, with a glance at Riddell.

But the doctor interrupted.

"Not now, Silk. Go to your class now, and come here at four o'clock."

"But it's not about--"

"Do you hear me, sir?" said the doctor, sternly.

Silk went.

The captain was about to follow his example, when it occurred to him he
might not have so favourable an opportunity again that day for acting on
Bloomfield's advice respecting Wyndham.

"Can you spare a few minutes, sir?" said he, turning back.

"Yes, what is it?" said the doctor.

"It's about young Wyndham, sir."

"Ah! Nothing wrong, I hope. He has seemed a good deal steadier than he
was, of late."

"So he is, sir. But this is about something he did some time ago."

The doctor settled himself judicially in his chair, and waited for the
captain's report.

"He got into bad company early in the term, sir, and was tempted down
into the town without leave, and once let himself be taken to Beamish's
Aquarium."

The doctor gave a grunt of displeasure, which sounded rather ominous.

"How long ago was this?"

"A few days before the boat-race, sir. It has been weighing