Of course it was all up after that. Doctor or no doctor, we couldn't sit by and see our treasurer a.s.saulted. So we hurled ourselves on the foe, regardless of consequences, and a deadly fight ensued. Some of the more cautious of our number were lucky enough to be able to drag their men off the prohibited field and engage them on the right side of the fence.

I was not so lucky--indeed, I was doubly unlucky. For not only was my adversary my dear friend d.i.c.ky Brown, whom I loved as a brother, but he edged further and further afield as the combat went on, so that at the last we were cut off from the main body and left to fight our duel conspicuously in the open.

d.i.c.ky was not a scientific pugilist, but he had an awkward way of closing in with you and getting you round the middle just at the moment that his left foot got round behind your right calf. And it grieves me to say that, although I boasted of far more talent in the exercise of the fistic art than he did, he had me on my back on the gra.s.s just as Mr Sharpe of all persons walked by.

"What are you two doing?" demanded the master, stopping short.

"Fighting, sir," said the stalwart d.i.c.ky, "and I licked him."

"Why are you fighting?"

"Because Flitwick shied mud at Trimble," said I.

The reason did not seem to appeal to Mr Sharpe, who replied,--

"You heard the doctor's orders yesterday, Jones iv., about keeping off the playing field?"

"Yes, sir," said I, realising for the first time that I was well out in the middle of the field, and that the rest of my comrades were looking on from a safe distance.

"Come to me after school for exemplary punishment. You are the most disorderly boy in the house, and it is evident a lenient punishment is no good in your case."

"Please, sir," said the loyal d.i.c.ky, "I lugged him on a good part of the way."

"No, you didn't," snarled I--taking this as a taunt, whereas it was intended as a "leg-up"--"I came of my own accord."

"Very well," said Mr Sharpe. "You will come to me, Jones iv., of my accord"--and he walked away.

I was reckless and defiant, and deaf to d.i.c.ky's sympathy.

"I don't care," said I. "It was a good job for you he came up. I should have licked you hollow."

"No, you wouldn't, old chap; I had you over twice," said d.i.c.ky.

"Come outside and finish it out."

So we adjourned to the other side of the palings and finished it out in the presence of the a.s.sembled Urbans and Philosophers. And I grieve to say once more d.i.c.ky had me on my back.

The wrath of my comrades was even more grievous to bear than the rejoicings of the enemy. I was promptly withdrawn from the fray as a bad lot, and had it not been for the opportune bell, should probably have been kicked all round.

At any rate, I went in disgusted with myself, with Low Heath, with everybody. What was the use of keeping it up? Tempest, ten to one, was expelled. d.i.c.ky Brown, once my inferior, could put me on my back. The Philosophers hated me. Mr Sharpe had marked me down for exemplary punishment, and publicly denounced me as the worst boy in the house.

And all this in a single term. What, I wondered, would it be like, if I remained, at the end of a second term?

I looked dismally into Tempest's study--he was not back. Pridgin was in, but did not want me. The f.a.ggery just now was impossible. I never felt more lonely and miserable in my life.

I was wandering down the pa.s.sage, with my jacket flung over my shoulder and my shirt sleeves still tucked up, when the voice of Crofter stopped me.

"Look here," said he, "the contents of your pocket may be interesting to you, but we don't want them littered about the pa.s.sage. Here, catch hold," and he held out a handful of loose letters. "Why, what's the matter? How blue you look! Has any one been hurting you?"

"Rather not. I've been licking a young cad, that's all."

"Well, you don't look as if you enjoyed it, anyhow. Has Tempest come back?"

"No--probably he's expelled," said I, determined to have things as miserable as possible.

"I sincerely hope not," said Crofter, in a tone which quite softened me to him. "He doesn't like me, but I'd be sorry if he left, all the same."

"He thinks you and Jarman would like to see him kicked out. That's the one reason why he might stay on."

Crofter laughed sweetly.

"What a notion! Why, I've had a good mind to go to England myself and stick up for him."

"It's a good job you haven't," said I.

"What I'm afraid is, that he is worried about other things. I hope, by the way, you never said anything about what I told you the other day."

"No," said I, not quite candidly. For I had tried to tell Tempest, but he would not let me.

"That's right. I hope he's cleared his debts off by now."

"I--I don't think he has," stammered I.

"Really! It's a pity. The doctor would be much more likely to be down on him for being in debt than--"

He pulled up suddenly, as Tempest at that moment walked up. He must have heard the last few words; and if it required looks of guilt and confusion on my part to convince him we had been speaking of him, I think I gave him proof positive.

He had apparently intended to summon me to his study. But, as he saw with whom I was conferring, and overheard the subject of our conversation, he thought better of it, and with lowering face stalked away.

I wished I was dead then! Something told me I had lost my friend, and that no amount of explanation could do away with the barrier which had suddenly been erected between us.

"Awkward," said Crofter. "It's a good job we were talking no harm of him."

"He won't fancy our talking about him at all," said I.

"I suppose we've as much right to talk about him as any one else."

"He'll be awfully down on me, I know," said I miserably.

"All I can say is, if he is, you're a young fool if you care two straws.

Tempest's a good fellow; but he's rather a way of not allowing a fellow to have a soul of his own."

This failed to console me. I made one effort to see Tempest and explain, but he was occupied with his books, and did not even deign to notice my presence in his study.

Later on in the evening all speculation as to the result of the morning's interview was set at rest. An unusual summons came to Sharpe's to meet the doctor in our hall.

We a.s.sembled uncomfortably and with sore spirits. The worry of the whole business was telling on us, and we heartily hoped, while we clamoured for no surrender in words, that Tempest would disappoint us for once.

The doctor came presently, looking very grave, and accompanied by Mr Jarman. From the head master's face we concluded at once that all was up. But to our surprise he said,--