Now, on that very afternoon when Ralph and his two friends, on their visit to Crab Tree Hill, were driven by the storm to seek shelter in that preserve, Horace Elgert and his companion Dobson, were standing in close consultation.
And a very discontented, savage, and disconcerted pair they were, for things did not seem to be going right with them.
In the first place, that miserable five-pound note was still missing, and though the man at the cake-shop had promised that he would get it for them if possible, he had not yet kept his word; and while it was still in other hands both boys trembled with apprehensive fears.
They quarrelled over it, too, Elgert still declaring that, as Dobson had changed it, he would alone be to blame, and Dobson retorting by saying that he would confess that he received it from Elgert.
Then, added to this source of annoyance, there was the fact that, in spite of all their efforts, Ralph Rexworth was rising in his schoolmates' esteem, and hisinfluence, coupled with that of Warren and Charlton, was making itself steadily felt, to the diminution of their own powers.
"It seems to me," grumbled Elgert moodily, "that the fellows look upon trying to give a criminal up to justice as a crime. Some of them actually hissed at me—and why? Just because my father lent the police his pony and trap! I can't make out what is coming to them."
"They are just as down on me in the Fourth," answered Dobson. "There is no fun in the place now. All the kids have got to be coddled like a lot of babies; and if you catch one of them a smack on the head for being cheeky, there are a dozen fellows ready to take his part. Look how that little beggar Green cheeked me."
"Well, why didn't you give him a hiding? You were afraid to, that is the fact."
"Afraid yourself!" retorted Dobson angrily. "As if I should be afraid of him! You know that if I had done anything I should have had Rexworth and all his set about me, and a fellow can't take the lot of them. You don't care to meet Rexworth yourself, and you know it."
A dark frown gathered upon Horace Elgert's handsome face. Ah, how that frown spoilt all his good looks!
"Perhaps I don't, Dobson," he said grimly. "But there are better ways of getting even with Rexworththan fighting; and I mean to try them all. Have you seen Brown again?"
"Yes," said Dobson.
And Elgert went on—
"Well, what did he say?"
"Only just what he has said all along. He has not been able to get it yet, but he thinks that he will. I tell you, Elgert, that I believe he is playing with us——"
"What do you mean?" cried Elgert sharply. "How playing with us?"
"Well, he either knows more than he pretends to, or else he suspects something. I don't think that he means to let us have that note."
Horace Elgert was silent for a few moments. Evidently he found that statement very disquieting.
"It will be a nice mess if it is like that," he said at last. "But it is no good worrying over it unless it comes. I will go and see him myself. You are a bit of a messer when it comes to doing anything. You don't seem to use your wits——"
"Can't use my wits to make him give me a thing which he has either not got or don't mean to part with," grumbled Dobson.
"You might have used your wits to make sure that he never got it. I did all the dangerous part of the work, and only left you something which was safe and easy, and you went and bungled it!"
"Oh, don't begin that all over again. I am sickand tired of hearing of it. Whenever you have nothing else to grumble about you bring that up. Just drop it, or don't talk at all!"
Elgert saw that his companion was getting really cross; and though he despised Dobson at heart, he could not afford to quarrel with him, for the boy knew too much of his evil ways; so he affected to laugh at the angry words.
"Don't lose your temper," he said. "I never came near such a surly chap! A fellow can't speak to you without your taking offence."
"Well, then, drop it. I don't like having things thrown in my face like you throw that. It is done, and it can't be undone, so what is the good of talking of it?"
"You will find there will be some talking about it if ever it comes to light," was the grim answer. And Dobson looked miserable. How he wished now that he had never had anything to do with the wretched business.
"I wonder," mused Elgert, "what became of that fellow Charlton?"
"We'd best let that alone," retorted Dobson. "We have got ourselves disliked quite enough over it."
"What do I care for that? If only I knew where he was, do you think that I would hesitate to tell? I would do it, if it was only to spite Rexworth."
"It would not hurt him," answered Dobson. "It is not his father."
"No, but it is his chum's, and he would be sure to feel it. I only wish I knew where he was."
"But you don't," remarked Dobson.
"But I might find out. I only wish that I could!"
"Talk of angels and see their wings," said Dobson; and at this apparently vague proverb Elgert turned excitedly.
"Where? What do you mean? Not the man?"
"No," answered Dobson, with a shake of the head.
"I don't see Rexworth or Charlton." And Elgert stared round. "Bother it! Don't stand grinning there like a monkey. Tell me what you mean."
"Only that there goes Charlton's mother," said Dobson, nodding in the direction of the common.
"Well, what of that? We don't want his mother, do we? It is his father we are talking about."
"I know that," came the calm answer. And Dobson looked very knowing. "I am a monkey and a silly, and I don't know what besides, but I may be able to think smarter than you can, Elgert. May not Charlton's mother lead us to Charlton's father? She is sure to know where he is, and do you know that since that affair she has been going to the St. Clives' a lot——"
"How do you know?" demanded Elgert.
"My sister told me that she has seen her go there frequently; and sometimes, instead of going right inat the front gate she has gone in at the side one. That looks strange, don't it? And she was not visiting there before—I know that."
Elgert pondered a while in silence, then he suddenly turned, and Dobson inquired where he was going.
"To follow her. There may be something in what you say. I should hardly think that they would hide a convict away, but they might—some people do such strange things—and St. Clive don't like my father, I know. Let us follow her."
"Well, it will only be to St. Clive's place. And what are we to do then? We can't say that she goes to see her husband because she goes there."
"What did you tell me about it for, then? You looked knowing enough. It is not much good talking of a thing if we cannot follow it up. I am going after her, at any rate. You need not come if you don't want to."
"Oh, I will come, Disagreeable!" answered Dobson. And the two boys set out, following the lady, who was quite unconscious of their wicked desires.
And they could follow her openly and without fear, for if she had seen them close by her side she would have thought nothing of it. The boys from the school were common enough objects in the place.
And it chanced that Mrs. Charlton was indeed going to see her poor husband; to try and cheer him,and urge him to be hopeful and patient, and to tell him that presently the clouds would all vanish, and the sun shine out again.
And after her the two boys went like spies, and neither Elgert nor Dobson thought what a wicked thing they were doing. There was with them the love of doing evil and causing sorrow—the delight of little, spiteful natures—but there was also the greater desire to cause Ralph Rexworth pain. That was before everything, and so on they went. And Mrs. Charlton, all unconscious of evil, entered the grounds of Mr. St. Clive's house, and as Dobson had said, she went in at the side gate.
Mr. St. Clive had arranged that with her, so that she could go directly to her husband's cottage without any of the servants in the house knowing that she was there.
And the boys stood at that gate undecided for a little while. The path was soon lost to view amidst the bushes. Elgert looked round, and then deliberately climbed over the gate.
"You can stay or come," he whispered to Dobson; "I mean to go on and see this through." And Dobson, not without some inward fears, followed his example. It was delightful, this tracking a man down; it was like the stories of adventure, and he wanted to see the end of it.
"Come quietly," directed Elgert in suppressed tones. "Don't make a noise with your feet, andstoop down; they might see your head over the bushes. That is it. Now follow me."
Creeping along stealthily, Dobson in the rear, he followed the direction which Mrs. Charlton had taken, and presently the shrubberies ended, and there were flower beds and lawns. Clearly, it would be dangerous for them to go any farther if they wished to remain unseen.
"We will stop here and watch," said he to Dobson. And the latter, crouching there, whispered—
"Where has she gone? I don't see her anywhere."
"She must have gone into that cottage. I would creep across and try to peep through the window, but I am afraid that I should be discovered; and if we gave them the alarm, he might be off."
"You don't think that the man is hiding there, do you?" queried Dobson, trembling betwixt fear and excitement.
Truth to tell, when he had made his suggestion, it had been merely from the love of talking; he had not thought really that there was anything in it; and now there seemed to be a very great deal.
"I do think it," Elgert answered. "Hush! Let us watch. No one knows that we are here, and no one can see us. We can easily creep out the same way that we came. Keep still, she is coming out of the cottage!"
Yes, Mrs. Charlton was coming out, and with her a poor, bent decrepit old gardener. But—but she held his arm, and once she pressed a kiss on his cheek! Horace Elgert felt his heart thrill with evil triumph. He saw it all now. Mr. St. Clive was keeping the man here, in the position of a gardener, and Mrs. Charlton came to see him!
"We have got him now, Dobson," he whispered to his companion. "We have got him now, and he will not get away from the police a second time! It is the first step to paying Ralph Rexworth what we owe him!"
We have got him now, Dobson
"'We have got him now, Dobson,' he whispered to hiscompanion." p. 230.
"What shall we do next, Elgert?"
Dobson whispered that question in his ear, as the two crouched in the shrubbery watching Mrs. Charlton and her husband.
"Do! What a question! Get away from here, and then go straight to the police and give them information. They won't mention our names, and the fellows at the school need never know that we have had any part in it. We have seen enough, so come on, and mind you don't let them either see or hear you. I would not have them alarmed for anything."
The two stole silently off, treading on tiptoe, walking with the greatest care, until once more they climbed over the gate, and stood safely in the roadway.
"Thank goodness we are out of that without any trouble," said Dobson; and Elgert inquired, contemptuously, what danger he feared would come to them in the grounds.
"Dogs," retorted Dobson tersely. "We weren't to know that there were no dogs loose. I thoughtthat I heard a rustling in the bushes once, as though one was pushing his way towards us, and it made me turn cold. Well, now we are here, what next?"
"The police, at once. How dark it is getting, and was not that thunder?"
"Yes, I reckon they are getting a smart storm not far from here. The police-station, is it?"
"Of course. The man is here, we do not know how long he may remain, so we cannot waste time; and I am not going to let the possibility of getting caught in a shower prevent me from having my revenge on Rexworth, and making things unpleasant for these stuck-up St. Clives. I hate them! St. Clive himself, because he backs this Rexworth up; his wife, because she is so very goody-goody; and the girl, because she is a proud little minx, who turns up her nose at me, and——"
"Ha, ha!" laughed Dobson. "Jealous because Rexworth cut you out, that is it! Well, I don't mind. Come on, if you are coming. The police will be pleased enough to know; and if there is a reward, we may as well have it."
"You can take it, if you like," retorted Elgert. "I don't want their money. All I want is to see the man taken again, and taken there to prove that the St. Clives are in it."
They turned and hurried off; and then, very cautiously, from amidst the laurels, there arose a little scared and indignant face—a face surroundedby golden hair. Irene St. Clive had seen them and heard all that they had said!
She had seen them go into the shrubbery, and had wondered what tricks they were about to play. Her first idea was that it was something to do with Ralph, something to vex him; for she knew both the boys, and was aware that they were his enemies. So she had followed them, that she might see, and then warn Ralph. And then it had flashed upon her! Mrs. Charlton was there with her husband; and the boys were spying upon her. Oh, what mean, miserable boys to call themselves gentlemen, and do such things!
She heard what they said when they stood in the roadway, and then she turned and raced indoors to tell her father; even in her dismay, she was thoughtful enough not to go to her mother first, lest she should be needlessly alarmed. Her father would know best what was to be done.
And her tidings filled Mr. St. Clive with concern. Where could poor Mr. Charlton go? Where else was there for him to hide?
He reproached himself now that he had not sent him away sooner. But Mr. Charlton had seemed to derive such comfort from being able to see his son and wife frequently, that Mr. St. Clive had allowed things to go on as they were, and now it might be too late!
Yes, even with Irene's warning, too late; for the man could not go out just as he was. Mr. St. Clive knew full well that every hiding-place would besearched—that escape would be almost impossible—and he shrank from being the bearer of such bad tidings to the husband and wife.
But it had to be done, the warning must be given, and given at once, and he rose, Irene following him, and went into the grounds and towards the cottage. His own wife was there at the moment speaking with Mrs. Charlton.
And the dismay, the sorrow, that they exhibited when the tidings were told! The poor man must fly from here and be a wanderer again—hunted hither and thither, not knowing from hour to hour if he should be captured, not able even to get a message to his wife, or to hear how it fared with her and his son. It was very hard indeed.
"You have done all that one man could to help another, sir," he said to Mr. St. Clive, as he held his weeping wife in his arms. "I shall never, never forget your kindness, nor that of your good wife and dear little daughter. You will be a friend to my poor wife and my boy—I feel sure that you will be—and now I must change this disguise, and go. To go as the old gardener might be more dangerous than to go as the escaped prisoner."
"But where can you go? Where can you hide for the time? If you could only find a place, the police might come to the conclusion that the boys had made a mistake, and abandon the search again, so giving you opportunity of getting out of England.So far as money can aid, you can count upon me, but money will be of no avail, if you cannot elude your pursuers, and——"
A hurrying of feet! Oh, surely the police could not be there already! No; a well-known shrill whistle! Ralph and his chums were coming, and Ralph must be told.
Now, Warren knew nothing about Charlton's father being there, and the two boys had allowed their chum to come in because there was no danger; he would only think that it was an old gardener at work.
But when they saw Mr. St. Clive and all the others in that little cottage, they stopped, and Charlton faltered out—
"What is it? Oh, what is it, father?" And so he gave away his secret to the monitor.
And they told them, and Charlton stood very white, and clenched his fist.
"Elgert again," he said. "Oh, I hate him! I should like to kill him." But his father put his hand on his arm and said, almost sternly—
"My son, such words are not for the lips of a Christian boy."
"Well, sir, at any rate you can't blame Fred for using them," broke in Warren. "I know I should feel like it. They are a pair of cads, and deserve kicking."
"Be quiet, Tom," chimed in Ralph. "Never mind them. The thing is what can we do? Where canMr. Charlton go so that he can hide in safety for the time?"
"Nowhere," said the man sadly. "There is no spot about here where I can be safe. I am afraid that I am losing heart," he added, "but it seems hopeless."
"Never say, die, sir," cried Warren. "I know a place, a jolly place, where you could hide for a month; yes, even if they knew you were there they would not be able to get you. You could dodge them, and dodge them, for ever so long——"
"The ruin!" cried Ralph suddenly. "Warren, you're a brick! The ruin, of course——"
"What ruin? Where?" asked Mr. St. Clive, while the rest listened anxiously. "Speak quickly, lads, for time is precious." And Ralph explained their adventure of that afternoon, adding—
"Of course, there are the dogs, but even if they scented him down he could shut them out; they couldn't get at him, and the very fact that the dogs were loose would hinder people from imagining that any one was hiding there. Besides, I don't believe that any people know about it. I didn't until to-day, and I thought that I had pretty well explored the country round here."
"How am I to get to this place, boys?"
"By following us," said Ralph. "Yes, we will all three go, and skirmish out one ahead of the other, so that if danger is about we can give warning. Never you fear, we will get there safe enough, if we have alittle start. But you will want things, even at once; light—you must be careful to hide that from being seen—and food, and some rugs."
Away hurried Mrs. St. Clive and her husband and hastily procured what they thought would be immediate necessities, while Mr. Charlton took off the disguise. His rest there had done him good. He was strong and well, not a bit like the wearied man who had at first come there. The boys divided the burdens between them; and then, with last hand shakes, and with a parting embrace between husband and wife, Mr. Charlton followed the three boys from the place where he had been so kindly treated.
"Won't Elgert and Dobson be precious mad!" said Warren. "It was fortunate for you, sir, that little Irene heard them talking."
"It is fortunate for me that my boy has two such faithful friends as you and Ralph here," answered Mr. Charlton. "I feel that Heaven, knowing my innocence, has raised me up helpers all round."
"That is the way, sir," said Ralph heartily. "Go on thinking that and you won't lose heart, and presently the truth will come to light——"
"Now then, Ralph," cried Warren, interrupting him. "Send on ahead, and keep both your eyes open, get well on in front, and give the Fourth's whistle if you see any one about."
They were now getting away from the road and on towards Stow Wood. They would have to gothrough that and then out across the common, leaving Great Stow on their right. It would have been shorter to have gone through Great Stow, but they did not dare that, there were too many people about.
Away raced Charlton, pushing into the wood, and then Warren dived away to the right, and Ralph led Mr. Charlton directly on.
But no warning whistle came. The storm was gathering up again, and no one who could avoid it was out of doors. They pushed through the wood and across the common, out to Crab Tree Hill; and then they circled the preserves, and came to the place they sought; and, as Ralph said, it looked as if they had been led to the spot that afternoon, in order that they might know where to bring Mr. Charlton.
And into the ruin they led the way with a lighted candle, and showed the man all the windings and secret ways that they had found out.
"I dare say that there are plenty more, for it is a strange old place," Ralph said, "and you will be able to find them out for yourself."
"The only thing that I see, is you cannot make a fire here. At least, if you did, the smoke might be seen," added Warren; and Mr. Charlton smiled.
"We can do without the fire, my kind young friend," he said. "I shall manage here very well. But now do you all go, for you are nearly wet through, and I fear that you may suffer some ill effects, and you alllook tired to death, too. Shake hands with me, and be off."
"We shall manage to let you know soon, sir, how things go," said Ralph, "and we will bring more food and things. Good-bye, sir, and keep up a good heart."
"Good-bye, and good-bye and God bless you, my own dear son." And the father and son embraced.
Then the three lads dashed away, making for home as fast as they could; and though Warren wondered what his people would think of him for being so late, nothing could persuade him to refrain from going back to Mr. St. Clive's, just to see how things had gone.
If ever three boys were tired and wet and cold, Ralph and his chums were when they once again arrived at Mr. St. Clive's; but for all that, they were three delighted boys, for they had succeeded in their mission, and Mr. Charlton was safe.
They found that the police had been and gone, and were none the wiser for their visit. Mr. St. Clive had received them readily, and told them that he certainly had employed an old gardener, but that the man had left his employ only a short time before they came, and that he could give them no information about him.
It was highly distasteful to an honourable gentleman like Mr. St. Clive even to say anything which, while strictly true, had yet the qualities of a lie, but in this case he was forced to do so. He could not give the poor man up to justice—a man whom he honestly believed to have been wrongly convicted—especially after having received him and sheltered him so long.
But when Elgert and Dobson heard that the search was unsuccessful, oh, how angry they were! Theyhad come back with the constables, and Mr. St. Clive turned to them and spoke very sternly.
"So it appears that I am indebted to you two young gentlemen for this visit," he said. "First of all you trespass upon my grounds; then you take upon yourselves to give this information to the police; and now you have come back uninvited. Kindly oblige me by taking yourselves off; and understand that if I find you on my grounds again, I shall not have the slightest hesitation in horsewhipping the pair of you!"
Oh, what a rage Elgert was in! To be spoken to like that! He, the Honourable Horace Elgert!
He went home and told his father, and Lord Elgert rode over in a terrible passion to demand an explanation from Mr. St. Clive.
But that gentleman took things very calmly, and his lordship got little satisfaction from him.
"It is my belief, sir, that my son is correct, and that you have been harbouring a fugitive from justice!" shouted his lordship. "It is like you to do that. You have taken that young rascal, Rexworth, in spite of the knowledge that his father is a man who attempted to rob me."
"Pardon me, Lord Elgert," answered Mr. St. Clive, "I have tried to repay a debt of gratitude I owe to a brave boy, who rescued my child from death, at the peril of his own life, because you would not take the trouble to have your bull properly secured. As to theknowledge that his father tried to rob you, I know nothing of the kind."
"I have told you so. You have my word for it," replied Lord Elgert; and Mr. St. Clive answered drily—
"That is a very different thing from knowing it."
"You insult me, sir! You deliberately insult me! But be careful, or you shall answer for it. Make no mistake, you shall answer for it!" And with that, his lordship rode off in a towering rage.
Mr. St. Clive did not trouble to tell Ralph all the unkind things which Lord Elgert had said, for there was nothing to be gained by causing the boy pain; and so, after giving them all hot cocoa, Warren and Charlton were sent off to their homes, and Ralph was glad to get to bed, for he was quite tired out.
And then, after one of those quiet Sundays which he had got to value so much, he set off for school on the Monday morning, calling for Charlton, and meeting with Warren on the way.
"Well, Rexworth, and how do you feel to-day?"
Now, if Warren or Charlton had asked that question, there would have been nothing strange in it; but it was neither of the boys. It was Mr. Delermain, when the class was assembled; and Ralph, although he felt surprised, answered that he felt very well.
"Ah!" said the master, and he smiled. "Well, I am glad of that, for to-day you have to uphold the honour of the Fourth. You will not take your placefor lessons as usual. The examination for the Newlet is to-day. You are to go to the Head's class-room immediately after prayers."
"Good luck to you, Rexworth," whispered Charlton, looking quite nervous; and Tom Warren patted him on the shoulder and added imploringly—
"Now, mind you keep cool, Ralph—keep quite cool. Don't get flustered if you cannot answer every question, and don't spend too much time over the easy ones. Answer them first, as briefly as you can, and then go for the others. Keep cool, old fellow, for the honour of the Fourth."
Certainly Ralph did feel just a trifle anxious and nervous; but he had worked hard, and felt pretty well grounded in his subjects, and he meant to do his best honestly.
So when prayers were over, he rose and went out of the class-room, while the boys, thinking that the occasion admitted of it, cried out aloud: "Good luck to you, Rexworth! Hope that you will succeed!"
"Jolly lot of fuss they make about that chap," sneered Dobson to the boy next him. "It is just a disgrace to let such a fellow as that sit for the Newlet."
"Especially when a bright, intellectual fellow like Dobson does not go in for it!" was the answer he received; and Dobson glowered and muttered something about his "cheek."
Somehow, Charlton could not get on as he oughtto have done that morning. He was so anxious about Ralph, and he was so full of his father, and wondering whether he was all safe. Mr. Delermain had to rebuke him once or twice—he did not understand things like Warren did—and poor Charlton lost his place and got a bad mark; and somehow he could not help it, the tears would come into his eyes. Dobson saw it, and grinned. He sniffed, and drew his handkerchief out, pretending to wipe away tears and wring the water out on the floor. Mr. Delermain saw him, and Dobson got something to cry for. Six handers, and a bad mark. Dobson vowed to make Charlton suffer for it, as if it were his fault that he had been caned.
And he had his chance when recess came.
"Hallo, Elgert!" cried Dobson, as he saw his friend. "I say, I want to ask you a question. Who was the first gardener?"—and he winked towards Charlton, who was standing near.
"Adam," was Elgert's reply; and Dobson nodded.
"Quite right; and who was the very last one that we know anything about, eh?"
"A fellow named Charlton, some relation to one of your Form, I think. Quite a public personage, and eagerly sought after by the police."
Poor Charlton! His face went white, and his eyes sparkled with anger. Dobson saw it, and laughed mockingly. Charlton was a weakly boy, and the bully was by no means afraid of him.
"Funny how some people have queer tastes," he went on. "I should have thought that breaking stones was no harder work than digging. By the way, it is breaking stones that they put convicts to, is it not?"
"You say that to insult me?"
Charlton spoke in low tones, and his face was very white; and Dobson laughed again.
"Oh, I say, you chaps, is not this a rich joke? Here is Charlton asking if we mean to insult him! My dear fellow, your presence is such an insult——"
Dobson stopped and ducked, for the maddened boy had struck so fierce a blow that had the bully received it, it would surely have knocked him down.
"Go on, Dobson! Give him a hiding!" cried Elgert. But then Tom Warren pushed forward and cried out—
"Drop that! Charlton, don't be stupid; and you, Dobson, if you want to fight, fight me."
"I say, you fellows," said Elgert, "how much longer are we going to be dictated to by Tom Warren? Charlton struck the first blow. It is his fight, and he ought to go through with it. It is a condescension on Dobson's part to fight with such a fellow." And some of the boys murmured approval.
"Hold hard a minute," said Warren. "Since Elgert puts it that way, we will see if the boot is not on the other foot. Let me see, Dobson asked who was the last gardener, didn't he?"
"That is it, Warren!" cried some of the others. "And Charlton got mad."
"Very well; now I will tell you why. It seems that Elgert and Dobson, wanting a little employment, and liking to play the part of spies and informers——" Elgert started. He had no idea that Warren knew about that, and it was the very last thing he wished the school to hear of. He attempted to turn away, but Warren noticed it, and went on.
"You had better stop, Elgert, unless you are too ashamed to let gentlemen see your face." And Elgert stopped, white to the lips with passion.
"That is better," said the monitor. "Well, you chaps, I was saying that our gentlemanly friends, Messrs. Elgert and Dobson, finding it to their taste to play the part of spies, must needs dog the steps of a lady, and that lady Mrs. Charlton, under the impression that she would guide them to the spot where her husband was hidden.
"Now, having played this delightful part, these refined young gentlemen came upon an old gardener in Mr. St. Clive's grounds, and jumped to the conclusion that it was the lady's husband in disguise.
"Then they came away and quietly enough, for they had no wish to disturb the parties concerned. But once away, they set off as hard as they could go, running all the way, to the police-station, to tell the constables that the man they wanted was hiding atMr. St. Clive's. I would mention the fact that there is a reward offered for the apprehension of this man; perhaps that had something to do with their action. And this pair of spies and informers have the impudence to speak of it being a condescension for one of them to fight a boy in no way his equal."
"I say, Warren, it can't be true!" cried one boy in disgust. "No fellow at our school would be such an awful cad!"
"Look at Elgert's face. Does that look like innocence?" answered Warren. "You can ask Mr. St. Clive, if you like; but you ought not to want to after that!" And he pointed to Horace Elgert.
Ay, there was no mistake; he looked guilty, and he knew it was no good trying to deny the charge. He strove to look careless and dignified, and he turned away on his heel; but then a storm of hisses broke out. Hisses! They were hissing him! And he had once been their leader! And above the clamour came the shrill voices of the juniors—
"Sneak! Sneak! Sneak!"
He felt as if he must press his fingers in his ears and run, but he managed to maintain his slow walk, and got into the class-room, Dobson at his heels; and the latter asked in consternation—
"How ever did they find out?"
"I don't know—I don't care!" was the fierce answer. "But I will pay them all out! And to think of Rexworth going in for the Newlet!"
"Won't he crow if he manages to get through!" remarked Dobson; and Elgert jumped up.
"He must not get through, Dobson; somehow we must stop him."
"That is all very well. But how can we do it?" queried Dobson, with a shake of his head. And Elgert replied—
"Wait until morning school is over, and I will tell you."
"I tell you that it can be done. What danger is there, if we are only careful not to make a noise? What a miserable coward you are, Dobson!"
So said Horace Elgert. He and Dobson were together, and morning school was over. They had met that Elgert might unfold his plan for preventing Ralph Rexworth having any chance of gaining the Newlet medal, and also for getting him into disgrace by making it appear that he had been cribbing; and apparently Dobson did not much like the plan, and had been making objections which had called forth Elgert's angry remonstrance.
"What danger can there be?" The question came again, when Dobson did not reply. "Why, you have risked more than that when we have left the house at night! You have thought that a lark. And now we have only to go to the Head's desk, and then sit in the class-room for an hour or so."
"It will be awfully cold there," shivered Dobson."And just think—stopping for two hours, and the chance all the time that some one will come!"
"Rubbish! If it is cold, put on your overcoat. You don't call it cold when you stand for longer than that keeping goal, with an east wind blowing. It is no use trying to make objections. I am determined to try it, and you have just got to help me."
"I don't see how we can do it," grumbled Dobson. "I think we had better leave him alone. After all, it don't matter to us if he gets the medal."
"Everything matters that advances him. Now, look here. After the exam. is over, all the papers are taken to the Head, and he puts them in his desk, and sends them to the examiners in the morning. We know that much."
"Yes," assented Dobson.
"Very well. Now, the catch of the Head's roller desk is broken. I heard him say yesterday that he had forgotten to send for a man to repair it. There the papers will be, with nothing to prevent us from getting hold of Rexworth's. That is easy enough. We wait till the place is quiet, and then go to the Head's class-room and take what we want. Then we go to our own class-room, and have our bicycle lamps to give us light. You know that I can write like Rexworth; and even if I did not, no one will know. The Head does not examine the papers himself, and the chap he sends them to would not know the difference, even if you scrawled the answers."
"But what do you want me for?" objected Dobson. "We can't both write."
"You sneak! You want me to do it all. Why, to keep me company, and to be in it as well as me. Besides, I shall want you to read me some answers from Grimwade. I have a copy; and I don't mean only to write wrong answers to some questions, but to put in extracts, so that it will look as if he had been using a crib——"
"It will take an awful long time! He takes all day over the papers."
"Yes; but he has got to think of the answers, and we shall not have to do anything of the kind. We can copy a lot of what he has written—you reading and I writing. Then we just take our set of papers back and put them with the others, and we destroy his, and who is to know a thing about it?"
"I don't like it," protested Dobson. "I know that we shall get caught one of these days, and then we shall be expelled, and it will be all your fault."
"Then you have just got to like it!" retorted Elgert; and Dobson burst out furiously—
"Oh, have I? Think I am going to be ordered about by you, Horace Elgert! Why have I got to like it, pray?"
"Because you changed that five-pound note!"
"But you gave it to me," retorted Dobson, changing colour, and falling back upon his old plea; and Elgert laughed.
"You prove that, if you can. You are the only one implicated in it."
"You are a jolly mean sneak!" cried his companion; and again Elgert laughed, this time rather menacingly.
"I wouldn't talk in that way if I were you, Dobson," he said. "It is a bit foolish to quarrel with me. Now, don't be silly, but say that you agree."
"I suppose I must," was the sulky reply; "but I tell you I think it risky. Besides, all that we have yet done has not harmed Rexworth; but it has jolly well hurt us."
"We will be more successful this time. But let us clear off, for that little sneak Charlton is watching us, and he may get suspicious if he sees us talking together."
"Punch his head!" said Dobson. He was brave enough when it came to ill-treating boys weaker than himself. "He is alone; punch his head!"
"No. You forget we should have Warren and all his gang down on us, and perhaps Kesterway taking the matter to the Head. Let him go for the time. We will have him over his father yet, and that will be better than giving him a licking."
It was quite true that Charlton had seen the two together, and he was indeed wondering what mischief they were plotting. Ralph was still a prisoner over his examination papers, for until they were done he was not allowed to leave the class-room; and Warrenwas at the moment away, so that Charlton was alone.
He was very anxious for Ralph's success, and perhaps that very anxiety made him suspicious of the two boys who were such bitter enemies of his chum. At any rate, Charlton determined to keep a very sharp eye upon the movements of Elgert and Dobson, though he was quite ignorant of any way in which they could harm Ralph.
But, in spite of his watching, nothing occurred. The dinner-hour passed and afternoon school began, and all went smoothly; and Charlton managed to retrieve the loss which his anxiety had brought to him in the morning. And then, when the bell rang, and the boys filed out, free to do as they liked, until teatime, there Ralph joined them, a trifle tired, it is true, but very hopeful, for he felt confident that he had answered every question that had been given to him without making a huge number of mistakes.
A general rush of Fourth Form boys occurred, and he was surrounded by a throng of eager questioners.
"How did you get on, Rexworth? Was it very stiff? Could you manage it? How many questions did you get through?"
These and a score of kindred questions were asked; and when Ralph answered that he thought he had managed all right, and that he had answered every question, a hearty cheer followed.
"Hurrah for Rexworth and the Fourth!"
Dobson and Elgert heard it, and the latter laughed quietly, and said, with a sneer upon his handsome face—
"Go on; cheer away. You will have something to cheer for presently."
The evening wore away—tea, and preparation, and recess, and finally bed; and after the usual chatter and skylarking when monitors' backs were turned, the boys of Marlthorpe College were all snugly in bed, the gas had been turned out in the dormitories, save for one faint glimmer at the end of each room, and silence reigned throughout the old school.
Perhaps it was because he was so anxious for Ralph's success, perhaps it was that he was thinking of Dobson and Elgert, or of his poor father away there in that dreary ruin, but somehow Charlton could not get to sleep. He lay there thinking, thinking, long after the regular breathing from Ralph, and the occasional gurgle and snore from Warren, announced that his two chums were fast asleep.
Would Ralph get the medal? Would his father ever get safely away? Or, better still, would he ever be proved to be innocent? Would——
A stealthy movement caused him to open his eyes. A boy, higher up the dormitory, had got out of bed; and that boy was Dobson!
Charlton held his breath and felt himself trembling with excitement. Elgert and the bully had plottedsomething, after all, then; and—and—why, Dobson was dressing! And now he crept out of the dormitory with careful, noiseless steps!
Then Charlton, as soon as he was gone, slipped from his bed also. At first he thought of rousing Ralph and Warren; but he paused. A strange ambition filled his heart. How lovely it would be to do this all by himself—to follow and see what mischief they were doing, and, if it was anything to harm Ralph, to frustrate their plot, alone and unaided!
Rapidly he slipped on his clothes. At any other time he would have trembled at the audacity of such a deed after hours; but now he was filled only with the one thought of serving Ralph, and he neither considered the risk of being discovered, nor the seriousness of matching himself against two such boys as Elgert and Dobson—for he felt absolutely certain that Elgert would also be in this business.
Then, in his stockinged feet, he also slipped into the corridor and stood listening. Where had Dobson gone? How horribly dark it seemed—and how cold and desolate! He stood undecided for a moment; then he heard a stealthy sound—and from the entrance to the Fifth he saw Elgert come. Ah, he had not been mistaken, then! He stepped back and peeped round the dormitory door. Elgert was stealing down the stairs, and—yes, there Dobson was awaiting him. The two glided on, noiseless as mice; and Charlton, his heart thumping so that it seemed as if the two infront must hear it, creeping cautiously in the rear, determined to ascertain what they were going to do.
Down, past the Fourth class-room, they groped their way, and then to the Head's room. The Head's room! The room in which the examination papers were kept!
Charlton, crouching at the door, watched them as they lit their bicycle lamps and stole to the big desk at the top of the room. Then came a slight click and the top was rolled back, and he could see the two bending over the interior, searching for something.
"Here we are!" whispered Elgert, as he took up a neat little roll of papers. "Mind your fingers, silly!"—and he let the top of the desk down with the greatest care. "You see how easy it is."
"Best blow out the lamps until we get to the class-room," suggested Dobson. "Some one might see them. You never know." And Elgert, willing enough to take every precaution, complied.
"We will precious soon spoil Rexworth's chances now!" he laughed softly; and Charlton understood—or thought that he did. They were going to destroy Ralph's answers, and they should not do it!
Regardless of secrecy or of self, he sprang from the darkness; and, before either of the startled boys could realize what had happened, he had snatched that roll of paper from Elgert's grasp.
"You sha'n't have them!" he said aloud. "You want to destroy them, and you shall not have them!"
"Charlton!" cried Elgert, in furious rage; and forgetful of all precaution, he struck a savage blow at him, which sent him spinning backwards over a form with a crash.
"Keep quiet! You will rouse the whole school!" cried Dobson in terror. "Hark! I hear some one coming. Run—run, I say, or we shall be found here!" And Elgert, awakening to the danger of the position, glided away with him, as voices were heard calling and asking what was the matter.
"What shall we do now?" groaned Dobson; but his companion answered in a fierce whisper—
"Quick—get back to your room and pull off your clothes, as if you had just slipped out of bed. Be quick! Then come out on to the landing, as if you were only half awake. They are certain to catch him, and we must declare that we know nothing of it. He has the papers in his hand, and it is our word against his, and appearances are upon our side."
Dobson nodded, and hastily dragging off his clothes, he sat on the edge of his bed, and called aloud: "Who is there?" That roused the others; and he asserted that he had been scared by a noise downstairs. Up tumbled Warren and Ralph and some more, and Charlton's bed was seen to be empty.
Then the Fifth Form boys, aroused by Elgert, came out on the landing, only to be met by one of the masters, who quietly said that nothing was wrong, and directed them all to go back to bed again.
Nothing wrong! Go back to bed! But why was Charlton's bed empty? And what did that glimpse of the boy, in the custody of Kesterway, the head monitor, mean? Ralph looked at Warren in dismay. Whatever mischief had Fred Charlton been up to?
"Believe it! Of course we don't believe it. And I do not think that the Head does, either. You cheer up, old fellow! I know you were only trying to serve me; but you were silly to go without waking Warren, or myself."
The speaker was Ralph, and he addressed his chum Charlton, who was a prisoner. A prisoner, that is, inasmuch as the Head had forbidden him to go out into the playground until he had thoroughly gone into the incidents of the previous night.
It was all very well for Ralph to say "cheer up," but Charlton did not feel very cheerful. His sensitive nature shrank from the position in which he found himself, and his heart revolted at the wicked falsehoods which were told so calmly by both Dobson and Elgert. Besides, he was kept in, and that afternoon he had hoped to get across to see how his father was getting on.
And though we, who know the truth, may wonder how it was that the Head should do this, still, the doctor himself did not know the truth, and he couldhardly think that two lads would tell such wicked deliberate lies; and, moreover, everything pointed to Charlton being guilty.
Dr. Beverly had been sitting up late, deep in a learned work with which he was greatly interested, when he had heard the noise in his class-room, followed by the voice of the head monitor, calling from above, and asking what was the matter; and he had hurried out—to find Charlton lying half dazed on the floor, having apparently fallen over a form and struck his head; and in his hand was Ralph's examination paper.
Charlton being a nervous boy, his very manner seemed guilty when the Head had questioned him; and his story seemed to be false, for upon Dr. Beverly hurrying upstairs, Elgert was found with only his trousers on, as if he had just slipped out of bed, and Dobson was the same. Moreover, the boys in the Fifth declared that Elgert was sitting up in bed when they were aroused; and even Ralph and Warren had to own that Dobson appeared as if he had only just woke up.
And both Dobson and Elgert declared that they had never been downstairs, and that Charlton had invented the story.
So, still under the suspicion, he was kept in, and Ralph and Warren seized the first opportunity of going to comfort him.
"If the Head knew them as well as we do, he would not be in much doubt about things," was Warren'sverdict. "Don't you worry, old chap! We know you would not do anything to harm Ralph."
"I wanted to go and see my father this afternoon," sighed Charlton; and Ralph answered—
"Never mind. I will go. Tom will come with me."
"I am awfully sorry, but I cannot," the monitor put in. "I would in a minute, but I promised mother to go round for her to my aunt's, and I must not disappoint her."
"Of course not," said Ralph immediately. "Well, I will go alone, and explain to your father, old chap; so don't you worry about that any more. I wish, though, that I could see some way of bringing this home to those two, but I confess that I don't."
"Wait a bit. Give them a rope long enough and they will hang themselves!" growled Warren. "Now, buck up, Charlton, and don't let them think that you are beaten!" And with that the two had to leave their chum, and Charlton felt decidedly comforted.
And, after school, Tom Warren went off to obey his mother's desire; and Ralph, true to his promise, started on his journey to the man hiding in the old ruin away by Crab Tree Hill; and the rest of the boys prepared to spend their time according to their own inclinations.
Jimmy Green and his chum Tinkle had made their plans. They were going fishing. It is sometimes a matter for wonder why small boys will go fishing,seeing that they seldom catch any fish, and don't know what to do with them if by chance they manage to secure a few. Still, that matters nothing. Jimmy and Tinkle were going fishing, and were busily preparing a wonderful and fearful assortment of tackle and bait. Bait! They had worms several inches long, and what they called paste—a fearsome concoction of bread and clay kneaded together into little balls. And they had a landing-net. We mention this for two reasons. First, because of its size—it would have held a small salmon—and then because it was destined to aid in landing some queer fish. We may not say of what kind yet—but the point to remember is that they had the landing-net.
And Jimmy Green and his chum were discussing the problem of Charlton's guilt, and their small minds appeared to be fully made up.
"I just believe every word he says!" declared Green; and Tinkle nodded his fat little head.
"So do I!" he said.
"Those two chaps are awful cads—dreadful cads!" continued Green, with much warmth; and again Tinkle nodded. He did not believe in the exertion of talking, unless it was absolutely necessary.
"I wonder," he said slowly, as he pushed back a particularly lively worm into the bait-tin—"I wonder, Jimmy, if we ought to tell what we know about that note? I often wonder that." But Jimmy was still firm upon that point.
"What's the good? If we had the note now we might do it. But suppose they treat us as they have treated Charlton, and say they did not go there? How are we to prove it? And we let out that we have been there ourselves. It ain't no good, Tinkle. I would tell if I thought it was; but it isn't, and there is no getting away from it."
"I suppose it ain't," was Tinkle's regretful answer. "Well, come on, Jimmy! I think we have got everything we want, and we may as well have all the time we can."
"Where shall we go?" inquired Jimmy Green.
"Oh, the pool below Becket Weir," answered Tinkle; "where Elgert nearly got drowned."
"Very well; come on, and let us see if we have any luck." And the two young anglers set out, little dreaming what a very queer fish they were going to catch that day.
And what of Elgert and Dobson? Mean lads that they were, they were delighted, and congratulated themselves upon their astuteness. True, they had not got possession of Ralph's papers, and had failed in so far as spoiling his chances for the medal went; but they had got Charlton into fine disgrace.
It was wonderfully smart upon their parts, they thought; and, as if to add to their good fortune, Dobson had a little scrap of paper brought to him by a town urchin—a message from Brown of the cake-shop, to the effect that the latter had been successfulin obtaining the "article" he had inquired about; but that the price would be seven pounds for it, cash down.
Seven pounds! Elgert growled at that, but the note must be got again at any cost; and so Dobson was given the sum required, and dispatched upon his errand.
He wanted Elgert to go with him, for company, but Elgert was too cunning for that. He had kept out of the business all along, and he did not mean to be seen in it now. To be sure, he had been with Dobson to inquire about it in the first place, but he had no fear that the man would betray him. Dobson had done the changing, and Dobson should do the buying, and bring the note back to him.
"I cannot come," he said, in answer to the boy's remonstrance. "I expect our man over with a letter from my father, and I want to stay here to get it. You must go alone. It won't take you long. Hurry back, for I shall not go out until you return."
"I always have to do the work," grumbled Dobson. "It is a horrid long way to go alone."
"Get out! Have not I found the money? And as to a long way, you don't make much fuss about that if you think that you are going to be treated to tarts. You clear off, and look sharp; and thank your lucky stars that we have got out of the mess so nicely, for I confess that I did not think that we were going to manage it!"
So Dobson set off, and Horace Elgert turned back to the playground, to await his return with what patience he could; and there the Head himself came upon him, and stopped, and placed one hand upon his shoulder, looking searchingly into his face.
"I am glad that I have met you alone, Elgert," the doctor said. "For I want to speak to you very seriously. I want to speak to you about Charlton."
"Yes, sir?" said the boy inquiringly. It was wonderful how calmly and innocently he spoke. "What about him, sir—has he owned that his story is false?"
"Not so, Elgert. Nor am I satisfied that it is false, Elgert. Are you satisfied that it is?"
"Why, sir, of course I am!" he answered, staring up as if unable to comprehend the Head's meaning, though he knew it well enough.
"Elgert, there is an old Book with an old law, which says: 'Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.' In face of such a solemn command, are you still sure that Charlton's story is false?"
"You don't mean to say that I and Dobson were there taking those papers, do you, sir?" he queried indignantly. "Ah, I see how it is! You believe his word. I don't think that quite fair, sir. Consider the difference between his surroundings and mine. Which will most likely speak the truth—the son of a man wanted by the police, or the son of a nobleman like my father?"
"You still adhere to your statement, Elgert?" said the Head, taking no notice of the latter part of his speech. And Elgert answered at once—
"Of course I do, sir!"
"Then," said the Head, "I have no option but to be guided by circumstances, and they all point to Charlton being guilty." And with that he turned away.
Elgert felt anxious and angry. What right had the Head to suspect him of telling lies, or to doubt his honour? It is wonderful how dishonourable people will talk of their honour. And suppose the Head got Dobson, and began to question him. He must warn the fellow to be on guard against that.
The man he expected did not come. Elgert was angry. He told himself that Dobson was taking double the time he need; and when at last his companion returned, he asked very shortly—
"Well, have you got it?"
"Yes; here it is, all safe. It is delightful to feel that danger is past!"
"A danger of your own making," retorted Elgert. "A danger that I have had to pay for, and that has cost you nothing. And you look here! The Head has been questioning me. He is suspicious, and preaches about false witnessing. Mind what you are at if he begins on you; for if you let anything out I will pay you out for it. You had better clear off now, to be out of his way."
Dobson complied readily enough. The last thing he wanted was for the Head to carpet him. And then Horace Elgert, the note safe in his pocket-book, put on his hat and went out. He was enraged that his man had not been, and was going home to give him a good rating; and he, to take a short cut, must go past Becket Weir, where Tinkle and Green had gone to fish.