The King of the School, or, Who will Win? — page 102: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

96 THE KING OF THE SCHOOL; OR, WHO WILL WIN? Baynes walked off, and Professor Moeritz followed, who, having locked him in, brought away the key of his bed-room. BS There was an end to-all study that night. . Sot seta ny - Books were thrown aside, and the boys broke up into little groups, specu- lating upon the strange affair, Doubts were rife as to the ultimate result, for the boys did not know the resolution Doctor Whackley had formed, eonsequently there was some discussion as to whether Baynes would simply be expelled, or whether his expulsion would be followed by legal proceedings. : Frank Egerton and his ‘friend, the Earl of Pembridge, thought not. “Tt would be an insult’ to all of us to bring one of the old school into a police-court,” said they. After supper that night Doctor Whack- ley called two or three of the senior pupils into his study. | : “JT want to have a short talk with | you about Baynes,” said he, when they were all seated. : | “Tam very glad the thief has been found out, sir,” said Frank. “So am I, for there was a disgrace hanging over all the school.” — “May I ask what you mean to do with him, sir,” asked the Earl of Pem- | bridge. . ‘“‘ He must leave in the morning, that is certain.” . “No criminal proceedings I hope, sire? “ Certainly not; I should be sorry to disgrace my good pupils by letting the world know they ever had such a bad companion. . I also wish to know whe- ther you think his expulsion should be public or private, as it is a matter con- cerning you all?” - “ Private!” was the unanimous re- sponse. , : “ Let him be shown out by the back | gate while the others are in school or at breakfast,” suggested the earl, “I am quite sure we none of us wish to ee him again.” “Tt shall be done so. I may add, for your satisfaction, that I have visited him once since this unhappy affair, and he has acknowledged his guilt. Good evening.” : _ Good evening, sir,” responded they, and hurried back to the hall, all resolved to be silent as to the mode in which Baynes was to make his exit. | Nearly every one was abusing the detected ropue—none more loudly than his late friend, Crawley. . “ Hullo, youngster, I thought you took his part ?” said the earl, planting himself right before the sneak. “So I did at first, for I did not think any one in the old place could be guilty of such a bad action.” | - “You are a bad lot yourself,” said Webber, suddenly pushing himself to the front. “You struck Marsham when he was not looking, and then sat down so that he should not see you. I should like to give you a second edition of the punching I let you have—revised, cor- rected, and greatly enlarged. “T don’t think you could,” was the sulky response. “We'll see Webber. 7 _ At that moment the clock gave warn- ing that it was time to retire, and they all hurried upstairs. oo Frank Egerton and Fitzgerald had only recently been removed to an apart- ment adjoining that in which the cap tive slept. - While they were undressing, and for some time after the lights were extin- in the morning,” said guished, the two friends kept up an animated discussion on the events of the day, | In the course of time they came to speak of the challenge Freddy Webber had so boldly thrown down to Crawley. Fitzgerald laughed loudly at the idea of a fight, Freddy being anything but a pugilist, though of undoubted courage, while Crawley was a notorious coward; and Frank joined in the merriment. Suddenly the King of the Schogi | ceased, and motioned his» also to be silent, A) COMM DOO EO mn