The King of the School, or, Who will Win? — page 117: what you’re looking at

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

‘THE KING OF THE SCHOOL: OR, WHO WILL WIN? A SA CHAPTER XXVIII. AYNES, SENIOR, APPEARS Or course our young friends were looked ypon by all their schooifellows, except Crawley, as heroes covered with glory. , ~ Not that we uphold the custom of fighting, but, when it becomes absolutely necessary to strike, we certainly do like to see boys go in and fight like Britons. Crawley had fallen into a position somewhat similar to that lately occupied by his friend Baynes, only not being quite so big and strong, he was not so much feared. Something, however, occurred that afternoon which, for a time, diverted ‘the thoughts of the boys from the riot. | When they were in the playfield that afternoon, a well-dressed gentleman stalked into the enclosure. “This is Lexicon College, I taink *” said he. _ “Tt is,” replied Frank. “Did any of you know Baynes ?” This question caused considerable excitement. — “Of course we all knew him,” said Egerton, after a long pause. “He ran away, did he not? What has become of him ?” _ «That is-more than any of us can ell, or wish to know.” A dark frown passed over the man’s ‘features. — | ‘‘T am his father, I would have you know.” «“ And I am Frank Egerton, the son of that widow whose property you took possession of only a short time ago. The only boy in the school likely to know anything of your son is that young sneak who stands yonder, avoided by ‘every one, For further information I refer you to Doctor Whackley.’ Baynes, Senior, raised his cane, put Frank Egerton looked so dangerous lil that he thought better of it, and walked away towards the house. What took place in the house was never known, except that very angry voices were heard in the study by the servants. Later in the day, however, the doctor informed Frank and two or three others that young Baynes had not been home to his father’s house, and there was reason to believe that the youth was still in Ballsbury. “ Indeed !” exclaimed Frank, “then I can understand now why ” He paused, and slightly changed colour. | | “Why, what?” demanded Doctor Whackley. : «Why that ruffianly captain so persistently waylaid and ‘illtreated our boys. He was a great friend of Baynes, who owed -him, I believe, a great deal of money, lost-at billiards.” “Then the unhappy boy became a thief to cover his losses as a gambler. Oh, let this be a warning to you all.” “ We have established a custom, sir, | in the upper forms never to play for money. Baynes seldom played with us, but I believe it was he persuaded this Robinson to pitch into our fellows because he was afraid to do so him- self.” “Of course, you have no proofs of that?” ‘No, sir.” “You must be very cautious, for, though that man Robinson is not likely te be at large for a long time to come, Baynes has a very revengeful disposition, and might find other | agents to work you harm.” CO NOC A) CO mn