The King of the School, or, Who will Win? — page 122: what you’re looking at

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

116 day, Baynes, Junior, was seen in the town, walking about as carelessly as though nothing had happened. He even spoke to some of the smaller boys, and told them that he was now a gentle- man, his father supplied him with plenty of money, and he intended to remain for some time in the town. This state of affairs caused Doctor Whackley and his senior scholars some uneasiness. Having made some enquiries, the police had come to the conclusion that Baynes was not the person who fired the pistol-shot, but the doctor was not so well satisfied on that point. The boys, on the other hand, though they had no fear as to what would be the result of a personal encounter, did not like the idea of the younger boys. meeting him, arguing that as he was bad he might corrupt others. Next day—that is the morning after Baynes was seen in the town—old Mr. Conway called upon Frank at a very early hour in the morning. The old gentleman appeared very much excited. | ‘‘Have you seen my daughter ?” he asked, grasping Frank’s collar. “‘ Not since the day before yesterday. Why do you ask, Mr. Conway ?” “ Are you telling me the truth ?” “Yes; but what is the matter ?” “T believe you are honest,” continued the old gentleman ; then, after a pause, he said, in lower and hoarser tones— “‘ She’s gone.” “Gone! Where? With whom ?” “Would to Heaven I knew.” Frank dropped the old man’s hand, and stood staring at him. The world seemed turned completely upside down, now that the load-stone of his life was snatched so suddenly away from him. suddenly, however, he roused himself. “She must be sought and found. Have you been to the police? Have “yy any clue ?” “This letter was thrust under the aoor; but it is not her writing, I am certain.” some friends. THE KING OF THE SCHOOL; OR, WHO WILL WIN. The letter referred to stated that the writer had grown tired of living at home, and had gone to London with Her father might, per- haps, hear of her in a year or two. *‘ Kate could not write such a letter,” said Frank, indignantly. | He then hurried away to Doctor Whackley’s study, and, on the plea of important business, obtained permission to be absent from school that day. “Come along with me to the police- office,” said Frank, when he had gained his liberty. The sergeant he had seen before was there, and, of course, thought Frank had come to speak about the shooting affair. “ A very serious matter, indeed,” said he, when he had been undeceived, and the real state of affairs had been related to him. “And you suspect the same fellow—-Baynes ?” “T do.” “T’ll put my men on the business at once. In the meantime you must get some bills printed and posted over the town, and should also send advertise- ments to some of the London papers.” “Thanks. That is Mr. Conway’s address.” So saying, Frank led the old gentle- man away towards his cottage, and when they arrived there made him detail once more all the circumstances of the loss so far as he knew. It appeared that about twilight the the previous evening, Kate had put on her hat and mantle to go out and pro- cure sundry little trifles upon which she had set her heart, the shop being about a quarter of a mile from home. She was gone some time, but at first Mr. Conway felt no alarm, for some of her young friends lived near, and he thought that perhaps she might have met with some of them. But at eleven o’clock, finding’ thaz she did not return, he went out to seek her, not thinking it right that she should be out alone at so late an hour On reaching the friend’s house, he heard, to his utter astonishment, that Go NOC EO mn