The King of the School, or, Who will Win? — page 53: 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? ee ae *¢ Well?” demanded frank. “ That’s his answer, sir,” said Harry, handing a letter. Eagerly tearing open the envelope, he read that the inspector knew no- thing whatever against the people mentioned, believed them to be very 47 College. joyously. BrP S-S"D CHAPTER XIII. LAYING THE GHOSTS, THAT evening at supper-time there was a general buzz of whispered conversa- tion going on. Somehow or other the secret had leaked out that Egerton and Marsham had bid defiance to the ghosts, and that the secret would most probably be divulged during the night. As they trooped off to bed Frank and his companions stood at the bottom of the staircase, and cautioned them all to keep in their rooms. They were the last to retire. Doctor Whackley had been informed that his senior pupils intended to trap the midnight disturbers, but had not been told how it was to be done. He promised them that no one should be permitted to interfere witn their arrangements, then went to his study. For about an hour after retiring all was quiet. The four boys had met in Marsham’s room, which happened to be close to the head of the stairs. Of course the dogs were there (Freddy had not been told of this): and the owner of the apartment had also pro- vided a policeman’s lantern. “Freddy is frightened; he won't let his ghosts loose to-night,” said Fitz- erald. ‘“ Hark! here it is,” observed Pem- bridge, holding up his finger in a listen- ing attitude. | “TI don’t hear it,” said Frank rising | softly. — “Nor I,” said Marsham. “ Besides T know these two beauties would soon give the alarm if any one walked along that corridor.” | _“ Well, I fancy I shall go to bed,” 1 observed Fitzgerald after a pause, “Don’t go yet,” was the general response. “T can hear the spirits moving now,” said Frank. At that moment one of the dogs, Pincher, half rose, and, looking towards the door, gave a low growl. “ Be quiet,” muttered Marsham, stooping down and placing a hand over each dog’s mouth. The pattering noise was now plainly heard on the staircase, At last there came the gentle scratch- ing sound at the door of the room they were in. That was the signal for action. Fitzgerald immediately turned on the bull’s-eye, while Frank Egerton threw open the door. “ At them, good dogs! Kill them !” exclaimed Marsham, and with a succes- sion of shrill barks the two terriers | dashed out. } Une boldly scampered down the stairs, | its feet making a noise something like that they had previously heard, while | tne other dashed up the corridor. respectable, and would be happy to serve Mr. Egerton and his friend, the Earl of Pembridge, by stating as much to the principal of Lexicon “That's all right,” said he, most EO DOC A) (CO mn