by Harold Avery
CHAPTER XXI.
REAPING THE WHIRLWIND.
Work at Ronleigh commenced with a sort of half-hour's preliminarypractice in the various classrooms; the school then assembled forprayers, after which came breakfast. During the progress of this mealon the Friday morning, in the small hours of which had been enacted thescene described at the end of the previous chapter, it became evidentthat "something was up." The table, at which sat most of the boys ofthe Third Form, was in a state of great disorder, while the discussionof some topic of unusual interest seemed to be occupying the attentionof the prefects. It was not, however, until after the boys had swarmedout of the dining-hall that the reason of this subdued commotion becamegenerally known; and then, like the sudden report of an explosion, everyone seemed to become acquainted with the news at the same moment.Mr. Grice had been screwed up in his bedroom! Oaks and Allingford haddone it! The doctor had summoned them to meet him in his study!
It was from a member of the Third Form that the Triple Alliance heardthe particulars of what had happened. "'Little Grice,'" said this younggentleman, whose own height was about four feet two inches--"'littleGrice' never turned up until just before the bell rang for prayers, andthen he was simply bursting with rage, and told us all about it. They'dput a note under his door telling him to be in time by the school clock;and besides that, when one of the men went to get him out, he found ascrew-driver with Oaks's name on, so it's as clear as day who did it."
This conversation took place in the quadrangle. Travers, the Third Formboy, rushed off to impart his information to other hearers, and thethree chums passed on through the archway, and came to a stand-still ina quiet corner of the paved playground.
"Well," asked Diggory, "who did it?"
"Who d'you think it was?" retorted Jack Vance.
"Why, some of Thurston's lot, I believe."
"So do I."
Mugford, who was always rather slow at grasping a new idea, opened hiseyes in astonishment. "But," he exclaimed, "how about the paper and thescrew-driver?"
"Pooh!" answered Diggory, "how about that cipher note that said,'To-night'?"
"Of course," added Jack Vance, "they'd evidently arranged it beforehand,and that paper was to say when they were to do the trick."
It seems possible sometimes to come by wrong roads to a rightconclusion; and though the boys were mistaken in changing from theirfirst opinion as to the meaning of the note, yet in this instance theirerror caused them to hit the right nail on the head.
"It was one of Thurston's lot who did it," repeated Diggory decisively;"neither Oaks nor Allingford would ever dream of doing such a madthing."
"I don't see exactly how you can prove it," said Jack Vancethoughtfully; "that one word 'To-night' might mean anything."
"Of course it's no proof in itself," answered the other; "but what Imean to say is, that if the doctor, or any other sensible chap, knew allwe do about the cipher, and what they said at their last meeting, hewouldn't doubt for a moment but that it was one of them who screwed upGrice's door. Travers says the doctor has sent for Oaks and old Ally;it'll be an awful shame if they get into a row."
"I don't see how they are going to get out of it," sighed Mugford.
"Then I do," answered Diggory stoutly, with a sudden flash in his brighteyes: "the Triple Alliance can get them out!"
"How?"
"Why, we must tell all we know, and show Dr. Denson the note."
"When?"
"Now."
"Won't it be sneaking?"
"I should consider we were beastly sneaks if we didn't."
"So we should be!" exclaimed Jack Vance. "They've always been jollydecent to us, and it was on our account they had this row with Grice."
"If Noaks finds we've split, he'll send that knife to the police," saidMugford.
"I don't care a straw what Noaks does," answered Diggory boldly."You fellows needn't have anything to do with it; I'll go and tell Dr.Denson myself."
"No; I'll come too," said Jack.
"So'll I," added Mugford; and off they started. It was always a greatordeal to enter the doctor's study, even in what might be termed timesof peace; and now, as Diggory turned the handle of the door, in answerto the muffled "Come in" which had followed his knock, the three friendsexperienced a sudden shortness of breath, and an unpleasant sinkingsensation at the pit of the stomach.
The two prefects were standing at the front of the writing-table.Allingford's face was very white, and Oaks's very red, "for all theworld like the Wars of the Roses," as Jack Vance afterwards remarked,though it would be difficult to clearly understand the simile.
The head-master glanced round for a moment to see who had entered theroom, and, without taking any further notice of the three juveniles,continued the speech he was in the act of making when they entered theapartment.
"I am not going to defend the action of Mr. Grice," he was saying."We are all apt to make mistakes, and I will tell you candidly that onthis occasion I think Mr. Grice was unwise; but it is absolutelynecessary that I should uphold the authority of my masters. If boysconsider they are not justly dealt with, they have me to appeal to; butthe idea that disputes between the two should be settled by practicaljoking is simply outrageous. This is the first instance of the kindthat I ever remember to have happened at Ronleigh, and I tell youplainly that I am determined to make an example of the offenders."
"I assure you, sir," said Oaks, in a low, agitated voice, "that we havehad no hand in this matter."
"I am sorry even to seem to doubt your word, Oaks," answered the doctor,"but I think you must own that appearances are very much against you.A screw-driver bearing your name was found in the passage, and thispiece of paper, which was pushed under the bedroom door, and which nowlies before me, bears a direct reference to the dispute about theschool time. As far as I can see at present, the only conclusion whichcan be arrived at is that this is an act of retaliation which has sprungfrom your contention with Mr. Grice."
The captain was about to speak, but Dr. Denson held up his hand.
"As I said before," he continued, "I am sorry, Allingford, even toappear to doubt your word; I have always had reason to rely withconfidence upon the integrity and honour of my prefects, and believeme, this interview is to me an exceedingly painful one. The matter,however, is too serious to be passed over lightly, and you must hear meto the end. The conduct of the school during the present term hasbeen far from satisfactory: two acts of gross misconduct have alreadybeen committed, and I cannot but blame those whom I hold mainlyresponsible for the order of the school that in both instances theoffenders should have gone unpunished. It seems hardly possible to methat such things should happen without its coming to the ears of theprefects who were the perpetrators of the deeds in question. Here wehave a third example of the same thing. If neither of you took anyactual part in screwing up this door, I am still inclined to think thatyou must have been cognizant of the act, and I demand to know the namesof the offenders. Take time to think before you answer. I warn youonce more that I am determined to sift the matter to the bottom."
Once more the two prefects protested that they had not the remotest ideawho had played the trick on Mr. Grice.
Dr. Denson frowned, and sat for some moments without speaking, rappingthe blotting-pad in front of him with the butt end of a seal; thenremembering the presence of the small boys, he turned towards them withan inquiring look.
"Well?"
Diggory's face wore something of the same expression which Jack andMugford had seen upon it when long ago their friend first distinguishedhimself at The Birches by going down the slide on skates. He gave anervous little cough, and advancing towards the head-master's table,laid thereon the cipher note, at the same time remarking, "If youplease, sir, we know who screwed up little--hem! Mr. Grice's door, or,at all events, we think we do."
So sudden and unexpected was this announcement that it caused the doctorto half rise from his chair, while Oaks and Allingford turned a
nd gazedat the speaker in open-mouthed astonishment. They none of them expectedfor a moment that the three youngsters had come for any more importantpurpose than to solicit orders for new caps or "journey-money," and thisconfession came like a thunderbolt from a clear sky.
"What!" exclaimed the head-master, taking the scrap of paper, andglancing alternately from the mystic word to the boy's face--"what onearth is this? Explain yourself."
It would be unnecessary to attempt a verbatim report of Diggory'sevidence; in doing so we should but be repeating facts with which thereader is already acquainted. Let it suffice to say that, with manyhaltings and stumbles, he gave a full account of his finding the firstcipher, translating the same, attending the secret meeting, and, lastly,discovering on the previous day the brief note which he had justproduced.
The telling of the tale occupied some considerable time, for the doctorhad many questions to ask; and when it came to the account of theconversation which had taken place under the pavilion, his face visiblydarkened.
"My eye," remarked Diggory, an hour later, "I wouldn't go through thatagain for something! I swear that by the time I'd finished theperspiration was running down my back in a regular stream."
"Well," said the doctor, turning to Jack Vance and Mugford, when theircompanion had finished speaking, "and what have you two got to say?"
"Only the same as Trevanock, sir; we--we found it out together."
"Then, in the first place, why didn't you tell me all this before?"
"We were afraid to, sir," faltered Jack Vance; "and we thought it wouldbe sneaking."
"Dear, dear," exclaimed the head-master impatiently, "when will you boyssee things in a proper light? You think it wrong to tell tales, and yetquite right that innocent people should suffer for things done by thesemiserable cowards!"
"No, sir," answered Diggory: "we've come now to try to get Oaks out of ascrape; though we--were afraid--"
"Afraid of what?"
"Nothing, sir."
"Afraid of telling more tales, I suppose. Well, well; the question nowis whether the same boys are guilty of having screwed up Mr. Grice'sdoor. Why they should have done such a thing I don't understand, nor doI see how it is to be brought home to them simply by means of thisexceedingly brief note."
There was a silence. Diggory glanced up, and received a look from thetwo prefects that amply repaid him for the trying ordeal through whichhe had just passed. Jack Vance leaned over to whisper something in hisear, when their attention was attracted by an exclamation of surprisefrom Dr. Denson.
"Aha! what does this mean?--Look here, Allingford."
Every member of the company edged forward, and looking down at what layon the writing-table, saw in a moment that the mystery was solved.
The communication which had been slipped under the bedroom door waswritten on a half-sheet of small-sized note-paper; a similar piece ofstationery had been used for the cipher note. The head-master hadaccidentally brought them together on his blotting-pad and the rough,torn edge of the one fitted exactly into the corresponding side of theother. They had both unmistakably come from the same source!
Even the dread atmosphere of the doctor's study could not restrain someshow of excitement on the part of those interested in this disclosure,but it was quickly suppressed.
"Oaks," said the doctor, "go and give my compliments to Mr. Cowland, andask him to open school for me; and at the same time inform the followingboys that I wish to see them at once, here in my study: Fletcher One,Thurston, Gull, Hawley, and Noaks."
To the Triple Alliance hours seemed to pass before a shuffling of feetin the passage announced the arrival of the Thurstonians. One by onethey filed into the room, the door was shut, and there was a moment ofawful silence. Even Diggory trembled, and Allingford, noticing it, laidhis big hand reassuringly on the small boy's shoulder.
"I wish to know," began the doctor, "which of you boys were concerned inwhat took place last night? I refer, of course, to the screwing up ofMr. Grice's bedroom door."
No one spoke, but Fletcher turned pale to the lips.
"Had you anything to do with it, Fletcher?"
"No, sir."
"Then will you tell me the meaning of this?" continued the head-master,holding up the cipher note.
"I--I don't know what it means," began the prefect.
"Don't lie to me, sir," interrupted the doctor sternly. "You know verywell what it means; it's of your own invention."
Thurston saw clearly that the game was up, and with the recklessness ofdespair decided at once to accept the inevitable.
"I screwed up Mr. Grice's door," he said sullenly.
"And who assisted you?"
To this inquiry Thurston would give no reply, but maintained a doggedsilence. Gull and Hawley, however, anxious at all costs to save theirown skins, practically answered the question by saying, "We didn't," andcasting significant glances at Noaks and Fletcher.
What followed it is hardly necessary to describe in detail. The fiveculprits were subjected to a merciless cross-examination, during which aconfession, not only of their various transgressions, but also of themotives which had prompted them to adopt such a line of conduct, wasdragged from their unwilling lips. The cloak was torn off, and thecowardice and meanness of their actions appeared plainly revealed, andwere forced home even to their own hearts.
"Thurston and Fletcher," said the doctor, when at length, long after thebell had rung for "interval," the inquiry concluded, "go to yourstudies, and remain there till you hear from me--Noaks, go in likemanner to the housekeeper's room.--Gull and Hawley, as you seem to havetaken no active part in this last misdemeanour, you may go. As regardsyour previous misconduct, I shall speak to you on that subject when Ihave decided what is to be done with your companions."
For the Triple Alliance the remainder of the day passed in a whirl ofconflicting emotions. In a very short time the whole school knewexactly what had taken place in the doctor's study, and every boy wasincensed at the underhanded meanness of this attempted attack on Oaksand Allingford. It was a good thing for Thurston and Fletcher that theyhad their studies, and Noaks the housekeeper's room, in which to findshelter, or they would have been compelled to run the gauntlet. Hawleyand Gull, though not found guilty on this particular count, were hustledand abused for their former misdeeds, which it was perfectly evidentwould be remembered against them during the remainder of their life atRonleigh.
As for Diggory and his two chums, never were three small boys made somuch of before. "What was the cipher?"--"How did they find it out?"--these and a hundred other questions were continually being dinned intheir ears, coupled with slaps on the back, ejaculations of "Welldone!"--"You're a precious sharp lot!" and many other expressions ofapproval.
At the close of this eventful day two things alone remained vividlyimpressed upon their minds.
The first was an interview with Allingford and Oaks in the former'sstudy.
"Well," said the captain, "you kids have done us a good turn. We werein a precious awkward box, and I don't know how we should have got outof it if it hadn't been for you."
"Yes," added Oaks: "I was never more surprised at anything in my lifethan when Trevanock said he knew who'd done the business. It made oldDenson open his eyes."
"So it did," continued Allingford; "and if it hadn't come out, the wholeschool would have got into another precious row, and there'd have been astop put to the Wraxby match. I tell you what. You youngsters thoughtit sneaking to let out what you knew; in my opinion you'd have beenjolly sneaks if you'd shielded those blackguards, and allowed everyoneelse to suffer. Well, as I said before, you've done is a good turn, andas long as we're at Ronleigh together we shan't forget you."
The second thing which lodged in the recollection of the three friendswas a look which Noaks had bestowed upon them as he passed out of thedoctor's study.
"Did you see his face?" said Diggory. "He looked as if he could havekilled us. He's never forgiven us since that time
he was turned off thefootball field for striking you at The Birches."
"No," added Jack Vance; "and then we were the means of old Noaks gettingthe sack over those fireworks; and that reminds me he's always had agrudge against me for letting out that time that his father was aservant man; and now there's this last row. Oh yes! he'll do his bestnow to get us into a bother over that knife of Mugford's."
"Of course he will," answered Diggory; "that's what he meant by glaringat us as he did."
"I don't care!" exclaimed Jack Vance, with forced bravado; "he can'tprove we stole the coins."
"Of course he can't," sighed Mugford; "but if there's a row it'll ratherspoil our Christmas."
CHAPTER XXII.
WHEN SHALL WE THREE MEET AGAIN?
The Wraxby match was played and won. Allingford and his men journeyedto the neighbouring town, so gaming the additional credit of a victoryon their opponents' ground; and thus, for the first time for many years,Ronleigh lowered the flag of their ancient rivals both at cricket and atfootball.
"Hurrah!" cried "Rats," who was in a great state of excitement when thenews arrived; "they won't ask us again if we'd like to play a master,the cheeky beggars!"
The same afternoon on which Ronleigh so distinguished herself saw alsothe melancholy ending of the school life of two of her number. Thurstonand Fletcher One went home to return no more; practically expelled,though the doctor, in this instance, did not make a public example oftheir departure.
Another thing happened on this memorable day which caused quite asensation, especially among the members of the upper and lower divisionsof the Fourth Form.
"I say, have you heard the latest?" cried Maxton, bursting into thereading-room just before preparation, regardless alike of the presenceof Lucas and the rule relating to silence.
"What about?" asked several voices.
"Why, about Noaks!"
"No."
"Well, then, he's run away!"
Magazines and papers fell from the hands which held them, and the usualquiet of the room was broken by a buzz of astonishment.
"Run away! Go on; you don't mean it!"
"I do, though: he's skedaddled right enough, and they can't find himanywhere."
The report was only too true. Afraid to face his schoolfellows, andhaving already received several intimations, from fellows passing thehousekeeper's parlour, that a jolly good licking awaited him when heleft his present place of refuge, Noaks had watched his opportunity, andwhen the boys were at tea had slipped out, and, as Maxton put it,"run away."
No one mourned his loss; even Mouler would not own to having been hisfriend; and everybody who expressed any opinion on the subject spokeof his departure as being decidedly a good riddance.
The Triple Alliance, however, had cause to feel uneasy when they heardof this latest escapade of their ancient enemy.
"He's got my knife with him," said Mugford; "he may go any day and tryfor that reward."
For the time being, however, no communication was received from thepolice-station at Todderton, and none of the three friends was caused,like Eugene Aram, to leave the school with gyves upon his wrists.Whatever evil intentions Noaks might have cherished towards them weredestined to be checkmated by a fortunate circumstance, the possibilityof which neither side had yet foreseen.
The last day of the term arrived in due course, bringing with it thatjolly time when everybody is excited, happy, and good-tempered; when themorning's work is a mere matter of form, and the boys slap their bookstogether at the sound of the bell, with the joyful conviction that thewhole length of the Christmas holidays lies between them and "nextlesson."
Directly after dinner every one commenced "packing up;" which term mighthave been supposed to include every form of skylarking which the heartof the small boy could devise, from racing round the quadrangle, arrayedin one of Bibbs's night-shirts, to playing football in the gymnasium,North _versus_ South, with the remains of an old mortar-board.
It was at this period of the day that the Triple Alliance proceeded tocarry out a project which had for some little time occupied the minds ofat least two of their number. The idea was that the little fraternityshould celebrate their approaching separation, and the consequentbreaking up of their association, with a sort of funeral feast, the costof which Jack and Diggory insisted should be borne by the two survivingmembers. Only one outsider was invited to attend--namely, "Rats," whosecheery presence it was thought would tend to enliven the proceedings,and chase away the gloomy clouds of regret which would naturally hangover the near prospect of parting.
The box-room (where such functions usually took place) being at thistime in a state of indescribable uproar, it was decided that the banquetshould be served in one of the remote classrooms.
"None of the fellows'll come near it," said Jack Vance; "and if oldWatford should be knocking round and catch us there, he won't doanything to-day; we shall have to clear out, that's all."
Accordingly, about a quarter to four, the three friends, with theirsolitary guest, assembled at the trysting-place. Jack Vance carried twobig paper bags, Diggory a biscuit-box and a small tin kettle, while theother two were provided with four clean jam-pots, it having beenannounced that there was "going to be some cocoa."
For the preparation of this luxury Diggory mounted a form and lit one ofthe gas-jets, over which he and Jack Vance took it in turns to hold thekettle until the water boiled. Sugar, cocoa, and condensed milk wereproduced from the biscuit-tin, and the jam-pots having been filled withthe steaming beverage, the company seated themselves round the stove, inwhich there still smouldered some remains of the morning's fire, andprepared to enjoy themselves.
From the first, however, the proceeding's fell as flat as ditch-water.Even the gallant efforts of "Rats" to enliven the party were of noavail; and for some time everybody munched away in silence, Jack Vanceoccasionally pausing to remark, "Here, pass over that nose-bag, and helpyourselves."
The classroom itself, which belonged to the Third Form, was suggestiveof that glad season known as "breaking-up." The ink-pots had all beencollected, and stood together in a tray on the master's table; fragmentsof examination papers filled the paper-basket, and were littered hereand there about the floor, while some promising Latin scholar hadscrawled across the blackboard the well-known words, _Dulce Domum_.These inspiriting signs of a "good time coming" were, however, lost onthe Triple Alliance. Their present surroundings served only to remindthem of the old days of "The Happy Family," when they had first come toRonleigh, never expecting but to have completed the period of theirschool lives in one another's company.
"Well," said Jack Vance, suddenly broaching the subject which wasuppermost in each of their minds, "we've had jolly times together.--D'you remember when we made the Alliance, the day you first cameto The Birches, Diggory?"
"Yes," answered Diggory; "it was just after we'd been frightened by theghost. D'you remember the 'Main-top' and the 'House of Lords' and thePhilistines? I wonder what's become of them all?"
One reminiscence suggested another, and after exhausting theirrecollections of The Birches, they recalled their varied experiences atRonleigh. Only one adventure was by mutual consent not alludedto: their clandestine visit to The Hermitage, coupled with Noaks'sthreat, hung like the sword suspended by a single hair above the head ofDamocles at the feast.
At length, when the paper bags had been wellnigh emptied, Jack Vanceintimated his intention of making a speech--which announcement wasreceived with considerable applause.
"Don't finish up your cocoa," he began, "because, before we dissolve theAlliance, I'm going to propose a toast. We've been friends a long time,and both here and at The Birches, as Diggory says, the Triple Alliancehas done wonders and covered itself with glory." (Cheers.) "We saidwhen we started that we'd always stand by each other whatever happened;and so we have, and so we would again if we were going to be togetherany longer." ("Hear, hear!") "I wish 'Rats' could have joined us, butthen I suppose it wouldn't have bee
n the Triple Alliance. However, nowit's finished with; but before we break it up, I'm going to call uponyou to drink the health of Mr. Mugford. May he have long life andhappiness, and a jolly fine house, with a model railway, and a lake forboating in the grounds, and ask us all to come and stay with himwhenever we feel inclined."
This sentiment was received with shouts of applause, and in honouring itthe jam-pots were drained to their muddy dregs.
No one expected that Mugford would reply, for he was decidedly a man offew words; but on this occasion he rose above his usual self, andsitting with his hands in his trouser pockets, his feet on the fender ofthe stove, and his chin sunk forward on his breast, delivered himself asfollows. The room was already growing dark with the early wintertwilight, which perhaps rendered it more easy for him to undertake thetask of responding to the toast.
"You've always been very kind to me," he began, speaking rather quickly.
"No, we haven't," interrupted Jack Vance.
"Yes, you have. Just shut up; I'm going to say what I like. You madefriends with me because I happened to be in the same room at TheBirches; but you always stuck to me, and helped me along a lot when wecame here first. I know I'm stupid, and sometimes I feel I'm a coward;but I enjoyed being with you, and shall always remember the times we'vehad together--yes, I swear I shall--always. And now I've got a drop ofcocoa left, so I'm going to propose a toast. You must take 'Rats' in myplace. I hope you'll have heaps of larks; and you must write me aletter sometimes and tell me what you're doing. Here goes--The new_Triple Alliance!_"
It was customary to laugh at whatever Mugford said, but on this occasionnot even a smile greeted the conclusion of his remarks.
Only Diggory spoke. "No, we shan't have another Triple Alliance; nowit's going to end."
He turned, and taking something out of the biscuit-tin, said solemnly,"I, Diggory Trevanock, do hereby declare that the association known asthe Triple Alliance is now dissolved; in token of which I break this bitof a flat ruler, used by us as a sugar-spoon, into three parts, one ofwhich I present to each of the members as a keepsake, to remind them ofall our great deeds and many adventures."
Each boy pocketed his fragment of wood in silence. Jack Vance tried tocrack a joke, but it was a miserable failure.
"There was something I wanted to say," began "Rats" thoughtfully."I shall remember it in a minute. Oh, _bother!_"
"What's up?"
"Why, I know what it was; Mugford's talking about writing to himreminded me of it. I'm awfully sorry, but there were some letters camefor you chaps this morning. I took them off the table, meaning to givethem to you; but I quite forgot, and left them in my desk."
"Well, you're a nice one!" cried Diggory. "Suppose you go and fetch 'emnow!"
"Rats" scrambled to his feet and hurried out of the room.
Jack Vance pulled out his watch, and held it down so that the glimmer ofthe red light from between the bars of the stove fell upon its face.
"My word," he exclaimed, "it's time we thought about packing!"
"Wait a jiff for those letters," answered Diggory.
A moment later "Rats" came scampering down the passage. "Here theyare," he cried; "I'm very sorry I forgot 'em. A letter for Mugford, anda paper for Vance."
Diggory relighted the gas-jet which he had turned out after boiling thekettle, and proceeded, with the assistance of "Rats," to gather up theremains of the feast. They had hardly, however, got further thanemptying the tin kettle down the ventilator before their attention wasattracted by a joyful exclamation from Jack Vance.
"What d'you think's happened?" he cried, brandishing the open newspaper."Why, they've caught the thieves who stole old Fossberry's coins!"
"Not really!"
"They have, though. It was the old woman who looks after the house, andher husband; they're to be tried at the next assizes. They did it rightenough; some of the coins were found in their possession, and--Hullo!what's the matter with you?"
The latter remark was addressed to Mugford, who suddenly jumped on aform, began to dance, fell off into the coal-box, scrambled to his feet,and capered wildly round the room.
"He's gone mad!" cried Diggory; "catch him, and sit on his head!"
"No, I haven't!" exclaimed Mugford, coming to a standstill; "but what doyou think's happened? Guess!"
"Not that you're going to stay on here!"
"Yes! My uncle says he'll pay for me, and I'm to come back again afterChristmas!"
"Well, I'm sure!" gasped Jack Vance; "and we've just dissolved theAlliance! We must make it again."
"No, you shan't!" shouted "Rats;" "Diggory said you wouldn't.I'm coming in, as Mugford suggested, so it'll have to be a quadruple onenext time."
"Well, so it shall be," cried Jack Vance, embracing Mugford with thehugging power of a juvenile bear: "next term we'll start afresh."
Diggory and "Rats" promptly fell into each other's arms, and all four,coming into violent collision, tumbled down amidst the _debris_ of theoverturned coal-box; and after rolling over one another like a lot ofyoung dogs, scrambled to their feet, turned out the gas, and rushed awayto complete their packing.
So, as the door slams behind them, they vanish from our sight; forthough the renewal of their friendship tempts us to follow them furtherin their school life, we are reminded that our story has been told.Here ended the existence of the Triple Alliance, and here, therefore,should the history of its trials and triumphs be likewise brought to aconclusion.
