A silence followed. To Mike, lying in bed, holding his breath, itseemed a long silence. As a matter of fact it lasted for perhaps tenseconds. Then Mr. Wain spoke.

　　"You have been out, James?"It is curious how in the more dramatic moments of life the inaneremark is the first that comes to us.

　　"Yes, sir," said Wyatt.

　　"I am astonished. Exceedingly astonished.""I got a bit of a start myself," said Wyatt.

　　"I shall talk to you in my study. Follow me there.""Yes, sir."He left the room, and Wyatt suddenly began to chuckle.

　　"I say, Wyatt!" said Mike, completely thrown off his balance by theevents of the night.

　　Wyatt continued to giggle helplessly. He flung himself down on hisbed, rolling with laughter. Mike began to get alarmed.

　　"It's all right," said Wyatt at last, speaking with difficulty. "But,I say, how long had he been sitting there?""It seemed hours. About an hour, I suppose, really.""It's the funniest thing I've ever struck. Me sweating to get inquietly, and all the time him camping out on my bed!""But look here, what'll happen?"Wyatt sat up.

　　"That reminds me. Suppose I'd better go down.""What'll he do, do you think?""Ah, now, what!""But, I say, it's awful. What'll happen?""That's for him to decide. Speaking at a venture, I should say----""You don't think----?""The boot. The swift and sudden boot. I shall be sorry to part withyou, but I'm afraid it's a case of 'Au revoir, my little Hyacinth.' Weshall meet at Philippi. This is my Moscow. To-morrow I shall go outinto the night with one long, choking sob. Years hence a white-hairedbank-clerk will tap at your door when you're a prosperous professionalcricketer with your photograph in _Wisden_. That'll be me. Well,I suppose I'd better go down. We'd better all get to bed _some_time to-night. Don't go to sleep.""Not likely.""I'll tell you all the latest news when I come back. Where are meslippers? Ha, 'tis well! Lead on, then, minions. I follow."* * * * *In the study Mr. Wain was fumbling restlessly with his papers whenWyatt appeared.

　　"Sit down, James," he said.

　　Wyatt sat down. One of his slippers fell off with a clatter. Mr. Wainjumped nervously.

　　"Only my slipper," explained Wyatt. "It slipped."Mr. Wain took up a pen, and began to tap the table.

　　"Well, James?"Wyatt said nothing.

　　"I should be glad to hear your explanation of this disgracefulmatter.""The fact is----" said Wyatt.

　　"Well?""I haven't one, sir.""What were you doing out of your dormitory, out of the house, at thathour?""I went for a walk, sir.""And, may I inquire, are you in the habit of violating the strictestschool rules by absenting yourself from the house during the night?""Yes, sir.""What?""Yes, sir.""This is an exceedingly serious matter."Wyatt nodded agr............