Jellicoe, that human encyclopaedia, consulted on the probablemovements of the enemy, deposed that Spiller, retiring at ten, wouldmake for Dormitory One in the same passage, where Robinson also had abed. The rest of the opposing forces were distributed among other andmore distant rooms. It was probable, therefore, that Dormitory Onewould be the rendezvous. As to the time when an attack might beexpected, it was unlikely that it would occur before half-past eleven.
Mr. Outwood went the round of the dormitories at eleven.
"And touching," said Psmith, "the matter of noise, must this businessbe conducted in a subdued and _sotto voce_ manner, or may we letourselves go a bit here and there?""I shouldn't think old Outwood's likely to hear you--he sleeps milesaway on the other side of the house. He never hears anything. We oftenrag half the night and nothing happens."This appears to be a thoroughly nice, well-conducted establishment.
What would my mother say if she could see her Rupert in the midst ofthese reckless youths!""All the better," said Mike; "we don't want anybody butting in andstopping the show before it's half started.""Comrade Jackson's Berserk blood is up--I can hear it sizzling. Iquite agree these things are all very disturbing and painful, but it'sas well to do them thoroughly when one's once in for them. Is therenobody else who might interfere with our gambols?""Barnes might," said Jellicoe, "only he won't.""Who is Barnes?""Head of the house--a rotter. He's in a funk of Stone and Robinson;they rag him; he'll simply sit tight.""Then I think," said Psmith placidly, "we may look forward to a verypleasant evening. Shall we be moving?"Mr. Outwood paid his visit at eleven, as predicted by Jellicoe,beaming vaguely into the darkness over a candle, and disappearedagain, closing the door.
"How about that door?" said Mike. "Shall we leave it open for them?""Not so, but far otherwise. If it's shut we shall hear them at it whenthey come. Subject to your approval, Comrade Jackson, I have evolvedthe following plan of action. I always ask myself on these occasions,'What would Napoleon have done?' I think Napoleon would have sat in achair by his washhand-stand, which is close to the door; he would haveposted you by your washhand-stand, and he would have instructedComrade Jellicoe, directly he heard the door-handle turned, to givehis celebrated imitation of a dormitory breathing heavily in itssleep. He would then----""I tell you what," said Mike, "how about tying a string at the top ofthe steps?""Yes, Napoleon would have done that, too. Hats off to Comrade Jackson,the man with the big brain!"The floor of the dormitory was below the level of the door. There werethree steps leading down to it. Psmith lit a candle and they examinedthe ground. The leg of a wardrobe and the leg of Jellicoe's bed madeit possible for the string to be fastened in a satisfactory manneracross the lower step. Psmith surveyed the result with approval.
"Dashed neat!" he said. "Practically the sunken road which dished theCuirassiers at Waterloo. I seem to see Comrade Spiller coming one ofthe finest purlers in the world's history.""If they've got a candle----""They won't have. If they have, stand by with your water-jug and douseit at once; then they'll charge forward and all will be well. If theyhave no candle, fling the water at a venture--fire into the brown!
Lest we forget, I'll collar Comrade Jellicoe's jug now and keep ithandy. A couple of sheets would also not be amiss--we will enmesh theenemy!""Right ho!" said Mike.
"These humane preparations being concluded," said Psmith, "we willretire to our posts and wait. Comrade Jellicoe, don't forget tobreathe like an asthmatic sheep when you hear the door opened; theymay wait at the top of the steps, listening.""You _are_ a chap!" said Jellicoe.
Waiting in the dark for something to happen is always a tryingexperience, especially if, as on this occasion, silence is essential.
Mike found his thoughts wandering back to the vigil he had kept withMr. Wain at Wrykyn on the night when Wyatt had come in through thewindow and found authority sitting on his bed, waiting for him. Mikewas tired after his journey, and he had begun to doze when he wasjerked back to wakefulness by the stealthy turning of the door-handle;the faintest rustle from Psmith's direction followed, and a slightgiggle, succeeded by a series of deep breaths, showed that Jellicoe,too, had heard the noise.
There was a creaking sound.
It was pitch-dark in the dormitory, but Mike could follow the invaders'
movements as clearly as if it had been broad daylight. They had openedthe door and were listening. Jellicoe's breathing grew more asthmatic;he was flinging himself into his part with the whole-heartedness of thetrue artist.
The creak was followed by a sound of whispering, then another creak.
The enemy had advanced to the top step.... Another creak.... Thevanguard had reached the second step.... In anoth............