three black marks a week meant defaulters' drill." not lightened by a murmur from the rear rank that the old gentleman was General Collinson, a member of the College Board of Council. "Eh-what?" said Foxy. 66 'Collinson, K.C.B.-He commanded the Pompadours my father's old regiment," hissed Swayne major. "Take your time," said the visitor. "I know how it feels. Your first drill-eh?" "Yes, sir." He drew an unhappy breath. ""Tention. Dress!" The echo of his own voice restored his confidence. The wheel was faced about, flung back, broken into fours, and restored to line without a falter. The official hour of punishment was long passed, but no one thought of 66 that. They were backing up Stalky-Stalky in deadly fear lest his voice should crack. "He does you credit, Sergeant," was the visitor's comment. A good drill and good material to drill. Now, it's an extraordinary thing I've been lunching with your head master and he never told me you had a cadetcorps in the college." We 'aven't, sir. This is only a little drill," said the Sergeant. 66 But aren't they keen on it?" said McTurk, speaking for the first time, with a twinkle in his deep-set eyes. 66 "Why aren't you in it, though, Willy?" Oh, I'm not punctual enough," said Mc"The Sergeant only takes the pick of Turk. us." 5 twenty boys, who, I dare say, would much depth of winter; but grown people, espesooner be playing cricket-" (it was the cially those who have lived long in foreign parts, make these little errors, and McTurk did not correct him)-"drilling for the sheer love of it. A shame to waste so point." much good stuff; but I think I can carry my whiskers?" demanded Stalky, on McTurk's "An' who's your friend with the white return to the study. 66 General Collinson. He comes over to decent old bargee, too. He said I ought to shoot with my father sometimes. Rather a cultivate your acquaintance, Stalky." "Did he tip you?" McTurk exhibited a blessed whole sover eign. 66 was treasurer. Ah," said Stalky, annexing it, for he You'd pretty average cool cheek, Turkey, to "We'll have a hefty brew. jaw about our keenness an' punctuality.' faulters ?" said Beetle. "Didn't the old boy know we were de "Foxy. carried his woes to Keyte." "Wasn't old Foxy pleased? Did you see him get pink behind the ears?" said Beetle. "It was an awful score for him. Didn't we back him up beautifully? Let's go down to Keyte's and get some cocoa and sassingers." They overtook Foxy, speeding down to retail the adventure to Keyte, who in his time had been Troop Sergeant Major in a cavalry regiment, and now, a war-worn veteran, was local postmaster and confectioner. "You owe us something," said Stalky, with meaning. "I'm "ighly grateful, Muster Corkran. I've 'ad to run against you pretty hard in the way o' business, now and then, but I will say 66 "Perowne... drilled them for ten minutes." week," said Beetle. "You can't expect a chap to do that-just to please you, Foxy." Ah, that's true. Still, if you could manage it and you, Muster Beetle it would give you a big start when the cadet-corps is formed. I expect the General will recommend it." They raided Keyte's very much at their own sweet will, for the old man, who knew them well, was deep in talk with Foxy. "I make what we've taken seven and six," Stalky called at last over the counter; "but you'd better count for yourself." "No-no. I'd take your word any day, Muster Corkran. In the Pompadours, was he, Sergeant? We lay with them once- -at Umballa, I think it was." "I don't know whether this ham-and-tongue tin is eighteen pence or one an' four." "Say one an' fourpence, Muster Corkran. Of course, Seargeant, if it was any use to give my time, I'd be pleased to do it, but I'm too old. I'd like to see a drill again." 66 'Oh, come on, Stalky," cried McTurk. "He isn't listenin' to you. Chuck over the money." "I want the quid changed, you ass. Keyte! Private Keyte! Corporal Keyte! Terroop-Sergeant-Major Keyte, will you give me change for a quid ?" "Yes yes, of course. Seven an' six." He stared abstractedly, pushed the silver over, and melted away into the darkness of the back room. "Now those two'll jaw about the Mutiny till tea-time," said Beetle. "Old Keyte was at Sobraon," said Stalky. "Hear him talk about that sometimes! Beats Foxy hollow." The Head's face, inscrutable as ever, was bent over a pile of letters. "What do you think?" he said at last to the Reverend John Gillett. "It's a good idea. There's no denying that an estimable idea." "We concede that much. Well?" "I have my doubts about it-that's all. The more I know of boys the less do I profess myself capable of following their moods, but I own I shall be very much surprised if the scheme takes. It it isn't the temper of the school. We prepare for the Army." "My business-in this matter-is to carry out the wishes of the Council. They demand a volunteer cadet-corps. A volunteer cadetcorps will be furnished. I have suggested, however, that we need not embark upon the |