By this time all the boys were on the _qui vive_ and staring hard at Carrol. But a sudden movement on Mr Ebden's part and a sharp "Go on with your work, boys!" disturbed them. Another attempt failed for the same reason, and then Carrol seemed to give it up altogether. But a few minutes later, keeping a wary eye upon the master, who was sitting at his desk in the centre of the room, Carrol held up a slate upon which was written in large letters, "We'll tar and feather Old B.'s statues." Instantly a suppressed giggle went round the room, and the lads looked at one another with eyes which clearly said: "By Jove! he's got it. What a joke it will be!" That night, when Ebden's was supposed to be buried in profound sleep, a council of war was held in Phil's cubicle, at which the details of the plot were worked out. "We're certain to catch it hot," Phil remarked, with a smile, as, dressed in a flimsy night-gown, he sat on the edge of his bed, and surveyed the three lads squatting on the floor in front of him. "Old Bumble will suspect us at once, and will do his best to find out which of us played the joke. But we'll do it, if only to show that we can. By Jove, I wonder what the old boy will do when he sees Hercules dressed like a hen? He'll simply blow up with rage, and I wouldn't miss the sight for worlds." "There's safe to be a ruction," Wheeler broke in complacently, "and some of us will get a licking. But what does it matter? Ebden will talk at us till we feel as limp as rags, and then he'll cane us till we go as stiff as any poker. Then it will all be over, and we'll be as good friends as ever. It'll be a fine spree, and I vote we see about it to-morrow." "I take a share in it at any rate," cried Carrol, looking round at the others to see if they agreed, for he was usually left in the background. "I invented the joke, remember that, you chaps." "We're all four of us in it," Phil answered gaily; "and now how about the stuff? The feathers and the tar, I mean. Then we shall want a raft. I know we can buy some tar at Streaker's, and a call at the poultry shop will get us heaps of feathers. We'll manage that to-morrow, and dress our statue in the evening, between tea and prep." The details of the prank to be played were quickly arranged, and soon Phil's companions slipped off like ghosts, and he tumbled into bed and fell into a deep sleep. The following evening, after dusk had fallen, four figures, each carrying a long school-form, slipped out through the back gate of Ebden's, and stole down to the lake. "Now for the raft," whispered Phil. "Place them alongside one another and lash them with the rope." In a few minutes a raft was constructed, but to the disgust of all the lads it was so light and frail that it was not even sufficient to support one of them. "We're done. Bother it!" exclaimed Carrol. The others stood without a word, and stared at the raft in deep vexation.