"I don't know, Dick. You see, if we take it, it'll be stealing. The school rules are against it, and no matter how sparingly and temperately a fellow uses it no allowance is made." "Well, if we give it back to Greggs, it'll do 'im more harm than it will us; then, we can send Greggs the cost of it, so it won't be stealing, and as to school rules, why, we are breaking school rules now by being away," said Dick, reassuringly. "'Twon't do, Dick; the breaking of one law doesn't justify the breaking of another. We'll let it behind." "Very well," said Dick, but at the same moment, concealed by the dusk of the evening, he slipped the flask into his pocket. "You'll 'ave to 'cave' about getting the eggs in," said Ande, as they trotted along home, back to Helston. "That's what's worrying me," said Dick. "I have it," said Ande, and the plan seemed so feasible that he resumed his old bantering tone. "Dick, old lad, congratulate your friend on being a man of infinite resources. I have a plan, my Ajax of egg-hunting renown and Lucifer reputation." "Huh," growled Dick, "we're getting near town." "A rope--the hamper rope," said Ande; "that beast, Creakle, will be on guard within, or Tenny. I go in empty-handed,--see--you stay out below the study window, in the dark angle; I let down the rope,--presto--up come the eggs. You come in empty-handed,--see?" and Ande gave Dick a nudge. Dick brightened up perceptibly. "But 'ow to get you in with that pungent, ducky aroma, without exciting the blatant curiosity of Creakle, or the sharp smellers of Sherwood--um--das ist die frage. Whew! What a beastly odour." Dick looked worried and down-hearted. "But cheer up, Dick, you can't help it, and we'll get you in some how, never fear. The plan is sure to work." The plan did work like a charm, and soon they were in the comfortable study, Dick clothed in clean garments, and the steaming egg-nogg and eatables before them. The evening's adventure, the terror of Greggs, the chicken, and other viands, made the evening pass pleasantly by. During the close of the feast, Tenny rapped, but was not let in. "Now Creakle will be next," said Ande, "and we can't keep a monitor out. Away with the things!" The things were hurriedly placed away, the Virgils opened, and with lexicons in hand, they seemed busily and studiously engaged when steps were heard advancing quickly along the corridor. The door was swung open, it being unbarred, and in stalked Sherwood and Creakle. The latter had a cunning twinkle in his eye; the former with grave, severe countenance. "Gentlemen," began Sherwood, in stern voice, but he went no further. Ande looked up with a mild, reproving eye. "I believe no student is to be disturbed in the evening study hour, except upon probable cause of misdemeanour; I believe that is an unwritten law."