“Yes,” said he. “It looks worse from here. Nevertheless that is how I got in. Those pieces of cloth you see there hanging on nails amongst the ivy are pieces of my trousers. In other words, you have been burgled.” “But why on earth didn’t you ring the bell?” Toby tapped him upon the shoulder. “The boy who ran away is outside in a car. I thought you would rather we got him in without attracting attention.” “But, goodness me,” said the other, “a number of boys in the house will know that he was out. What will be the excuse?” “The other boys in the house,” said Toby, “know a great deal more about what’s been going on than you do. You can bet your life on that. And after this evening’s little entertainment there won’t be many who won’t understand the truth. My advice to you is to let him come in and go to bed without a word. You yourself need know nothing about it.” Mr Seymour was looking at him dubiously. “The reason I say this,” Toby explained, “is that it means a lot to the school if we can come through this term without the spirit having been knocked out of any single boy by the Head’s idea of justice. It won’t be quite so satisfactory if this youngster should be found out. It’s the last lap, too, Seymour. In another ten days term will be over.” He paused. “There will be another term following after,” said Mr Seymour gloomily. Toby nodded his head. “Yes,” he admitted; “but it will not be quite the same. Next term the Grey Man is coming back.” He smiled. Mr Seymour gazed at him with open mouth. “Are you sure?” “I saw him yesterday,” said Toby. “But it is better that the school as a whole should not know just yet. If one thing rather than another would send Harley completely off its head just now it would be the rumour that the Headmaster was defeated and that the Grey Man was coming back. Well, we must play fair. There is something about the Head that at times makes him almost likeable in his loneliness. Now the only ally that he had has let him down and the Head’s done the right thing by expelling him. There will be hard days coming for the Head, and, after all, you and I are masters and have a master’s point of view. I fancy the Head knows his fate already, but I think that we ought to respect his position to the end. It’s up to us to let him break the news when he feels ready. Don’t you think so?” Mr Seymour nodded his head. “It makes a difference,” said he. “I had always rather looked upon you as an Old Boy pure and simple, Nicholson. But I see now that there is a little of something else in your composition as well. If you will go out and fetch this boy I will see that he gets in by the front door.” Toby held out his hand. “I hope you’ll forgive me getting in by the window,” he said. “It was the only way. I’ll go out by the door now, though, and leave it unbolted for Carr. I shall see you again soon.” “You will be coming back?” “I am starting again next term,” said Toby. “See you then.”