Adams, as has been stated, disliked exercising his authority. He held the slightly dangerous creed that a house managed itself best when left alone, and that public opinion was the most effective check on irregular practices. “You always manage house affairs much better than I could, Frank,” he said. “Don’t know about that, sir. But this affects more than the house.” Mr. Adams lit his pipe. He rather wanted to play golf, but Maddox seldom bothered him with problems, and it might be well to listen. “Fire ahead, then,” he said. “Well, sir, I had to lick David a couple of days ago for having cribs,” began Maddox. “Why isn’t the little beast higher in his form then?” remarked Adams. “I was coming to that. I learned from—well, from another fellow—that everybody cribs in Remove A, that it’s absolutely the regular thing, which is rotten. Also I learned that David cribs only about enough to avoid impots, whereas other fellows crib their way to the top of the class. It isn’t fair, sir.” Adams decided to go into this. “Shut the door, Frank,” he said. “Of course, all you say is confidential, unless you give me leave to mention it. Go on!” “Well, sir, it’s really all old—it’s Mr. Tovey’s fault,” said Maddox. “You see, he’s so jolly blind, that fellows practically must crib.” “Then David has been suffering vicariously for Mr. Tovey,” remarked Adams. Maddox laughed. “Yes, sir, about that,” he said. Adams relit his pipe. “Funny thing this should have happened just now,” he said, “for Mr. Tovey has been sent to bed with flue.” Maddox gave a cackle of delight. “Gosh, what luck!” he said. “Why?” Instantly a scheme lit itself up in Maddox’s head. “Why sir, you might suggest to the Head that some of the prefects—particularly me, I mean—should take some of Mr. Tovey’s work. He’s rather keen on that sort of thing; don’t you remember he told me to take your form for a couple of days when you were laid up last half? Well, sir, if you could manage that I descended on them out of the blue, say, to-morrow morning, before they know that Mr. Tovey’s gone sick, I bet I can reap a lot of them in. They’re sure to have learned their work with cribs; and then, you see, I’ve got David’s cribs, and I can tell if their construing comes out of cribs. O Lord, I see it all!” Adams considered this. “And how about telling the Head that the form cribs?” he asked. “Perhaps he’d join in and take some of the work himself!” Maddox laughed again. “Gosh, what a time Remove A’s going to have,” he said. “But the Head mustn’t make it retrospective. It must all be found out afresh, sir, if you see what I mean.” Adams nodded. “Yes,” he said. “The Head will understand that.”