“There’s nothing like a common thought for binding people together. _I_ think Spiller’s an ass.” “How many _will_ there be, then?” asked Mike. “He might get about half a dozen, not more, because most of the chaps don’t see why they should sweat themselves just because Spiller’s study has been bagged.” “Sturdy common sense,” said Psmith approvingly, “seems to be the chief virtue of the Sedleigh character.” “We shall be able to tackle a crowd like that,” said Mike. “The only thing is we must get into the same dormitory.” “This is where Comrade Jellicoe’s knowledge of the local geography will come in useful. Do you happen to know of any snug little room, with, say, about four beds in it? How many dormitories are there?” “Five--there’s one with three beds in it, only it belongs to three chaps.” “I believe in the equal distribution of property. We will go to Comrade Outwood and stake out another claim.” Mr. Outwood received them even more beamingly than before. “Yes, Smith?” he said. “We must apologise for disturbing you, sir----” “Not at all, Smith, not at all! I like the boys in my house to come to me when they wish for my advice or help.” “We were wondering, sir, if you would have any objection to Jackson, Jellicoe and myself sharing the dormitory with the three beds in it. A very warm friendship--” explained Psmith, patting the gurgling Jellicoe kindly on the shoulder, “has sprung up between Jackson, Jellicoe and myself.” “You make friends easily, Smith. I like to see it--I like to see it.” “And we can have the room, sir?” “Certainly--certainly! Tell the matron as you go down.” “And now,” said Psmith, as they returned to the study, “we may say that we are in a fairly winning position. A vote of thanks to Comrade Jellicoe for his valuable assistance.” “You _are_ a chap!” said Jellicoe. The handle began to revolve again. “That door,” said Psmith, “is getting a perfect incubus! It cuts into one’s leisure cruelly.” This time it was a small boy. “They told me to come up and tell you to come down,” he said. Psmith looked at him searchingly through his eyeglass. “Who?” “The senior day-room chaps.” “Spiller?” “Spiller and Robinson and Stone, and some other chaps.” “They want us to speak to them?” “They told me to come up and tell you to come down.” “Go and give Comrade Spiller our compliments and say that we can’t come down, but shall be delighted to see him up here. Things,” he said, as the messenger departed, “are beginning to move. Better leave the door open, I think; it will save trouble. Ah, come in, Comrade Spiller, what can we do for you?” Spiller advanced into the study; the others waited outside, crowding in the doorway. “Look here,” said Spiller, “are you going to clear out of here or not?” “After Mr. Outwood’s kindly thought in giving us the room? You suggest a black and ungrateful action, Comrade Spiller.” “You’ll get it hot, if you don’t.” “We’ll risk it,” said Mike.