“Sorry,” said Mr. Appleby. “Wouldn’t have disturbed you, only it’s something important. I’ll climb in through here, shall I? No need to unlock the door.” And, greatly to Mr. Wain’s surprise and rather to his disapproval, Mr. Appleby vaulted on to the window-sill, and squeezed through into the room. CHAPTER XXIV CAUGHT “Got some rather bad news for you, I’m afraid,” began Mr. Appleby. “I’ll smoke, if you don’t mind. About Wyatt.” “James!” “I was sitting in my garden a few minutes ago, having a pipe before finishing the rest of my papers, and Wyatt dropped from the wall on to my herbaceous border.” Mr. Appleby said this with a tinge of bitterness. The thing still rankled. “James! In your garden! Impossible. Why, it is not a quarter of an hour since I left him in his dormitory.” “He’s not there now.” “You astound me, Appleby. I am astonished.” “So was I.” “How is such a thing possible? His window is heavily barred.” “Bars can be removed.” “You must have been mistaken.” “Possibly,” said Mr. Appleby, a little nettled. Gaping astonishment is always apt to be irritating. “Let’s leave it at that, then. Sorry to have disturbed you.” “No, sit down, Appleby. Dear me, this is most extraordinary. Exceedingly so. You are certain it was James?” “Perfectly. It’s like daylight out of doors.” Mr. Wain drummed on the table with his fingers. “What shall I do?” Mr. Appleby offered no suggestion. “I ought to report it to the headmaster. That is certainly the course I should pursue.” “I don’t see why. It isn’t like an ordinary case. You’re the parent. You can deal with the thing directly. If you come to think of it, a headmaster’s only a sort of middleman between boys and parents. He plays substitute for the parent in his absence. I don’t see why you should drag in the master at all here.” “There is certainly something in what you say,” said Mr. Wain on reflection. “A good deal. Tackle the boy when he comes in, and have it out with him. Remember that it must mean expulsion if you report him to the headmaster. He would have no choice. Everybody who has ever broken out of his house here and been caught has been expelled. I should strongly advise you to deal with the thing yourself.” “I will. Yes. You are quite right, Appleby. That is a very good idea of yours. You are not going?” “Must. Got a pile of examination papers to look over. Good-night.” “Good-night.”