The head went in again. Mr. Henry had not discerned to whom it belonged, and did not care to know. He began to cross slowly back towards home; he could not afford to waste more time, but must get to his work again. "It was that beast of a German!" The words came from Mr. Lamb—for his head it was, which had been thrust forth in answer to Mr. Henry. Lamb had gained the bedroom unmolested—you saw him on his way to it—and the first thing he did, after bolting the door, was to light a private taper. He had brought a huge cake to school, with sundry other luxuries, and had been enjoying them systematically, so much each day, as he could get solitary opportunity. The last slice of the cake only remained to be eaten. He gobbled it in rather quickly, licked up the crumbs remaining in the paper, made a ball of that, and flung it out just as Mr. Henry chanced to be passing. When the latter called out, Lamb extinguished the candle with his finger and thumb, and then looked out to answer. "It's that beast of a German!" But Mr. Lamb need not have called names. He watched Mr. Henry crossing towards his home, and gave him time to get indoors. It wanted still some twenty minutes to the hour for chapel, and he relighted his taper. Diving into the bottom of his box, he brought forth a favourite book for a little wholesome recreation, and also a choice cigarette, which he lighted. Down he sat on the next box, low, square, and convenient; puffing comfortably away, and improving his mind with the solacing pages of "Jack Sheppard." CHAPTER VIII. A Loss. The next morning was distinguished by an event that brought pleasure to all. Talbot was amongst them again. He was looking fresh and well; did not limp in the least; and seemed to have grown an inch and a half. Mr. Baker directed him to take his place at the first desk, and this was a surprise to its occupants: but they welcomed him gladly. "Did you know you were going to be moved here, Shrewsbury?" asked they. "Not for certain. I thought it likely." "You are going in for the Orville?" "Of course I am. I should have done that had they kept me at the second desk. I say, has it never come out who shot me?" The boys shook their heads. It was a sore subject with them yet. "I heard that Sir Simon offered a gold watch as a reward." "So he did. But nothing turned up. Never mind, earl." "_I_ don't mind; why should I?" returned the earl. "No harm has come of it. I say, though, you can't think how kind the doctor and Miss Brabazon have been. If I were old enough I'd marry her." This caused a laugh. The earl had the queerest way of bringing out things, keeping his own countenance as steady as could be all the while.