The unknown had also entered the local train. It was plain, therefore, that he was coming to the School as a new boy. Harrison began to wonder if, under these circumstances, something might not be done in the matter by way of levelling up things. He pondered. When St Austin's station was reached, and the travellers began to stream up the road towards the College, he discovered that the newcomer was a member of his own House. He was standing close beside him, and heard Babington explaining to him the way to Merevale's. Merevale was Harrison's House-master. It was two minutes after he had found out this fact that the Grand Idea came to Harrison. He saw his way now to a revenge so artistic, so beautifully simple, that it was with some difficulty that he restrained himself from bursting into song. For two pins, he felt, he could have done a cake-walk. He checked his emotion. He beat it steadily back, and quenched it. When he arrived at Merevale's, he went first to the matron's room. 'Has Venables come back yet?' he asked. Venables was the head of Merevale's House, captain of the School cricket, wing three-quarter of the School Fifteen, and a great man altogether. 'Yes,' said the matron, 'he came back early this afternoon.' Harrison knew it. Venables always came back early on the last day of the holidays. 'He was upstairs a short while ago,' continued the matron. 'He was putting his study tidy.' Harrison knew it. Venables always put his study tidy on the last day of the holidays. He took a keen and perfectly justifiable pride in his study, which was the most luxurious in the House. 'Is he there now?' asked Harrison. 'No. He has gone over to see the Headmaster.' 'Thanks,' said Harrison, 'it doesn't matter. It wasn't anything important.' He retired triumphant. Things were going excellently well for his scheme. His next act was to go to the fags' room, where, as he had expected, he found his friend of the train. Luck continued to be with him. The unknown was alone. 'Hullo!' said Harrison. 'Hullo!' said the fellow-traveller. He had resolved to follow Harrison's lead. If Harrison was bringing war, then war let it be. If, however, his intentions were friendly, he would be friendly too. 'I didn't know you were coming to Merevale's. It's the best House in the School.' 'Oh!' 'Yes, for one thing, everybody except the kids has a study.' 'What? Not really? Why, I thought we had to keep to this room. One of the chaps told me so.' 'Trying to green you, probably. You must look out for that sort of thing. I'll show you the way to your study, if you like. Come along upstairs.' 'Thanks, awfully. It's awfully good of you,' said the gratified unknown, and they went upstairs together. One of the doors which they passed on their way was open, disclosing to view a room which, though bare at present, looked as if it might be made exceedingly comfortable.