"If you do, we'll tell Clapperton. He'll welt you for it. _He_ won't let you spoil our new paint, not if he knows it. Good old Clappy?" A thundering kick was the only reply, which shook the plaster of the walls, and nearly sent Fisher minor headlong with terror off his perch. This was getting serious. But in Percy's judgment the time was not even yet ripe for extreme measures. The assailant might be given a little rope yet. He took it, and worked himself into a childish passion against the refractory door, encouraged by the friendly gibes of the besieged. "Go it!" "Two to one on his boots!" "Keep your temper!" "Come in!" "Stick to it!" "One more and you'll do it!" and so on. It was hardly likely that the spectacle of the captain of the house in a towering rage, toying to kick his way into a fag's room, would long be allowed to continue unheeded by the rest of the inhabitants of Forder's, and in a very short time new voices without apprised the beleaguered garrison that the enemy was sitting down in force. Brinkman's voice could be heard demanding admission, and presently Dangle's; while a _posse_ of mercenary middle-boys relieved Clapperton of the kicking. The stout old door held out bravely and defied all their efforts. Presently a pause was made, and Dangle's voice outside was heard demanding a parley. "Young Wheatfield," he said, "it will be wiser for you to open the door at once. If you don't it will be broken open, and you needn't expect to get off easy then. Take my advice, and don't be a fool." "Thanks awfully," said Percy. "I and my chaps are just going to sit down to tea. Wish you could join us, whoever you are. We've got as much right to have tea in our study as you have in yours. That's right! Kick away! Never mind the varnish! Somebody tapping at the study door." "It's no good wasting time over young asses like them," Brinkman was heard to say. "I don't mean to go now," said Clapperton. "They shall have such a hiding, all of them, as they won't forget in a hurry." "It's funny how when we seniors strike against the School it's so noble, and when these juniors strike against us it's so inexcusable," said Fullerton. "Strikes always did puzzle me." "If, instead of talking rubbish, you'd go and fetch Robert with a crowbar to smash open the door," said Clapperton, "you'd be more use." It was getting quite dark in the room by this time, but Wally could be heard refilling his squirt at the jug, "I mean to start now," said he. Percy came beside him. "All serene," said he; "but why use water when there's ink?" "My eye! I never thought of that. Rather! I say, old man, while I remember it, I'll write home this week. Don't you fag, good old Percy." "Oh no, it's my turn." "Oh, let me. Is that the ink-pot? Hold it tight while I get a good go at it."