"Then you say he attacked you on another occasion on the football field?" And Dangle had to stand an uncomfortable cross-examination on this incident too. "What had it all got to do with Rollitt?" asked every one of himself. "I ask you all these questions, Dangle," said the doctor, when he had brought this chapter of history up to date, "because it seems to me you are Rollitt's chief accuser in this matter. I wish I were able to feel that you were not personally interested in your charges proving to be true. That, of course, does not affect the case, as far as Rollitt is concerned. The evidence against him is merely conjecture, so far." "But I met him at Fisher's door that afternoon," said Dangle, determined to make the most of his strong points. "Why," said Fisher, "you told me you didn't know which my door was, when you first spoke about it." "I found out since, and it was the same door." "Was he coming out of the room or going in!" "Coming out." "You are sure of that?" "Yes, I remember because the door nearly struck me as he opened it." "However could it do that!" exclaimed Fisher. "My door opens inwards!" Dangle coloured up with confusion and stammered-- "I--I thought it--I suppose I was wrong." "I think so," said the doctor frigidly. "Thank you, boys, I needn't keep you longer at present." "You idiot!" said Clapperton, as he and the discomfited Dangle walked back to Forder's. "You've made a precious mess of it, and made the whole house ridiculous. Why couldn't you let it alone? You've mulled everything you've put your finger into this term." "Look here, Clapperton," said Dangle, in a white heat, "I've stood a lot from you this term--a jolly lot. I've done your dirty work, and--" "What do you mean? What dirty work have I asked you to do?" "Plenty that you've not had the pluck to do yourself." "I dare you to repeat it, you liar!" "You shall do your own in future, I know that." "Dangle, hold your tongue, you cad!" "I shall do nothing of the kind, you snob!" Whereupon ensued the most wonderful spectacle of the half, a fight between Clapperton and Dangle. It was nearly dark, and no one was about, and history does not record how it ended. But in Hall that night both appeared with visages suspiciously marred, and it was noted by many an observant eye that diplomatic relations between the two were suspended. But while old friends had thus been falling out on Rollitt's account, old enemies had on the same grounds been making it up. The juniors having recovered of their colds, and finding themselves once more in the full possession of their appetite, their liberty, and their spirits, celebrated their convalescence by a general _melee_ in Percy's room, under the specious pretext of a committee meeting of the shop- directors. This business function being satisfactorily concluded, they turned their attention to the condition of things in general.