"More likely it's my Alf," said Mr Rollitt. "I know'd he was somewheres not fur off." He went up, followed at a more respectful distance than before by the boys, and pushed open the door. They heard the sound of an exclamation within, and a noise as of some one starting to his feet. Next moment, as the light streamed down the staircase, they heard a familiar voice say-- "Father!" "That's me, Alf, my boy; I know'd you was somewheres 'andy." "I say," said Wally, in an excited whisper to his followers, "we'd best cut back, you chaps. They don't want us up there." The delicate suggestion was appreciated by the party, who forthwith made a precipitate retreat. "We as good as found him, that's one thing, and nobody else was in it," said Percy triumphantly. "Rather not. Keep it mum. Let's go and light the fire in his room, and have some grub ready for him. Good old Rollitt, I'm jolly glad he's turned up!" "That's how he got the Abernethys," said D'Arcy. "Jolly honest to pay for them." "You don't suppose anybody would collar things out of the shop and not pay for them, you lout, do you?" Whereat, leaving the door on the latch, they marched arm in arm across the School Green kicking every junior they met, and mystifying everybody by whistling at the top of their voices, "See the conquering hero comes." CHAPTER TWENTY SIX. THE FINAL KICK. Rollitt's return to Fellsgarth was almost as mysterious as his disappearance. He answered to his name at call-over next morning as if he had never missed a day this term. And as Dr Ringwood and the other masters were present, and made no remark, it was generally concluded that the truant had turned up over-night, and had had it out with the authorities before bedtime. Mr Rollitt, Senior, had departed. He had looked into Wally's study after the owner and his crew were in bed to get his bag, and had been driven down in the doctor's fly to Penchurch. It was also understood that most of the Classic seniors had dropped into Rollitt's study early that morning. To some he had said, "Get out"; with others he had shaken hands. The captain had evidently been among the latter; as, on the notice board that morning, among the names of the fifteen who were to play the first match for the new clubs on Saturday against Penchurch, was that of Rollitt. The excitement caused by this discovery almost put into the shade for the time the equally remarkable fact that Clapperton and Brinkman were included in the same team. Where Rollitt had been, and what he had been doing, remained a mystery. It was, of course, out of the question to ask him. Conjecture was rife, and was greatly assisted by the juniors, who hazarded all sorts of plausible explanations for the general benefit. "Think he's been to Land's End?" said Wally. "I hear you can do it in a week--sharp walking." "You can get to America in that time," said Lickford.