Fisher minor's hopes rose high within him as he stalked his debtor across the School Green. Three times already he had encountered him, but fate had stepped in to prevent the collection of his dues. Now-- He had arrived at this stage when a voice at his side sent a cold shiver down his back. "Hullo, kid, got you at last, then? That's what you call waiting where I left you, do you?" "I didn't promise to wait," said Fisher. "You told me to." "It's the same thing. Now you'll come along with me, my beauty." Had Fisher minor been anything but a raw hand, it might have occurred to him that it would take Percy Wheatfield all his time to convey a boy his, Fisher's, size against his will into Forder's house. But such is the force of innocence on one side, and authority on the other, that the new boy laid down his arms, and followed his captor meekly into the enemy's citadel. Just as they were entering, a posse of the enemy appeared on the scene, consisting, among other supporters of the Modern cause, of Ramshaw, Cottle, Lickford, and Cash. "Here's a game, Rammy," cried Percy. "Got him at last! This is the villain, this is the murdering, highway forger. Come on, you kid; you're in for it." It did occur to Fisher minor at this juncture that a change of air might be refreshing. But it was too late now. The enemy had him fast. There was no getting out of the "warm weather" which had been promised him. "Come on--we'll have a regular Old Bailey of it," cried Percy. "Go and tell the fellows, and collar some witnesses, do you hear; and tell the hangman he'll be wanted in half an hour." This promise of judicial dispatch was not consoling to the prisoner, who had grave doubts as to the impartiality of the tribunal before which he was to be arraigned. He wondered if Ashby, or D'Arcy, or any of his friends would appear among the witnesses. The trial took place in the room jointly owned by Percy, Ramshaw, Cottle, and Lickford. A chair was planted on the bed for the accommodation of the judge. The fender was brought out in front of the chest of drawers for a witness-box; while Rix minimus, who officiated as jury, sat on a footstool on the table. As for the prisoner, a dock was provided for him in the form of a wash- stand, out of which the basin had been removed to make room for his uneasy person in the vacant hole. "Now, you chaps," said Percy, who had naturally appointed himself, in addition to his other offices, "usher of the court", "no larks. Shut up. This is a big job. This young cad cheated at Elections." Here the door opened, and Dangle looked in. "What on earth is all this row?" he said. "A trial. I say, Dangle, will you be judge? It's a Classic kid that cheated at Elections." "No, really, I didn't," said Fisher, painfully aware that so far, the trial was going against him.