Speculation ran high as to who the enterprising new tradesman could be. Some said it was Mrs Wisdom. Others said one of the Penchurch shops was going to run it as a branch. Others suggested that some of the seniors had a hand in it. But the truth never once leaked out. Our nine juniors played an artful part in that day's business. They mingled with the crowd in front of the notice, and freely bandied about wild conjectures as to who the new manager or managers could be, at the same time hinting broadly that _they_ intended to patronise the new concern. "Tell you what," said D'Arcy, "perhaps it's the doctor wants to turn an honest penny. Don't blame him either." "Perhaps it's Rollitt," suggested Cash, amid laughter. "What a game! He'll go selling tarts by the pint and ginger-beer by the ounce. Whew! think of Rollitt's ginger-beer." "I asked Bob if he knew who it was," said Wally, "and he said, `No, he wished he did; he'd get something out of him for good-will.'" "What's that?" asked Ashby. "If he'd said bad temper, there might have been some of that going about." "Anyhow," said Wally, "I rather fancy the thing myself. The things can't be worse than they have been, and if they're fresh every day, they're bound to be better, and the tarts are a halfpenny less, and so's the ginger-pop." "Hooroo!" said Cottle; "you can get half as much again for the same money. I wish they'd open to-day." After which, one by one they tailed off, leaving a general impression behind them that whoever else was in the secret, these nine young innocent lambs were not. Matters had not advanced to this stage without considerable deliberation. Several committee meetings had been held, some of which, under Mr Stratton's presidency, had been of a practical nature, others, without his controlling presence, had ended in dust. On the whole, however, the young merchant adventurers had exhibited a reasonable grasp of their responsibilities and an aptitude for dealing with the necessary details. One point discussed was whether the shop should be open all day, or only at certain times. Mr Stratton was in favour of the latter. He urged that during the off hours between eleven and twelve, and in the afternoon between four and six, would be ample. The committee argued, from personal experience, that there were other hours of the day when a fellow felt in the humour for a "blow out." To this Mr Stratton replied, "Let him `blow out' by all means, but not on the company's premises. He could do his shopping during shop hours, and `blow out' with his purchases at any hour of the day or night the School rules permitted. They couldn't undertake to provide a banqueting hall for their customers." "But," urged the committee, "if you have a shopman, why not get your money's worth out of him?"