"Why, Mr. Tapping, what is the matter?" "Hicks!" exclaimed Mr. Tapping, too astounded to gather his thoughts, "is that you, Hicks?" "Yes, sir." "What are you doing under there?" "Please sir," said Hickey, "I'm troubled with insomnia and sometimes this is the only way I can sleep." * * * * * At two o'clock Hickey was a second time summoned to Foundation House. He went in perfect faith. Nothing had miscarried, there was not the slightest evidence against him. If he was questioned he would refuse to answer--that was all. It had been a morning of exquisite triumph for him. Tabby's bed had not been discovered until ten o'clock, and the transferal to the Dickinson, made in full daylight, had been witnessed by the assembled school. He went across the campus, light of feet and proud of heart, aware of the scores of discreetly admiring eyes that followed him, hearing pleasantly the murmurs which buzzed after him: "Oh, you prodigious Hickey--oh, you daredevil!" Of course, the Doctor would be in a towering rage. Hickey was not unreasonable, he understood and expected a natural exhibition of vexation. What could the Doctor do, after all? Ask him questions which he would refuse to answer--that was all, but that was not evidence. He found the Doctor alone, quietly writing at his desk, and received a smile and an invitation to be seated. Somehow the tranquillity of the head master's attitude did not reassure Hickey. He would have preferred a little more agitation, but this satisfied calm was disquieting. He stood with his hands behind his back, twirling his cap, studying the photographs of Grecian architecture on the walls, finding it awfully still and wishing the Doctor would begin. Presently the Doctor turned, put down his spectacles, shoved back from the desk and glanced at Hickey with a smile, saying: "Well, Hicks, we're going to let you go." "Beg your pardon, sir," said Hickey, smiling frankly back, "you said----" "We're going to let you take a vacation." "Me?" "You." Hickey stood a long moment, open-mouthed, staring. "Do you mean to say," he said, at last, with an effort, "that I am expelled?" "Not expelled," said the Doctor, suavely, "we don't like that word; we're going to let you go, that's all." "For what reason?" said Hickey, defiantly.