Ernest’s first impulse was to collar him, but on second thoughts he determined to wait, and let the affair develop itself a little further. Having reached the ground, Hugh (for of course the reader has long since surmised that it was that misguided child) crept cautiously to the outer door, and withdrew the bolt; as he did so, Ernest noiselessly crossed the apartment, and, when the door opened, seized the first person who attempted to enter. A short, but severe struggle ensued, which ended in Ernest’s favour: finding himself foiled in his endeavours to free himself from the young tutor’s grasp, Norman (for he it was) observed quietly-- “Let me go, Mr. Carrington, you have half strangled me: I shall not attempt to escape.” “I’ll take good care of that,” returned Ernest drily, releasing his grasp on his antagonist’s throat, though he still retained his hold on his collar. “Oblige me by walking across the room,” he continued: “I must take measures for securing your companions in this nocturnal adventure, as well as yourself.” So saying, he conducted Norman to the door of the schoolroom which led to the interior of the house--this he locked--then, still retaining his hold on the prisoner’s collar, he rang a bell which communicated with the Doctor’s private apartments. In the meantime, perceiving farther concealment to be impossible, Biggington, leaning on Stradwick’s arm and Terry’s shoulder, entered considerably the worse for wear, and flung himself doggedly on a bench. The sound of approaching footsteps soon broke the uncomfortable silence which followed the capture of Norman. Ernest unfastened the door, and Dr. Donkiestir, followed by a man-servant with a lantern and a thick stick, hastily entered. “Ha! Mr. Carrington! Norman! What is all this? What is all this?” he exclaimed, as his eye fell upon the two most prominent figures. In a few words, Ernest explained his own share in the matter; then setting Norman at liberty, he crossed his arms on his breast, and, leaning against a high desk, left the Doctor to finish the adventure.