Produced by Charles Bowen, from page scans provided by the Web Archive Transcriber's Notes: 1. Page scan source: http://www.archive.org/details/truantsnovel00maso 2. The diphthong oe is represented by [oe]. THE TRUANTS BY THE SAME AUTHOR THE FOUR FEATHERS. CLEMENTINA. MIRANDA OF THE BALCONY. THE WATCHERS. THE COURTSHIP OF MORRICE BUCKLER. THE PHILANDERERS. LAWRENCE CLAVERING. ENSIGN KNIGHTLEY, AND OTHER STORIES. THE TRUANTS BY A. E. W. MASON AUTHOR OF "THE FOUR FEATHERS," "MIRANDA OF THE BALCONY," ETC., ETC. LONDON SMITH, ELDER & CO., 15, WATERLOO PLACE 1904 (_All rights reserved_) PRINTED BY WILLIAM CLOWES AND SONS, LIMITED, LONDON AND BECCLES. CONTENTS CHAPTER I. Pamela Mardale learns a very little History. II. Pamela looks on. III. The Truants. IV. Tony Stretton makes a Proposal. V. Pamela makes a Promise. VI. News of Tony. VII. The Lady on the Stairs. VIII. Gideon's Fleece. IX. The New Road. X. Mr. Chase. XI. On the Dogger Bank. XII. Tony's Inspiration. XIII. Tony Stretton returns to Stepney. XIV. Tony Stretton pays a Visit to Berkeley Square. XV. Mr. Mudge comes to the Rescue. XVI. The Foreign Legion. XVII. Callon leaves England. XVIII. South of Ouargla. XIX. The Turnpike Gate. XX. Mr. Chase does not answer. XXI. Callon redivivus. XXII. Mr. Mudge's Confession. XXIII. Roquebrune Revisited. XXIV. The End of the Experiment. XXV. Tony Stretton bids Farewell to the Legion. XXVI. Bad News for Pamela. XXVII. "Balak!" XXVIII. Homewards. XXIX. Pamela meets a Stranger. XXX. M. Giraud again. XXXI. At the Réserve. XXXII. Husband and Wife. XXXIII. Millie's Story. XXXIV. The Next Morning. XXXV. The Little House in Deanery Street. XXXVI. The End. THE TRUANTS CHAPTER I PAMELA MARDALE LEARNS A VERY LITTLE HISTORY