"Is he, though!" laughed Ralph. "Well, Warren, as you know so much, we may as well tell you all about it, when we have time--with one exception, though. You must not ask us where we took Mr. Charlton, or where we hid him. That is our secret. The rest you may know. By the way, I wonder how Elgert will like it if he knows that it was I drove off in that trap?" "You! What a prime joke! I say, Ralph, what a chap you are! Come along, and let us get in!" That the story had got about was very clear, for curious glances were cast at the pair as they crossed the playground with the monitor; and then a group of juniors, led by Tinkle, suddenly piped up-- For he's a jolly good fellow, For he's a jolly good fellow! Elgert, standing near them, turned with a frown. "Shut up that howling, you young cubs!" he growled fiercely; but from the other side of the playground, and from the Fifths, the same words came. Elgert turned and went into school. He was furious. He had come down thinking that he had a good chance of getting Ralph into disgrace, and here the fellows were actually praising him! It was gall to Horace Elgert; and, through the window, still came the sounds of the refrain being shouted below-- For he's a jolly good fellow, And so say all of us! CHAPTER XXII AN AFTERNOON RAMBLE "I say, you two chaps, what are you going to do this afternoon?" The question was asked by Tom Warren, as Ralph and Charlton stood at the entrance to the playground. Another week had passed, and it had been a delightful one for both Ralph and his chum, now that they were friends again. For these two, so different in natures, liked each other very much; and now that the trouble was gone, they were drawn still closer together. Of course they were. Had not Ralph proved what a staunch good fellow he could be? and had not Charlton shown that he was not only innocent of stealing that note, but that he was a loyal, true son, doing what he could to help his unfortunate father? It was good to see how the boys had come round and how they regarded Ralph as a comrade to be proud of; though Elgert and Dobson and the set whom they led, glowered and sneered, and said unkind things that hurt no one, and were treated with contempt. And Saturday had come, and the boys were preparing to set out for their homes, and Ralph had a bundle of books under his arm, for he meant to have another quiet read that evening. The Newlet would want a lot of working for, and, since he had entered, he meant to do all he could to win success. "What are you going to do?" said Warren; and the pair confessed that they had made no particular plans. "I cannot spare very much time, anyway," said Ralph. "I want to put in a few hours' work to-night."