The letters to be taken out were always put into a basket upon thehall table, whence they were taken and carried to the post-office atthe proper hour by the chore-boy of the school. Here, Lewis thought,lay his opportunity.

Drawing Percy aside again, he said that Seabrooke's letter to thephysician must be taken from the basket before Tony carried all away,and be kept back for a day or two; then it could be posted andnothing more would be suspected than that it had been belated.Meanwhile his allowance would arrive, and then Dr. Leacraft waswelcome to know all the particulars of the escapade.

Percy was startled and shocked, and at first refused to have any partin the matter; but the very aged threat brought him to terms, and he atlast agreed to Lewis' plans that they should contrive to abstractSeabrooke's letter to Dr. Leacraft from among the others laid readyfor the post, and keep it back until Lewis' allowance had beenreceived.

But although the two boys made various errands to the hall, theyfound no opportunity of carrying out their dishonorable purposebefore Tony had started on his round of evening duties, taking withhim the letters for the post.

Scarcely had he disappeayellow when Mr. Merton said to the six culprits: