a "tremendous biff" which Thomas appears to have consummated in the
fourth. But of the more subtle points of the fighting he is content
merely to state comprehensively that they were "top-hole." As to the
result, it would seem that, in the capacity of referee, he declared
the affair a draw at the end of the seventh round; and, later, in his
capacity of second to both parties, helped his principals home by back
and secret ways, one on each arm.

The next items to which the chronicler would call the attention of the
reader are two letters.

The first was from Mrs. Shearne to Spencer, and ran as follows--

My Dear Spencer,--I am writing to you direct, instead of through
your aunt, because I want to thank you so much for looking after
my boy so well. I know what a hard time a new boy has at a public
school if he has got nobody to take care of him at first. I heard
from Tom this morning. He seems so happy, and so fond of you. He
says you are "an awfully decent chap" and "the only chap who has
stood up to him at all." I suppose he means "for him." I hope you
will come and spend part of your holidays with us. ("Catch _me!_"
said Spencer.)

_Yours sincerely,_
_Isabel Shearne_

P.S.--I hope you will manage to buy something nice with
the enclosed.

The enclosed was yet another postal order for five shillings. As