Thinking the matter sadly over, Captain Sankey was proceeding toward
the school when he met one of the constables. The man touched his
hat and stopped.

"This be a moighty oonpleasant business, captain," he said; "your
boy, he ha' been and battered schoolmaister; and t' doctor says he
ha' broke his collarbone. Oi ha' got to take him afore t' magistrate."

"Very well, Harper," Captain Sankey said quietly; "of course you
must do your duty. It is a sad business, and I was on my way to
the school to see if the matter could not be arranged; however, as
it has been put in your hands it is now too late, and things must
take their course; the magistrates are not sitting today. I will
guarantee that my son shall be present at the sitting on Thursday,
I suppose that will be sufficient?"

"Yes, oi supposes if you promises to produce him, that will do,"
the constable said. "Oi doan't suppose as nought will come o't;
these schoolmaister chaps does thrash t' boys cruel, and oi ain't
surprised as t' little chaps roises ag'in it soometoimes. T'others
all seem moighty glad o' it: oi heard 'em shouting and, cheering
in t' yard as if they was all mad."

Captain Sankey shook his head. "I'm afraid the magistrates won't
see it in that light, Harper; discipline is discipline. However,
we must hope for the best."

The story that there had been a rebellion among the boys at Hathorn's,
that the schoolmaster had his shoulder broken, and that Captain
Sankey's son was to go before the magistrates, spread rapidly