Bywater sat himself astride over the end of a bench, and nodded. The
senior boy turned to him, some slight surprise in his look and tone.

"Do you know, Bywater?"

"Pretty well, Gaunt. There are two fellows in this school, one's at
your desk, one's at the second desk, and I believe they'd either of
them do me a nasty turn if they could. It was one of them."

"Who do you mean?" asked Gaunt eagerly.

Bywater laughed. "Thank you. If I tell now, it may defeat the ends of
justice, as the newspapers say. I'll wait till I am sure--and then, let
him look to himself. _I_ won't spare him, and I don't fancy Pye will."

"You'll never find out, if you don't find out at once, Bywater," cried
Hurst.

"Shan't I? You'll see," was the significant answer. "It's some distance
from here to the vestry of the cathedral, and a fellow could scarcely
steal there and steal back without being seen by somebody. It was done
stealthily, mark you; and when folks go on stealthy errands they are
safe to be met."

Before he had finished speaking, a gentlemanly-looking boy of about
twelve, with delicate features, a damask flush on his face, and wavy
auburn hair, sprang up with a start. "Why!" he exclaimed, "I saw--" And
there he came to a sudden halt, and the flush on his cheek grew deeper,
and then faded again. It was a face of exceeding beauty, refined almost