"'Two pounds to pay; to be kept till called for,'" added Mark Galloway,
improving upon the suggestion. "They'd put it in their fire-proof safe,
and it would never come out again."

"Throw them into the river," said Stephen Bywater. "That's the only
safe place for them: they'd lie at the bottom for ever. We have time to
do it now. Come along."

Acting upon the impulse, as schoolboys usually do, they went galloping
out of the cloisters, running against the head-master, who was
entering, and nearly overturning his equilibrium. He gave them an angry
word of caution; they touched their caps in reply, and somewhat
slackened their speed, resuming the gallop when he was out of hearing.

Inclosing the cathedral and its precincts on the western side, was a
wall, built of red stone. It was only breast high, standing on the
cathedral side; but on the other side it descended several feet, to the
broad path which ran along the banks of the river. The boys made for
this wall and gained it, their faces hot, and their breath gone.

"Who'll pitch 'em in?" cried Hurst, who did not altogether relish being
chief actor himself, for windows looked on to that particular spot from
various angles and corners of the Boundaries. "You shall do it,
Galloway!"

"Oh shall I, though!" returned young Galloway, not relishing it either.

"You precious rebel! Take the keys, and do as I order you!"

Young Galloway was under Hurst. He no more dared to disobey him than he