The Master of the Shell Part 50

"You are aware of the very serious nature of your reply? Do you give any reasons for your refusal?"

"None at all."

"I think," said Mr Grover, rising gallantly to protect his friend, "it would be well if this meeting adjourned. I submit there is no further business before us."

"I oppose that," said Mr Bickers, who had recovered his calmness rapidly. "I propose, Mr Chairman, that this meeting adjourn for five minutes, while the head-master is invited to come and a.s.sist our decisions."

This was seconded.

"If I may be allowed," said Railsford, "I should like to support that proposal."

After that, of course, it was agreed to; and for five minutes the meeting stood suspended.

Railsford's friends utilised the interval by begging him to reconsider his position, and if possible put himself right by stating all he knew.

He thanked them, but said it was impossible, and finally withdrew again to his own seat, and waited anxiously for the doctor's arrival.

In due time the head-master arrived, with a tolerable notion of the object of this unusual summons.

Mr Roe briefly explained what had taken place, and reported the circ.u.mstances under which the head-master's authority was now invited.

For once the doctor looked genuinely distressed. Despite all his rebuffs, he had for some weeks looked upon the Master of the Sh.e.l.l as one of the most promising men on his staff; and he deplored the infatuation which now promised to bring his connection with Grandcourt to an abrupt end.

But there was no alternative.

"Mr Railsford," said he, "you have heard Mr Roe's statement; is it correct?"

"Quite correct, sir."

"And you persist in your refusal to say whether or no you have any knowledge as to who the persons were who a.s.saulted Mr Bickers?"

"I cannot answer the question."

"You know that the inference from such a refusal is that you know the names and refuse to give them up--in other words, that you are s.h.i.+elding the evil-doers?"

"I cannot answer that or any question on the subject, Doctor Ponsford.

I am aware of my position, and feel that I have no course open but to place my resignation in your hands."

Once more poor monsieur started up.

"Oh no. He has good reasons. He is not bad. He must not leave."

The doctor motioned him to be silent, and then, addressing Railsford said--

"Your resignation of course follows as a natural consequence of the position you adopt. It is better that you should offer it than that I should have to ask for it. I shall take a week to consider my duty in the matter. This meeting is now at an end."

CHAPTER TWENTY SIX.

THINGS GO WELL WITH MR. BICKERS.

It is not to be wondered at if the proceedings at the remarkable masters' session just reported leaked out somehow, and became the talk of Grandcourt. It was rarely that anything the masters did or said in their solemn conclaves made much impression on the complacency of their boys; but on the present occasion it was other wise.

Rumour had already been active as to the feud between Mr Bickers and the Master of the Sh.e.l.l, and not a few of the better-informed boys had heard that it was connected with the outrage last term, and that Mr Bickers's intention was to bring that crime home, in some manner best known to himself, to Mr Railsford.

The idea was generally pooh-poohed as a piece of vindictive folly. For all that, there was a good deal of speculation as to the proceedings at the masters' session, and, when it was over, curiosity to learn the result. The hurried summons to the doctor during the evening had not pa.s.sed unnoted; the general opinion was that the "row" had come suddenly and acutely to a head.

When two superior officers fly at one another's throats the spectacle may be interesting, and even amusing, to the onlooker; but I never heard of it doing anything towards the promotion of discipline or the encouragement of good tone among the rank and file. The quarrel of the two masters at Grandcourt certainly failed to do any good to the school, and if it did less mischief than might have been expected, it was because up till now the parties princ.i.p.ally concerned had had their own reasons for keeping it private.

Felgate was naturally anxious to hear the result of an entertainment to which he had, as he imagined, made so valuable a contribution. He therefore ventured to call on Mr Bickers the following morning for a little friendly chat.

His reception did not quite come up to his expectations.

"So, sir," exclaimed Mr Bickers, meeting him at the door, "you have thought me a fitting subject for one of your jokes, have you? What have you to say for yourself?"

Felgate looked at him in amazement.

"I really don't understand," said he. "What joke?"

"You wish to keep it up, do you? Very well, sir!" and Mr Bickers took down a cane. "You have thought fit to amuse yourself at my expense,"

said Mr Bickers. "I intend to repay myself at yours! Hold out your hand!"

"You are not going to punish me for--"

"Hold out your hand, sir!"

"Really, I acted for the best. If it was a mistake, I--"

"Do you hear me, sir? Hold out your hand at once!"

Felgate sullenly obeyed, and Mr Bickers there and then discharged his little debt, adding interest.

"Now go away, and don't dare to come near me again! Stay, take with you these tokens of your ill-timed humour; they may serve to amuse someone else. Begone!" and he thrust into his hands the unlucky parcel and closed the door in his face.

Felgate, smarting and bewildered, walked back to his house with the parcel under his arm, furious with Mr Bickers, and as eager now for revenge on him as yesterday he had been for revenge on Railsford.

What could have happened to make all his carefully laid scheme fall through, and set Mr Bickers, whom he had counted upon as an ally, thus suddenly against him? Had Railsford met him with some counter-charge, or turned the tables by some unexpected move in the face of his accusers?

That could not be, for already the rumour had spread through the house that Mr Railsford had resigned his post.

What did Mr Bickers mean by talking of a joke, and thrusting back upon him the very proofs which but yesterday had been objects of such anxious care and solicitude to them both?

Felgate flung the unlucky parcel down on the table, and called himself a fool for ever having meddled with it.

Was it possible he himself had been made a fool of, and that these precious proofs had after all been trumped up by that young scapegrace, Herapath, to hoodwink him?

At any rate, Arthur might have his property back now, and much good might it do him. He should--

Felgate started as he suddenly caught sight of what looked like a blade of gra.s.s protruding from a rent in the brown paper.