When, presently, the results of the competition were made known, it was found that in each case the honour had fallen to a young man hitherto undistinguished.

His name was John Edward Earwaker.

Externally he bore a sort of generic resemblance to Peak, for his face was thin and the fashion of his clothing indicated narrow means.
'I never heard you mention him,' said Mr.Warricombe, turning to his son with an air of surprise.
'I scarcely know him at all; he's only in one or two of my classes.
Peak is thick with him.' The subject of the prize poem was 'Alaric'; that of the essay, 'Trades Unionism'.

So it was probable that John Edward Earwaker did not lack versatility of intellect.
On the rising of the Professor of Chemistry, Buckland had once more to subdue signs of expectancy.

He knew he had done good papers, but his confidence in the result was now clouded by a dread of the second prize--which indeed fell to him, the first being taken by a student of no account save in this very special subject.