He did not know how to account for the letter but by the truth, and he feared to conceal so flagrant a breach of discipline at the moment of the present discussion.
Things at any rate so turned out that Mr.Corkscrew's letter was read in full conclave in the board-room of the office, just as he was describing the excellence of his manoeuvre with great glee to four or five other jolly souls at the 'Magpie and Stump.' At first it was impossible to prevent a fit of laughter, in which even Mr.Snape joined; but very shortly the laughter gave way to the serious considerations to which such an epistle was sure to give rise at such a moment.

What if Sir Gregory Hardlines should get hold of it and put it into his blue-book! What if the _Times_ should print it and send it over the whole world, accompanied by a few of its most venomous touches, to the eternal disgrace of the Internal Navigation, and probably utter annihilation of Mr.Oldeschole's official career! An example must be made! Yes, an example must be made.

Messengers were sent off scouring the town for Mr.Corkscrew, and about midnight he was found, still true to the 'Magpie and Stump,' but hardly in condition to understand the misfortune which had befallen him.

So much as this, however, did make itself manifest to him, that he must by no means join his jolly-souled brethren at the Eel-pie Island, and that he must be at his office punctually at ten o'clock the next morning if he had any intention of saving himself from dismissal.

When Charley arrived at his office, Mr.Corkscrew was still with the authorities, and Charley's turn was to come next.
Charley was rather a favourite with Mr.Oldeschole, having been appointed by himself at the instance of Mr.Oldeschole's great friend, Sir Gilbert de Salop; and he was, moreover, the best-looking of the whole lot of navvies; but he was no favourite with Mr.Snape.
'Poor Screwy--it will be all up with him,' said Charley.