Fletcher lingered behind, and, instead of following the expedition, stole softly away in the opposite direction.

Another moment, and the unfortunate Browse was struggling to rise from his chair, with his head enveloped in the tablecloth.

Hawley and Gull, following immediately in rear of their leader, sent the table, with its load of books and writing materials, over with a crash, threw the chairs into different corners of the room, and were about to scatter the contents of the bookcase over the floor, when Allingford suddenly burst into the room, and stood glaring round like an angry lion.
With one swing of his right arm he sent Thurston staggering against the wall, and then, stepping forward without an instant's hesitation, he dealt each of the other marauders a swinging box on the ear.
The two Fifth Form boys were big, strong fellows, and for a moment it seemed as though a stand-up fight would ensue.

The captain, however, followed up his attack with amazing promptness, and before his antagonists had time to think of resistance he had taken them both by the shoulders and sent them flying into the passage.
"There!" he exclaimed.

"I'll teach you gentlemen to come playing pranks on Sixth Form studies.