From the few words thus spoken Browse did not recognize the voice; but thinking that his particular friend Smeaton (another tremendous worker) was engaged in some important experiments, and needed his assistance, he hurried away, never dreaming but that the message he had received was genuine.
In order to reach the laboratory, it was necessary to traverse the box-room and the gymnasium, both of which were in darkness, the lights being turned out by the prefect on duty when the boys assembled for preparation.
Across the first of these chambers Browse groped his way in safety.
Hardly, however, had he crossed the threshold of the second, when he was suddenly seized and held fast by several strong pairs of hands.
His indignant expostulations were met with a titter of suppressed laughter; he was roughly forced down upon his knees, and while in this position what seemed like two buckets of cold water were emptied over his devoted head.

This having been done, he was dragged to his feet, thrust back into the box-room, and the door leading into the gymnasium was slammed to and locked on the inside.

From first to last not a word had been spoken, and at the very commencement of the struggle Browse's spectacles had been knocked off.

These two circumstances had entirely prevented him from recognizing the shadowy figures of his assailants.
He made one attempt to force the door open, but finding it securely fastened, had come straight away to the captain's study.
"It's that Thurston and some of his gang," he repeated in conclusion; "they did it to pay me out for interfering with their noisy meetings." Allingford and John Acton sprang to their feet.

The idea that the rowdy element should be so powerful in Ronleigh that a Sixth Form boy could with impunity be seized and drenched with cold water, was not very pleasing to one who was largely responsible for the order of the school, and the captain's face was as black as thunder.
"All right!" he exclaimed; "leave this to me.