This man Simpson made a lot of money out in Australia, and when he came back to England he adopted young Noaks, and sends him here to Phillips's school." By this time the home forces had all struggled back into the playground.
In one corner stood a wooden shed containing a carpenter's bench, a chest for bats and stumps, and various other things belonging to different boys.

Acton, as head of the school, kept the key, and having unfastened the door, summoned his followers inside to hold an impromptu council of war and discuss the situation.

There was a grave expression on each face, for every one felt that things were beginning to look serious.

Mason, the only one of their number who had been physically equal to the leaders of their opponents, was no longer among them, and the enemy, evidently aware of their helpless condition, had dared for the first time to actually come and beard them in their own den.
"What I want to know first is this," began Acton.

"You can see by the footmarks that they came in through that door; of course it's always kept locked, and here's the key hanging up inside the shed.