You will think better of my efforts a few years hence; meanwhile I can afford to wait for the verdict of your riper judgment, Jacker--I can afford to wait, my boy.' Jacker's only reply to this was a long wail expressive of a great disgust.

That outburst was too much for the already over-wrought youngster in the Lower Fifth; starting up with a cry, Ted snatched one of the leaden ink-wells from its cell in the desk, and took aim at the master's head.

The well struck the wall just above its mark, and scattered its contents in Joel Ham's pale hair, in his eyes, down his cheeks, and all over his white moles.

Amazement--blind, round-eyed, dumb amazement--possessed the school, and for a few seconds a dead silence prevailed.

The spell was broken by Dick Haddon, who discovered his opportunity, plunged like a diver at the weak spot in the wall, went clean through and disappeared from view.