Let's turn up, you know, and give them a jolly surprise." Smith's face clouded over as he said, hurriedly, "I say, it's time to be going back, or we shall get caught." This was an effectual damper to any idea of flight, and we quickly turned back once more to Stonebridge House.
We found our gap all right, and strolled back past the swings and up the gravel walk as unconcernedly as possible, fully believing no one had been witness of our escapade.

We were wrong.
Hawkesbury came up to us as we neared the house, with the usual smile on his face.
"Didn't you hear me calling ?" he said.

"You know it's against rules to go out of bounds, and I thought--" "What! who's been out of bounds ?" said the voice of the Henniker at that moment.
Hawkesbury looked dejected.
"Who did you say, Hawkesbury, had been out of bounds ?" "I'd rather not tell tales," said Hawkesbury, sweetly.
"I've been out of bounds," blurted out Smith, "and so has Batchelor.

I asked him to come, and Hawkesbury has been spying and--" "Silence," cried Miss Henniker.

"Smith and Batchelor, follow me." We followed duly to Mr Ladislaw's study, where we were arraigned.
Hawkesbury was sent for as evidence.