CHAPTER SEVENTEEN.
HAWK'S PIKE.
Victory has its drawbacks, like everything else.

The brilliant retreat of the Modern juniors and their auxiliaries under the enemy's fire was all very well as a strategic movement.

But when it came to deciding what to do next, the difficulties of the situation became painfully apparent.
Mr Stratton stayed half an hour chatting over the shop affairs, and then rose to go.
"Good night, boys.

It's time for Mr Forder's boys to be back in their house." This unpleasant reminder had a very damping effect on the conviviality of the party generally.

As soon as the master had gone, Wally said-- "It strikes me you Modern kids are in a bit of a mess." "I'm afraid your bedroom will be a little untidy," said Fisher minor.
"The best thing you can do is to climb back by the window," suggested D'Arcy.
"I don't fancy you'll want a warming-pan to-night," said Ashby.
This was all very nice and helpful.