Parson motioned to the others to be silent, and seated himself at his table, with a book before him, in full view of the key-hole.

The little manoeuvre evidently told, for the footsteps were heard stealthily hurrying away, and the watchers knew the main body would soon be here.
It seemed no time before the approaching sounds gladdened their expectant ears.

The invaders were evidently walking in step and trying to imitate the heavy walk of some senior, so as to give no suspicion of their purpose.
The besieged smiled knowingly at one another, glanced up at the suspended jug, and then softly rising with their weapons at the ready, calmly awaited the assault.
Whoever knew a set of Parrett's juniors caught napping?
The Welchers would have to be a precious deal more cunning than this if they expected to score off them.
The footsteps advanced and reached the door.

There was a brief pause, the handle turned, Parson gave the signal, and next moment--Mr Parrett entered the study! As he opened the door the jug overhead, true to its mechanism, tilted forward and launched a deluge of water over the head and shoulders of the ill-starred master, just as he tripped forward over the string and fell prone into the apartment, while at the same instant, accompanied by a loud howl, one sponge, two slippers, and a knotted towel flew into his face and completed his demolition.
What Mr Parrett's reflections may have been during the few seconds which immediately followed no one ever found out.

But, whatever they were, it is safe to say they were as nothing compared with the horror and terror of the youthful malefactors as they looked on and saw what they had done.
With a cry almost piteous in its agony, they rushed towards him and lifted him, dripping and bruised as he was, to his feet, gazing at him with looks of speechless supplication, and feeling crushed with all the guilt of actual murderers.
It spoke volumes for Mr Parrett's self-control that, instead of sitting and gaping foolishly at the scene of the disaster, or instead of suddenly hitting out right and left, as others would have done, he took out his handkerchief and proceeded quietly to dry his face while he collected his scattered thoughts.
At length he said, "Are these elaborate preparations usually kept up here ?" "Oh no, sir!" cried Parson, in tones of misery.