It struck him that he was earlier than usual, and he walked up quickly and noiselessly.

There they were at it! The instant he entered, there was a rush through the opposite door, and he felt convinced that one of the retreating figures was Brigson's.

In a second he had sprung across, so as to prevent the rest from running, and with heaving breast and flaming eyes, glared at the intruders as they stood there, sheepish and afraid.
"What!" he said angrily, "so _you_ are the fellows who have had the cowardice to annoy me thus, night after night, for weeks; you miserable, degraded young animals!" And he looked at the four or five who had not made their escape.

"What! and _you_ among them," he said with a start, as he caught the eye of Vernon Williams--"Oh, this is too bad." His tone showed the deepest sorrow and vexation, and for a moment he said no more.

Instantly Vernon was by him.
"_Do_ forgive me, _do_ forgive me, Montagu," he said; "I really didn't know it teased you so much." But Montagu shook him off, and at once recovered himself.