Nearly every one bolted for the door, which led through the passage into the street; and in their headlong flight and selfishness, they stumbled over each other, and prevented all egress, several being knocked down and bruised in the crush.

Others made for the tap-room; but, as they opened the door leading into it, there stood Mr.Ready and Mr.Gordon! and as it was impossible to pass without being seen, they made no further attempt at escape.

All this was the work of a minute.

Entering the back parlor, the two masters quickly took down the names of full half the boys who, in the suddenness of the surprise, had been unable to make their exit.
And Eric?
The instant that the candles were knocked over, he felt Wildney seize his hand, and whisper, "This way all serene;" following, he groped his way in the dark to the end of the room, where Wildney, shoving aside a green baize curtain, noiselessly opened a door, which at once let them into a little garden.

There they both crouched down, under a lilac tree beside the house, and listened intently.
There was no need for this precaution; their door remained unsuspected, and in five minutes the coast was clear.