The man had disappeared, and he was by himself in the great silent building.

Afraid of the sound of his own footsteps, he ran along the passage, and knocked timidly.

He heard a low, a very low murmur in the room, but there was no answer.

He knocked again a little louder; still no notice; then, overdoing it in his fright, he gave a very loud tap indeed.
"Come in," said a voice, which to the new boy sounded awful; but he opened the door, and entered.

As he came in every head was quickly raised, he heard a whisper of "New fellow," and the crimson flooded his face, as he felt himself the cynosure of some forty intensely-inquisitive pairs of eyes.
He found himself in a high airy room, with three large windows opening towards the sea.