As it happened, however, he did not even know that his stepbrother had been summoned to the doctor's study.

Had he met Herbert, the later would have told him; but after receiving his list, it so chanced that he and his friend did not meet.
The fact was that a young man employed as tutor in mathematics in the academy, while taking an afternoon walk, had seen Mark and James Carson leaving the liquor saloon, and, as in duty bound, had reported the same to the principal.
Mr.Triangle, however, had not been observed by either of the two boys, and therefore they were led off on a false scent.
"What do you think the old man will say ?" asked Mark, uneasily, as they ascended the stairs to the principal's study.
"He'll give us a raking down, I suppose," said James.

"He will come down heavy on us." "I wish I were out of it." "Oh, it's not worth minding! We haven't committed murder, have we?
What's the harm in a game of billiards ?" "Not much, perhaps; but the drinking and betting are certainly objectionable." The boys knocked at the door, and the full, deep voice of Dr.Brush was heard to say: "Come in!".