He had been very successful so far, but the sum total on which he and his companions had set their hearts was still unattained.

The elder boys held a committee meeting one day to consider ways and means, and the names of all the subscribers were read out.
"'We _should_ manage two pounds more; we'd do then,' said one boy.
"'Are you sure everybody's been asked ?' said another, running his eye down the lists.

'Bless me, Sawyer's not in,' he added, looking up inquiringly.
"'No one would ask him,' said the first boy, shrugging his shoulders.
"A sudden thought struck Jack.
"'I'll tell you what, _I'll_ do it,' he said, 'and, between ourselves, I shouldn't much wonder if he comes down handsomely.

He's been very civil of late--I rather think he'd be glad of an opportunity to do something obliging to make up for that mean trick of his about Carlo, and what's more,' he added mysteriously, 'I happen to know he's by no means short of funds just now.' "They teased him to say more, but not another word on the subject could be got out of Jack.

What he knew was this--that very morning when the letters came, he had happened to be standing beside Mr.Sawyer, who, with an eager face, opened one that was handed to him.