"You must have a nice opinion of me!" It was no use urging further; Wyndham saw he had got all he could hope for.

It was little better than nothing, for before he could get the money--if he got it at all--the explosion might have come, and he would be expelled.

If only Riddell, now, would wait a little longer! As the thought crossed his mind he became aware that the captain was slowly approaching the bench on which he and Silk were sitting.

It was anything but pleasant for the boy, after all that had happened, to be discovered thus, in close companionship with the very fellow he had promised to avoid, and whom he had all along acknowledged to be the cause of his troubles.
His instinct was to spring from his place and either escape or meet Riddell.

But Silk saw the intention in time and forbade it.
"No," said he, with a laugh; "don't run away as if you were ashamed of it.