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The Birches was an old house, and though its outward appearance was
modern enough, the interior impressed even youthful minds with a feeling
of reverence for its age. The heavy timbers, the queer shape of some of
the bedrooms and attics, the narrow, crooked passages, and the little
unexpected flights of stairs, were ... | The Triple Alliance, Its Trials and Triumphs | Avery, Harold | 1867 | 1943 | ['en'] | 20 | {'Schools -- Juvenile fiction'} | PG10027 | |
"But what about the bedrooms?" interrupted Diggory; "have you given up
having crusades?"
"Yes, but we have other things instead. We call our rooms by different
names, and it's all against all; one lot come and make a raid on you,
and then you go and pay them out. This term Kennedy and Jacobs sleep in
the room above ... | The Triple Alliance, Its Trials and Triumphs | Avery, Harold | 1867 | 1943 | ['en'] | 20 | {'Schools -- Juvenile fiction'} | PG10027 | |
"I wonder if they'll hear anything of the ghost again this term?" said
Mugford,
"What ghost?" asked Diggory.
"Oh, it's nothing really," answered Vance; "only somebody said once
that the house is haunted, and Kennedy and Jacobs say the ghost must be
in the big attic next their room. They hear such queer noises sometim... | The Triple Alliance, Its Trials and Triumphs | Avery, Harold | 1867 | 1943 | ['en'] | 20 | {'Schools -- Juvenile fiction'} | PG10027 | |
"Go on!" whispered Mugford, nudging Vance.
"Go on!" repeated the latter, giving Diggory's arm a gentle push.
The new boy had certainly undertaken to play the part of the ghost, and
there was no excuse for his backing out of it at the last moment.
"All right," he muttered, "I'll go."
Just then a terrible thing happened... | The Triple Alliance, Its Trials and Triumphs | Avery, Harold | 1867 | 1943 | ['en'] | 20 | {'Schools -- Juvenile fiction'} | PG10027 | |
"Now, then," exclaimed the latter, holding his candle above his head,
and peering down the passage, "what's the meaning of this disturbance?
I thought the whole house was falling down.--Come here, you two, and
explain yourselves!"
"Please, sir," answered Kennedy and Jacobs in one breath, "it's the
ghost!"
"The ghost! ... | The Triple Alliance, Its Trials and Triumphs | Avery, Harold | 1867 | 1943 | ['en'] | 20 | {'Schools -- Juvenile fiction'} | PG10027 | |
"I know," answered Diggory: "we'll call it 'The Triple Alliance!'"
CHAPTER II.
THE PHILISTINES.
The Triple Alliance, the formation of which has just been described, was
destined to be no mere form of speech or empty display of friendship.
The members had solemnly sworn to stand by one another whatever
happened, and t... | The Triple Alliance, Its Trials and Triumphs | Avery, Harold | 1867 | 1943 | ['en'] | 20 | {'Schools -- Juvenile fiction'} | PG10027 | |
"Only five bob."
"Then why in the name of Fortune don't you pay up?"
"Because I had to pay all that to Noaks for bird-seed."
"D'you mean to say that that bird ate five shillings' worth of seed in
four weeks?"
"Well, so Noaks says; he told me he'd kept scores of birds in his time,
but he'd 'never seen one so hearty at ... | The Triple Alliance, Its Trials and Triumphs | Avery, Harold | 1867 | 1943 | ['en'] | 20 | {'Schools -- Juvenile fiction'} | PG10027 | |
"That's just like Mug," said Jack Vance to Diggory, as the group of boys
slowly dispersed; "he's always doing something stupid. But I suppose as
we made that alliance, we ought to try to help the beggar somehow."
They followed their unfortunate comrade to his desk, which when opened
displayed a perfect chaos of ragge... | The Triple Alliance, Its Trials and Triumphs | Avery, Harold | 1867 | 1943 | ['en'] | 20 | {'Schools -- Juvenile fiction'} | PG10027 | |
The sale had not long been concluded, and the little community were
preparing to obey Acton's order to "Come outside," when the latter
rushed into the room finning with rage.
"I say," he exclaimed, "what do you think that beast of a Noaks has
done? Why, he's gone and put ashes all over our slide!"
In their heart of h... | The Triple Alliance, Its Trials and Triumphs | Avery, Harold | 1867 | 1943 | ['en'] | 20 | {'Schools -- Juvenile fiction'} | PG10027 | |
It was no small trial of patience being thus obliged to wait nearly
twenty-four hours before wreaking their vengeance on the effigy; still
there was no help for it. The boys bottled down their feelings, and
when at last the classes were dismissed, and the dux cried, "Come on,
you fellows!" every one obeyed the summon... | The Triple Alliance, Its Trials and Triumphs | Avery, Harold | 1867 | 1943 | ['en'] | 20 | {'Schools -- Juvenile fiction'} | PG10027 | |
The stranger laughed, pulled a face which, as far as ugliness went, was
hardly an improvement on the one Nature had already bestowed upon him,
and then pointed mockingly at the remains of the masterpiece.
His triumph, however, was short-lived. Jack Vance, as he left the
house, had caught up a double handful of snow, ... | The Triple Alliance, Its Trials and Triumphs | Avery, Harold | 1867 | 1943 | ['en'] | 20 | {'Schools -- Juvenile fiction'} | PG10027 | |
Locker's Lane was a short cut to Chatford, yet Rule 21 in The Birches
Statute-Book ordained that no boy should either go or return by this
route when visiting the town; the whole road was practically put out of
bounds, and the reason for this regulation was as follows:
At the corner of the playing field the lane took ... | The Triple Alliance, Its Trials and Triumphs | Avery, Harold | 1867 | 1943 | ['en'] | 20 | {'Schools -- Juvenile fiction'} | PG10027 | |
"But who is young Noaks?" asked Diggory, as Jack Vance finished a hasty
account of this warfare with the Philistines.
"Why, that's just the funny part of it," returned the other. "This Sam
Noaks is the son of our Noaks, but he's got an uncle, called Simpson,
who lives at Todderton, where I come from. This man Simpso... | The Triple Alliance, Its Trials and Triumphs | Avery, Harold | 1867 | 1943 | ['en'] | 20 | {'Schools -- Juvenile fiction'} | PG10027 | |
There was a murmur of suppressed wrath at the memory of the fate of this
gallant expedition.
"Yes," added Shaw, "and I believe some one told them about this snow
man."
"Well, one thing's certain," said Acton--"we must serve 'em out somehow
for knocking it down. They evidently think now Mason's gone they can do
what t... | The Triple Alliance, Its Trials and Triumphs | Avery, Harold | 1867 | 1943 | ['en'] | 20 | {'Schools -- Juvenile fiction'} | PG10027 | |
"The thing that licks us," said Acton, "is what I was speaking about
last week: somehow or other, they always seem to know just what we're up
to, and it's no use our doing anything, because they're always prepared.
Some one's acting the spy. I can't think it's any of you fellows, but I
believe it's old Noaks. You se... | The Triple Alliance, Its Trials and Triumphs | Avery, Harold | 1867 | 1943 | ['en'] | 20 | {'Schools -- Juvenile fiction'} | PG10027 | |
"I knew you'd come," said the latter; "and we'll show them what sort of
stuff the Triple Alliance is made of."
On the following evening, as soon as tea was over, the two friends
slipped off down into the playground, where they were joined a minute
later by Acton, who, unlocking the shed, took down from the peg on whic... | The Triple Alliance, Its Trials and Triumphs | Avery, Harold | 1867 | 1943 | ['en'] | 20 | {'Schools -- Juvenile fiction'} | PG10027 | |
"Hullo!" cried young Noaks, who had headed the sortie. "There's nobody
here, and yet I'll swear I heard them somewhere."
"So did I," answered another voice; "they must have cut and run."
"There's no place for them to run to," returned Noaks; "they must be
behind that hedge.--Come out of it, you skunks!"
A big stone c... | The Triple Alliance, Its Trials and Triumphs | Avery, Harold | 1867 | 1943 | ['en'] | 20 | {'Schools -- Juvenile fiction'} | PG10027 | |
"No, I shouldn't do that," answered Diggory; "don't let him know that
we've found him out."
"Well, look here," answered Acton, thumping the wall with his fist and
frowning heavily, "what are we going to do to get even with the
Philistines? We can't go out and fight them in Locker's Lane; we're too
small, and they kno... | The Triple Alliance, Its Trials and Triumphs | Avery, Harold | 1867 | 1943 | ['en'] | 20 | {'Schools -- Juvenile fiction'} | PG10027 | |
"No, no, it's not that," said Diggory, "but I wanted to help you;
I've got an idea."
"W--what about?" asked the other, in a sleepy voice.
"Why, how we can pay out the Philistines!"
"Oh, bother the Philistines!" grumbled Jack, and promptly returned to
the land of dreams.
"I wonder where those fellows Vance and Trevanoc... | The Triple Alliance, Its Trials and Triumphs | Avery, Harold | 1867 | 1943 | ['en'] | 20 | {'Schools -- Juvenile fiction'} | PG10027 | |
"What have you fellows been up to?" cried Acton; "why don't you tell
us?"
"Oh my!" gasped Diggory, "we've taken a fine rise out of the
Philistines; they can't say we're not quits with them now!" and he went
off into a fresh fit of merriment.
Shaw and Morris seized hold of Jack Vance, and at length succeeded in
shaking... | The Triple Alliance, Its Trials and Triumphs | Avery, Harold | 1867 | 1943 | ['en'] | 20 | {'Schools -- Juvenile fiction'} | PG10027 | |
"Yes, but that wasn't all," interrupted Jack Vance. "Bernard, one of
their big chaps, hopped over the rest and came after us. We ran for all
we were worth, but he collared me. Mugford went for him, and hung
on to his coat like a young bull-terrier, and got a smack on the nose;
and just then Diggory turned, and came... | The Triple Alliance, Its Trials and Triumphs | Avery, Harold | 1867 | 1943 | ['en'] | 20 | {'Schools -- Juvenile fiction'} | PG10027 | |
The Philistines seemed, for the time being, paralyzed by the humiliation
of their mud bath, and for many months there was a complete cessation
from hostilities.
It was perhaps only natural that in time of peace a brave knight like
Acton should turn his thoughts from war to love-making, and therefore I
shall make no ex... | The Triple Alliance, Its Trials and Triumphs | Avery, Harold | 1867 | 1943 | ['en'] | 20 | {'Schools -- Juvenile fiction'} | PG10027 | |
"Then, again, I don't know how to begin. Would you say 'Dear Miss
Eleanor,' or 'Dear Miss Welsby'? I think 'Dear Eleanor' sounds rather
cheeky."
"I'll tell you what I should do," answered Diggory, who seemed to have a
great idea of letting the fates decide these matters: "I should write
'em all three on slips of pape... | The Triple Alliance, Its Trials and Triumphs | Avery, Harold | 1867 | 1943 | ['en'] | 20 | {'Schools -- Juvenile fiction'} | PG10027 | |
Jack Vance thought one, Diggory said two; and the company then relapsed
into silence, and stood with gloomy looks upon their faces, as though
they were waiting to take part in a funeral procession.
At length a voice from the house was heard calling, "Fred--Fred Acton!"
The dux turned a trifle pale, but pulling himself... | The Triple Alliance, Its Trials and Triumphs | Avery, Harold | 1867 | 1943 | ['en'] | 20 | {'Schools -- Juvenile fiction'} | PG10027 | |
As has already been hinted, it was the failure of this attempt on the
part of the dux to win the heart and hand of Miss Eleanor that
indirectly brought about the formation of the famous supper club.
About a week after the events happened which have just been described,
Acton invited the Triple Alliance to meet the "Ho... | The Triple Alliance, Its Trials and Triumphs | Avery, Harold | 1867 | 1943 | ['en'] | 20 | {'Schools -- Juvenile fiction'} | PG10027 | |
"We can buy the grub to-morrow," said Acton; "but there's one thing we
ought to fetch to-day, and that is, I thought we might have, say, six
bottles of ginger-beer. Then each man must take his own up to bed with
him this evening, and hide it away in his box or in one of his drawers."
This was accordingly done, and, a... | The Triple Alliance, Its Trials and Triumphs | Avery, Harold | 1867 | 1943 | ['en'] | 20 | {'Schools -- Juvenile fiction'} | PG10027 | |
"Ah, well," sighed Acton, with his mouth full of pork-pie, "I'm rather
glad for some things that I didn't get engaged. It must be rather a
bore having to spend all your money in rings and that sort of thing,
instead of in grub; though I really think I'd have given up grub for
Miss Eleanor."
"I wonder," said Morris, w... | The Triple Alliance, Its Trials and Triumphs | Avery, Harold | 1867 | 1943 | ['en'] | 20 | {'Schools -- Juvenile fiction'} | PG10027 | |
"Phew! isn't it hot?" said Diggory; "let's open the window a bit.
The moon must be full," he continued, as he raised the sash; "it's
nearly as light as day. I can see all down the garden, and--hullo!
quick, put the candle out!"
Every one started to his feet, and the light was extinguished in a
moment.
"What is it--wh... | The Triple Alliance, Its Trials and Triumphs | Avery, Harold | 1867 | 1943 | ['en'] | 20 | {'Schools -- Juvenile fiction'} | PG10027 | |
The latter was evidently greatly displeased on hearing the facts of the
case. As soon as dinner was over he called the school together, and
after standing for some moments in silence, frowning at the book he
carried in his hand, said briefly,--
"With regard to these tools, there is a word which has never been used
be... | The Triple Alliance, Its Trials and Triumphs | Avery, Harold | 1867 | 1943 | ['en'] | 20 | {'Schools -- Juvenile fiction'} | PG10027 | |
"Well, I'm certain I saw some one in the playground when I told you.
It was a man; but whether he comes regularly and goes into the shed I
don't know, but I think we ought to be able to find out."
"How?"
"Oh, some way or other; I'll tell you to-morrow." That night, long
after the rest of the house were asleep, the Tr... | The Triple Alliance, Its Trials and Triumphs | Avery, Harold | 1867 | 1943 | ['en'] | 20 | {'Schools -- Juvenile fiction'} | PG10027 | |
"Well, I don't see how we can," answered Diggory. "The first thing
he'll ask will be,' Who saw him?' I shall say, 'I did;' and then he'll
want to know how I saw the playground door from my bedroom window, which
looks out on the road; and then the fat'll be in the fire, and it'll all
come out about that supper."
Regul... | The Triple Alliance, Its Trials and Triumphs | Avery, Harold | 1867 | 1943 | ['en'] | 20 | {'Schools -- Juvenile fiction'} | PG10027 | |
With the commencement of the winter term a fresh matter filled the minds
of the Triple Alliance, and gave them plenty of food for discussion and
plan-making. On returning to Chatford after the summer holidays, they
discovered that all three were destined to leave at Christmas and
proceed to Ronleigh College, a large ... | The Triple Alliance, Its Trials and Triumphs | Avery, Harold | 1867 | 1943 | ['en'] | 20 | {'Schools -- Juvenile fiction'} | PG10027 | |
An excited murmur ran through the crowd.
"Wait a minute," interrupted the speaker, holding up his hand.
"Mr. Welsby has left it with me to make arrangements for the match, and
I shall only do so on one condition. I know that since the event
happened to which I referred a moment ago a decidedly unfriendly spirit
has e... | The Triple Alliance, Its Trials and Triumphs | Avery, Harold | 1867 | 1943 | ['en'] | 20 | {'Schools -- Juvenile fiction'} | PG10027 | |
"I say," muttered Jacobs, "they're awfully big."
"Well, what does that matter?" answered Diggory, cracking another nut
and spitting out the shell. "They aren't going to eat us; and as for
that chap Noaks, he's all noise--look how he muffed that kick."
Mr. Blake tossed up. "Now, you fellows," he said, coming up to hi... | The Triple Alliance, Its Trials and Triumphs | Avery, Harold | 1867 | 1943 | ['en'] | 20 | {'Schools -- Juvenile fiction'} | PG10027 | |
There were some black looks and a murmur of indignation among the home
team, but Mr. Blake hushed it up in a moment.
"I think," he said pleasantly, "that the play is a trifle rough. Our
men," he added, laughing, "are rather under size."
Noaks muttered something about not funking; but Mr. Fox said,--
"Yes, just so. C... | The Triple Alliance, Its Trials and Triumphs | Avery, Harold | 1867 | 1943 | ['en'] | 20 | {'Schools -- Juvenile fiction'} | PG10027 | |
The game was continued. The loss of one man on each side made the teams
equal in numbers, but the sudden calamity which had overtaken their
centre forward seemed to have exerted a very demoralizing effect on the
Philistines.
Their attacks were not nearly so spirited, and several times the
Birchite forwards appeared i... | The Triple Alliance, Its Trials and Triumphs | Avery, Harold | 1867 | 1943 | ['en'] | 20 | {'Schools -- Juvenile fiction'} | PG10027 | |
If the result of the match made such a great impression on the minds of
the victors, it is only natural that it should have had a similar effect
on the hearts of their opponents. Most of the Philistines would have
been content to take their defeat as a sportsman should, but neither
Noaks nor his two cronies, Hogson a... | The Triple Alliance, Its Trials and Triumphs | Avery, Harold | 1867 | 1943 | ['en'] | 20 | {'Schools -- Juvenile fiction'} | PG10027 | |
Cross having received five shillings from home on the morning of his
birthday, determined to celebrate the occasion by the purchase of a
pork-pie, of which he had previously invited all his companions to
partake. The latter were standing in the playground waiting for his
return from Chatford, when they became conscio... | The Triple Alliance, Its Trials and Triumphs | Avery, Harold | 1867 | 1943 | ['en'] | 20 | {'Schools -- Juvenile fiction'} | PG10027 | |
"Look here !" cried Acton, glaring round the group with an unusually
ferocious look, "who knows anything about this? speak up, can't you!
We've had enough of this prigging business, and I'm sick of it!"
No one attempted to reply.
"Well," continued the dux, "I'm going straight off to old Welsby to tell
him, and I won't... | The Triple Alliance, Its Trials and Triumphs | Avery, Harold | 1867 | 1943 | ['en'] | 20 | {'Schools -- Juvenile fiction'} | PG10027 | |
To do full justice to the memory of Diggory Trevanock, he alone stood
out against this decision, and incurred the wrath both of Acton and Jack
Vance in so doing. He continued to affirm that it must be the man he
had seen in the playground on the occasion of the first meeting of the
supper club; and that the footprint... | The Triple Alliance, Its Trials and Triumphs | Avery, Harold | 1867 | 1943 | ['en'] | 20 | {'Schools -- Juvenile fiction'} | PG10027 | |
CHAPTER VI.
GUNPOWDER PLOT.
The news caused a profound sensation, the like of which had probably
never been witnessed at The Birches before--no, not even on that
memorable occasion when the intelligence arrived that Scourer, one of
the past seniors, had ridden his bicycle through the plate-glass window
of Brown's big... | The Triple Alliance, Its Trials and Triumphs | Avery, Harold | 1867 | 1943 | ['en'] | 20 | {'Schools -- Juvenile fiction'} | PG10027 | |
As soon as the meal was over, Diggory was seized, hurried up into the
schoolroom, and there forced to relate his adventures.
"Well," he began, "they collared me, and dragged me through the gates
and along into their playground. Noaks looked at me and said, 'Hullo,
here's luck! This is the young beggar who tied that ... | The Triple Alliance, Its Trials and Triumphs | Avery, Harold | 1867 | 1943 | ['en'] | 20 | {'Schools -- Juvenile fiction'} | PG10027 | |
"I said, 'Look here, Joe Crump, you let me out, there's a good chap.'
But he wouldn't; he was afraid of what young Noaks would do to him.
At last I gave him a shilling through the crack of the boards, and vowed
I wouldn't say who'd done it, and then he undid the door. I fastened
the padlock again, and threw the key i... | The Triple Alliance, Its Trials and Triumphs | Avery, Harold | 1867 | 1943 | ['en'] | 20 | {'Schools -- Juvenile fiction'} | PG10027 | |
This year, however, when Acton went, as usual, to the library to
formally ask permission that the celebration should take place, he met
with a terrible rebuff.
"No, Acton," answered Mr. Welsby; "as long as the school continues to be
disgraced by these repeated thefts--as, for example, this recent
instance of Morris's ... | The Triple Alliance, Its Trials and Triumphs | Avery, Harold | 1867 | 1943 | ['en'] | 20 | {'Schools -- Juvenile fiction'} | PG10027 | |
Accordingly, the fireworks were ordered, and arrived soon after
breakfast on the morning of the fourth. Miss Eleanor had a dread of
gunpowder, and Mr. Blake sent Jack Vance to tell Noaks to carry the
box as usual down into the shed.
"Humph!" growled the man, as the boy gave him the message. "It's a nice
thing that I... | The Triple Alliance, Its Trials and Triumphs | Avery, Harold | 1867 | 1943 | ['en'] | 20 | {'Schools -- Juvenile fiction'} | PG10027 | |
"I say," exclaimed Diggory, "it'll be a splendid night for the fireworks
if it's like this to-morrow. We must get--Hark! what's that?"
"I didn't hear anything."
"Yes, there was a sort of a rapping sound. Hush! there it is again."
Jack heard it this time. "It's some one knocking very gently against
that door leading... | The Triple Alliance, Its Trials and Triumphs | Avery, Harold | 1867 | 1943 | ['en'] | 20 | {'Schools -- Juvenile fiction'} | PG10027 | |
"D'you think it's really true? or is this fellow, Lump or Bump or
whatever you call him, trying to take a rise out of us, or telling lies
to earn the shilling?"
"I don't think so," answered Diggory, "and I'll tell you why. For some
reason or other, he's at daggers drawn with young Noaks and Hogson.
I think they've kn... | The Triple Alliance, Its Trials and Triumphs | Avery, Harold | 1867 | 1943 | ['en'] | 20 | {'Schools -- Juvenile fiction'} | PG10027 | |
Three boys, at all events, did very little work that evening, for it was
impossible to concentrate one's mind on Caesar or on French verbs with
such an adventure looming in the near future. How would the Philistines
get at the fireworks? Would they change their minds, and instead of
drowning them apply a slow match ... | The Triple Alliance, Its Trials and Triumphs | Avery, Harold | 1867 | 1943 | ['en'] | 20 | {'Schools -- Juvenile fiction'} | PG10027 | |
"He heard us talking," whispered Acton.
The new-comer having apparently come to the conclusion that he was
alone, walked slowly across to the shed, halted in front of the door,
and the next moment there was the sound of a key being fitted into the
lock. At that instant Diggory, who had been craning his neck forward t... | The Triple Alliance, Its Trials and Triumphs | Avery, Harold | 1867 | 1943 | ['en'] | 20 | {'Schools -- Juvenile fiction'} | PG10027 | |
To describe exactly what followed would be well-nigh impossible, as even
the principal actors themselves seemed to have but a confused
recollection of the part they played. Those concerned, however, will
probably never forget Diggory's bursting into the room as they sat
finishing supper, and striking every one dumb w... | The Triple Alliance, Its Trials and Triumphs | Avery, Harold | 1867 | 1943 | ['en'] | 20 | {'Schools -- Juvenile fiction'} | PG10027 | |
This sounds very much like the end of a story; but it is not, and for a
connecting-link to join this chapter to those that follow, we will go
forward for one moment into the future.
Nearly a year later Diggory and Jack Vance were sauntering arm in arm
across one of the fives-courts at Ronleigh College.
"D'you remember... | The Triple Alliance, Its Trials and Triumphs | Avery, Harold | 1867 | 1943 | ['en'] | 20 | {'Schools -- Juvenile fiction'} | PG10027 | |
The stranger, who was a youngster of about their own age, with a
pleasant, good-natured-looking face, patted Diggory on the back in a
fatherly manner, and addressing the group said,--
"Well, my boys, we're a large family at Ronleigh, but fresh additions
are always welcome. How did you leave them all at home? Quite w... | The Triple Alliance, Its Trials and Triumphs | Avery, Harold | 1867 | 1943 | ['en'] | 20 | {'Schools -- Juvenile fiction'} | PG10027 | |
"The goal-posts aren't up yet," said Carton, "and this is only what's
called the junior field; the one beyond is where the big fellows play.
The pavilion is over the hedge there, with the flagstaff by the side
of it. That's the match ground, and there's room for another game
besides."
"Where do all the fellows go whe... | The Triple Alliance, Its Trials and Triumphs | Avery, Harold | 1867 | 1943 | ['en'] | 20 | {'Schools -- Juvenile fiction'} | PG10027 | |
At length the signal was given for passing on to bed, and the Triple
Alliance were not sorry to gain the shelter of No. 16 dormitory.
The room contained seven other beds besides their own, two of which were
as yet still vacant, waiting the arrival of boys who had not turned up
on the first day. The remainder were occ... | The Triple Alliance, Its Trials and Triumphs | Avery, Harold | 1867 | 1943 | ['en'] | 20 | {'Schools -- Juvenile fiction'} | PG10027 | |
At nine o'clock the clanging of the big bell summoned them to the
general assembly in the big schoolroom. They took their places at a
back desk pointed out to them by the master on duty, and sat watching
the stream of boys that poured in through the open doors, wondering how
long it would take them to become acquaint... | The Triple Alliance, Its Trials and Triumphs | Avery, Harold | 1867 | 1943 | ['en'] | 20 | {'Schools -- Juvenile fiction'} | PG10027 | |
After so many encounters of a decidedly hostile nature, it was difficult
to meet their old enemy on neutral ground without some feeling of
embarrassment. Young Noaks, however, walked up cool as a cucumber, and
holding out his hand said,--
"Hullo, you fellows, who'd have thought of seeing you here! How are
you?"
The t... | The Triple Alliance, Its Trials and Triumphs | Avery, Harold | 1867 | 1943 | ['en'] | 20 | {'Schools -- Juvenile fiction'} | PG10027 | |
The Third Form at Ronleigh had, for some reason or other, received the
title of "The Happy Family." They certainly were an amusing lot of
little animals, and Diggory and his companions coming into the classroom
rather late, and before the entrance of the master, saw them for the
first time to full advantage. Out of ... | The Triple Alliance, Its Trials and Triumphs | Avery, Harold | 1867 | 1943 | ['en'] | 20 | {'Schools -- Juvenile fiction'} | PG10027 | |
Diggory, Vance, and Mugford hastily signed their names, one under the
other, upon the slate. There was a good deal of tittering while they
did so; but as a new boy is laughed at for nearly everything he does,
they took no notice of it, and had hardly got back to their places when
the master entered the room, and the ... | The Triple Alliance, Its Trials and Triumphs | Avery, Harold | 1867 | 1943 | ['en'] | 20 | {'Schools -- Juvenile fiction'} | PG10027 | |
"Hullo!" he said, "are you chaps having a feed? D'you remember that
pork-pie we bagged from one of your kids at Chatford? Ha, ha! it was a
lark."
"I don't see it's much of a lark to bag what doesn't belong to you,"
muttered Diggory.
"What's that you say?"
"Nothing for you to hear," returned the other. "I don't know... | The Triple Alliance, Its Trials and Triumphs | Avery, Harold | 1867 | 1943 | ['en'] | 20 | {'Schools -- Juvenile fiction'} | PG10027 | |
"I say, there's a good cock-shy," said Noaks, nodding his head in the
direction of the paint.
"Umph! shouldn't like to try," answered Mouler.
"Why not?"
"Because Oaks would jolly well punch both our heads."
"Well, here's a new kid coming; let's set him on to do it. You speak to
him; he knows me. His name's Mugford."... | The Triple Alliance, Its Trials and Triumphs | Avery, Harold | 1867 | 1943 | ['en'] | 20 | {'Schools -- Juvenile fiction'} | PG10027 | |
In faltering tones Mugford told his story. Without a word the stranger
stepped up to Mouler and dealt him a sounding box on the ear.
"There!" he said, "take that for your trouble; and now cut off down town
and buy a fresh pot of paint out of your own pocket, and do it jolly
quick, too.--As for you," he added, turning... | The Triple Alliance, Its Trials and Triumphs | Avery, Harold | 1867 | 1943 | ['en'] | 20 | {'Schools -- Juvenile fiction'} | PG10027 | |
One morning, soon after breakfast, a little group was gathered round
Carton's desk in the big school-room, discussing the value of some
foreign stamps, when a small boy came up to them, saying,--
"Is Trevanock here? Well, Acton wants you now at once in his study."
"Hullo," said Carton, looking up from the sheet of sp... | The Triple Alliance, Its Trials and Triumphs | Avery, Harold | 1867 | 1943 | ['en'] | 20 | {'Schools -- Juvenile fiction'} | PG10027 | |
"I don't understand a bit what's coming to 'Thirsty,'" the football
leader was saying. "I was rather chummy with him when we were in the
Fifth, and he was all right then, but now he seems to be running to seed
as fast as he can; and I believe it's a great deal that fellow
Fletcher.--Hullo, youngster! what d'you want?... | The Triple Alliance, Its Trials and Triumphs | Avery, Harold | 1867 | 1943 | ['en'] | 20 | {'Schools -- Juvenile fiction'} | PG10027 | |
Diggory left the room, having gained something else besides the two
oranges; for as he closed the door Allingford laughed again, and rising
from his chair said, "He's a stanch little beggar; I think I'll keep
an eye on him."
The subject of this remark hurried away, and had just joined the crowd
of boys who were throng... | The Triple Alliance, Its Trials and Triumphs | Avery, Harold | 1867 | 1943 | ['en'] | 20 | {'Schools -- Juvenile fiction'} | PG10027 | |
"Look here," he said, meeting Jack Vance in the quadrangle during the
interval: "just you keep your mouth shut about me and my father.
I've got two or three accounts to settle with you chaps already; just
mind what you're up to." He clinched his fist as though about to
strike, then, with an ugly scowl, turned on his ... | The Triple Alliance, Its Trials and Triumphs | Avery, Harold | 1867 | 1943 | ['en'] | 20 | {'Schools -- Juvenile fiction'} | PG10027 | |
"Gentlemen,--We've met here, as you know, to talk over starting a fresh
magazine. _The Ronleian_ is a beastly swindle, and it's high time we
had something different." (A voice, "No, 'tisn't," and the bursting of
a paper bag.) "You shut up there! I say it is a swindle: they didn't
give any account of that fourth el... | The Triple Alliance, Its Trials and Triumphs | Avery, Harold | 1867 | 1943 | ['en'] | 20 | {'Schools -- Juvenile fiction'} | PG10027 | |
"Sing a song, Bibbs!" cried one voice; "Where's your neck-tie?" asked
another; "What are you grinning at?" demanded a third; while the object
of these pleasantries stood, with a vacant smile upon his face,
nervously fumbling with his watch-chain.
"Go on!" cried Fletcher, who had descended from the platform to make
roo... | The Triple Alliance, Its Trials and Triumphs | Avery, Harold | 1867 | 1943 | ['en'] | 20 | {'Schools -- Juvenile fiction'} | PG10027 | |
"The magazine," he began, "is going to be written on exercise-book
paper. Any one who likes can contribute, and it's going to be more
especially a paper for the Third Form."
The speaker went on to show that the periodical was destined to supply a
long-felt want. _The Ronleian_ ignored the doings of boys in the lower... | The Triple Alliance, Its Trials and Triumphs | Avery, Harold | 1867 | 1943 | ['en'] | 20 | {'Schools -- Juvenile fiction'} | PG10027 | |
"Now, then," he demanded, "what are you youngsters making this awful
row for? I've a jolly good mind to take all your names."
There was a moment's silence. Then Fletcher's voice was heard
exclaiming,--
"Oh! it's only old 'Thirsty;' he's all right."
"Here, not so fast," answered the prefect, blocking up the doorway a... | The Triple Alliance, Its Trials and Triumphs | Avery, Harold | 1867 | 1943 | ['en'] | 20 | {'Schools -- Juvenile fiction'} | PG10027 | |
"The Philistines are quite friendly now," wrote Acton. "We had a match
against them last week on their ground, and they gave us tea after.
It's awfully slow; I almost wish that chap Noaks was back."
"So do I," added Diggory, as he finished the sentence; "we could very
well spare him."
"Oh, he's all right," answered J... | The Triple Alliance, Its Trials and Triumphs | Avery, Harold | 1867 | 1943 | ['en'] | 20 | {'Schools -- Juvenile fiction'} | PG10027 | |
Just as they were getting into the train, who should come out of the
booking-office but young Noaks.
"Hullo!" said Jack. "He must be going home too; I hope he won't come in
here."
The new-comer, however, had no intention of making another attempt to
force his society on the Triple Alliance; he passed them with a surl... | The Triple Alliance, Its Trials and Triumphs | Avery, Harold | 1867 | 1943 | ['en'] | 20 | {'Schools -- Juvenile fiction'} | PG10027 | |
"I say," exclaimed the owner, after he and his friends had amused
themselves for some time boring holes in the door with a brace, "I know
what we'll do: let's go over and explore The Hermitage!"
Anything with a spice of excitement in it was meat and drink to Diggory.
He immediately seconded the proposition, and Mugfor... | The Triple Alliance, Its Trials and Triumphs | Avery, Harold | 1867 | 1943 | ['en'] | 20 | {'Schools -- Juvenile fiction'} | PG10027 | |
Using the big blade of the clasp-knife as a lever, Diggory had just
succeeded in raising the sash the fraction of an inch, when the steel
suddenly snapped off short at the handle.
"Oh, never mind," said the owner; "let's go back now. What if we're
seen!"
"Oh, there's no fear of that," answered Jack, who was always in... | The Triple Alliance, Its Trials and Triumphs | Avery, Harold | 1867 | 1943 | ['en'] | 20 | {'Schools -- Juvenile fiction'} | PG10027 | |
He never reached the end of the sentence, for Diggory suddenly raised
his hand, exclaiming in a whisper, "Hark! what was that?"
The loud ticking of Mugford's old turnip of a watch was distinctly
audible in the silence which followed.
"What is it, Diggy? what--"
"Hark! there it is again; listen."
The suspense became aw... | The Triple Alliance, Its Trials and Triumphs | Avery, Harold | 1867 | 1943 | ['en'] | 20 | {'Schools -- Juvenile fiction'} | PG10027 | |
The meal was nearly over when Mr. Vance returned and reseated himself at
the table.
"Did either of you hear the dog bark last night?" he asked.
"No; why?"
"Why, because old Fossberry's house has been broken into, and they think
the thieves must have come through our garden; there were some footmarks
in the shrubbery j... | The Triple Alliance, Its Trials and Triumphs | Avery, Harold | 1867 | 1943 | ['en'] | 20 | {'Schools -- Juvenile fiction'} | PG10027 | |
Even after Jack had retired to his own room, Diggory and Mugford lay
awake for hours discussing the situation; and when at length they did
fall asleep, it was only to dream of being chased by "The Hermit"
and a swarm of long-legged policemen, who forced their way into the
Third Form classroom at Ronleigh, and handcuff... | The Triple Alliance, Its Trials and Triumphs | Avery, Harold | 1867 | 1943 | ['en'] | 20 | {'Schools -- Juvenile fiction'} | PG10027 | |
"I suppose so," returned the other, "especially if they find the chap
who owns that knife with the broken blade."
The malignant look with which these words was accompanied showed at once
that the speaker meant mischief. The three friends looked at one
another in horrified amazement. Could it be possible that their v... | The Triple Alliance, Its Trials and Triumphs | Avery, Harold | 1867 | 1943 | ['en'] | 20 | {'Schools -- Juvenile fiction'} | PG10027 | |
With this parting threat the ex-Philistine left the carriage. Mugford,
Jack, and Diggory gazed at one another for a moment with anything but a
happy look on their faces. One after another they slowly gathered up
their things and stepped out on to the platform. Hardly had they done
so when they heard their names cal... | The Triple Alliance, Its Trials and Triumphs | Avery, Harold | 1867 | 1943 | ['en'] | 20 | {'Schools -- Juvenile fiction'} | PG10027 | |
On entering the school buildings, our three friends were convinced of
the truth of their comrade's story, and on their way to the schoolroom
the question was repeated at least half a dozen times--"Have you heard
about old 'Thirsty' being cobbed in the Black Swan?" Diggory thought of
the conversation he had overheard ... | The Triple Alliance, Its Trials and Triumphs | Avery, Harold | 1867 | 1943 | ['en'] | 20 | {'Schools -- Juvenile fiction'} | PG10027 | |
"Pooh!" returned the other. "Now that you are a prefect, I wouldn't
give up all the privileges and the right to go out and come in when you
like just because a strait-laced chap like Allingford chooses to take
offence at something you do. They can't force you to resign unless they
go to the doctor, and they won't do... | The Triple Alliance, Its Trials and Triumphs | Avery, Harold | 1867 | 1943 | ['en'] | 20 | {'Schools -- Juvenile fiction'} | PG10027 | |
"It's awfully bad form of a chap who's a prefect chumming up with a
fellow like Mouler in the Upper Fourth," said Carton one afternoon.
"I wonder old 'Thirsty' isn't ashamed to do it. And now he's hand
and glove with those chaps Hawley and Gull in the Fifth; they've both
got heaps of money, but they're frightful cads... | The Triple Alliance, Its Trials and Triumphs | Avery, Harold | 1867 | 1943 | ['en'] | 20 | {'Schools -- Juvenile fiction'} | PG10027 | |
"There! I thought you'd like to see that; it seems a good chance to
earn some pocket-money."
The packet turned out to be a copy of the Todderton weekly paper.
"I've marked the place," added Noaks, turning on his heel with a
sneering laugh; "you needn't give it me back."
A cross of blue chalk had been placed against a... | The Triple Alliance, Its Trials and Triumphs | Avery, Harold | 1867 | 1943 | ['en'] | 20 | {'Schools -- Juvenile fiction'} | PG10027 | |
In answer to the eager inquiries of his two companions, Jack Vance said
that he had seen nothing of Noaks during the holidays, except having
passed him on one or two occasions in the street. The notice of the
fifty pounds reward still appeared in the windows of the police station;
but the robbery itself was beginning... | The Triple Alliance, Its Trials and Triumphs | Avery, Harold | 1867 | 1943 | ['en'] | 20 | {'Schools -- Juvenile fiction'} | PG10027 | |
It was hardly to be expected that the light-hearted juveniles of the
Third Form should trouble their heads to take much notice of this
disagreement among the seniors. For one thing, they knew nothing of
what was said and done in the Sixth Form studies, and even the prefects
themselves never thought for a moment that ... | The Triple Alliance, Its Trials and Triumphs | Avery, Harold | 1867 | 1943 | ['en'] | 20 | {'Schools -- Juvenile fiction'} | PG10027 | |
"Oh, I don't care!" answered Jack. "It'll be a lark, and we needn't go
far.--What d'you say, Diggy?"
Diggory and Mugford both expressed their willingness to join in the
expedition, and arrangements were accordingly made for it to take place
that afternoon.
"You'd better not let old Jobling see three of you get on at o... | The Triple Alliance, Its Trials and Triumphs | Avery, Harold | 1867 | 1943 | ['en'] | 20 | {'Schools -- Juvenile fiction'} | PG10027 | |
"Starboard a little!"
The steering gear worked rather stiffly. Diggory gave the handle a hard
twist, and it went round further than he intended.
"Port!" cried the captain, "hard a-port!" But it was too late, and the
next moment the "coffee-mill" ran down the sloping bank and plunged
into the duck-pond. It gave a vi... | The Triple Alliance, Its Trials and Triumphs | Avery, Harold | 1867 | 1943 | ['en'] | 20 | {'Schools -- Juvenile fiction'} | PG10027 | |
"Look here!" said Diggory at length: "don't you think we've gone far
enough? we shan't be back in time for tea."
"Oh, I forgot," answered the captain. "We'll see. Stand by your
anchor! Let go-o-o!"
The "coffee-mill" stopped, and Jack Vance pulled out his watch.
"By me it's half-past twelve, and I'm four hours slow:... | The Triple Alliance, Its Trials and Triumphs | Avery, Harold | 1867 | 1943 | ['en'] | 20 | {'Schools -- Juvenile fiction'} | PG10027 | |
"Yes; the chain broke, and we ran into the ditch."
"Umph! bad business. Now you'll have to foot it, I suppose."
"Yes," answered Jack ruefully; "and we're bound to be back late pushing
this old thing all the way. I wish old Jobling would try a ride on it
himself."
"Oh! is that the 'coffee-mill'?" exclaimed the prefec... | The Triple Alliance, Its Trials and Triumphs | Avery, Harold | 1867 | 1943 | ['en'] | 20 | {'Schools -- Juvenile fiction'} | PG10027 | |
Thurston was evidently at home, for a prolonged shout of laughter and
the clamour of several voices reached Diggory's ears as he approached
the study. As he knocked at the door the noise suddenly ceased, there
was a moment's silence, and then a murmur in a low tone, followed by a
scuffling of feet and the overturning... | The Triple Alliance, Its Trials and Triumphs | Avery, Harold | 1867 | 1943 | ['en'] | 20 | {'Schools -- Juvenile fiction'} | PG10027 | |
Mischief certainly was brewing, and the "kick-up" came sooner than even
Carton himself expected.
CHAPTER XII.
THE WRAXBY MATCH.
Wednesday, the twenty-fourth of July, saw the whole of Ronleigh College
in a state of bustle and excitement. The near approach of the holidays
was sufficient in itself to put every one in h... | The Triple Alliance, Its Trials and Triumphs | Avery, Harold | 1867 | 1943 | ['en'] | 20 | {'Schools -- Juvenile fiction'} | PG10027 | |
Kicking the unfortunate Bibbs afforded every one such exquisite
enjoyment that an effort was made to prolong the pastime by forcible
attempts to fasten the placard on to other members of the company, and
a general _melee_, would have followed if the attention of the
combatants had not been attracted in another directi... | The Triple Alliance, Its Trials and Triumphs | Avery, Harold | 1867 | 1943 | ['en'] | 20 | {'Schools -- Juvenile fiction'} | PG10027 | |
"Twenty up!" had just been called from the pavilion when a sharp catch
in the slips disposed of Parkes.
"Never mind!" cried "Rats." "Here comes old Ally; he'll make them trot
round a bit!"
The captain commenced his innings with a heart-warming leg hit, which
sent the ball to the boundary, a wave of legs and arms mark... | The Triple Alliance, Its Trials and Triumphs | Avery, Harold | 1867 | 1943 | ['en'] | 20 | {'Schools -- Juvenile fiction'} | PG10027 | |
This dashing commencement was but the prelude to a brilliant bit of
rapid scoring: twos and threes followed each other in quick succession.
Allingford shouted, the crowd roared, while "The Happy Family"
gambolled about on one another's chests and stomachs, and squealed with
delight. Like the poet's brook, Oaks might ... | The Triple Alliance, Its Trials and Triumphs | Avery, Harold | 1867 | 1943 | ['en'] | 20 | {'Schools -- Juvenile fiction'} | PG10027 | |
To suffer for the cause of the school in a cricket or football match was
a thing which, like charity, "covered a multitude of sins." Allingford
hurried out of the pavilion and ran towards the pitch, while Partridge
and a few more of the "Wraxby men gathered round their wounded opponent
and helped him to his feet.
"You... | The Triple Alliance, Its Trials and Triumphs | Avery, Harold | 1867 | 1943 | ['en'] | 20 | {'Schools -- Juvenile fiction'} | PG10027 | |
The cause of this stampede, it must be explained, was the arrival of an
itinerant vendor of ice-cream, whose real name, Samuel Jones, had been
changed to Punch on account of the prominence of his nasal organ.
His presence within the grounds of Ronleigh College was not approved of
by the authorities, and his trade with... | The Triple Alliance, Its Trials and Triumphs | Avery, Harold | 1867 | 1943 | ['en'] | 20 | {'Schools -- Juvenile fiction'} | PG10027 | |
The closing scene of the game caused an amount of excitement
unparalleled in the history of Ronleigh cricket.
As the last man of the Wraxby team went in to bat, the telegraph was
changed from 90 to 100. "Over" had just been called, and the invincible
Partridge stepped forward to play, evidently making up his mind for... | The Triple Alliance, Its Trials and Triumphs | Avery, Harold | 1867 | 1943 | ['en'] | 20 | {'Schools -- Juvenile fiction'} | PG10027 | |
Evening preparation was over, and supper, an informal meal, attendance
at which was not compulsory, was in progress. The door of Thurston's
study was once more locked on the inside, as it had been when Diggory
went to return the match-box to its rightful owner.
Fletcher senior, Hawley, and Gull sat on three sides of ... | The Triple Alliance, Its Trials and Triumphs | Avery, Harold | 1867 | 1943 | ['en'] | 20 | {'Schools -- Juvenile fiction'} | PG10027 | |
The entertainment continued, and waxed more noisy than ever, the
performers hammering the table with a ruler and two walking-sticks to
add zest to the choruses.
Soon there came another interruption, very different in tone from the
mild expostulation of the studious Browse. The door was violently
shaken, and from with... | The Triple Alliance, Its Trials and Triumphs | Avery, Harold | 1867 | 1943 | ['en'] | 20 | {'Schools -- Juvenile fiction'} | PG10027 | |
With one swing of his right arm he sent Thurston staggering against the
wall, and then, stepping forward without an instant's hesitation, he
dealt each of the other marauders a swinging box on the ear.
The two Fifth Form boys were big, strong fellows, and for a moment it
seemed as though a stand-up fight would ensue. ... | The Triple Alliance, Its Trials and Triumphs | Avery, Harold | 1867 | 1943 | ['en'] | 20 | {'Schools -- Juvenile fiction'} | PG10027 | |
"And supposing I don't choose to send in my resignation?" returned the
other.
"Then," answered the captain calmly, "we shall send it in for you."
There was a moment's silence; then Thurston rose from his chair, and
closing his book flung it down with a bang upon the table.
"All right," he said; "I'll do it. You fello... | The Triple Alliance, Its Trials and Triumphs | Avery, Harold | 1867 | 1943 | ['en'] | 20 | {'Schools -- Juvenile fiction'} | PG10027 |
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