As he approached, the master slipped into the porch, and beckoned Redisham to follow.
"Come in here," he whispered. Inside, it was darker than ever. "Well," the master pursued, "and did you find it?"
Redisham shook his head. "No luck," he grumbled.
"Did you look?" said Daw cuttingly.
"Yes, I did! Honestly, I didn't have much time, but I looked hard enough. The young blighters came back and found me in the room at that!"
"All right. But see me behind the gymnasium after lights-out, to-night. I've found something—I want you."
Redisham uttered a grumbling protest. "I say, it's confoundedly risky to be strolling round after lights-out. You've always got me doing it now, and I'll be getting into trouble."
The master uttered a short laugh. "You'll be there, anyhow! And now I've got to get back to preparation."
They parted; but Redisham would have been considerably startled to have watched the master, who did not go back to Big School, but who joined Symonds and Patch at the side of the chemistry-room, and shook with laughter. Also, as all the juniors of Salmon's house could have informed Redisham, Mr. Daw had undoubtedly been in Big School all the evening, in charge of preparation. Two facts that might have caused him some perturbation, had he been aware of them.
As it was, he walked into the trap laid for him as guilelessly as a snared chicken. He strolled round after lights-out to the side of the gymnasium, as directed by the bogus Doctor Daw, and waited, kicking his heels for a good five minutes.