The market-town consisted mainly of three streets in the form of a triangle; but on the outskirts of the town were long rows of cottages, principally tenanted by farm-labourers and working-men. The outer door of each of these cottages opened into the sitting-room without any passage intervening, so that any boy so disposed, by placing one eye at the keyhole, could see all the inmates of the room. Leslie had observed this during his various visits to the town.
One evening, after each name had been called over and answered to, and the boys were preparing lessons for the next day, Leslie shut up his books with a bang, saying to Johnnie Lynch, who sat next to him, "There, those are done; now, what shall I do?"
"One moment, Ross, and I shall be finished, then we'll both do something."
A minute or two after, Lynch put his books into the desk, saying, "Now, Ross, what is it to be?"
"Follow me, Lynch, and I will show you; mind Wilson don't see you, or he'll want to know where we are going."
The two boys watched for an opportunity, and when the master's head was turned on one side, slipped silently and unobserved from the room, and without detection made their way to the playground.
"Where are you going?" inquired Lynch.
"Into the town," replied Ross.
"But that is against rules, and if discovered we shall be punished."
"Oh, we shan't be found out; but don't come if you are afraid."