"Yes, sir."
"You are head of this room; what's the blind up for?"
"We—we like to see the stars," suggested Trevelyan.
"H'mph! Was it you who laughed just now?"
"Oh no, sir. My brother woke up a few minutes ago, and I advised him to go to sleep."
Nothing could have sounded more innocent, and perhaps Mr. Peace would have moved on without saying any more, but that, even as he turned to go, there came a little crash at the window-pane.
The boys held their breath in suspense. Trevelyan bit his lip till the blood oozed, and Cadbury covered his face with his hands. Even Jack trembled. Only Vickers lay apparently unconcerned.
"I suppose that was a poor bird dashed itself against the window," he murmured.
"Do you, Vickers? I don't," replied Mr. Peace, striding forward. "Ah, your poor bird has cracked the glass, my boy! I will invite Mr. West to come to your window to-morrow to see a star of another kind."