"What's too great an honour, may I ask?" said Hibbert timidly.
Paul explained to him the contents of the notice.
"It's to call me over the coals again, I expect. Shall I go or shan't I?" he asked himself. Then, turning smilingly to the boy: "What would you do if you were in my place, Hibbert?"
"Stay away," said the boy promptly.
"And improve my reputation for courage—eh? Why would you stay away?"
Having so far exceeded his instructions, Hibbert thought he might as well go a little further.
"Because I don't believe that the Fifth had anything to do with that notice. It came from Baldry and Moncrief minor. I believe it's a trick."
Paul, beginning to smell a rat, examined the notice with closer attention, and soon detected the erasion where "Fifth" had been substituted for "Third Form."
"Thanks, Hibbert. I don't know why you should, but you're always doing me a good turn."
"Not half the good turns you've done me," said the boy earnestly, as he went out.