He closed the door again and retraced his steps slowly. When he repassed Crawley’s room he stopped and listened. Not a sound except the bird’s song. His heart beat so quickly that it was like to choke him, and he grew quite giddy. “Crawley!” he said in an unsteady voice, for though he saw the room was empty he had an insane fancy that he might be there, invisible, or that this mist before his eyes might prevent his seeing him. Then he mastered his apprehensions with an effort, and stepped into the room. Going to a chair, he felt the coat which hung over the back; there were keys in the pocket. Then he listened again; not a sound, for the singing of the canary had stopped. Ten minutes later Saurin went down-stairs quietly, stealthily. He found Edwards waiting for him outside, took him by the arm, and led him away.
“Have you seen anyone?” he asked eagerly, but in a voice which he could not keep from trembling.
“Not a soul,” replied Edwards.
“Then, come a long to my tutor’s—quick! get your flannels on; and we will go into the football field. We are late, but can get in on one side or another.”
“But, have you succeeded? Will Gould lend the money?”
“No, he won’t; and I would not have fellows know I asked him for worlds; so I am glad no one saw us.”
Saurin was as white as a sheet, he trembled all over, and there was a look in his eyes as of a hunted animal. That one in whose courage, presence of mind, and resources he trusted so entirely should be affected to such a degree as this, appalled poor Edwards; what a black gulf, indeed, must yawn before them!
“Is there no chance at all, then?” he asked in piteous accents.
“Yes, it will be all right; I—I have thought of something else,” stammered Saurin. “Don’t mind me—I’m knocked over by asking a favour and being refused; that’s all. I shall be all right directly. Only swear you will never say a word to anyone about it. I tell you I have thought of a way to silence that villain Slam, and I will go and see him the first chance. It will be all right if you only hold your tongue. And now look sharp and let us change and go and play football; there’s lots of time.”
They had reached their own rooms by this, and Edwards did what Saurin told him, wondering, but partly reassured; and in a few minutes they were on their way to the football field, where they were hailed by their own house and paired off on different sides.