“Some silly mistake!” he exclaimed incredulously. “No one would be crazy enough to turn down a fellow like Orr!”
“Of course,” agreed Stearns Wilson. “Must be a mistake.”
“Try it over,” suggested Thurston.
It was irregular and some discussion followed, but in the end, since every one appeared willing and Mr. Moffit smilingly declined to give a ruling, the vote was taken a second time, and in silence. Severence once again surveyed the result, and there was a troubled tone in his voice as he answered the silently questioning gaze of the meeting.
“Just the same,” he said. “One black.”
“What!” Stuart half started from his chair, but Mr. Moffit laid a gently restraining hand on him.
“Oh, I say, that’s a rotten shame!” declared George Whaley. “What’s the idea?” He appealed frowningly about the room. “Look at the fellows we’ve taken in already to-night! I’d like to know who’s got it in for Orr!”
“Well, don’t scowl at me,” growled Thurston. “I didn’t do it.”
“Same here!” “Nor I!” Several voices disclaimed until Stearns Wilson rapped sharply on the desk. “Is there any further business?” he asked. Stuart again made as if to rise and again Mr. Moffit’s hand restrained him. Some one moved adjournment, some one seconded and the meeting was over. Whaley and Muirgart moved toward Stuart, but he was already on his feet, making for the door, his face black with rage. He pushed past them with a muttered growl. Taking his cap from the table in the hall, his gaze unwittingly encountered the face of Steve Le Gette through the open door and their eyes met. Le Gette’s countenance seemed to Stuart to express a triumph at once derisive and amused. Mr. Moffit called from the doorway an instant later, but Stuart, already crunching the gravel of the Principal’s Walk, either did not or pretended not to hear.
Neil was back in Number 12 when Stuart reached it, comfortably reclined in a morris chair, reading. Stuart closed the door behind with a slam and shied his cap to the bed. “The dirty pup!” he raged. “The sneaking bounder! But I’ll get even with him if it takes all the rest of my life! He can’t do that to me and get away with it!”