It was not an earthquake, for the ground beneath them neither shook nor trembled; it was not a dynamite explosion, for the sounds were dull and prolonged; it was not a chimney-stack fallen, for the room above was two storeys from the roof. Besides, above the uproar rose now and then the shrill yapping of a dog, and sometimes human voices mingled with the din.
Railsford looked inquiringly at his prefects.
“What is that?” he said.
“Some one in the room above, sir,” replied Barnworth. “It was Sykes’ study last term,” added he, consulting Ainger. “Who’s got it this time?”
“Nobody said anything to me about it,” said the house-captain.
“The room above this is occupied by Herapath and Oakshott,” interposed Railsford.
The captain made an exclamation.
“Did they get your leave, sir?”
“Not exactly; they told me they were going to have the study this term, and I concluded it was all right. Is it not so?”
“They are Shell boys, and have no business on that floor. All the Shell boys keep on the second floor. Of course, they’ll say they’ve got leave.”