"
So the little boy of twelve took the initiative, and, carrying the dark
lantern, instructed the two study-boys of sixteen in a secret which had
long been known to the lower part of the school.
"Ibant obscuri dubia sub luce." He led them quietly down stairs, stole
with them noiselessly past the library door, and took them to a window
in the passage, where a pane was broken.
"Could you get through that?" he whispered to Eric, "if we broke away
the rest of the glass?"
"I don't know. But, then, there's the bar outside."
"Oh, I'll manage that. But will you go and peep through the key-hole of
the library, and see who's there, Duncan?"
"No," said Duncan, bluntly, "no key-holes for me."
"Hush! then _I_ will," and he glided away, while Eric, as quietly as he
could, broke away the glass until it was all removed.
"There's only old Stupid," whispered he, irreverently designating an
under-master named Harley, "and he's asleep before the fire. Now, then,
just lift me up, Eric, will you?"
Eric lifted him, and he removed the nails which fastened the end of the
bar.
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