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And at length, early in October, there came to the secretary's knowledge an opportunity with which he lost no time in acquainting Reardon. The latter repaired that evening to Clipstone Street, and climbed to Biffen's chamber. He entered with a cheerful look, and exclaimed: 'I have just invented a riddle; see if you can guess it. Why is a London lodging-house like the human body?
He broke into a cold sweat of horror. That was an epilogue, then! Where could he find one? What would be the good of one if he did find it? And supposing he had one and could recite it, it was at the wrong end of the programme the programme which had already been printed in such hot haste? It was too late to tell Grim, who would have instantly summoned all the strength of Biffen's to scrag him.
He's writing a London Letter for some provincial daily, and the first payment had thrown him off his balance. Reardon laughed gaily, and made inquiries about the eccentric gentleman. Only when the subject was exhausted did he speak of his own concerns, relating quietly what he had learnt from Mrs Yule. Biffen's eyes widened.
A day or so later Wilson was busy translating for Merishall carefully putting "songs" whenever he spotted "carmina" when he heard Grim flying upstairs, and when the poet had smashed into the room, he held up a letter. "It's come," he gasped. Wilson laid down his pen and said, "Wait till you're cool, and then read it out." This is the letter in extenso: "Biffen's, Wednesday.
In a second Biffen's were swarming round Roberts in goal, Acton passed out to Chalmers, who was ready for the pass, and in a twinkling the ball was in the net. From the row you might have imagined the school had gone mad. The ball was kicked off again. Almost immediately Acton secured near the centre. He dribbled through the ruck of his opponents until he saw Bourne upon him.
"Just as soon as you give Taylor's one," said Grim, who, in common with all the juniors, did not fear the easy-going Todd. "No cheek!" said Gus. "If I mixed up coal-dust and brick-dust, how'd you separate 'em?" "Ask my grandmother for a telescope, and look out the mix through the butt end." "Quite so," said Todd, chuckling. "I suppose you've given me a specimen of Biffen's latest brand of wit.
Whatever is the matter with him? To pick Chalmers before Acton! Rot!" Over tea that night Biffen's bubbled and choked, and the other houses began to take a lively interest in the next distribution, for this constant passing of Acton was becoming exciting. But still and I was glad to see it the school had faith in Phil; they counted on justice being done, as it were, in the last laps.
Biffen's juniors, red-hot from their exertions and hoarse from their shouting in the speech-room, held a meeting in their own private quarters to deliberate as to their concert. "I vote Father Grim to the chair," said Wilson. "Thanks, my son," said Grim, with alacrity "Somebody second that, and let's get to business."
So Grim and Rogers had the honour of representing their house, since the dervishes did not turn up. Rogers, when he shut the door on Todd, did not guess that he had shut up Biffen's crack bats too. That Biffen's lost the match, and made no sort of show against Cotton's bowling, may also, perhaps, be attributed to the inadvertent imprisonment of Mehtah and "Lamb."
Sharpe's house secured the next two caps, and Biffen's groaned aloud. "Whatever is old Phil about? One might think he was blind in his right eye and straddled in his left. We'll send him a pair of gig lamps, and then perhaps he may discover Acton Acton, of Biffen's."
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