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Updated: May 22, 2025
Only mind you come and give us a look up soon, young gentleman, for I and my pals ain't seen you for a good while now, and was afraid something was up. Ta! ta! Good-day, young gentlemen all. By-bye, my young Nightingales." Loman's feelings can be more easily imagined than expressed when Cripps, saying these words, held out his hand familiarly to be shaken.
Oliver had nothing for it but to narrate all he knew of Loman's recent money difficulties, of his connection with Cripps, and of his own and Wraysford's share in helping him out of his straits. The Doctor heard all he had to say, putting in a question here and there, whenever by the boy's manner there seemed to be anything kept in the background which wanted some coaxing to bring out.
So the shortest cut is to send on the money sharp to your humble servant, Ben Cripps. "P.S. I've wrote and told the young swell I've put you on the job." "It is evident," said Mr Rastle, "this letter has something to do with Loman's disappearance." "Yes," said Oliver, "he was awfully frightened of you or his father getting to know about it all, sir."
Stephen hurriedly caught up his papers for fear any one should catch a glimpse of the hopeless attempts at answers which he had written. He was greatly tempted to ask Oliver about "Mr Finis," only he had promised not to get any help. "Let's have a look at the questions," again demanded Oliver, but at that moment Loman's voice sounded down the passage. "Greenfield junior, where are you?"
"Cripps asked me into the cottage, and there were some fellows there, smoking and drinking and playing cards." "Was Loman one of them?" put in Wraysford. "I think so," said poor Stephen, who had evidently started his story in the hope of keeping Loman's name quiet. "Think so, you young cad!" cried Oliver. "Why can't you tell the truth straight out? Was he there or not?" "Yes, he was.
Any one closely observing the three boys as they glanced each down his paper would once more have been struck by the strange contrast in their faces. Oliver's, as his eyes glanced rapidly down the page, was composed and immovable; Wraysford's, as he looked first at his paper and then hurriedly at Oliver and Loman, was perplexed and troubled; Loman's was blank and pale and desponding.
"Why, you know," said Simon, off whom all such pretty side compliments as these were wont to roll like water off a duck's back "why, you know, about that paper?" "What paper?" said Loman, impatiently. "The one that was stolen out of the Doctor's study, you know. Isn't that a go? But we're going to hush it up. Honour bright!" Loman's face at that moment was anything but encouraging.
"I've paid you all I owe," said Loman, trembling. "What if you have?" "Then give me back that bill!" Cripps only laughed a laugh which drove the boy frantic. The villain was going to play him false after all. He had got the money, every farthing of it, and now he was going to retain the bill which contained Loman's promise to pay the whole amount!
Stephen was not philosopher enough to argue with himself why, if he had leave to go out, he ought to avoid being seen going out. He pocketed Loman's extra penny complacently, and giving one last longing look in the direction of the Fourth Junior, slipped quietly out of the school and made the best of his way down to Maltby. It was not easy at that time of day to get a paper.
He was conscious of the tremendous storm, of the hopeless losing of their way, and of Loman's relapse into a state of half-unconsciousness, in the midst of which he constantly begged to be allowed to lie down and sleep. To prevent this was Oliver's principal occupation during that fearful time. More than once he was forced into a hand-to-hand struggle to keep his companion from his purpose.
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