"Perhaps you'll throw that in over the Henniker's door?" said Smith, handing one of the notes to Hawkesbury.
Again Hawkesbury smiled as he replied, "Really, I'm such a bad shot; I'd much rather you did it."
"Give it me," I cried, interposing before my friend could retort. "I'll throw it in."
Saying which I took the missive, and after one or two bad shots, succeeded in getting it through the ventilator and hearing it drop in the middle of the Henniker's floor.
"A letter for you," I cried by way of explanation. "You've an hour to give an answer."
"Batchelor," replied Miss Henniker from within, in what seemed rather a subdued voice, "you are doing very wrong. Let me out immediately, Batchelor."
"Not till you promise what's written in the note," replied I, quitting the place.
A similar ceremony was enacted by Smith in delivering the "ultimatum" to the two masters, and we then adjourned for breakfast.
"What shall we do to-day?" asked Flanagan, who was quite fresh again after yesterday's hard work.
"Oh, any mortal thing you like," said Shankley. "I mean to go and have a rare walk over the roof."
"I vote we make up a party and go down to the village," said another.
"No, no," said Smith, looking up, "we must stay indoors, or the thing will soon get known. You can do anything you like indoors."
There was a little growling at this, although we knew there was reason in the prohibition.
"I don't see any harm in going out on the heath," said Rathbone; "you did that yourself once."
"Yes, and some one saw me do it," replied Smith. "I say, stay in doors."
His tone was peremptory, and as usual it had its due effect. The fellows ate their breakfast quietly and said no more about it.
The meal was rather a protracted one, owing to Rathbone having forgotten to put the bag in the coffee-pot before he inserted the coffee, and thus spoiling the beverage altogether. He was sent back to make it over again--a circumstance which by no means had the effect of soothing his spirits.
By the time breakfast was done the hour had nearly arrived when our prisoners were to give their answers to our manifesto.
As we were preparing to march up stairs, with a view to ascertain their decision, Hawkesbury met us, coming down with his hat on.