The King of the School, or, Who will Win? — page 58: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

o2 TIE KING OF THE SCHOOL; OR, WHO WILL WIN? Came eg ieee ER TLL aS claws, while at the same moment crab number two made a desperate onslaught on his toes. . “ Murder !” bellowed Freddy, holding up the hand from which dangled the crab, and “Murder !” he shouted a second time, as he kicked aside the bed- clothes, exhibiting, the foot that was being attacked by the other animal. Hutchinson raised himself up on his elbow, and gave a quiet chuckle at the strange scene, | “What's the matter, Freddy ?” in- quired Egerton, opening the door. He and his companions had been waiting outside in expectation ofsome such scene. “Matter enough! This is a very shabby way of serving a fellow.” “Serves you right, Freddy,” said Marsham. “Does it? Well, I wish you had one of these brutes dangling to each ear, then you would be served right.” ‘“ Freddy is out of temper to-night,” saidthe earl. ‘“ His birching has soured that naturally sweet disposition of his.” “He is in a crabbed humour,” ob- served Fitzgerald. ‘Come, none of that, Charlie,” said Webber, joining in the general laugh. “It is quite bad enough to be eaten by these beasts, without being compelled to listen to such fearful attempts at jocularity.” Having succeeded in loosening the crabb’s hold on his fingers, Webber threw it among the group. On turning round to see what had become of it, Egerton saw the broad placid features of Professor Moeritz. “ What is dis? You haf play some joke! Bad poys.” “ Please don’t say anything to Doctor Whackley, professor, We won’t do it again.” “Mein Gott! what shall this beast ke ?” “Tt is a cra,” | The professor stooped, took it up, and immediately received a sharp nip. He dropped it much more hastily than he had picked it up, to the great delight ef the boys. ‘TY shall say nothing; but if ze doc- tor shall observe this noise I must flog you, said he, wiping the damaged finger, ‘The doctor won’t know, sir.” “Won't he,” said Freddy. “TI can’t get this beast off, so I shali be obliged to go down to school to-morrow with it dangling to my foot.” Thinking that poor Freddy had been sufficiently punished, Frank Egerton exerted all his strength, and released his friend from torture. “T want to speak mit you, Egerton,” said the professor. “ Certainly, sir,” said Frank, follow- ing him out. “T haf told you of. ze Englander mit whom I fight. Ze same name as you?” “Yes,” | “T haf seen himintown. You must watch and see if it is your oncle.” “ But, sir, I should not know my uncle if I saw him.” ‘You wiil see if his features resemble those of your father.” “Well, I will try. Good night, sir.” * % % * * #* The next evening Frank and the pro- fessor were strolling about the town to- gether looking for this mysterious indi- vidual who might, or might not be, the uncle of our hero. Having perambulated the stréets for some time, they walked towards the ‘6 Six Bells.” Professor Moeritz had resolved to taste some of the ale of that noted hostelry, which, as he averred, resem- bled in flavour the beer of his native land. The beer was produced. Some little time was spent in dis- cussing it, then the professor and pupil rose to return. They had just gained the street-door when a man passed. His face turned away, so that they could not see it; but Professor Moeritz grew very excited and exclaimed— “That is the man, mein young friend.” Frank gazed upon the figure with some astonishment. EO DOC (S(O) mn