The Little Nugget

eady done so from personal observation. The world is divided into dreamers and men of action. From what little I had seen of him I placed Buck MacGinnis in the latter cl

frontal that my chief emotion was a sort of paralysed amazement. It seemed incredible that such peculi

h a definite quantity of devilry; and this, if he is to sleep the sound sleep of health, he has got to work off somehow before bedtime. That is why the summer term is the one a master longs for, when the

ls running risks of catching cold, and just then Mr Abney was especially definite on the subject. The Saturnalia which had followed Mr MacGinnis' nocturnal visit to the school had had the effect of giving violent colds to three lords, a baronet, and the younger son

Glossop fared I can only imagine. Judging by the fact that I, who usually kept fair order without excessive effort, was almost overwhelmed, I should fancy he fare

nto comparative quiet over their evening preparation, when from outside the front

sideration, that a motoring party had come, as they did sometimes-Sanstead House standing some miles from anywhere in the middle of an intricate system of by-roads-to inquire the way to Portsmou

ease, sir, there'

w there's a motor outside

ir, have you ever

me help drive our mo

do you thi

itating the engine): '

r. I heard White's footsteps crossing the hall, then the click of the latch, and then-a sound that I could not define. The closed door of the classroom deadened it, but for

und fresh material in the sou

at was t

hear th

think's hap

I shouted. '

rt, sturdy man in a motoring coat and cap. The upper part of his face was covered by a s

ly upon the classroom. Out of the corner of my eye, as I turned to face our visitor, I could see small boys goggling rapturously at this miraculous realization of all the dreams induced by juvenile adventure fiction. As far as I could ascertain, o

ighbourhood did not make the thing any the less incredible. I had looked on my affair with Buck as a thing of the open air and the darkness. I had figured him lying in wait in lonely ro

ccess was certain. Sanstead House stood absolutely alone. There was not even a cottage wi

a Napoleon. Where the owner of an ordinary country-house raided by masked men can raise the countryside in pursuit, a schoolmaster must do precisely the opposite. From his point of view, the fewer people that know of the affair the better. Parents are a jumpy race. A man may be the ideal schoolmaster, yet will a connection with melodrama damn him in the eyes of parents. They d

raising of the countryside in his case. On the contrary, I could see Mr Abney becoming one of the busiest persons on record in his endeavour to hush the thing up and prevent it ge

up, sport

e of Buck MacGinnis

of dese is

ed his head

use kids is

ond speech. The s

is not her

blood. He did not believe me. Without moving his head he gave a long whi

oom,' observed the newc

question. I could have rec

the pistol, indicating me, 'says

Buck. 'Howdy, Sam? P

floor, too, dis time,

marked effect

ncing a step nearer, he waved his disengaged fist truculently. In my role of Sam I had pla

pposed the motion. I

u

t,' he sa

n took the form of lowering the fi

esumed the con

said, 'come across!

m,' I said. 'May I

the top of your da

my desire. I

is again, 'we ain't got time to bur

ired. It was useless to keep

evening he is gener

sso

dough-faced dub in

have described

n rubberin.' Aw, quit yer

where he is at the present

man with the pistol; a most unlovable pers

you!' said M

sed it once mo

Mr MacGinnis. 'You can't fool me. I'm com' t'roo

I said. 'Don't l

're comin

it. I shall b

d Buck, with a sudden lapse into ferocity. 'Spiel like a regula

ed the pistol-bearer pathetically. 'What

tion in poor taste

g pistol from him. 'Now den, Sam, are youse goin'

anything you wished, Mr

we'll go t'roo de joint. I t'ought youse 'ud have had more sens

y shoulders caused

'm going to put my hands

hole in you

please. But I

er man, 'feel around to see

f my pockets. He grunted morosely the while. I suppose, at this close ra

o gun,' he anno

ut 'em down,' sa

ks,'

re and look after des

a

leading, Buck in my immediate rear administering occa