PRISONERS’ BASE. 93

first, that his brother was very clever to
find his alley; secondly, that he was very
kind to give him another; and thirdly,
that he would have a good game with his
two marbles, now he had got them. This
last resolution, however, was unhappily
cut prematurely short by the sound of
the school-bell; which at once broke off
the boy’s game, and relieved Mertoun
from his embarrassing occupation of watch-
ing Juno’s movements.

School-time passed away much as usual, | |
the only remarkable thing being that Mer-
toun’s lessons had never been so ill done
before. This was, in truth, not surpris-
ing. He was wholly unable to fix his at-
tention on his books. The narrow escapes
he had had of detection,—the scratch on
his foot,—the chance question of War-
beck,—his brother’s marble,—and Juno’s