second pass list appeared, the previous positions of Wedderburn and Hill were reversed, spectacled girl in green, who knew the demonstrator in private life (where practically human), said that result two examinations taken together Hill had the advantage of mark--167 to 166 out of possible 200 Everyone admired Hill in way, though the suspicion of "mugging" clung to him But Hill was congratulations and Miss Haysman's enhanced opinion of him, and even the decided decline crest of Wedderburn, tainted by an unhappy memory remarkable access of energy at first, note of democracy marching to triumph returned debating-society speeches; he worked at his comparative anatomy with tremendous zeal and effect, and he went on aesthetic education But through it all, vivid little picture was continually coming before his mind's eye--of sneakish person manipulating slide

No human being had witnessed the act, and cocksure that no higher power existed , it; but for all worried him Memories dead things but alive; they dwindle in disuse, but they harden and develop in all sorts of queer ways being continually fretted Curiously enough, though he perceived clearly shifting was accidental, days wore on, his memory became confused , until at last not sure--although he assured himself that sure--whether the movement absolutely involuntary Then possible that Hill's dietary was conducive to morbid conscientiousness; breakfast frequently eaten in hurry, midday bun, and, at such hours after five as chanced convenient, such meat as his means determined, usually in chop-house in back street off the Brompton Road Occasionally he treated himself to threepenny or ninepenny classics, usually represented suppression of potatoes or chops indisputable that outbreaks of self-abasement and emotional revival have distinct relation to periods of scarcity But apart influence feelings, in Hill distinct aversion to falsity blasphemous Landport cobbler had inculcated by strap and tongue earliest years Of one fact about professed atheists convinced; --they usually are--fools, void of subtlety, revilers of holy institutions, brutal speakers, and mischievous knaves, but they lie with difficulty so, had the faintest grasp idea of compromise, simply be liberal churchmen And, moreover, this memory poisoned his regard for Miss Haysman For she now so evidently preferred him to Wedderburn that sure he cared for her, and began reciprocating her attentions by timid marks of personal regard; at he even bought bunch of violets, carried it about pocket, and produced it, with stumbling explanation, withered and dead, gallery of old iron It poisoned, too, the denunciation of capitalist dishonesty that one life's pleasures And, lastly, it poisoned his triumph in Wedderburn Previously he Wedderburn's superior own eyes, and had raged simply at want of recognition Now he began to fret darker suspicion of positive inferiority He fancied justifications position in Browning, but they vanished on analysis At last--moved, curiously enough, by exactly the same motive forces that had resulted dishonesty--he went to Professor Bindon, and made clean breast whole affair As Hill was paid student, Professor Bindon ask him to sit down, and he stood professor's desk as his confession

"It's curious story," said Professor Bindon, slowly realising how the thing reflected on himself, and then letting his anger rise,--"a most remarkable story 't understand your doing it, and 't understand this avowal You're type of student--Cambridge men would never dream--I suppose I thought--why did you cheat ? "

"I didn't cheat," said Hill

"But just been telling me "

" I explained--"

"Either you cheated or cheat "

" my motion was involuntary "

" not metaphysician, servant of science--of fact You were told not to move the slip move the slip If cheating--"

"If cheat," said Hill, note of hysterics voice, "should I come here and tell you ? "

"Your repentance, , does you credit," said Professor Bindon, "but it alter the original facts "

"No, sir," said Hill, giving in in utter self-abasement

"Even now you cause an enormous amount of trouble The examination list revised "

"I suppose so, sir "

"Suppose so ? it revised And I don't see how conscientiously pass you "

"Not pass me ? " said Hill "Fail me ? "

"It's the rule in all examinations Or where should we be ? What else did you expect ? You don't want to shirk the consequences of your own acts ? "

" , perhaps----" said Hill And then, "Fail me ? , as you, simply deduct the marks given slip "

"Impossible ! " said Bindon "Besides, it would still leave you above Wedderburn Deduct only the marks ! Preposterous ! The Departmental Regulations distinctly say----"

"But it's my own admission, sir "

"The Regulations say nothing whatever manner matter comes to light They simply provide----"

" ruin me If I fail this examination, they won't renew my scholarship "

" thought before "

"But, sir, consider all my circumstances----"

" consider anything Professors College are machines The Regulations will not even recommend our students for appointments machine, and worked me ----"

"It's very hard, sir "

"Possibly "

"If failed this examination, go home at once "

" as proper " Bindon's voice softened little; he perceived he unjust, and, provided contradict himself, disposed to amelioration "As private person," , " this confession of yours goes far to mitigate your offence But set the machinery in motion, and now it must take its course I-- really sorry way "

wave of emotion prevented Hill from answering Suddenly, very vividly, the heavily-lined face old Landport cobbler, his father "Good God ! What fool ! " hotly and abruptly

" ," said Bindon, " lesson "

But, curiously enough, they thinking of quite the same indiscretion

pause

" like day , sir, and then let --about going home, I mean," said Hill, moving towards the door

* * * * *

The Hill's place was vacant The spectacled girl in green was, as usual, first news Wedderburn and Miss Haysman were talking of performance Meistersingers when she came up

" heard ? " she said

"Heard what ? "

" cheating examination "

"Cheating ! " said Wedderburn, face suddenly hot "How ? "

"That slide--"

"Moved ? Never ! "

" That slide that we weren't to move--"

"Nonsense ! " said Wedderburn "Why ! How could they find out ? Who do they say-- ? "

" Mr Hill "

_Hill ! "

" Mr Hill ! "

"Not--surely not the immaculate Hill ? " said Wedderburn, recovering

"I don't believe it," said Miss Haysman "How ? "

"I didn't_," said the girl in spectacles "But it now for fact Mr Hill went and confessed to Professor Bindon himself "

"By Jove ! " said Wedderburn "Hill of all people But always inclined to distrust these philanthropists-on-principle--"

" ? " said Miss Haysman, with catch in her breath

"Quite It's dreadful, isn't it ? But, , what expect ? His father is cobbler "

Then Miss Haysman astonished the girl in spectacles

"I don't care believe it," she said, flushing darkly under her warm-tinted skin " believe it until he has told me so himself-- scarcely believe it then," and abruptly she turned her back girl in spectacles, and walked to her own place

"It's true, all the same," said the girl in spectacles, peering and smiling at Wedderburn

But Wedderburn answer her She was indeed one people who seemed destined unanswered remarks