Dick Merriwell's Trap

aring something from June. He learned that the injury to Chester Arlington was so serious that he might be

d to feel a sensation of keen jealousy in his heart. He tried bravely to put it aside, telling himself that June was his

brief note from June, and it fairly

by the messenger who brings you this. I insist on it, an

ed. Then, when he sought to call for an explanation, he was snubbed at the door. He puzzled over this second

eat disappointment. "I could not have thou

June. She had seemed like an unusually sensible girl

her and brother. She had been commanded to send again for her locket. Chester Arlington was de

locket returned? Rather had she not been compelled to write

the command of her mother, and she had written for the locket because Mrs. Arlington commanded it. That

is no a

e would be one," declared the boy. "She said

d s

was to be careful

a lady gave

, and she says, says she, 'Boy, are you honest?' and I says, 'I am, though I know I'll never grow up to be a great politician or a millionaire if I stay so.' S

a quarter for you. Just say to the lady that the article is so precious

e," said the boy,

atisfaction ha

. But how can I get out of giving up the locket and the picture? June told me to

ved in town before noon, and Buckhart, who was at the station to see them,

from the Exeter team because he was a professional. Why, he's nineteen years old, and he's played the game for three o

ked Dick. "You do not know

p at the station who kne

el

much. He pretended not to kno

s the f

ore, a fellow who hasn

see him at onc

with him, you

d y

a chap who played baseball summers for money, raced for money, had been pulled up for some sort of crookedne

p against us!" exclaimed Dick. "Come, Brad, we'l

me to Fardale with his players, as they learned

ears. "He was afraid you'd get after him before t

an. Hickman and two other Franklin fellows were found in a room.

rse, we'll have to trounce you this afternoon, but that is no r

cing us, that remains to be seen; but I am sure you o

a corker this year

door, grimly waiting the clash of words he expected would come and eying the

eak?" asked Hickman jokingly. "Wh

am made up of amateurs, but we may no

gers,'" p

d to be surprise

hy, what do you mean? It can't be that you

leads me to believe you

rted the captain of t

haired chap, rising behind H

greed the third fellow, as he

t, with a glow of genuine satisfaction. "Here is where

not there to

days ago," said Dick, "and I wrote

ard from him,

ed that the rep

tisfied you," said Hickman

n told that on your team there is a reg

ove

es

eam," said Hickman. "So you see that y

itted Dick, "But we have not fo

kman uneasily. "What

d remember

y n

was a Fardale man at the time. He wore a nose-guard and head-harness that so disguised him he was not recogniz

orced a s

a joke,

? It was no joke, Mr. Hickman, and you know very well that it came ver

" put in Brad; "mebbe he allows it's a j

of the visiting team, glaring at Brad. "Wh

playing with Fardale, and I allow that I can dip in some. If any of you gents thi

ise a fuss, Mr. Merr

you," said Dick, wi

us-of

e making a g

squeal? Are you

rnoon if your team is made u

n wh

made. If we learn that you have professionals on your team, Fardale will

napped hi

have the pleasure of wiping you

Fardale will defeat you to-day, f

Buckhart. "You bet

ned on their heels

the hotel when something struck Dick's shoulder wi

stling sound that died away almost immediately. In his hand Dick held a bit of paper that was twist

See me a moment if possible. Hav

t, pard?"

g the paper and carefully putting i

tered Mrs. Arlington, who had just alighted from a carriage and was coming in. S

t is well that you did. I have consulted a lawyer

ested?" said Di

act

at

he

a gurgle of incredulity and asto

Dick warmly. "Such a

us!" came

y daughter and you declined to return it," sai

it?" came quickly from Dic

turn the locket makes you a thief. But I presume you have come to your sense

e woman just what he thought; but he could not forget

ket, madam," he said. "I had anot

r without delay if you wish to escape the unpleasantness of being arrested. To a boy of your ca

traged feelings much longer, for which reason he sought to pass the woman at once and get aw

y regret, I have learned that my son failed to pay you for your act, as he promised to do; but you know he was injured by falling from the carriage, which explains his failure. I have been told that he said he would

the locket, and it but added to his outraged sense of fairness. Surely she was the mo

red to any one who would do so, you have made a great mistake. I did so because your daughter was in peril.

s her, but Buckha

money enough to buy up your old husband's railroads and run 'em! Money! Why, when he comes

k sharply; "that

"But I wasn't half done with her. I was just getting round to say o

e've got other things to th

about arrest," said the Texan.

not," sa

y his mind. He was bound to win the game t

owning a little as the boy came up swiftly, for he half-fancied it was some one sent by Mrs. Arlington. As the lad drew near, ho

e said. "I've ridden over here on it to thank Miss Arlington and to see the foot

Dick. "It seems to be quit

r town says it's the best he ever saw, a

d Dick. "I'm very glad you got t

ows, ain't you? They beat our team, and they think they ar

k. "Keep your eyes open