The High School Captain of the Team; or, Dick & Co. Leading the Athletic Vanguard

for an A

g more copies of the betrayed si

punctually mailed them back. It spoke volumes for the honor of the American schoolboy, for Gridley High School was feared far and

rton busied himself with securing several lett

papers all exhibited one fact that the letters and the copies of the signal code had been struck off on a machine having the same peculiarities as to worn

riday. Instead, an excuse of

to Dr. Thornton, the principal,

afternoon, Mr. Morton called Dr. Thornton to the private o

ief that "one of his boys" should have done suc

on brokenly. "If you will kindly leave the proofs in my han

n who was scheduled as being even likely to play the next day studied over the signals at home, then, under

re all of our men know the new signals by heart, and there'll be no confusion. But, of course, for

, "I'll be almost satisfied to lose it to Tottenville,

nt the information right back to us," smiled Prescott. "But we're not going to lose to-day's game, Mr. Morton, nor any other day's. Drayne's treacher

ernoon. At first I thought he was going to faint. He seemed suddenly to grow ten years older. It cut him to the quick. He loves

ming to the game th

t, in any year that he has been

by the grand game that we'll put up," promised Dick vehemently. "I'll p

tenders to throw Drayne out if

through the gate to a seat on the grand st

e made up rather well as a girl. He wore black--mourning throughout, perhaps in memory of his departed h

ng stubbornly with it. But at last, when forced half way down the field between center and its own goa

for the snapback, while his battl

ack a few steps, then halted, look

arply. Then his heart almost s

en--four!" sounded Darrin

und the left end!"

, followed by a cyclonic i

d the guilty masquerader behind the

the next dishea

me out of the field Thursday afternoon. Morton

ng himself an ideal captain, quick-witted, full of strategy, force, push and dash, yet all

ignal used had a different meaning from that employed in the

teeth. "Good luck always seems to follow that fellow Prescott! Can't he be b

thought that perhaps formidable Tottenville had had rather the better

ch remains to be determined is, which side will sho

h the fate of the nation hung on the result. Dick, too, soon had things moving at a gait

over whether his late comrades had sufficiently maste

en went "woozy" over the same signal. But alert Dave Darrin rush

the game by a single touchdown, failing in the subs

nd. He made his way out in the throng, undetected. He returned to the costumer's, got off his sneaking

out of doors. His training life had made outer air a necessity

, Drayne came suddenly fac

the practice of American law, to the effect that every

s first depression. Therefore he was able to meet this of

rayne," was Dr. Thornt

l; weather to b

ct day, sir,"

principal the young wretch

I had been denounced, the Prin. could hardly have been as graciou

before school and at recess, the membe

d the traitor to himself. "Brass, Phin, my boy! Brass! That is bo

uad showed any especial inclination to cu

couldn't prove," chuckled Drayne. "So I guess those that may be doing a he

a long tramp over country roads at the back of th

onery," said Mrs. Drayne, putting an envelop

pe there. He took it to his room, where he read th

t its stated weekly meeting to-night. This is urgent, and y

is legs trembled under him, and cold swea

d over to the tap at his washbowl, and gulped down a glass of water. He paced the room

ame for you? Now, what can that gang prove? They can suspect, and they can charge, but my denial is fully as good as any other man's affirmation.

ing like relish. Afterwards he set out for the High School building, in which the Boar

Prescott, erect of carriage, and brisk and strong of stride, as

are you doing around

ay

drop in the tune that he was whistling. Springing u

h sudden disgust. "Prescott scribbles for 'The Blade' an