riends; and that, therefore, I'm returning it with the hope that in
the future he may put it to better use than in the past."

Thad laughed.

"Oh! well, you must have your way, Hugh, I reckon; and really, that
will set the pair guessing. They'll understand we're on to their
identity, and of course will be more or less anxious to know just what
you mean to do about it."

"One thing I'm sure of," added Hugh, "which is, that Nick Lang can
never be made to change his habits by harsh measures. Some of these
fine days I may find a chance to do him a great favor; and by heaping
coals of fire on his head, force him to see a light."

Thad heard his chum say this with more or less astonishment.
Apparently, while he had the utmost faith in Hugh's ability to do most
things, at the same time he considered that this would be in the form
of a miracle. He smiled, and again shook his head in the negative.

"Well, you don't believe they'll come again tonight at any rate, do
you, Hugh?" he asked, as they prepared to leave the rabbit hutch.

"Not one chance in ten," the other told him. "I mean to fix this
window so it can't be easily opened. Besides, my window is on this
side of the house, and I've got a cord arranged whereby a weight will
fall on the floor of my room if anybody tried to get in here, after
I've fixed the little jigger. I own a shotgun, you know, Thad, and can
fire up in the air out of my window if there's any alarm. Tomorrow
I'll put heavy wire netting over the window, that will insure the
safety of my pet Belgian hares, and my homing pigeons. Now let's be
heading toward the house, and going to bed; for you promised to sleep
with me, you know."

CHAPTER XIV

NICK AS A GAP-STOPPER

On Saturday afternoon the field was the scene of another gathering.
Almost every boy in town had come out to see what success the Scranton
High fellows were making with their new team. Besides, there were many
little knots of high-school girls present, all eager to watch some
fellow in whom they felt especial interest. Then, from time to time,
older folks began to show up, until quite a gathering could be seen in
the grandstand and on some sections of the bleachers.

Perhaps Scranton did not possess as fine buildings as Allandale, for
instance, because the spirit of sport had long been rampant in the
other town, while Scranton seemed to have been half asleep until
latterly; but they were good enough, and commodious in