rry, lately. You will have this academy turned bottom up, if you
keep on."

Frank smiled.

"We've got to have something to break the monotony," he said. "A
fellow gets tired of plugging away at his studies all the time."

"That's so," admitted Bart, who was a dark-faced, reserved sort of boy;
"but such tricks as you perpetrated last night are dangerous."

"How?"

"What if Lieutenant Gordan finds out you were at the bottom of it? You
know what will happen."

"Sure!"

"Well, you are taking big chances for a little fun."

"A little fun!" echoed Frank. "Didn't you consider that something more
than a little fun last night? It struck me as a roaring farce."

A faint trace of a smile came to Hodge's dark face.

"You enjoy anything of the kind far more than I do, Merriwell," he
said. "I like fun of a different sort."

"Well, I fancy you will acknowledge I take some interest in other
sports, Bart?"

"That's all right, Frank; you are the leader of our class in
everything, because you are a natural leader. But you have a dangerous
rival."

"Think so?"

"I know it. There is a fellow in this school who is aiming to stand at
the head in athletics. Up to a few weeks ago he remained in the
background, so that little or no notice was taken of him; but he is
coming to the front now, and I believe he means to give you a hot race
for first position. He has even declared openly that he is a pitcher,
and means to make a try for a position on the team."

"That's all right, Bart. I am not hoggish enough to want all the
honors, and, if we play as much ball as we intend to next spring and
summer, we'll need another pitcher. I can't do all the twirling."

"But he says he will not play under you as captain of the team."

"Ha! That is interesting! Now you are waking me up. I suppose the
fellow you speak of is Paul Rains?"

"Yes, he is the one."

"Then Rains is something of an enemy, as well as a rival. Well, we'll
see who is the better man."

CHAPTER XVI.

PAUL RAINS.

The short, dark days of winter had brought about changes in Fardale
Academy. Drills had been discontinued, and, except for weekly
inspections and occasional guard duty, there were no formations under
arms. The hours for study were longer, as also were the lessons. Some
of the plebes were negligent and regardless of the fact that the
January examinations were close at hand, while others were "boning"
steadily, doing their level b