whistle blew---the second half was over---the
game finished.

Filmore had bitten the dust to the song of eleven to eight.

Dick's tiny head shake had been a piece of strategy prearranged
with Wadleigh. It was a legitimate ruse, as honest as any other
piece of football strategy intended to throw the enemy "off".

Now the band was indeed thundering out, playing in its best strain.

All restraint thrown aside, the spectators surged over the lines
and out on the gridiron, making a rush for the heated but happy
home players.

The record had been kept---a season without a game lost. Filmore
swallowed its chagrin and went home.

Dick? He had helped nobly to save the game and the record, but
now he was exhausted.

Over in dressing quarters two of the subs were rubbing him down,
while Dr. Bentley and Coach Morton stood anxiously by.

CHAPTER XXIV

CONCLUSION

After a few days Prescott was back at school. It was noted, however,
that he did not take any part in gym. work, and that he spoke
even more quietly than usual, but he kept up in his recitations.

Youth is the period of quick recovery. That the Thanksgiving
Day game had strained the young left end there was no doubt.
Within a fortnight, however, Prescott was himself again, taking
his gym. work, and a cross-country run three times a week.

"We ought to give Drayne the school cut," hinted Grayson. "He
behaved in an abominable way right at the beginning of the critical
game. He's a traitor."

"Give Drayne the cut?" repeated Wadleigh, slowly, before a group
of the fellows. "Perhaps, in one way, he deserved it, but-----"

"Well, what can you find to say for a fellow who acted like that?"
demanded Hudson, impatiently.

"Drayne helped to win the game for us," replied Wadleigh moderately.
"Had he played Filmore would have downed us---of that I'm sure,
as I look back. Drayne's conduct put Prescott on the gridiron,
didn't it? That was what saved the score for us."

At the time of Grace Dodge's great peril, her banker father had
been away on a business trip. It was two days later when word
was finally gotten to the startled parent. Then, by wire, Theodore
Dodge learned that Grace's condition was all right, needing only
care and time. So he did not hasten back on that account.

When he did return to Gridley, Mr. Dodge hunted up Lawyer Ripley.

"I must reward those boys, and handsomely," he explained to the
lawyer. "Their splendid conduct