Jardine and entreated her to let him undertake a
moderate programme of athletic exercises with Claude; but he might
as well have tried to lift the high-school building as to make her
change her set ideas.

Hugh and Thad had been out on a particular night after supper, visiting
another boy who chanced to live on the outskirts of town. He had
received a wonderful collection of curios from an uncle living out in
India, after whom he had been named; and upon being especially invited
over to view these things, which included a wonderful assortment of
rare postage stamps, the two chums had made it a point to accept, being
greatly interested in all boyish "hobbies."

That was how they happened to be passing along the road close to the
athletic grounds about half-past nine o'clock that same night.

There was a fair moon shining, but objects appeared more or less
misty, as often occurs under such conditions. The boys had about
exhausted their vocabulary of words that express delight, in examining
the many things of interest shown by "Limpy" Wallace, who was a
cripple, and had to use a crutch, he being also a great admirer of
Hugh Morgan, whom he considered in the light of a hero.

Besides this, both boys were unusually tired after the exertions of
the day, and Thad frequently yawned in a most terrific fashion, as he
walked homeward. Probably these were the main reasons for their
unnatural silence, as they stalked along side by side; since it is
seldom that two lads will refrain from exchanging opinions on some
object or other, when in company.

Afterwards, in the light of what happened, they were inclined to
believe that it was exceedingly fortunate they had lapsed into this
queer condition of silence, for, otherwise, they would have missed
something that proved unusually interesting, as well as afforded them
more or less excitement.

It was Thad who discovered it first. Perhaps he chanced to be looking
that way while Hugh was star-gazing. At any rate he gripped his chum
suddenly by the arm.

"Sh! Hugh, what's that yonder, a skulking dog, or a fellow half bent
over?" was what Thad whispered in the ear of his chum.

Both of them had come to a full stop, under the impulse of the moment;
and Thad was pointing a little to the right, which was where the
building erected on the athletic grounds stood, dimly seen in the
mysterious moonlight.

So Hugh, staring quickly, made out the object indicated by his companion.
Re