So the ball actually went around the left end this time, Evans
making the best sprint that was left in his stiffening muscles.

He covered twenty-four yards before he was brought to earth.

Here was where delay came in. While Cobber was fighting stubbornly
to regain the pigskin, the whistle sounded the end of the second
half.

Gridley had won from the big enemy!

Now pandemonium broke loose. Two thousand people leaped up and
down, yelling themselves hoarse.

So many hats went into the air that it was a miracle if every
man recovered his own headgear.

The band didn't play; the student body didn't sound a yell. What
would have been the use? There was too much noise.

Dick made a bound, landing beside the band leader.

"Hustle your men, please! Get out into the field and lead our
men off."

It needed quick work, for the players were already leaving the
grounds. The wildest fans were getting over the lines, mingling
with the late players.

But the band got there on the run. Above all the din Ben Badger
was quick to realize the meaning of the new move. He caught his
men back, forming them just behind the forming band. Off marched
the victorious team to the air of "Hot Time!" That brought down
the cheering harder than ever.

While it lasted, Dick and Dave, by frantic movements, succeeded
in holding a large proportion of the student body back in their
seats.

As soon as the band had reached the far end of the field, and
the human racket had died down somewhat, Freshman Prescott succeeded
in making himself heard:

"Now! Our final yell of victory!"

This was the High School yell, followed, instantly, by the taunting
query:

"Is there any game you _do_ play, Cobber?"

But there came no answer from the depths of the gloomy Cobber
fans.

CHAPTER XVII

DICK'S "FIND" MAKES GRIDLEY SHIVER

That closed the football season in a blaze of glory. Gridley
H.S. had closed the year without a defeat.

The day after Thanksgiving football is deader than marbles. Gridley
H.S. boys and girls settled down to study until the holidays came
on.

The next thing of note that happened in the student world jarred
the whole town. There might have been a much bigger jar, however.

Dave Darrin often worked, Saturday nights, in the express office.

One night in early December he was employed there as usual. At
about nine o'clock Dick Prescott and Tom Reade dropped in.

"Pretty near through, old fell