lemen," he began, "we have noticed that, during October and
November, the High School percentages, especially those of the
young men, are prone to fall a bit. There can be but one cause
for this---the football craze. There are signs that this stupid
athletic folly will take a greater hold than ever, this year,
on our High School students. I thought it best to ask Dr. Thornton
to caution the students that any such falling-off of percentages
this year might make it necessary for us to forbid High School
football."

"It was an excellent idea to give such a warning, Mr. Chairman,"
nodded Mr. Hegler.

"So I thought," replied Chairman Stone, complacently. "Yet, while
we have been in session this evening, I have been wondering why
it would not be a good plan to promote scholarship at once by
summarily forbidding football."

"Even for the balance of this present season?" asked Mr. Chesbritt,
ponderously.

"Even for the balance of this season," confirmed Mr. Stone.

There were murmurs of approval. Just at that moment, however,
the door opened suddenly, and Reporter Len Spencer, a bright-faced
young man of twenty-two, hurried in on tip-toe. Then, suddenly,
he halted, looking unutterably astonished.

"Oh, I beg your pardon, Mr. Chairman and gentlemen," murmured
the reporter. "But I did not expect to find you in session."

"And why not, Mr. Spencer?" demanded the chairman, crisply.

"Why, I---er---I---well, to be candid, gentlemen, 'The Blade'
had information that some one had died here."

"Died here?" gasped Chairman Stone. "Upon my word that would
be a most extraordinary thing to do in the presence of this Board.
Where did you get such very remarkable information, young man?"

"It was telephoned to 'The Blade' office," Len Spencer replied.

"By whom?"

"I---I really don't know," replied the young reporter, looking
much embarrassed. "I don't believe our editor, Mr. Pollock, does,
either. The news came in over the 'phone. Mr. Pollock told me
to rush up here and get all the facts."

"The facts," retorted Mr. Stone, dryly, "would be most difficult
for the members of this Board to furnish. Indeed, the only fact
in which we are interested would be the name of the person who-----"

Ting-a-ling-ling! As the telephone bell jangled Chairman Stone
drew the desk instrument toward him, holding the receiver to his
ear.

"Hullo!" hailed a voice. "Is that the Board of Education's office?"

"It is," confessed C