t contained our
signal code. Here is the envelope, addressed in some person's
handwriting."

Coach Morton seized the envelope, staring at it hard. He studied
it with the practiced eye of a school teacher accustomed to overlooking
examination papers in all styles of handwriting.

"The writer has tried to conceal his handwriting," murmured the
coach, rather brokenly. "Yet I think we may succeed in tracing
it back and fixing it on the sender."

"Oh!" growled Dave Darrin savagely. "I believe I know on whom
to fasten this handwriting right now."

"I have a possible offender in mind," replied Mr. Morton more
evenly. "In a case of this kind we must proceed with such absolute
caution and reserve that we will not be obliged to retract afterwards
in deep shame and humiliation."

"I think I've done all that I can, gentlemen," broke in Mr. Jarvis.
"I think it is my place, now, to draw out of this painful business,
and leave it to you whom it most concerns. But I am happy in
the thought that I have been able to be of some service to you.
I will now state that I am authorized to offer to postpone Saturday's
game, if you wish, so that you may have time in, which to train
up under changed signals."

"If you consent, sir," proposed Dick, turning to the coach, "we'll
go on with Saturday's game just the same. There has been a big
sale of tickets, the band has been engaged, and a good many arrangements
made that will be expensive to cancel."

"Can you do it?" asked Mr. Morton, looking doubtfully at thee
young captain of the team. "It's Thursday afternoon, now."

"I feel that we've got to do it, sir," Dick replied doggedly.
"Yes, sir; we'll make it, somehow."

So the matter was arranged. The Gridleyites followed Jarvis out
to the sidewalk, where they renewed their assurances of regard
for the attitude taken by Tottenville High School. Then Jarvis
hurried away to catch a train home.

"Now, young gentlemen," proposed Mr. Morton, "we'll go home and
see whether we can engender the idea of eating any lunch, after
this unmasking of villainy in our own crowd. But at half past
two promptly to the minute, meet me at the High School. Remember,
we've practice on for half past three."

"Of all the mean, contemptible-----" began Darrin, after the submaster
had left them.

"Stop right there, Dave!" begged his chum. "This is the most
fearful thing we've ever met, and we both want to think carefully
before we trust ourselves