ess, I know my worth to the
team, and so do you. Tell me, then, why this action in my regard?"

"Well, I'll be frank with you, Mulvy. They look upon this matter
differently. From all accounts, it was a thug affair, and it's gotten
all over the parish. The fellows won't stand for it, not even if it
hurts our chances for tomorrow's game."

"Thank you, Bob, for being so frank. Now, another question. It's my
last, don't be afraid to be candid. Do you think the same as the
others?" For a moment there was no reply.

"O, excuse me," said Frank, "I did not mean to embarrass you. Please
don't answer."

Turning, he saw five or six of the team standing about. They had all
heard the conversation. Not one had come forward to befriend him.

"It's all right, fellows, I have no kick. I'm in bad. But I hope you'll
find out some day that I'm misrepresented."

So saying, he walked away, down-hearted, but full of exultation. He was
paying a high price for that offering to the Sacred Heart. It hurt. But
he was glad that he was doing something worth while for God.

He left the field. He could not bear to stay and look on. He had not
gone far when Dick and Ned overtook him. "Say, fellows, don't mind me,"
he said to them. "Go back and take in the sport."

"Not without you," said Dick.

At the same time, Ned put his hand in his, but said nothing.

Frank's eyes filled. Here was trust. Here was devotion. They walked
along for five minutes, not a word being spoken. Rather, many words were
uttered, but they were the silent language of the heart.

"I think I'll see Father Boone," Frank said eventually. "I want to get
his advice on something. Good-bye fellows. I'll never forget how true
you were to me." And he headed off in the direction of the Club, hoping
to find the priest in his office there.

(III)

Father Boone was in and he was very serious, as it was easy to see from
his face and manner. For he had just heard how his boy, Frank, was being
treated.

"Of course," he meditated, "my lips are sealed. All that I know is
confessional. But I must think out some way of coming to Frank's rescue.
What a chivalrous lad he is! What a fine sense of honor! He'll see it
through, no matter what the cost. I trust that most of my boys would
suffer anything rather than lie or do wrong. But this is heroic. It
shows fine mettle. His religion is his strength.

"But can I allow him to be a victim of injustice? Daly knew the secrecy
of the confes