lbird, sardonically.

"I'll try to get you the money, Tip. But see here, I'll be in
front of the drug store next to the post office, at just three
o'clock to-morrow afternoon. You stop and look in the same window,
but don't speak to me. If I can get the five I'll slip it into
your hand. Then I'll move away. You stand looking in the window
a minute or so after I leave you, will you?"

"Sure," agreed Scammon, cheerfully.

"And don't do anything so plainly that any passerby can detect
the fact that you and I are meeting there. Don't let anyone see
what I slip into your hand."

"That'll be all right," declared Tip Scammon, readily enough.

"And mind you, that's the last money you're ever to ask me for."

"That'll be all right, too," came readily enough from the jailbird.

"Then good-bye until to-morrow. Don't follow me too closely."

"Sure not," promised Tip. "Ye don't want anyone to know that
I'm your friend, and I'm good at keepin' secrets."

For two or three minutes young Scammon remained standing under
the bare tree. But his gaze followed the vanishing figure of
Fred Ripley, and a cunning look gleamed in Tip's eyes.

Fred Ripley, when he had heard of Tip going to prison without
saying a word, had been foolish enough to suppose that that
incident in his own life was closed. Fred had yet to learn that
evil remains a long time alive, and that its consequences hit
the evil doer harder than the victim.

CHAPTER VI

THE CALL TO THE DIAMOND---FRED SCHEMES

Recess! As the long lines filed rhythmically down from the second
floor, thence to the basement, the leaders of the files quickly
discovered something new posted on the bulletin board near the
boys' locker rooms.

As quickly as the files broke, there was such a rush to see the
new bulletin that those who got the best places had to read aloud
to others. This was what the bulletin proclaimed:

Notice.

_The gymnasium will be open at 2.30 this afternoon for the
gathering of all male students, except freshmen, who may be interested
in trying to make either the school or second baseball teams for
the coming season. Gridley will have some notable rivals in the
field this next year. Information comes that several of school
baseball teams will have better material and longer training for
next season. It is earnestly desired that all members of the
three upper classes who consider themselves capable of making
either of the Gridley High Sch