two prisoners arose, sullen enough in their appearance.

"Dexter, you have been guilty of disturbing the peace. I do not believe
a mere fine sufficient in your case. I therefore sentence you to serve
thirty days in jail. Driggs, your primary offense was about as great as
Dexter's, but your offense is worse, for you are a police officer, and
you tried to throw the strength of your position around the acts of the
prisoner. The court therefore sentences you to sixty days in jail."

"We both wish to appeal, your honor," cried Dexter, his face aflame.

"Dexter's bail will then be fixed at two hundred dollars; Driggs's at
four hundred dollars. Are you prepared to furnish bail?"

"I will furnish the cash for both of us," announced Abner Dexter,
drawing a roll of banknotes from a pocket.

Mrs. Dexter and her lawyer filed out while this matter was being
arranged with the clerk of the court. Dick and his friends, at a sign
from the court, left the room as soon as they had received their fees as
witnesses.

"So he pays the money, Dexter does, and walks out?" grunted Dan Dalzell.

"Oh, no," Dick answered. "Dexter and his friend have to be tried over
again in a higher court. That money is just their forfeit in case they
don't show up for trial."

"They won't," predicted Greg.

"I don't know," murmured Dick. "Six hundred dollars would be a lot of
money to lose."

By hastening, the Grammar School boys were back in school for the last
hour of the session.

CHAPTER III

FOOTBALL--WITHOUT RULES

School was out for the day. Three quarters of the boys belonging to the
four upper grades made a bee line for a field about a block away. The
magnet was a football that Dave Darrin proudly carried tucked under his
left arm.

"I wanter play!"

"Let me try just one good kick with it, Dave!"

"Take a stroll," advised Darrin laconically. "How can I blow up the ball
and talk to you fellows, too?"

"Hurry up, then. We want to give the ball a fierce old kick."

"No kids in this," announced Dave, rather loftily. "Only fellows in the
eighth and seventh grades. Fellows in the grades below the seventh are
only kids and would get hurt."

"Oh, say!"

"That isn't fair!"

The protests were many and vigorous from sixth and fifth-grade boys, but
Darrin, ignoring them all, went placidly on inflating the pigskin. At
last the task was completed.

"Hurrah! Now, Dave, give it a boost and let us all have some fun!" cried
the boys.