"I tell you I wasn't arrested--I wasn't there--that is, I wasn't gambling--I--I--er--Oh, won't you believe me? Won't you take my word for it?" He was pleading with her now. "I haven't any right to control your actions," said Miss Harrison. "I don't know who sent me this clipping--nor why--I wish I had never seen it," and her eyes filled with tears. "Yet when I ask you if you were there, it seems as if you could say yes or no." "That's it! I can't!" cried poor Sid. "I--I wasn't arrested. I was there--yes, in--in Dartwell that night--but I can't explain--it's a secret--it--Oh, won't you believe me?" Miss Harrison turned and looked full at him. The others were watching the little tragedy that was being enacted before them. "Won't you believe me--I'll--I'll explain--some time," faltered Sid desperately. "I'm sorry, but unless you care to tell me everything, and explain why you were in a gambling house I can't accept your excuses," she said coldly. "I cannot retain the friendship of a person who goes to gambling places. I must ask you to excuse me," and holding her head high, though there were tears in her blue eyes, and a sob in her trembling voice, she turned and left the room. Ruth and Madge looked at each other. "Come on," said Phil to Tom huskily, and they filed out. Sid remained long enough to pick up the envelope that had contained the accusing clipping, and then he followed. None of the three chums spoke until they were out on the campus. Then Phil turned to Sid and demanded: "What in blazes is the matter? If that didn't mean you, and you weren't there, why didn't you say so?" "I--I can't," was the answer. "Oh, fellows, don't go back on me now. I'll explain--some time." "Of course we won't go back on you," declared Tom. "Even if you were playing the ponies or shuffling a deck of cards, it doesn't matter to us. It's your money to lose, if you want to, only I didn't think you cared for such things." "I--I don't!" blurted out Sid. "Then why don't you----" "But I can't explain! Don't desert me now!" "We're not going to," spoke Phil more gently, "only it hurts with a girl like Miss Harrison to have a thing like this come out. She's done with you." "Do you think so?" asked Sid miserably. "Sure," agreed Tom, "but don't worry over that. You've got to bat for us to win, as you did to-day," for he feared Sid would go to pieces, such was the wild look on his face. CHAPTER VII GETTING BACK AT "PITCHFORK" The three chums were not very jolly as they began their return to Randall college, whither the baseball team had preceded them some time before. Sid, Phil and Tom had sent their suits back with some of their friends while they attended the little tea given by Ruth Clinton--the tea which had had such an unfortunate ending.