"What do you think about it, anyhow, Phil?" asked the pitcher, and there was no need to be more explicit. "Oh, hang it all, I don't know. It looks funny; about Sid not wanting to tell. And he sure is cut up over Miss Harrison. I wonder who sent her that newspaper clipping?" "Give it up. But I heard that there was a raid all right, and a lot of college fellows were caught. Some of 'em were our chaps, but they managed to keep their identity hidden. I don't see how Sid's got out." "Then you think he was there?" "No, I didn't mean that. But it looks mighty funny. I do hope he isn't going to cut loose, just at the opening of the ball season," and Tom sighed, as though he had the weight of worlds on his shoulders. And, indeed it is no small task to be captain of a lively college team, struggling to win the championship trophy, and the pitcher was beginning to realize this. "Oh, maybe he just wanted a fling," suggested Phil. "Now he's had it he's ashamed to admit it, and wants to cover it up." "But he denies that he was caught," said Tom. "I know it; but what good will that do him, if he doesn't tell where he was that night? He admits that he was in Dartwell, and he must have been somewhere near the place of the raid, or his name would never have gotten in the papers." "Unless some one gave his name out of spite." "By hookey! That's so!" admitted Phil. "I never thought of that. But no--no college fellow would be as mean as that." "Unless it was Langridge or Gerhart. Gerhart is in parts unknown, and Langridge----" "I understand none of the Boxer Hall fellows were in it," went on Phil. "Only some of our boys and a few from Fairview--more fools they! But it sure has put Sid on the blink as far as Miss Harrison goes. Ruth was telling me her family, as well as she, has a horror of gambling in any form. Poor old Sid. I wish we could help him; don't you?" "I sure do," agreed Tom. "We need him on the nine, and we need him in good condition. First thing I know I'll have to put a sub on in Sid's place." "Oh, I hope not. But, say, I've got to do some studying if I'm to play on the team myself. I'm getting to low water mark in Latin and maths. Here goes for some hard boning." It was about a week after this, in which time Randall had met, and beaten, Layton Preparatory school, that Phil, Sid and Tom were taking a trolley ride one evening. "Where shall we go?" asked Phil. "Let's take the Tonoka Lake car," suggested Tom. "Which means let's go to Fairview," asserted Phil. "Well, I don't mind." Sid said nothing. Of course it was only a coincidence, but a little later the three lads were walking down toward the co-educational institution, and of course, I suppose, it was also only a coincidence that Miss Tyler and Miss Clinton should shortly come strolling over the campus. "There's Ruth," announced Phil carelessly, though he was not looking at her, but at Miss Tyler. "That's so," replied Tom, as if it was the queerest thing in the world.