"I have reason to believe that Mr. Henderson is inclined to too much horse-play," he said, "as indicated by what he did to my hat. Again, if he were a popular student the freshmen would have joined in the request. They did not, as a class, and so I am constrained to vote as I do." None of the faculty--even Professor Tines--knew the real reason why the freshmen names were not down, and no one cared about mentioning it, for it was not a thing for students to discuss with the teachers. Mr. Leighton did his best, in a delicate way, but it was of no use. The petition failed, and not a few members of the faculty were deeply grieved, for they wanted to see a championship nine in Randall. Still they would not argue with Professor Tines. And the chances of Randall winning the championship and the loving cup seemed to be diminishing from day to day, in spite of the strenuous efforts of Tom, Ed Kerr and Mr. Leighton. There was something lacking. No one could just say what it was, but there was a spirit of uncertainty, and a sense of worriment in the nine, that did not operate for perfect team work. Tom threatened and pleaded by turns, but his words had little effect. The men showed up well in practice, and played a fast and snappy game with the scrub, but when it came to going out on the diamond there was a lack of batting ability and an absence of team work, that had a bad effect, and several games were won only by narrow margins, while some, that should have been won, were lost. "We play Boxer Hall, Saturday," observed Tom, in his room with Phil and Sid one evening. "I wonder how we'll make out." "It isn't the last game, is it?" inquired Sid. "No, there's one more, and another with Fairview. But I'm not worrying much about the co-eds. It's Boxer that has me guessing. Oh, Sid, but I wish you were with us." "So do I," and Sid turned his face aside. "Can't you get back?" asked Phil. "Can't you go to Dr. Churchill, and explain--about that bottle of liquor--you know." "No," answered Sid gently, "I can't." "The nine may lose," declared Tom. "I'm--I'm just as sorry as you are, Tom," said the second baseman earnestly, "but it's out of the question. I can't explain--just yet." "Can you ever?" demanded Phil eagerly. "Perhaps--soon now. I am hoping every day." "Have you given a--a sort of promise--to some one?" asked Tom gently. "Yes," replied Sid in a low voice. "It's a promise, and a great deal depends on it--even more than the championship of Randall college." And that was all Sid would say for the time being. The game with Boxer Hall was a hard one. Tom and his men had to work for everything they got, for Langridge seemed to have improved in his pitching, and the fielding of Randall's enemy was a thing to rejoice the heart of her captain and coach.