“But it came out of your pocket?” “It dropped to the floor when I took my handkerchief out. I never saw it before.” Dick stood looking straight at Chester. Somehow Arlington’s manner seemed truthful. In a moment, however, he grew angry beneath Dick’s persistent gaze. “What do you mean by staring at me that way?” he demanded hotly. “Do you think I’m lying?” “No,” said Dick, turning away and putting the knife in his pocket. “I know the owner of this knife, and I’ll give it to him.” Then he walked out. Chester started as if to follow him, but stopped and turned back, saying to Bradley: “I think you’re all right now.” “Here’s your knife, old man,” said Dick, as he handed the knife over to Buckhart in their room after supper. “Hey?” exclaimed the Texan. “Why, why, where——” “It is your knife, isn’t it?” “Sure as shooting. But where did it come from?” “I saw Chester Arlington pick it up from the floor in the gym.” “When?” “To-day.” Brad looked surprised. “Why, it couldn’t have been there ever since I lost it,” he said. “Somebody would have found it before this.” “It seems that way,” said Dick; and he did not explain to Brad that the knife had fallen first from Chester’s pocket as he pulled out his handkerchief. Why Dick chose to keep silent on this point he hardly knew. He was mystified over the knife incident. Chester Arlington did not seem like a fellow who would resort to petty robbery. Surely he would not steal an ordinary pearl-handled knife, worth perhaps three dollars, when he spent money lavishly? And yet Dick had heard it hinted within a day or two that Chester was hard up, and that his parents had declined to advance more money for him to squander until a certain time had passed. Strange thoughts were flitting through Dick’s head. Placed in a desperate situation, would Chester be tempted to pilfer? The “spook,” the missing trinkets and articles of value, these things Dick thought about. Then he wondered if there was not some way for him to solve the mystery and clear up the whole affair. But, in the meantime, the football-game with New Era took his attention. CHAPTER XXVIII—A SLIPPERY TRICK In the following manner the two teams faced each other on that dark, wet, dreary Saturday afternoon: