“A joke!” exclaimed Dick, his eyes flashing. “Is that what you call it? It was no joke, Mr. Hickman, and you know very well that it came very near ending all athletic relations between our teams and our schools.” “If that is what he considers as a joke,” put in Brad; “mebbe he allows it’s a joke to spring a lot of ‘ringers’ on us!” “Who are you?” savagely asked the captain of the visiting team, glaring at Brad. “What right have you to dip into this matter?” “Who am I? Well, I’m Brad Buckhart, the unbranded maverick of the Rio Pecos! I’m playing with Fardale, and I allow that I can dip in some. If any of you gents think not, I’m willing to argue it with you any old way you say. You hear me chirp!” “Have you come to raise a fuss, Mr. Merriwell?” cried Hickman. “I have come to warn you,” said Dick, with unabated grimness. “Warn us—of what?” “That you are making a grave mistake.” “Are you going to squeal? Are you going to back out?” “We shall play you this afternoon if your team is made up entirely of professionals.” “Then what——” “I wish to notify you, Mr. Hickman, that a thorough investigation will be made. If we learn that you have professionals on your team, Fardale will sever relations with you. There will be no further contests between us.” Hickman snapped his fingers. “Do as you like,” he said. “We’ll have the pleasure of wiping you up in the last encounter, anyway.” “Will you?” cried Dick. “Not much! Fardale will defeat you to-day, for all of tricks and crookedness!” “Whoop-ee!” exploded Buckhart. “You bet your boots she will!” Then both boys turned on their heels and left the room. Dick and Brad were descending the stairs to leave the hotel when something struck Dick’s shoulder with a little tinkle and fell on the steps before him. Dick picked it up, and glanced upward. He fancied he saw a face disappear above, and there was a rustling sound that died away almost immediately. In his hand Dick held a bit of paper that was twisted about an old-fashioned copper coin. He untwisted the paper and saw there was some writing upon it. “I shall try to be at the game. See me a moment if possible. Have something to say to you. —_June_.” “What is it, pard?” asked Brad. “Nothing much,” smiled Dick, folding the paper and carefully putting it in his pocket, along with the coin. The smile left his face, as at the very door, when he was passing out, he encountered Mrs. Arlington, who had just alighted from a carriage and was coming in. She saw him, and a haughty look of anger and accusation settled on her cold face. “So you decided to come!” she said freezingly. “It is well that you did. I have consulted a lawyer, and I have about concluded to have you arrested.” “To have me arrested?” said Dick, in surprise. “Exactly.” “What for?” “Theft!” Dick’s face flamed crimson, while a gurgle of incredulity and astonishment came from Brad’s throat. “Theft, madam?” said Dick warmly. “Such a thing is ridiculous!”