But Darrell was stopped and tackled by Wettinger, who carried him back for a loss of three yards. He tried again, but lost two yards more. Then somebody gave Dick the tip that the half was almost up. It seemed that the game would end in a tie. A word from Dick. What was going to happen? The cadets were breathless. They stood up and stared in silence. Even the band was still. “A field-kick!” cried some one. That was it! Franklin was preparing for it. They saw Dick Merriwell was going to try to kick a goal from the thirty-five-yard line. “Right through there!” grated Hickman, as the Franklin players crouched and prepared to leap forward like tigers. “Spoil it! spoil it!” The ball was snapped and passed to Dick, and the enemy slammed into Fardale’s line with the fury of so many famished wolves. It took nerve to kick that goal, but Dick was cool as an ice-cake in the midst of the excitement. He caught the ball, turned it in his hands so it could be dropped just right, and with those ravenous wolves breaking through and coming down on him he kicked. Hundreds of necks were craned, hundreds of hearts seemed to stop beating, twice as many eyes watched the flight of the yellow ball. On and on it went, sailing gracefully over the bar, and a noise like breakers on a lee shore rose to heaven as Fardale realized the game was won. CHAPTER IX—DICK WINS AGAIN Grim, dirty, triumphant, Dick sought the carriage in which he had seen June standing. She stripped off her glove as she saw him coming and held out her warm, shapely hand. “I’m covered with dirt,” he said. But she would shake his hand, and she gave it a squeeze that he could not mistake. “You did it!” she said. “No,” he answered; “it was Darrell. Did you see his wonderful run?” “I had not reached the ground, but I heard several say that you made it possible for him to get the touchdown. I was determined to see part of the game,” she went on hurriedly. “I’m glad you did not send that locket back. You know mother compelled me to write that note.” “I thought so.” “I hoped you would keep the locket. You must come to the hotel this evening and see her. There is no way out of it.” “But how am I to keep the locket and remain a gentleman? She has even threatened to have me arrested.” “She won’t do that. Come to the hotel to-night. She will see you, and I am expected to demand the return of the locket.” “What will you do?” “I am going to say that I gave it to you and that I want you to keep it.” There was no time for further talk. Dick promised to come to the hotel at a certain hour, so while Fardale Military Academy was rejoicing that evening he slipped away and set out for the village.