“The jig is up, pard,” said Buckhart. “They’ve got us! And it is all the work of that dirty dog Arlington! He has ruined the team! I swear it would have been better if I had cheated and kept him from getting on the committee!” Dick did not seem to hear Buckhart’s words. He was thinking swiftly just about then. “We must win this game! I am determined to do it!” he muttered. “No matter how determined you are,” said Brad, “you can’t do it with this team as it stands.” Dick heard this, for he nodded. Reaching the gym, Dick found two fellows ready to give him a rubbing if he wished it. “We’ll cut it out,” he said. “You fellows go for Hal Darrell. Bring him here.” Then he turned to Brad, asking: “Dare, Kent, and Bradley are with the substitutes, are they not?” “Sure.” Darrell was found in a minute or so, and brought into the gym. “Hal,” said Dick, “do you want us to win this game?” “Sure thing,” said Hal. “Well, I want you to know that I did not drop you from the team. I was given orders by the committee to play the team just as it lined up to-day. Arlington is the man who did this.” Hal shrugged his shoulders. “I want you to get into your rig,” said Dick. “Will you do it?” “Are you going to play me?” “Yes.” “In defiance of the committee?” “Yes!” “I’ll be on hand.” Dick sent for Bradley, Dare, and Kent, with all of whom he talked. Just as the team was leaving the gym for the field, Arlington and Warne came hurriedly into the place. “Just in time!” exclaimed Warne. “Go on, fellows,” said Dick. “I will be with you in a moment.” At the same time he made a gesture to Buckhart. Brad was surprised. He did not quite understand, but he hurried the others out and followed them. “In this final half,” said Warne, “there is one thing we want you to do, Merriwell. Of course, you can’t expect to win, as that team is much older and heavier, but——” “I must have dropped it in the shower-room,” said Dick, pretending to be searching for something. “I’ve got to have it. And I must be out on the field in two minutes. If you fellows have anything to say, come on and say it while I’m searching.” He ran into the room where the boys took their shower-baths. There was a plunge in the same room. Warne and Arlington followed. Dick seemed to be searching, looking swiftly about, his eyes on the floor. “As I was saying——” resumed Warne. He got no further. Out of the room darted Dick, and the heavy door banged, shutting in Chester Arlington and the chairman of the athletic committee. Outside there was a heavy bolt, which Dick shot into place. “Say on, Warne!” he exclaimed exultantly and defiantly; “but I can’t stop to listen. I can’t afford to be bothered by this committee during the last half of the game.” He hurried from the now deserted gymnasium. As he was leaving he heard his astonished captives banging on the door of the bathroom and shouting for him to open it.