“Did you ever see the time you didn’t rest a need—I mean, need a rest?” cried Harry. “Are we to go right straight through to New York?” questioned Jack. “I thought so at first,” answered Frank. “But I have received a letter which may change our plans—if you agree.” “What letter?” asked several. “A letter from Charlie Creighton, of Philadelphia. He urges us to stop off and pay him a visit.” “Creighton, eh?” said Jack. “I remember him. He was a good chap at Yale.” “Can we have some sport in Philadelphia?” questioned Harry. “I think so. But not such sport as we have had here or in the mountains.” “Dot vos all right alretty,” put in Hans. “I peen villing to take it easy for you, you bet mine life! No more vild adventures py me alretty!” “By gum, it’s time we quieted deown,” snorted Ephraim. “Ef we don’t we’ll be as wild ez hawks when we git ter hum!” The matter was talked over for quite a while, after which a vote was taken by which it was unanimously resolved to move on to Philadelphia, pay a short visit to the college youth mentioned, and see “how the land lay,” as Harry expressed it. Two days later found them on the way. They picked out the best bicycle road, and took their time, so that even Bruce did no growling. A telegram was sent ahead to Charlie Creighton, and he met them at the Continental Hotel, at which place they decided to put up for the time being, for they knew Creighton could not very well accommodate the whole crowd, and they were unwilling to separate. “You must stay over, at least a few days,” said Charlie Creighton. “And some of you must stay up to our house too. It’s up on Chestnut Hill, and I know you will like it. My sister has a number of girl friends up there, and all of us will do what we can to make you comfortable.” And so it was settled. Frank found the Creightons very nice people, and soon felt at home with them. Mabel Creighton was a girl who reminded him slightly of Elsie Bellwood, although he did not think her quite so pretty as his old-time sweetheart. Mabel had several girl chums, and soon Frank and the other boys were on good terms all around. The girls loved to play tennis, and it was not long before they induced Frank and the others to play. What one of these games led to will be told in the chapter to follow. CHAPTER XXIX—FRANK MEETS DEFEAT “Look out, Merriwell!” called Bart Hodge, from his comfortable seat in the shade of the vine-covered arbor. “This game decides the set.” “I know that,” smiled Frank, as he took his position back of the base line of the right court, poised his racket, and prepared to serve. “Miss Creighton is a wonder at tennis.” The pretty girl on the opposite side of the net laughed merrily. “Oh, what a jolly thing it will be to defeat Frank Merriwell, the great Yale athlete, of whom my brother is forever telling some improbable yarn!” she cried. Three other girls, two of whom were swinging in a hammock, clapped their hands and laughed.