But there were many days when even Trompet Shrugg could find no excuse for detaining him, and then Garry made up for what he had lost in the way of practice. As a matter of fact, the persecution to which he had been subjected had its compensations. For with the blood boiling in his veins from the sense of injustice he was all the more formidable on the field. He tackled his opponents as though he were tackling the English teacher, and when he went through the line it was with the force of a catapult. Coach Garwin watched him with those sleepy eyes that seemed to see little, but in reality noted everything. But he was puzzled at his frequent absence from practice. He had questioned the lad about it and Garry had simply told him the truth, that he had been made to do work after school for having failed in his recitation. Garry was too proud to explain further. If he hated anything, it was a telltale. "Too bad, Wynn," Coach Garwin remarked to the captain of the regulars, "that young Grayson isn't keeping up in his scholarship. He's the most promising young player I've seen in years, almost good enough for the regulars, if he weren't a freshman." "Quite good enough, I should say," returned Ralph, with a wry smile. "I'm sore yet from the way he tackled me a few minutes ago. He goes into a fellow like a battering ram. But what do you mean about his scholarship? I thought he was one of the brightest young fellows in the school. He stood at the head of his class in Hill Street." "Seems a clever lad," said Garwin, "but he's told me himself that he's had to stay after school several times because he failed in his recitations." "Do you know why?" came a voice from behind them. They turned to see Bill Sherwood, who had come up in time to hear part of this conversation. "I'll tell you why," went on Bill, his voice shaking with indignation. "It's because Mr. Shrugg has it in for him! He's riding him all the time! There isn't a fellow in the class that he treats as he does Garry! In every other class in the school Garry's right up at the top. Why isn't he in the English class? Because Mr. Shrugg won't let him. He asks him questions no one in the class is expected to know, things away beyond the grade. He takes delight in flunking him." Coach Garwin and Ralph Wynn exchanged amazed glances. "That's very strange," said Ralph. "I know Mr. Shrugg is rather eccentric and not very popular with any of the boys. But it doesn't seem as if any teacher could be as small as that. I know that Mr. Allen wouldn't stand it for a minute if he knew. Are you sure that he's riding Grayson deliberately?" "There isn't any doubt of it," replied Bill. "Ask any fellow in the class. They're all talking about it." "Grayson didn't tell me anything about that," remarked Mr. Garwin. "That's just because he's a thoroughbred and won't tell tales," declared Bill. "He takes his medicine and lets it go at that. But I'm giving you a straight story. Garry's getting it in the neck."