A field goal! Three points! Before the ball could again be put into play the referee's whistle blew and the game was over with Lenox two points to the good! CHAPTER XXII FORGING AHEAD The air resounded with cheers from the frantic Lenox rooters as they poured down over the field, hoisted Garry on their shoulders, despite his laughing protests, and carried him to the clubhouse. Their joy was all the greater because their case had looked so hopeless that they had resigned themselves to defeat. "A narrow squeak," commented Garry happily, as he was getting into his street clothes. "But you made it!" exulted Nick. "And Rooster here and Bill covered themselves with glory. Old Hill Street was in it to-day with both feet." It was a triumphal return that the Lenox boys made to their home town, and their delight in the victory was increased when they learned that Wimbledon had been defeated on the same day by Pawling, while Greenfield, their most feared opponent, had had to lower its colors to Thomaston. The first especially was balm to their spirits, as it seemed a sort of vicarious revenge for the defeat that Wimbledon had handed to Lenox. On the following Monday their high spirits took a sudden drop when they learned that Mr. Garwin had suddenly been summoned out of town. There was serious illness in his family, and it was impossible to predict when he would be back. Gloom settled over the teams like a pall. But though his heart, equally with others, was filled with consternation, Garry Grayson was the first to see that the cloud had a silver lining. "Mr. Garwin was a crackajack coach," he said to his chums, as they were excitedly discussing the matter. "No mistake about that. But what's the matter with Mr. Phillips! They don't come any better than he is." "He's there with the goods, all right," agreed Nick. "But perhaps he won't be willing," came from Ted. "Trust him to do anything he can for the school," said Garry confidently. "And he's a fiend for football. He doesn't think it's a brutal game unfit for gentlemen." There was a general laugh at this reminder of the unlamented Trompet Shrugg. "Of course we're only freshmen and we can't butt in," added Garry. "Perhaps Mr. Garwin has already made arrangements for some one to take his place. If he hasn't it's up to Ralph Wynn to take the first step." "Who's taking my name in vain!" said a jocular voice behind them, and they looked up to see Ralph himself. "I'm the guilty wretch," answered Garry, smiling. "We were wondering who was going to coach the team now that Mr. Garwin has gone." "Mr. Garwin arranged for that before he left," replied Ralph. "He pressed an old friend of yours into the service." "You don't mean Mr. Phillips?" cried Garry eagerly. "No one else," answered Ralph, with a smile.