"And so did his dog," laughed Bill. "We took one look at that canine's face and judged it was time for us to do the vanishing act." They decided that discretion was the better part of valor and that practice near the house of Jacob Fish had better be relinquished for a time. The next time, Roy might not prove to be so amenable to friendly advances. "Suppose we run up to the house where Ross Yates is staying and see how he is getting along," suggested Garry, when the boys came together again the next day. "Good idea," pronounced Bill, and as the others were of the same mind the lads started at once. Naturally the subject of their conversation was their adventure of the previous afternoon, and Garry was compelled to tell in more detail how he had wheedled Roy and outwitted Roy's master. The story was told to the accompaniment of boisterous laughter, and it was only when their mirth was exhausted that a more serious aspect of the case appealed to them. "You made him look foolish, Garry, and a man like Fish will never forgive that," said Rooster. "You've made an enemy for life." "Well, you can bet that I'm not going to lie awake at night worrying about it," laughed Garry. On reaching their destination the chums were told that Ross Yates was getting along as well as could be expected. His left leg had been badly twisted and several of the tendons torn, so that when he recovered he might have a slight limp. He was suffering also from some minor internal injuries and from shock. In a week's time it would probably be possible for him to see visitors. Cal, they found, was out somewhere in his car. The boys promised to call again about a week later, and left the house, much relieved to find that nothing serious was wrong with the man for whom they had conceived a great respect and liking. "I wonder if Cal Yates found Sandy Podder and gave him the thrashing he promised," remarked Bill, as they were on their way back to town. "I'd like to have been on the spot if he did," laughed Rooster. "And I'd have liked to hand that bird a few wallops on my own account." "We all have a score to settle with him," affirmed Garry. "They say everything comes to him who waits, and perhaps our chance will come." As the time drew nearer for the fall opening of the Lenox schools, the football enthusiasts in the high school speculated with increasing eagerness upon the probable choice of boys to fill the vacancies on the first eleven. Garry Grayson thought of little else, and Ella more than once complained that their house was being changed into a gridiron. "It's a wonder he doesn't ask you to pass the pigskin instead of the pork," she said aggrievedly to her father, as he was carving a fresh ham. "The other night he did ask for dummies instead of dumplings. His case is getting serious, Dad. I think you ought to have him consult a specialist."