"Well, that's about all I heard," went on Frank. "But Garry's name came in so often that I felt sure they were cooking up something especially against him. I made up my mind I'd give you the tip. Those fellows are bad medicine." "Thanks very much, Frank," said Garry warmly. "I'll sure be on the watch." They changed the subject then, and after a little more conversation Frank went on, leaving Bill and Garry in an especially thoughtful mood. "So, maybe after all it wasn't a mare's nest that I uncovered this morning," remarked Bill, as they walked on. "Looks that way," admitted Garry. "There may be some one else in the school that'll have to be thrown overboard. Why can't fellows be decent? Why should there be such things as traitors?" "Why should there be such things as skunks and snakes and mosquitoes?" Bill answered. "But there are, just the same. We've just got to grin and bear them." "Not on your life!" cried Garry, clenching his fists. "We've got to fight them!" CHAPTER XVII Facing the Foe That Bill Sherwood had not been wholly wrong in his suspicions seemed to be proved a few days later. The practice had been unusually animated, the regulars trying to down the scrubs by as big a score as possible and the scrubs in turn fighting desperately to defend their goal line. Garry had the ball, and was plunging through a hole that Bill and Scarsdale had made for him between right end and tackle. In doing so he came in contact with Bixby, who butted him full in the face with his head. The blow was such a savage one that Garry went down like a steer hit by an axe, blood pouring from his nose. For a moment he lost consciousness. Time was called while his comrades rushed to him and helped him to his feet. Through his dazed eyes Garry caught sight of Bixby and tried to get at him, but his mates restrained him. Mr. Phillips rushed out on the field while Garry was struggling to free himself. "What is the meaning of this?" he asked sharply of Bixby. "What kind of tactics are those to use on the football field?" "It was an accident," muttered Bixby. "I miscalculated when I dived for him." "Accident nothing!" roared Bill. "You butted him deliberately! I saw you! You tried to knock him out!" "Nothing of the kind," retorted Bixby, but his eyes lowered as they tried to meet Bill's. "Get off the field, Bixby," commanded Mr. Phillips quietly. "This isn't your first offense. I've noticed several times lately you've tried to rough Grayson, though he's said nothing about it. Selleck, you take Bixby's place." "Didn't think this was a game for ladies," sneered Bixby, as he slunk away. "It isn't," replied Mr. Phillips. "But it is a game for gentlemen, not rowdies. There'll be no dirty tactics on the field while I have charge of the Lenox High athletics. You're out of the game for the rest of the season."