“That’s what I don’t know, Burton. This Devore chap has a bad name, Joe tells me. He got fired from a job in the freight office about a year ago when he was suspected of stealing a small amount of money. Since then he’s been depending on his pool playing and on betting for a living. Joe thinks that Devore has got hold of something regarding our team, plays, signals, something or other, that he can hand on to Kenly. He’s trying to get hold of enough money to bet against Alton to make a killing, it seems. That’s Joe’s notion. But I don’t believe that Kenly would profit in any such way. I know the coach over there, and he’s a square chap. It may be that Devore has wormed something out of you, Burton, or thinks he has, and means to let us know next week, Saturday perhaps, that he has it and try to make us believe that he’s spilled it to Kenly. He probably figures that we’d have to change our plans at the last moment and that if we did we’d lose the game. Joe says he hears from Lakeville that several bets have already been laid over there on Kenly, which makes it look as if Devore was working with some one there. Of course it would help us considerably if you could recall just what you told Devore, Burton; what plays were discussed, for instance.” “I wish I could,” said Chick hopelessly. “Honestly, though, I don’t see how he could make anything out of what I said, Mr. Cade. We never talked signals, and, anyway, it was before we’d changed to the new ones. Maybe I did explain two or three plays to him, but I don’t believe he understood them or could remember them, sir.” Mr. Cade shook his head. “He could if he set out to, I’m afraid. Look here, it’s nearly eleven, and you chaps will have to hustle. When you get a good chance, Burton, I want you to sit down and go over your talks with Devore and try to recall about what was said by you regarding the team. It may be that Devore hasn’t a thing in the world and that the whole business is poppycock, but I’d like to be certain one way or another. Will you do that?” “Yes, sir,” replied Chick despondently. “Gosh, I seem to have made a complete mess of everything! I wish some one had hit me on the head a couple of months ago, and hit a lot harder! I--I’m beastly ashamed of myself, Mr. Cade, and it’s certainly mighty white of you to--to take it so decently!” “That’s all right. Don’t trouble about it too much. Get to bed now, have a good sleep and see me to-morrow.” CHAPTER XIX TOMMY ISSUES AN ULTIMATUM Very little was said on the way back to Upton, partly because there was little time remaining before eleven o’clock and it was necessary to hurry, and partly because both boys were busy with their thoughts. Once Bert said in puzzled tones: “Funny Devore wrote to you in a railroad envelope if he got fired a year ago, Chick.”