Jim paused there and stared sadly at the base of the lamp for a long moment before he went on. CHAPTER XIV IN THE JUDGE’S CHAMBER Jim was the first one at the training table the next morning and the first one away, and it wasn’t much after half-past eight when he emerged from Haylow and made his way across the campus. Under one arm he carried his football. At West street he turned to the left and, about a third of the way along the block, turned in under a swinging sign on which a football was portrayed. It was a prosperous looking store whose well-filled shelves and cases and counters offered everything in the athletic and sporting goods lines. At this time of morning there were no customers, and the only occupant was a youth of nineteen or twenty, a graduate of the Academy and a resident of the town. To him Jim explained his errand. “I bought this football here awhile back,” he stated, “and it’s never been used any to speak of. Hasn’t even been out of my room until to-day. You can see it’s almost like new.” “Yes, I see, but what’s the matter with it?” The clerk was examining the stitching frowningly. “Nothing,” said Jim, “but I ain’t got any more use for it and I thought maybe you could sell it again.” “Well, I don’t know. It’s just about as good as a new one, Mr. Todd; I’ve got you right, haven’t I? You are Todd of the Eleven, aren’t you? I thought so. Well, as I was saying, I’d like to oblige you, but we don’t very often have calls for second-hand footballs. I don’t suppose we ever had, still I’ll be glad to do what I can for you. I’ll take it on sale, Mr. Todd. It’s kind of late now, though, and the demand for footballs is about over.” “I wanted you to buy it from me,” said Jim. “I need the money right away.” “Oh! Well, I don’t see how we could do that. If Mr. Emerson was here he might be willing to do it, but he isn’t. I don’t see much of him at this time of the year. Guess he’s pretty busy playing football. He telephones a couple of times a week, but he may not call up to-day.” Jim’s disappointment showed plainly. “Well, I’ve got to have the money this morning,” he muttered. “I--I’d sell it back to you right cheap.” “How cheap?” asked the clerk. “You paid seven for this, didn’t you?” “Six-thirty. I got the academy discount.” “That’s right. Well, how much do you want for it?” “Four,” answered Jim. “Well, I don’t say it isn’t worth it,” said the other dubiously, “but I guess three and a half would be the best I could get for it, if it sold at all.” “Three and a half?” Jim considered. “All right, I’ll take three and a half.” “I may get stuck on it,” said the clerk hesitantly, “but I’ll take a chance. Mind, I’m doing this, not the store, Mr. Todd. I wouldn’t have any right to risk the store’s money like this.”