"I've heard about that, too, and, as near as I can make out, Grant took those chances because he had to." "Had to? Why----" "He had to after he got caught by the current and carried over the dam with the girl. There couldn't be any backing out then. I'll bet he never would have jumped into the water at all if he'd stopped a moment to consider the danger. According to the story I've heard, it was really that big lout, Bunk Lander, who did the great act of heroism and saved both Grant and the Barker girl; but of course Grant got most of the credit. Anyway, I know that some fellows have lost a bit of their confidence in the cowpuncher since Springer faced him down; they're due to get the rest of it shaken out before the game ends Saturday." "I suppose you're mighty confident again that Oakdale will get beaten?" "It's a certainty this time, Hook. Let me give you a little tip. You lost some money on that game with Barville, and this is the chance to win it back. Bet on Wyndham Saturday and you'll even up your mistake before." "My mistake! It wasn't my mistake; it was yours. Besides, you didn't keep your word about making good any loss I might suffer. You put me in a nasty hole, Rackliff." "I don't see why. To hear you talk, anybody might think you were ruined instead of merely getting hit for less than a fiver. Never knew a fellow to put up such a squeal over a little money." Hooker's cheeks were flushed and he faced Herbert, his undershot jaw seeming to project still further than usual. "I lost more than that," he said. "What? You did? Why, you only gave me four dollars and----" "I lost something more than money." "You didn't tell me about it." "I haven't told anyone--but my mother. I had to tell her the other day. When you wanted me to bet on that game I told you I didn't have any money." "Yes." "But I knew where my mother had some money put away in a drawer--some money she had been saving up a little at a time to buy the material for a new dress. I went into that drawer and took that money. You were so positive that I could not lose that I--well, I stole the money." "Dear me!" said Herbert, grinning and coughing behind his thin hand. "What did the old girl say when she found it out?" "She never suspected me," said Roy. "She couldn't think I would do such a thing. And I--I lied about it. When she discovered the money was gone and became distressed over its loss, I lied." "You would have been a fool if you'd owned up." "I was a fool to touch a cent of that money, in the first place. I was a fool to listen to your blarney, Rackliff. Just because I was idiot enough to believe in you, I made myself a thief and a liar. Oh, I've been punished for it, all right. Never knew I had a conscience that could make me squirm so much. Some nights I slept mighty mean." "Paugh! You make me laugh. It wasn't anything to take a few paltry dollars like that. You're mother'll never know." "She knows now." "What?"