Yet had they known that instead of seeking to take the prize from Fred, Alice was, in reality, trying to make him win it, spending hours at Margie's house explaining problems to him, rehearsing recitations and coaching him in every way of which she could think, they would have been amazed. But in their ignorance of the secret friendship, they saw only the family rivalry. The wagering of money was strictly forbidden--and severely punished when discovered--at Baxter, but the resourceful students had devised a method to back their favorites, by agreeing to work problems in mathematics or translate Greek, Latin, Spanish, French and German for varying periods. On the day previous to the examinations, Bart stalked haughtily into the gymnasium during recess. "I'll do mathematics, French, Spanish and German for the entire Second semester against the same for a month that Alice wins over Fred," he announced. "Greek and Latin the same," cried Lefty. "I'll give mathematics," announced Taffy. "Wow! What a cinch!" cried Buttons, Soda and Shorty in chorus. "We'll each take the three of you. No more worry about baseball and lessons. Hooray!" The eagerness with which the wagers were accepted rather surprised Bart and his chums. But they had made the odds tempting on purpose, and so confident were they of Alice's ability, that they bound the agreements--according to Baxter tradition--by shaking hands. At breakfast the next morning, Mrs. Montgomery announced to the rich bully that Alice was ill in bed. Instantly Bart rushed to her room and urged her to get up and take the examination. "But we've no end of wagers on you," he growled when she turned a deaf ear to his entreaties. "You ought to be ashamed of yourself, Bart," exclaimed Mrs. Montgomery, who had followed him. "The idea of you're caring more about your wagers than your sister's health. Now go away, and mind you do not bother Alice any more." When Bart reported the indisposition of his sister at school, his chums were in consternation. "Serves you right," chuckled Shorty. "No one with sense would have wagered such periods." "But they're off," announced the bully. "Not much!" exclaimed Buttons. "It's just the same as though Alice failed to win. You made no conditions." And with this decision, Bart and his chums were forced to be content. "Oh, well, Bronson may beat Fred," suggested Taffy. "That'll let us out." As the four contestants came out of the examination room, they were surrounded by their classmates, but in accordance with a suggestion from the headmaster, they refused to discuss the examination, and went immediately to their homes. Realizing that the interval of suspense would prove hard on her son, Mrs. Markham had asked Margie, Grace and Buttons to spend the afternoon and evening with Fred. But despite their attempts to divert him, the boy was silent and unresponsive. Just as they sat down to supper, however, there came a rap at the door.