Opening it, Fred was surprised to see Bronson standing on the porch. "Hello, Clothespin! Come in. You're just in time to eat," invited Fred. "Thank you, but I can't. I'm going home to-night. I came over to bring this note from Mr. Vining." And before Fred could say anything, Bronson had hurried away. A moment the boy turned the envelope over and over. "Open it! Open it!" called the others. In obedience, Fred did so. And as he unfolded the letter, two bank notes fluttered to the floor. CHAPTER XVI THE CALL FOR BASEBALL CANDIDATES For a moment Fred could scarcely believe his eyes, mechanically stooping and picking up the crisp pieces of paper. Then, as he caught sight of the letter "C" on each, he realized that he held two one-hundred-dollar bills. "I've won! I've won!" he cried. "Here, Momsy, these are for you!" And, rushing to his mother, he placed the money in her hands. Rejoicing in his success, the others expressed their delight in no uncertain ways, while Mrs. Markham sank into a chair and beamed upon them. "What does the letter say?" inquired Grace suddenly, noticing that Fred still held the sheet of paper in his hand. "Jove! I'd forgotten. Listen: "MY DEAR FRED: "Accept my heartiest congratulations upon your success in winning the Second Form Scholarship in Science. Knowing what this means to you, I am enclosing the amount of the prize. As formal announcement of the award will not be made until to-morrow morning, I request that you only impart the news of your success to your good mother until then. With best wishes, "RICHARD VINING." "Good for the Head. I always knew he was a brick!" exclaimed Buttons. "It certainly is most considerate of him to relieve our suspense," said Mrs. Markham. But in the hour of his happiness, Fred's thoughts were not of himself. "I wonder if Bronson knew what this envelope contained," he mused. "It must have been rather hard on him if he did." "Oh, don't worry about _him_," protested Margie. "This is an occasion of jubilation, not mourning." "That's what, Cotton-Top," chimed in Buttons. "Come in to the feast, Mrs. Markham." And, seizing the happy woman by the arm, he led her to the supper-table, whither the others quickly followed, and what had promised to be a solemn meal was one of great merriment. All at once, while the young people were enjoying themselves after supper, Fred laughed aloud. "What is it now?" demanded Buttons. "You can't any of you go home," grinned Fred. "Why not?" asked the others. "Because the Head requested me not to let the fact of my winning be known before to-morrow. If you go home, you'll tell about it. So you must stay here." "But we can't," protested the girls. "It isn't a question of can; it's one of must," declared Fred. "But mother will worry," persisted Margie.