“But I’m on the eleven, Mr. Sharp,” protested Gus. “That will keep me from practising with the team and we’re to play the Military Academy next week.” Twenty-five marks caused a boy to be suspended, and to be given “the limits” was to prevent him from leaving the school grounds, even to go to the athletic field during the days for which the sentence was declared. “You should have thought of that,” said Mr. Sharp. “But I must go. There isn’t any other way. I’ll appeal to the doctor.” “A repetition of such a threat will bring you ten marks more,” said Mr. Sharp pettishly. “Go to your room and remain there until the bell rings for supper! I am deeply chagrined to find you, Richards, in such a scrape as this,” the teacher again said as he turned to Dan. “I expected better things of you.” Dan did not reply and in a brief time he and Walter entered their room and closed the door. “That’s a smart trick you’ve played this time, Dan Richards,” said Walter fiercely when the two boys were by themselves. “I haven’t played any trick.” “What did you order Gus to leave the room for?” “I wanted him to get out.” “But you didn’t have any business to tell him that. Remember, this is my room. When I want a fellow to leave I’ll tell him to go. I sha’n’t ask you.” “I don’t remember that I asked you.” “You didn’t. That’s half the trouble.” “Well, Gus Kiggins went, didn’t he?” asked Dan grimly. “You caught him when he wasn’t looking. You’ve got yourself in a mess now. A week’s ‘limits’ and ten marks! You’ll think that’s a picnic though compared with what Gus will do to you. He’s the best boxer in the school.” “So I have heard.” “Look here, Dan; we might as well have this out now as any time. If you think you’re going to order my friends out of my room any time you take a notion you’re mistaken, that’s all! I won’t stand for it.” “Walter, you’d better draw a line through the room then; if you want to you can have such fellows as Gus Kiggins on your side. I simply don’t want him on my side of the line.” “Who pays for this room?” “Your father, as I have frequently heard you say.” “Well, he pays for the whole room, doesn’t he?” “Yes――half of it for you and half for me. If I had known what I had to put up with, you might have had a roommate like Gus Kiggins.” “He isn’t the only fellow in school that has ten marks and the ‘limits’ for a week.” “That’s right,” assented Dan quietly. “I guess my father will think it’s a toss up.” “He’ll soon know.” “How? Are you going to tell my father about him?” asked Walter, his alarm betraying itself in his manner. “I sha’n’t mention the name of Gus Kiggins. I shall write your father about my part.” “But you might as well tell him about Gus. He’ll know just as soon as he hears from you.” “Very well. Will you write him then?” “I? Why should I write him?” “I thought you thought it was better for you to write than for me.” “Will you write if I don’t?” “I shall.” “I’d like to know why?”