"Is that so? I know your Uncle Ralph is on the firing line, ready to use up all the ammunition he has in the shop to help 'em. Guess Mr. Barry told him the jig is up with the Ramblers." "Humph! Spying again!" sniffed Victor. "I don't know what Mr. Barry said, and wouldn't tell you if I did." "You don't even know what your uncle went to see him about, I s'pose?" "Of course I do." "I dare you to tell me." "Who do you think I'm afraid of--you?" "Yes! And if you have the nerve to say that Captain Bunderley has been saying anything against the 'Hopes' I'll attend to your case right now." "You will!" howled Victor, beginning to pull off his coat. "You will! Well, wade right in and mix it up! That's just what Uncle Ralph did do." "Thank you, Mr. Collins," said Benny, sweetly. "You've given me all the information I wanted. Don't you think I make a pretty good spy? Ta, ta!" CHAPTER XVIII THE PRESIDENT SPEAKS During recess on the following day Dan Brown knocked gently on the door of President Hopkins' private office. "Come in!" called a mild but authoritative voice. The president, a dignified figure, was seated at his desk near the window. "Good-morning, Brown! What can I do for you?" He motioned the originator of the "Hopes" crusade to a seat close by. "I have been delegated by a committee to call upon you," answered "Crackers," articulating each word with great distinctness. "Ah, indeed! Who is the committee?" "Earl Roycroft, Owen Lawrence and Frank Bush, representing the new baseball club and almost the entire body of students." Professor Hopkins looked surprised. "What is the nature of your business?" he asked. "We think the time has come when an unfortunate exhibition of obstinacy on the part of a few students should come to an end." "Go ahead, Brown," said the president, as the big lad paused. "We should be very glad indeed if you would allow us the use of the assembly room to hold a meeting." "For what purpose?" "As you know, professor, the inter-scholastic series begins next Saturday. Rockville Academy will send its team over here to play the first game of the season. If the regulars meet them it is bound to be a bad day for the High; the school team, so far, has failed to win a single victory, while the 'Hopes' have not met with a single defeat." The professor gazed abstractedly out of the window. Brown, the earnestness of his manner increasing, kept on. "When Mr. Barry made his generous offer he positively said that only a winning team would get the grounds." "Quite true, Brown." "Can you blame the boys for objecting strenuously when they see such a magnificent prospect fading with every game the regulars play?" The president's revolving chair wheeled sharply around. He removed his eye-glasses, to stare searchingly into "Crackers'" impassive face.