"It's a bit early," objected Dick. "The Blue Hill crowd won't be here for an hour yet." There came a knock on the door, and Toots stood there saluting between the strains of "Marching Through Georgia." "Telegram for you, Mr. Hamilton--it came collect," announced the janitor. "Humph. Can't be from dad, he always pays his messages," remarked Dick, as he handed over the money, and tore open the envelope. When he had read the few words he gave a gasp of astonishment. "What's the matter?" asked Paul quickly. "Bad news." "No. Good!" cried Dick. "Listen. This is from Mr. Duncaster--no wonder he sent it collect. He says: 'Have your letter. I will grant your request and sell you the stock. Come and see me at once, as I am leaving for Europe for my health. I go to-night.'" "Then you'd better hustle out to Hardvale!" cried Paul. "Hurray! That's great." Slowly Dick crushed the telegram in his hand. "I can't go," he said slowly. "Why not?" "I haven't time to go out there and get back to play the game--and--I'm going to play the game!" CHAPTER XXVIII "LINE UP!" Paul, looked at Dick Hamilton with something a little short of open-mouthed wonder. He could not understand him. He realized the vital necessity of the Hamilton forces getting control of the trolley stock that Mr. Duncaster held. Now, when the opportunity offered, Dick calmly turned it down. "Do you know what you're saying, Dick?" asked his roommate. "This is the only chance you'll have--perhaps to save your father's fortune." "I know it." "And you're not going?" "What? And desert the team in the face of the biggest game of the year? I guess not. Dad wouldn't want me to." "Some one can play in your place--perhaps for half the game. You could go out in an auto and back in a short time." "Of course I might, but I'm not going to," and the young millionaire, who might not be a lad of wealth much longer, calmly looked to see if his canvas jacket needed any last attention. "If I went out there it would take some time to arrange about the transfer of the stock, and I never could get back in season to play the game. Besides I want to start off with the boys from the first kick against Blue Hill." "I don't blame you--but--it's a big price to pay." "I know it, but it's worth all it will cost. Why I couldn't leave now, practically in the face of the enemy. I may not be a whole lot to the team, and probably there are fellows on the scrub who can play quarter-back as well, if not better, than I can. But I've trained with the boys all season. I'm their captain, however unworthy, and I've got to stick by 'em. It would be treason to go now. I've got to stick." "But can't you do something? Can't you send Duncaster some word? He says he leaves to-night. Telegraph him that you'll see him directly after the game. Explain how things stand, and maybe he'll make allowances."