"I will," decided Dick, "but I haven't much hope. He is very much set against football, and he has no especial love for me. I can't understand why he should give in about the stock. Perhaps he feels that he must close up some of his business matters if he is going away. Then, too, dad's offer may be better than the one Porter made him. I can't understand it, but I'll take a chance and send him a wire, asking him to meet me after the game." "Have you got the cash to pay for the stock?" asked Paul. "Oh, I can give him a check to bind the bargain, and dad can settle with him later. I haven't as much in the bank as I had, for I let dad invest it in the electric line." "Then you stand to lose too, if you don't get Duncaster's stock." "Yes, but what of it? If we win this game, and Kentfield is the champion of the league, I'd be willing to lose almost all I had. I fancy dad left an offer with Mr. Duncaster, better than his first one, of an advance of ten per cent., and instructed the crabbed old chap to let him know when he was ready to accept it. Instead, he sends me word, and I--well, I'm not going--that's all. That is not until after the game. It's what dad would want me to do--he'll understand," said Dick softly. "Well, you've got nerve--that's all I've got to say," complimented Paul admiringly. Dick wrote his telegram, and he took the precaution to give Toots the money to prepay it. "Duncaster might refuse it, if it went collect," he remarked with a grim smile. "I can't take any chances. Then, Toots, arrange to have a speedy taxicab waiting for me at the end of the game. I'll make a bee-line for Hardvale as soon as the last whistle blows," he explained to Paul. "Want to come along?" "Sure." It was almost time to go out on the gridiron now. Dick gave one brief and half-regretful thought to the opportunity he might be missing. Then he murmured: "Well, the game--from now on!" He had no idea of wiring his father the news, but he felt that after all it would be better to explain it personally. "If dad was only where he could make a jump to Hardvale he could clinch the deal," he mused, "but it's impossible." "Hark! What's that?" cried Paul as they were about to leave their room. It was the sound of a swelling, boisterous cry--a joyful shout--a challenge. "The Blue team has arrived!" exclaimed Dick. "Come on! Now for the battle!" Already there was quite a crowd in the grandstands, and more people were arriving every minute. The ticket takers had their hands full, and the ushers were as busy as bees. For rumors of the fierce game that was likely to be played had prevailed for the last two weeks, and there was every indication of a record-breaking crowd. "Our treasury will be filled!" cried the manager of Kentfield with exultation. "This is a great day for us--even if we don't win." "We're going to!" declared Dick with conviction.