Dunn obeyed with alacrity, happy in the conviction that by the service which he was now rendering, he was taking a long step forward to the recovery of his lost popularity. As he spoke, growing more and more eager in the unfolding of the advantages to be gained and the best method of using the new information, Hardie dropped his gaze to the ground, where he kicked away impatiently at a stubby tuft of grass, while Talbot held his eyes fixed on the narrator’s face, his cheeks darkening and swelling with rising emotion. Slowly Dunn became aware that the impression which he was making was not the one intended. His eloquence wavered; his speech dwindled to an abrupt and confused end.
“Well, what do you think of it, Pete?” asked Harrison, quietly, swinging round upon his friend.
“I think it would be a dirty, mean trick!” Talbot burst out in wrathful staccato. “A hundred victories couldn’t wipe out the disgrace of it!”
“That’s just my opinion,” declared Harrison. “As you have the man’s address, Dunn, you’d better write him what we think of his offer.”
Harrison turned back into the locker house; Talbot and Hardie went off toward the dormitory. Stover watched the retreating figures for a few seconds in silence, then emitted a loud, mocking laugh.
“Have it your own way, you angels, you nice boys, and get slaughtered,” exclaimed Dunn, in deep disgust. “I’m through with the thing.”
He crumpled the envelope on which was written Callahan’s address and threw it on the ground. Several minutes later, when the coast was clear, a strange boy who had been watching from the outer fence, strolled across the yard, picked up the twisted scrap of paper, and thrust it into his pocket.
CHAPTER IX
THE NEWBURY GAME
Stover, whisking home in his automobile, turned the incident over in his mind, and decided that he would say nothing about it,—if the others didn’t,—at least until after the game. The fellows in the influential set at Westcott’s were terribly sensitive about points of honor, and it was hardly worth while to risk position by running counter to the general sentiment in a matter which really didn’t concern him at all. After they’d lost the game, they might think more highly of his advice.