CHAPTER III.
A SURPRISE FOR DICK.
In the dressing room there was a jabber of youthful voices as the players got into their street clothes. Kates was feeling pretty well, for the fellows who had made errors behind him, one and all, had come forward and offered congratulations over his work, at the same time blaming themselves for repeatedly putting him into a bad hole.
Casper Steele, in a motoring suit, appeared and expressed his appreciation of the hair-lifting game he had witnessed.
“I was really losing interest when you went out of the box, Merriwell, old man!” laughed Casper. “That finish was a heart-breaker, though. How long before you and your friends will be ready to start for Meadwold?”
“On my word,” said Dick, “I’d forgotten about your invitation.”
“But you can go?” questioned Steele anxiously. “You said you’d let me know if you couldn’t get away, and I haven’t heard a word from you.”
“It’s all right, I can go.”
“How about Claxton and Buckhart?”
“They will come along. It’s all fixed.”
“Good! A day off to-morrow will be to the benefit of all of you.”