"Well, Mr. Frank Merriwell is running things here, as I have told you before. His brother is on the eleven, and his brother does not like me."

"Do you really think Dick Merriwell would resort to such a petty thing?"

"Haven’t a doubt of it."

"Well, I don’t believe anything of the sort!" said Doris, suddenly turning toward them. "I am sure he can’t be that kind of a fellow?"

"What makes you so sure?" questioned Hal, with a smile that meant much.

"Why, a fellow who is so splendid—I mean such a splendid player——"

"Don’t change it."

She blushed.

"You’re actually becoming hateful of late, Hal!" she exclaimed. "Haven’t I a right to say he is a splendid player?"

"Oh, of course? Go on."