"Who is that?"
"Will Mallory. He came from down East, and he is the slickest ice-hockey player you ever set eyes on."
"Well, if they challenge us we'll do our best," declared Dave, and some others said the same.
The next day, after school, Dave had occasion to go to Oakdale on an errand. Roger was going along, but at the last minute had to stay behind, so Dave went alone.
He had scarcely passed out of the school grounds when he noticed that he was being followed. A tall, thin man had stepped from behind some oak trees, and was coming after him.
"I wonder what that chap was doing around the school?" the youth asked himself.
He walked along rapidly, and the man did the same. Then Dave slackened his pace, and the follower did likewise.
"He doesn't want to catch up to me, that's sure," thought the youth. "Maybe he is afraid I'll recognize him. Wonder who he is?"
He turned and looked back. But the man had his overcoat pulled up and his soft hat pulled far down, and Dave could see little of his face.
"This is a mystery," mused Dave. "I am going to speak to him," and he stopped short and waited for the mysterious individual to come up.