“For what reason?” demanded the gentleman, in astonishment.
“We think the Ajax lost the race on purpose,” went on Bock, and then he told of how Jack and Fred Century were friends, and how the young major had assisted those on the Ajax when that craft had capsized.
“Fred Century does not like it at Pornell Academy and is going to leave at the end of this term,” Bock went on. “I am certain he threw the race into the hands of the Putnam Hall cadets.”
“So am I,” added Ritter boldly, and then he spoke of a talk he had overheard between Jack, Pepper and Fred Century. He said that there could not be the slightest doubt but what Century had played into Jack Ruddy’s hands, and Coulter and Paxton said the same.
This statement aroused a hot discussion, in which all the judges and several outsiders took part.
“I consider every sloop was sailed honestly,” said one judge. “If ever a race was won fairly this was won by the Alice.” Bock and Ritter continued to talk, but the judges would not consider their protest, and at last they had to withdraw much crestfallen.
Bock’s actions made a large number of the Putnam Hall cadets very bitter, and on Saturday night there was something of a pitched battle between Andy, Pepper, Dale and six other of the Putnam Hall boys and Roy Bock and his gang. Blows were freely exchanged, and sticks and stones were used, and Bock and his cohorts were forced to run away. Bock got a black eye and Grimes had two of his front teeth loosened, while Gussic had his coat split up the back from bottom to top. Of course the Putnam Hall cadets suffered somewhat, but they went back to the school happy, having driven the enemy from the field.
“We must get square for this,” said Grimes. “I’ll never rest until I pay them back.”
“Right you are,” returned Roy Bock. “I wish I could get back at the whole school.”
“That’s the talk,” added Gussic. “We ought to do something that will make the whole crowd sore.”