“It was certainly a narrow squeak,” declared Fred, when the game was over and the boys were preparing to celebrate that evening. “I believe if Gif had kept Brassy and Halliday on the team we would have lost.”
“Well, we may lose some other games even so,” said Jack. And he was right. Out of a total of seven games played with the other schools of that vicinity that season Colby Hall won but four.
“Well, we can’t win every year,” declared Randy. “And we’re half a game to the good anyway, and that’s something.”
“It’s certainly better than being half a game behind,” answered his twin.
While these matters were going on Colonel Colby and Captain Dale had been doing everything possible with the aid of the local police, and also a private detective who had been called in, to solve the mystery concerning the robbery at the school. But all efforts seemed to be in vain. Not a trace of the person or persons who had committed the crime could be found. It was a great mystery.
“I think I’ll have to settle with all of the boys and with Professor Duke,” said Colonel Colby to his head assistant. “And there I suppose the matter will have to be dropped.”
Later on he took up the various claims and paid each one of them in cash.
“I am very thankful to you for this, Colonel Colby,” declared Snopper Duke, when he received his money. “It will come in quite handy, I assure you. And yet I am much distressed over that watch which once belonged to my grandfather.”
“Well, I hope it is brought to light some day, Professor,” answered the master of the Hall. “And if it is then you can pay me back for it,” and he smiled faintly.
In those days a number of the cadets noticed that Snopper Duke seemed to be much preoccupied. He paid hardly any attention to what his pupils were doing and was so absent-minded that often he answered the simplest questions in the most ridiculous manner.