"I'll side with Jack and say it was Werner," said Fred.
"And I'll side with my brother and say it was either Slugger or Werner," added Andy.
Two days later came word which filled the Rover boys with joy. It was announced that, as the war in Europe was at an end, Colonel Colby might be expected home any day.
"Hurrah! that means that our folks will be coming home too before long!" cried Fred, throwing up his cap. "Isn't this the best ever!"
"Maybe we'll get word from our fathers in a day or two," returned Andy. "Anyway, I hope so."
"My! what a grand old time we ought to have when they do get home," said Randy, his eyes glistening.
"We'll tear the woodpile down!" announced his twin, and then turned a handspring just to ease his feelings.
The talk among the cadets at the Hall was now divided between the return of Colonel Colby and the baseball game with Columbus Academy. In the meantime Hixley High played a game with Longley Academy and lost by a score of 3 to 7.
"Gee! that doesn't look good to me," announced Gif soberly, when the news came in. "All we could do this year was to hold them to that tie."
"That score would seem to prove that the Longley nine is just about twice as good as the Hixley nine," remarked Dan.