“I did not know that you were so much interested in athletics,” I remarked.
“A lawyer and a detective must be interested in everything which interests his clients,” he replied.
“Did you come out alone?” I asked, more for the purpose of making conversation than from any desire to know.
“No; I had very charming company,” he replied.
“Miss Noakes?” Adelaide asked mischievously.
Mr. Mudge looked at her with stern reproof in his gray eyes.
“Lawn Tennis,” he remarked snappishly. “I came out with that young lady, though she is quite unconscious of my escort.”
“What! is Polo here?” I asked.
“One of the most interested spectators. Her eyes are nearly popping out of her head with every strain of the muscles of that tug-of-war team.”
The team to which Mr. Mudge referred was now pulling, and was made up of members of the Cadet School. They were finely developed young men, and in their leather apron-like protections, with their muscular arms and glowing faces, looked like blacksmiths’ apprentices. They lay on the cleats, pulling at the great rope, and the cords swelled in their necks, as from time to time they ground their teeth, and threw their heads back with a jerk, which told how intense was the strain. The trainer of the team, a wiry, eager young man, in a jockey cap, stood with his hands on his knees, watching the white mark on the rope, which the team were very slowly working toward their side.