“That is a professional trainer,” said Mr. Van Silver. “He has coached the cadets, and is intensely interested in their success.”
At intervals, the captain and anchor of the cadets uttered exclamations of encouragement to his team, or vituperated at the other. “We’re in it, boys, we’re in it,” he shrieked, as he gave another twist to the rope. “Steady, hold your own, and you’ll pull ’em right off the cleats. Heave, now—heave! Oh! those fellows don’t know how to pull,” he cried again; “they’re weakening! See how purple they’re getting in the face. Hold on another two seconds, and you’ll pull them into the middle of next week.”
“What a noisy fellow!” Adelaide remarked. “Why doesn’t Colonel Grey shut him up?”
“Not he,” replied Mr. Van Silver. “See how his ribald and irreverent remarks put new courage into the team. I should not wonder if they won back that three inches which the other side pulled away from them during the first minute. Time’s up. Which side won?” for the announcement of the judges was drowned in a roar of the cadet claque, led by Buttertub, who had struggled back to his place in time to head the ’Rah! ’Rah! ’Rah!
Stacey had been looking on close to the rope, and he now shouted across to Mr. Van Silver, “The cadets have it by half an inch!” and waving the skirts of his bath-robe with great abandon, he threw himself into the arms of the little man in the jockey cap, and hugged him enthusiastically.
“Now, notice your friend,” Mr. Mudge said to me, in a low voice; and, looking in the direction in which he pointed, I saw Polo standing on one of the front seats of the bleaching boards, waving her Tam O’Shanter, and shouting as wildly as the cadets.
“I did not know that Polo knew any of the boys who go to that school,” I said, much puzzled.
“I don’t believe she does,” Mr. Mudge replied, “but Terwilliger, the trainer there, is her brother, and he hasn’t the best record that was ever known. He was a jockey in England, but outgrew that profession, and has been a little of everything since. He came over to this country on the Earl of Cairngorm’s yacht. He was associated shortly after with a noted pickpocket called Limber Tim, and some months since was sent with him to the Island to serve a term of imprisonment for participation in a confidence swindle. All of which, you see, has a rather damaging look for your friend Lawn Tennis. What I would like to know is, how he ever came to get the position of trainer at the Cadet School.”
“The boys seem to be very fond of him,” I ventured.
“Naturally; it was his training which has just won the school this event. Did you notice that young swell, Fitz Simmons, give him a greenback as soon as the victory was assured. I have not been able to discover yet whether Terwilliger has renewed his friendship with Limber Tim. If he has, it is more than likely that they are the two unknown boys who introduced themselves into your school on the night of your party.”