"But he's the best half-back in Baxter," protested Lefty. "There's no one can come anywhere near him."
"Well, I tell you one thing. Fred's dropping out will permit me to play."
"What do you mean?" demanded several of the boys, in chorus.
Before the bully could explain, however, Sandow joined the group.
"Come down to the basement to elect the captain of the Second team," he ordered. "There's plenty of time before classes, and I want to start you at work to-day."
CHAPTER XIII
THE ELECTION
As captain of the First, or School team, Sandow was in charge of all the sports for the lower Forms, so that his command to repair to the basement, to elect the leader of the Seconds' football eleven, was obeyed.
Swept along by the rush of his classmates, Fred was unable to escape from them, until he reached the door leading to the gymnasium. But he quickly took advantage of the opportunity, and in the semi-darkness, which enveloped the stairs, his absence was not noted.
Scarcely had he started back, however, than he came face to face with Alice Montgomery.