Since the school year had opened, however, undercurrent news had been rife that there would be many "soreheads," and that this would be an "off year" in Gridley football. Just where the trouble lay, or what the "kick" was about, was a puzzle to most members of the student body. It was an actual mystery to Dick & Co.
"What is all the undermining row about, anyway?" demanded Dick, looking around at his chums. Dick was pacing the floor. Dave, Tom and Greg Holmes were seated on the edge of the bed. Dan Dalzell was lying back in the one armchair that the room boasted. Harry Hazelton was standing by the door.
"I can't make a single thing out of it all," sighed Dan. "All I can get at is that some of the seniors and some of our class, the juniors, are talking as though they didn't care about playing this year. I know that Coach Morton is worried. In fact, he's downright disheartened."
"Surely," interjected Dick, "Mr. Morton must have an idea of what is keeping some of the fellows back from the team?"
"If he does know, he isn't offering any information," returned
Harry Hazelton.
"I don't see any need for so much mystery," broke in Dave Darrin, in disgust.
"Well, there is a mystery about it, anyway," contended Tom Reade.
"Then, before I'm much older, I'm going to know what that mystery is," declared Dick.
"You're surely the one of our crowd who ought to be put on the trail of the mystery," proposed Dalzell, with a laugh.
"Why?" challenged Prescott.