CHAPTER XII
HAL RIDES INTO TREACHERY
AT one-thirty the gates of the ball grounds were thrown open.
A long programme lay before the assembled regulars, so the tournament was to begin at two o'clock.
The same performance was to be repeated in the evening, under brilliant electric lighting.
As they left the camp tables, however, the men moved about rather dejectedly.
The unexpected competition with the big circus had spoiled their hopes of winning round after round of delighted applause from huge crowds.
Yet barely were the gates to the grounds open when the soldiers began to take notice.
In an instant after opening there was a big rush at the gates. Men and women, boys and girls, crowded and jostled to get into the grounds.
"They'll stop coming in two minutes, at this rate," grumbled Sergeant Hupner.