"How should I know?" rejoined Grinnell's star back, but Mack fancied he noted an attempt on Frank's part to conceal his real feelings. "Maybe," Frank added, rather lamely, "he's moving you up as a regular!"
"No chance of that," said Mack, grimly. "See you guys later!"
He turned on his heel and strode out of the locker room. On the way to the Field House his thoughts ran together crazily. There could only be one answer to the Coach's request to see him. It must be in connection with the stolen plays!... Mack's mind raced back to the moment in Coach Edward's office when he had been detected examining the plays. He winced. This was probably the meagre clue upon which he was being drawn into the case ... this and the fact that he was a brother of Carl Carver's!
Coach Edward was apparently awaiting Mack's arrival. He was in the company of two strange men when Grinnell's substitute back located him in one of the conference rooms.
"Meet Mr. Pierce and Mr. Greene," the Coach introduced. "Take a chair over here."
Mack sat down, feeling the two men looking him over, shrewdly.
"You've been called," explained Coach Edward at once, "in the hopes that you may help us throw some light on what happened in my office last night."
"I thought so," answered Mack, eyeing his coach squarely.
"Why did you think so?" demanded the man referred to as Pierce. He was solidly built, black moustache and heavy eyebrows. Mack took an instant dislike to his bullying manner.
"The reasons should be obvious," he replied.