“There has got to be somebody else,” said Toby. “If we let Coles be captain we might as well chuck up the sponge. And there is somebody else.”
“Then,” asked Johnny reasonably enough, “why will they not elect him captain?”
“Because he cannot box.”
There was a brief silence. At last Toby drew a deep breath.
“I am going to get a car and take your boy back to Harley,” said he.
“Will you be able to get him in?”
“If he has not been reported absent by the time I get back,” said Toby, “I will get him in. It is a service for Harley. We need him to box in the feathers for the school next term. And here is the bargain. If I get him in, will you in return do something yourself for Harley, a secret service of your own?”
“What is it?” asked Johnny.
“If I introduce you to a boy in the holidays, Johnny Winter, will you teach him to box, and to box well enough to justify the school in electing him captain of boxing next term?”
Johnny looked dubious.