So interested were the Meadow-Brook Girls in their work that they failed to see a man climb the fence from the street and cross the lot toward the courts. His approach was shielded by the stand built for the tournament spectators. They were unaware of his presence as he stood behind the stand, where he watched the whole of the second set. Then to their amazement he suddenly appeared before them, having walked around to the front of the stand without attracting attention to himself until Harriet Burrell had called “Game!”
CHAPTER XX
A WELCOME DISTURBANCE
“Caught red-handed,” cried a familiar voice.
Margery uttered a little scream.
“Thave me!” cried Tommy, dropping her racquet.
“Sorry to have frightened you, ladies, but glad that it was I who did it rather than some one else,” he said, stepping forward, laughing heartily at their confusion.
“It’s Mr. Disbrow,” cried Harriet. “Oh, we are glad to see you. How long have you been here?”
“Since the beginning of the set. You should be more cautious. How did you know but that one of your opponents might be watching and getting pointers from your practice? You certainly have been applying all the instruction I gave you.”
“It was a mistake,” agreed Miss Elting. “We were all too absorbed to think that any one might be looking on. How did you get here so early?”
“I just arrived, and, after leaving my bag at the hotel, thought I would walk over and have a look at the courts. It is too early for breakfast at the hotel, you know.”