“I’m not at all interested in your team, Eliot,” said Bern repellently.
“My team,” cried Roger—“mine? Why, you ought to be as much interested in it as I am. I took you for a fellow who would be loyal and——”
Hayden cut him short. “I don’t want to hear any more of that talk from you. You’ll find me loyal enough to the team when you do what I ask of you. If you don’t do it, I doubt if you’ll have any team in another week.”
That night in addition to Hayden and Barker there were two other deserters, Rollins and Sage. Eliot was compelled to explain the situation to the coach. Winton listened and asked a few questions. In the end he advised Roger to drop Ben Stone.
CHAPTER XV.
THE FELLOW WHO WOULDN’T YIELD.
Through the mail that night Roger received a letter from Jack Merwin, captain and manager of the Clearport eleven, which he read ere leaving the post office. The letter was as follows:
“Mr. Roger Eliot,
”Capt. Oakdale Academy Football Team,