A STRANGE MESSAGE FROM HOME.
"Well," cried Neddie Ellis, cheerily, as the nine filed into Captain Hiram Porter's room, which had been used as a rallying-place, as it was the largest assigned to any member of the club, "well, we have one more chance at the Calumets, and there is hope while there's life. Hey, Larry?"
Larry did not immediately reply. He was regarding Ben Burton with suspicion. That individual had received a telegram from the hands of a messenger, as he came into the house, which, having read, he tore into very small pieces and threw away with a disturbed expression of countenance. Ben's eyes were now fixed on Hiram, who, on coming into the room, had noticed on the mantel-piece a telegram addressed to himself. Ben Burton's face grew white as his captain, tearing open the envelope, read the despatch with astonishment and wrath depicted on his usually pleasant visage.
"Read her out, Captain," cried "The Lily." "Read her out and let us divide the bad news with you. I'm sure it's bad news, isn't it, Neddie?"
Without stopping to consider whether it were discreet or not to divulge the message that was causing him so much perturbation, Hiram, casting a sharp glance at Ben Burton, said, "It is bad news, boys, for it accuses one of our number of treachery. It is from Tom Selby, and it reads thus:—
"'Look out for Ben Burton; he has sold the game.'"
"It's an infernal lie!" shouted Ben, passionately, and very red in the face, and shaky in the limbs. "What does Tom Selby know about the game, and how could I sell the game in Catalpa? I'll thrash Tom Selby as quick as I get home; see if I don't!"
"No you won't," said Albert Heaton, who entered the room at this moment. "No you won't. Hear this, Mr. Burton. It's a despatch from Dr. Selby, dated at Catalpa, 5:20 P.M. You see they had then got the news that the game was lost:—
"'I am afraid you did not get Tom's despatch to the captain, for we hear that the game is gone. Hunt up despatch to Hiram, sent to lodgings.'"
"What's that despatch you've got there Hi? Is it Tom's?"