"Nothin' doin' there," said Dick. "It all happened away from the dormitories, worse luck. They knew their way to the Golden West all right!"
The third announcement quickened their interest somewhat. It referred to the County Schools' "Final", and set forth that "the Committee had carefully considered the unfortunate incident which terminated the final tie at Walsbridge, and, while appreciating the sportsmanship of St. Cuthbert's written request that the Cup should be awarded to Foxenby, were unable to do otherwise, in face of Regulation 17, than order the match to be replayed in its entirety. The re-play would take place on the Walsbridge F.C. ground, before Easter, on a date to be mutually arranged."
"Well, that's sticking to the strict letter of the law, in all conscience," commented Roger. "St. Cuthbert's, like good sports, give us the Cup, but the Committee won't."
"I agree with them, Roger—they're right!"
"What!"
"Honest, old boy! A goal's a goal when the ball's in the net—not before. Fluffy Jim put it there; I didn't."
"Oh, come off it, Dick! You would have done."
"I should, almost certainly. But there's the very outside chance that I might have slipped on the goal-line, and lost the ball. Funnier things have happened, especially in exciting cup-ties. Therefore, the Committee's ruling is fair."
Roger's eyes shone with appreciation of his chum's absolute impartiality.
"Righto!" he agreed. "You and the Octopus are a pair! Anyhow, it'll be great to see such another football duel as that was."