[CHAPTER XVI]
FIRST TRICK TO THE ENEMY
But time heals all wounds, and long before the special trolley had landed the team back at Alton Leonard’s spirits were again at normal, or perhaps a little beyond normal since, in spite of the defeat, the Gray-and-Gold had had her big moments, and he had shared in at least one of them. Disappointment had not prevented the other members of the squad from giving praise where it was deserved, and Leonard had heard a number of nice things said. Rus Emerson had been especially complimentary, and Coach Cade, while less demonstrative than the players, had expressed his approval quite unmistakably. So, all in all, Leonard should have been more than satisfied with the afternoon, it seemed. But he wasn’t, for the defeat rankled, and Slim’s well-intended but cynical sounding advice to “forget it and wait until next year” brought little comfort. But in spite of having failed in their quest of revenge, the team became quite cheerful, even merry, in fact, before they rolled into Alton, and so Leonard too regained his spirits. It was almost dark by the time he and Slim turned into the yard and made their way toward Haylow, although beyond the buildings the western sky still showed a tint of faded gold most appropriate to the occasion. The Sophomore Dinner was set for seven, and it was already well past five, a fact that Slim mentioned as they reached the front of Academy Hall.
“I ought to get there a bit early, I suppose,” he added. “There’s usually something that goes wrong at the last minute, and the other fellows on the committee probably won’t show up until the last moment.”
A dim form detached itself from the shadows of the doorway of Academy once the two had passed and loitered carelessly down the middle path in the direction of the gate. Neither Slim nor Leonard saw this, however. But, just as they went up the steps of Haylow, Leonard laid a detaining hand on his companion’s arm.
“There’s a fellow behind that tree over there by the yellow house,” said Leonard softly. “You can’t see him now. He poked his head around just as we started up here.”
Slim looked, but the further side of Meadow street was wrapped in shadows and the particular tree, seen between the posts of the entrance, looked no different than other trees. Slim shrugged. “I don’t see anything, General. Guess it was just a shadow.”
“No, it wasn’t. I saw the fellow’s head plainly.”
“Oh, well, what of it? Probably some kid playing hide-and-seek. I’ll tell you, though. We’ll have a look from the window at the end of the corridor. Come on.”
They climbed the stairs and then went along the second floor hall to the casement that overlooked Meadow street. When they reached it and peered surreptitiously out and down a dark form was proceeding townward along the further sidewalk, beyond the tree. For a brief moment the form was palely lighted as it passed under a street light, and Slim grunted.