“But what I don’t see,” said Dan perplexedly, “is how I got fifteen. I had only fourteen that I knew of.”
“I can tell you,” answered Arthur. “The fifteenth was Simms. He stopped me on the way out a minute ago. ‘I concluded you were right, Thompson,’ he said. ‘I don’t like Dan Vinton much, but I guess he’s a heap better than Jake Hiltz. So I voted your way.’”
“Simms! Well, I’m much obliged to him, although, as it happened, I didn’t need his vote. I wonder what became of Conover? I’d hate to be in his shoes when Hiltz finds him!”
“Oh, Conover’s a pill, anyway. He probably forgot all about the election. For my part, I don’t care what Jake does to him!”
The mystery of Conover’s disappearance was explained later, however, when between the two short practice halves Dan shared Tom’s blanket on the side-line.
“They tell me you won, Dan,” said Tom. “Glad to hear it; glad you licked Jake Hiltz. Close, was it?”
“I got fifteen to his thirteen.”
“Fifteen! I thought you said you were sure of only fourteen.”
“I did; and I was. But a fellow named Simms came over to me at the last moment.” Tom chuckled.