for training and practice, yet, up to the last few days, it had
been expected that a finer gridiron crowd than usual would present
itself for weeding, sifting and training by Coach Morton. The
latter was also one of the submasters of Gridley High School.

Since the school year had opened, however, undercurrent news had
been rife that there would be many "soreheads," and that this
would be an "off year" in Gridley football. Just where the trouble
lay, or what the "kick" was about, was a puzzle to most members
of the student body. It was an actual mystery to Dick & Co.

"What is all the undermining row about, anyway?" demanded Dick,
looking around at his chums. Dick was pacing the floor. Dave,
Tom and Greg Holmes were seated on the edge of the bed. Dan Dalzell
was lying back in the one armchair that the room boasted. Harry
Hazelton was standing by the door.

"I can't make a single thing out of it all," sighed Dan. "All
I can get at is that some of the seniors and some of our class,
the juniors, are talking as though they didn't care about playing
this year. I know that Coach Morton is worried. In fact, he's
downright disheartened."

"Surely," interjected Dick, "Mr. Morton must have an idea of what
is keeping some of the fellows back from the team?"

"If he does know, he isn't offering any information," returned
Harry Hazelton.

"I don't see any need for so much mystery," broke in Dave Darrin,