"That same line of thought would make us content to go through
a losing season, for all the fellows in other towns who received
that betrayed code sent the information right back to us," smiled
Prescott. "But we're not going to lose to-day's game, Mr. Morton,
nor any other day's. Drayne's treachery has just about crazed
the other fellows with anger. They'll win everything ahead of
'em, now, just for spite and disgust, if for no better reason."

"Sometimes anger serves a good purpose," laughed Mr. Morton.
"But it was pitiful to look at poor old Dr. Thornton yesterday
afternoon. At first I thought he was going to faint. He seemed
suddenly to grow ten years older. It cut him to the quick. He
loves every one of his boys, and to have one of them go bad is
just as painful to him as to see his own son sent to the penitentiary."

"Is Dr. Thornton coming to the game this afternoon, sir?"

"Yes; he has never missed one yet, in any year that he has been
principal of Gridley High School."

"Then we'll make that fine old American gentleman feel all right
again by the grand game that we'll put up," promised Dick vehemently.
"I'll pass the word, and the fellows will strain themselves to
the last drop."

Orders were issued to the gate tenders to throw Drayne out if
he presented himself at the gate.

Drayne did put in an appearance, and he got through the gate to