"I thank you, sir, for that permission," responded Dick, rising
at once. He was followed by the other players.

"Go out a little more quietly, if you please---that's all," called
Old Dut.

On tiptoe the members of the squad stole upstairs to the exhibition
hall. There they quickly got into their uniforms, next stowing
their street clothing in a closet, the key of which the principal
had supplied to Captain Dick Prescott.

In thoughtful silence Dick led his small host from the schoolhouse
to the diamond. When they had halted by the benches Dick began:

"Now, fellows, each of you keep steadily in mind what we have
at stake this afternoon."

"Yes, sirree!" grinned Dan Dalzell. "If we win to-day we're going
to learn what the man on the clubhouse steps said."

"To-day's victory gives one school or the other the championship
of the Gridley Grammar School League," Dick declared.

"Oh, that's a side issue, entirely," retorted Tom gravely. "What
we're really burning about is to know what the man on the clubhouse
steps said."

"Are we going to pitch in to practice now?" asked Greg.

"You fellows can, if you want to, but don't go at it too hard,"