A penalty for off-side set Alton back another five yards nearer her goal just after play was resumed, and, when she had been held for two downs on the twenty-two yards, New Falmouth tried a goal from placement. For once, however, the line failed to hold and half the Alton team piled through on the kicker and the ball bounded off up the field and was captured by Reilly, of Alton, on the thirty-six yards. Alton made first down on two plunges and a six-yard run by Menge. Then, however, after three more attempts, Greenwood punted to the home team’s twenty-five, where the ball went outside. New Falmouth made two through Renneker and tore off five more around Kerrison. A third down was wasted on a plunge at center that was repulsed. Then New Falmouth tried her third forward-pass of the game, and the ball landed nicely in the hands of Slim Staples close to the forty-yard line, and Slim dodged to the thirty-two before he was stopped.
Here, it seemed, was Alton’s chance to score at last, but after Carpenter had attempted a run following a delayed pass and had centered the ball at the sacrifice of a yard, the chance didn’t look so bright. Greenwood made a scant two at the New Falmouth left, and then, with nine to go on third down, and Greenwood in kicking position, Carpenter called for an end-around play with Slim Staples carrying. Just what happened Leonard didn’t know, but somewhere between Jim Newton and Slim the ball got away. Leonard heard Carpenter’s frantic grunt of “Ball!” and swung into the enemy. Then he felt the ball trickle against his foot, thrust aside for a moment and dropped to a knee. When he got his hands on the pigskin the battle was all about him, and cries and confusion filled the air. Yet he was able to thrust himself up again through the mêlée, and plunge forward, and, having taken that first plunge, to go on. He met a back squarely and caromed off him into the arms of another, broke loose somehow and went forward again. The goal-line was startlingly near, and he made for it desperately, slanting first to the left and then doubling back from a frenzied quarter. He and the quarter met and, spinning on a heel, he staggered over the line, a New Falmouth man astride him as he fell.
Unfortunately there was no one left on the Alton team who could kick a goal once in five times, and Joe Greenwood, who tried to add another point to the six, failed dismally. The fault wasn’t entirely his, though, for New Falmouth broke through and hurried the kick. But even to have scored was something, and Leonard, still wondering just how it had happened, was appraised of the fact in most emphatic language and actions. Over on one side of the field a half-hundred or so of Alton sympathizers who had accompanied the eleven were shouting ecstatically and wildly. Denied victory, they made much of that touchdown.
The ball went to New Falmouth for the kick-off, and Leonard sprang away to repel the invaders. Behind him, Carpenter got the pigskin, juggled it and tried to run it back, but two New Falmouth ends downed him fiercely. On the second play Greenwood got clean away around the left end and made it first down on the thirty-yard line. Just as he was jubilating hoarsely over that Leo Falls came romping on, hailed the referee and joyfully slapped Leonard on the back.
“You’re off,” he announced. “Let’s have your head-guard.”
Leonard looked unbelievingly at him. “Off?” he gasped. “Me?” But the referee was waving impatiently, and Leonard pulled off his helmet and turned sadly toward the bench. The world seemed just then filled with ingratitude and injustice, and the cheer that hailed him fell on unresponsive ears. Jake hurried out to enfold him in a blanket, mumbling fine phrases, and Mr. Cade said something as Leonard passed to the bench, but the day’s hero was not to be salved so easily. From the bench he sadly watched the game to its end and witnessed, in the closing moments, the addition of another 3 to New Falmouth’s 10. Life was very dark!
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.
“Guess you were right,” he said. “Looks like one of the freshies. Keeping tabs on me, I suppose. I wonder if there was anything in Johnny McGrath’s guff. Just for fun, when we go in the room we’ll have a look before we light up. There may be more of the varmints hiding about.”
“What do you suppose they’re up to?” asked Leonard.
“Search me,” said Slim. Then he chuckled. “Maybe they’re going to kidnap us, General. Wish they’d try it, eh?”
“I guess they’re not interested in me,” replied Leonard a bit regretfully. “See any one?”
He was looking over Slim’s shoulder, peering from the darkened window. Outside the Academy yard was black save where the infrequent lights along the walks shed a dim yellow radiance that sent elongated shadows of the nearby trees sprawling off into the gloom. It was a time of evening when most of the fellows were in the dormitories, and save for a boy who passed under the window, whistling a football tune, to turn in at the doorway beneath and come pounding up the stairway, the yard appeared empty. Then Slim said “Humph!” under his breath.
“What?” asked Leonard eagerly.
“Look along the Doctor’s path about fifty or sixty feet from the middle path. See anything?”
“N-no,” answered Leonard disappointedly.
“Well, I do. There’s some one under the tree there. Close up to the trunk and – There! Now he’s moving out a bit! See?”
“Yes!” exclaimed the other watcher excitedly. “What do you suppose – ”
“Silly chumps,” muttered Slim amusedly. “Kid stuff! Oh, well, it amuses them. He’ll have to leave there pretty soon and go home to supper, though. That’ll be our chance to give them the slip. What time is it, anyhow? Turn on the light, will you?”
“Twenty-two of six,” answered Leonard a moment later.
“Plenty of time, then. They can’t get out from supper in much less than half an hour, and that’ll make it half-past. We’ll be gone by – ” Slim stopped and listened. “Thought I heard some one outside,” he explained, turning his glance away from the closed door. “I was going to say that by half-past six we’ll be over at Kingman’s. Gee, I’m tired, General! How does my eye look?”
“Not so bad,” said Leonard. He felt gingerly of his own nose. “This thing’s mighty sore yet. Would you do anything to it?”
“Your beak? No, not until we get back again. Bathe it in arnica then. All it needs now is soap and water.”
The youth who had gone pounding up to the floor above a few minutes earlier now came thumping down again. The dormitory was by no means quiet, but the visitor’s passing sounded well above all else. Slim frowned. “That’s the noisiest brute I ever heard,” he muttered. He went over to the window and looked down, but all he could see in the darkness was a dim shape going toward Lykes. “Must be wearing wooden shoes, from the sound.” He peered in the direction of the watcher under the tree and then pulled the green shade down. “I hope your feet are cold out there,” he muttered.
Both boys laid aside the clothes they had worn to New Falmouth, since, as one never knew just what might occur in the course of a class celebration, it was customary to wear articles that were not highly valued. Slim pulled a pair of gray flannel trousers from the closet and hunted out an old white sweater. Leonard selected a veteran suit of grayish tweed that, during the past summer, had served on Sundays and holidays at the farm. They didn’t hurry in their preparations, since, if only as a joke on the freshman spies, they meant to time their trip to the village while the enemy was at supper. Besides, they were both feeling the effects of the game in the shape of lame muscles and a general disinclination to move faster than a slow walk.
Six o’clock struck while they were still dawdling and talking lazily of the afternoon’s experiences, and doors began to open along the corridors and the dwellers in Haylow set off for Lawrence Hall and supper. Slim struggled into an old bath-robe and looked around for his slippers. “I sort of think I’ll be ready to eat, myself, by the time seven o’clock comes,” he remarked. “Where the dickens is that other slipper of mine?”
“I’m ready now,” said Leonard. “I hope to goodness nothing happens to that dinner before I get at it!”
“Don’t worry, General. Nothing’s going to happen to the food. I’ll bet that right at this minute Kingman is mounting guard down there with a shot-gun loaded with buckshot!”
“Well, then I hope that nothing happens to keep me from reaching it,” amended Leonard, smiling.
Slim chuckled. “That’s different,” he said. “I’ll guarantee the feed, General, but I won’t guarantee the guests. Ah, here you are, you lopsided old reprobate!” He pulled the missing slipper from under the further side of his bed and thrust a bare foot into it. “Guess we might as well wash up,” he announced. “No use cutting it too fine. I don’t run from trouble, but I don’t hunt for it, either, and maybe we’ll be just as well off if we get inside that restaurant before the freshies finish their supper.”
“All right,” assented Leonard. The hall was silent now and the last footfall had ceased sounding on the pavement below. He picked up his own robe and threw it over his present scanty costume. At that instant there was an impatient exclamation from Slim.
“What the dickens is the matter with this door?” Slim demanded as he turned the knob and pulled. Then, “Look here, where’s the key?” he asked blankly.
The key was always on the inside of the lock, but it plainly wasn’t there now. Slim and Leonard both looked about the floor. Then, together, they seized the knob and pulled hard. The door didn’t yield.
“Locked!” said Leonard.
Slim nodded, and a broad smile crept over his face. “Locked is right,” he chuckled. “The little varmints win the first trick, General!”
“But how? There’s been no one here!”
“Remember the fellow with the heavy tread? That’s who, I’ll bet. Got the tip from the fellow under the tree, or some other fellow, and made a lot of noise going upstairs and then came down again quiet and locked us in.”
“But how could he have got the key without our hearing the door open or – ” Leonard blinked. “I see! They put the key in the outside before we came home!”
Slim nodded. “Or had it in their pocket. Well, we’ve got to get out somehow. There’s no use raising a riot, for no one will hear us, I guess. Perhaps if we yelled from the window – But, shucks, I wouldn’t give those kids the satisfaction! If there was a transom – ”
“How about the window?” interrupted Leonard.
“Rather a long drop, General, with a mighty hard landing. Wait a minute! What fellows of our class are in Haylow? Let’s see. Joe Conklin’s in Number 27, but that’s upstairs and on the back. He’d never hear us. He’s probably on his way, too. Who else is there?”
“Wharton, in 4,” said Leonard. “Let’s raise a row and see if anything happens.”
They did and nothing did happen. After several minutes of shouting and thumping on the door and banging on the floor with a shoe they gave it up. “Looks now,” said Slim, “like I wasn’t so smart in deciding to wait! We’d have been wiser if we’d started earlier!” He crossed to the window, threw it wide and looked down. “I guess I can do it,” he murmured. Then he glanced to the right and said, “Huh, never thought of that!”
Leonard, a shoe in one hand, was still staring perplexedly at the door when Slim summoned him. “Give me a hand here, General,” called Slim. “It’s only about five feet to the next window, and I can make it easy.”
Slim wriggled out of his robe and kicked off his slippers. Leonard followed him through the window and they stood together on the broad ledge, each with a hand hooked under the sash. “Glad those fresh kids aren’t here to see this,” commented Slim. “Get hold of my wrist and hold it close in to the wall. If anything happens, son, let go. Don’t try to hold me. But I’ll make it. All right!”
Slim edged to the end of the ledge, and Leonard slowly followed him. Then, with one hand tight around Slim’s right wrist and the other holding fast to the sash, Leonard pressed his body close against the edge of the embrasure while Slim reached out his left hand for a grip on the stone work about the next window. After a moment he said: “Give me another inch or two if you can.” Leonard obeyed. There was a moment of suspense and then Slim announced: “All right, General. Let go!” Rather fearfully Leonard released the other’s wrist and turned his head to see. Slim was safe on the next sill, raising the lower sash. Then he disappeared, and Leonard climbed back into Number 12. A moment later the door of the next room opened and Slim’s bare feet padded along the corridor. A key turned in the lock in front of Leonard and the door swung in.
“Left the key in the lock,” panted Slim as he entered. “Say, we’ll have to do some hurrying, General! Must be getting close to half-past.”
They hustled off to the lavatory and hustled back again and hurriedly donned their clothes. Leonard looked at his watch the instant before he put the light out. The hands pointed to twenty-four minutes after six.
Below, in the half-light of the doorway, Slim paused and looked about inquiringly. There was no one in sight. But as they turned side by side into the middle path that led toward Academy street voices behind them announced that some of the fellows had finished supper and were returning to the dormitories. At the far end of the row, Borden Hall, the freshman dormitory, showed an occasional light, but, so far as either Slim or Leonard could see, no forms were about the entrance. They went on toward the gate, Slim chuckling softly.
“Guess we beat them to it, after all,” he said.
But a minute later Slim changed his mind.
CHAPTER XVII
SLIM RETREATS
Just short of the gate the sound of hurrying footsteps brought them sharply around. Behind them, seen dimly, were many approaching forms.
“Let’s beat it,” whispered Leonard.
“Run from a bunch of freshies?” demanded Slim haughtily. “Not much! We’ll turn down Academy street, though, and let them by. If they’re up to something we can’t stop them here.”
Slim led the way sharply to the right, when they were through the gate, and they went on for several rods to pause in the deeper shadow of a not quite leafless tree that overhung the sidewalk. Midway between the infrequent street lights, they were probably invisible to any one at the entrance. A moment or two later a stream of boys appeared. That they were freshmen was conclusively proved by the preponderance of small youths, although quite a good many were fairly big. Some of the throng kept straight ahead across Academy street and disappeared into State street, beyond the corner of the white house where Coach Cade had his lodgings. Others paused before the gate as though for a council, and presently a dozen or more started obliquely across Academy street and went north toward Meadow, half running. Slim and Leonard drew more closely against the fence. The enemy detachment passed on the other side without detecting them and an instant later were visible hurrying around the corner of Meadow street. Meanwhile the rest of the crowd before the gate had, it appeared, reached a decision, for they, too, crossed the road and disappeared into State street, breaking into a run as they passed from sight. Save for an occasional giggle from some over-wrought youngster and a low-toned murmur now and then, the phalanx had come and gone in silence. Leonard thought that silence just a bit depressing!
Left alone on the empty street – empty save for the unseen presence of a lone pedestrian trudging along somewhere in the distance toward River street – Slim whistled softly. “Must have been fully a hundred of them,” he marveled. “Now what the dickens are they up to?”
“Looks to me as if they were looking for you,” said Leonard.
“Sure, but what can they do if they find me? They don’t expect me to stand any of their foolishness, do they? If it came to a scrap – ” Slim stopped and looked thoughtfully up and down the dimly lighted street. “Well, let’s get along, General. It must be getting close to our dinner time.”
“Something tells me,” said Leonard sadly, “that I’ll never see that dinner!”
Slim chuckled. “Well, to tell the truth, I’m not as sure of it myself as I was! Just the same, General, if those kids are going to keep me away from it they’ll have to go some!” He led the way across to the beginning of State street. “Better go this way, I guess,” he continued. “They won’t be likely to pull any tricks where the bright lights are!”
The bright lights, however, were still a short block away, and when suddenly a gray cat jumped down from a fence-post in front of Leonard and scuttled away almost between his feet that youth gave a yelp of alarm. Slim seemed to consider the incident excruciatingly funny and laughed consumedly. Leonard maintained a haughty silence all the rest of the way to the corner of West street. Here the stores began, and many of them were still open, and their lights combined with the big street lamps made the thoroughfare almost as bright as daylight. No lurking freshman was sighted as the two turned south toward Meadow street, although, since a good many persons were about, scouting members of the enemy forces may have been present. The clock in Tappler’s jewelry store proclaimed the time as 6:38 as they passed. As they neared Meadow street Leonard called Slim’s attention to two youths who had just come into sight from the direction of the academy. Slim looked and nodded.
“The short fellow’s Watkins. I don’t know the other one. They’re going to the party, I guess.”
“Wouldn’t it be a good idea to go along with them, Slim? I mean four is better than two if – if there’s any trouble.”
But Slim shook his head. “No,” he answered, “but I tell you what, General. You catch up with them. I’ll have a better chance to make it if I’m alone, probably.”
“I will not,” declared Leonard indignantly. “What do you take me for?”
Slim shrugged. “All right,” he said. “I guess there’s nothing much up, anyway. We’ve got lighted streets all the rest of – ” He stopped. On the other side of the street as they turned the corner was a group of five older fellows making their way briskly toward the center of town: Red Reilly, Gordon Renneker, Joe Greenwood and two others. “Juniors,” said Slim. “Coming to see the fun, I suppose. I’ll bet Red’s had a lot to do with this business. Don’t let them see us, General.” Slim slowed his pace a little, and the group across Meadow street passed on, laughing and talking gayly.
“How much further is it?” asked Leonard.
“About five blocks,” replied Slim absently. After a moment he said: “Look here, General, I’m wondering if it wouldn’t be a clever game to get into Kingman’s by the back entrance. It’s on Moody street, around the corner from the front door, and I don’t believe those fellows know about it.”
“Sounds sensible to me,” began Leonard.
But Slim disappointed him again. “No, by golly,” exclaimed Slim suddenly, “I’m blowed if I’ll sneak up any alleys on account of a lot of freshies! We’ll go in by the front door, General!”
“Sure,” agreed Leonard unenthusiastically. “Just as you say, Slim.”
“How are they going to stop us?” Slim went on belligerently. “They can’t do it, by gum!”
“Of course not,” Leonard assented. “Why, there’s only a hundred or so of them. The idea!”
“Well, suppose there are a hundred, or two hundred. They aren’t going to – to use their fists, I guess, and if they don’t how are they going – ”
“I know,” said Leonard. “You’re probably dead right, Slim, but just the same I’d swap my right to that dinner for a ham sandwich. As the well-known proverb says, Slim, ‘A sandwich in the hand is worth two portions of chicken on the plate.’”
“Shut up. Here’s High street. The place is in the next block. We’ll get there in time, too.”
High street proved to be a rather narrow thoroughfare not quite so well lighted as the street they were leaving. The stores had a somewhat second-class appearance and the names on the signs and windows were frequently foreign. In brief, High street impressed one as being a street that had seen better days. The principal shopping thoroughfare lay one block south, and as the boys neared the corner of Moody street the rattle and clang of Market street’s traffic was borne to them. And as they neared that corner Leonard exclaimed: “Must be a fire or something, Slim. Look at the crowd!”
A little way beyond the corner of the cross street was a throng that stretched from side to side. Further on, jutting out above the sidewalk on the right, was a gayly illuminated sign that announced in electric lamps: “Kingman’s Restaurant.” Slim looked and slowed his steps. “Freshies,” breathed Slim. “A whole blamed army of ’em, General!”
Leonard could see for himself now that the crowd was composed of boys and knew that Slim was right. The latter drew him aside to the entrance of a shop. “Let’s consider a bit,” said Slim. “Suppose they’ve got another gang at the other side, too, eh? Must have, for there’s probably not more than fifty in that bunch there.” He peered down the street to confirm this statement. Then he laughed. “You’re lucky, after all, General,” he said. “There’s a lunch room right opposite where you can get your sandwich!”
“But what are we going to do?” asked Leonard anxiously.
“Well,” answered Slim, “I guess there’s just one thing we can do, and that’s buck the line. There doesn’t seem much chance of running the end, eh? Let’s go, General!”
They set forth again side by side, appearing as casual as they might, reached the corner, paused to let an automobile pass and approached the throng. Just then a small youth darted past them and gave the alarm shrilly:
“Staples! Staples!”
A roar of cheers and laughter went up, and the freshman horde moved to meet them. Cries of “Welcome, Soph!” “Dinner’s ready, Staples!” “Way for the President!” mingled with jeers and cat-calls.
“Stick behind me,” counseled Slim in a low voice. Then he gently pushed the first of the enemy from his path. “Gangway, Fresh,” he said smilingly. But they were all about now, presenting a solid barrier. The more Slim shoved the greater the resistance became. He knew better than to lose his patience, however. Instead, he spoke laughingly to Leonard over his shoulder. “Let’s go, General,” he said. “Play low and make it good!” But although Leonard shoved and pushed there was no advance. “A-a-ay, Soph!” chanted the defenders. Slim felt his dignity slipping fast. He wondered why the fellows upstairs in the restaurant, only a few rods beyond, didn’t hear and come to the rescue. But they didn’t, and presently, breathless though still smiling, Slim paused to parley.
“What’s the big idea, you fellows?” he demanded of one of the bigger freshmen.
“Oh, we like you too well to let you mix in with a lot of low-down trash like those fellows up there,” was the flippant reply. “You stay and play with us, Staples.”
“Thanks,” answered Slim dryly. “All right, but you don’t need Grant, too, do you?”
“We-ell,” began the boy. But Leonard settled the question himself.
“I’ll stay with you, Slim,” he announced.
“Say, Staples! Slim Staples, are you hungry?” called some one, and a laugh followed. “Want your dinner, sonny?” “They’re just starting on the oysters, Staples!” “Oh, you Sophomore President!”
Stung, Slim faced his tormenters. “What’ll you bet I don’t get in there?” he demanded warmly.
“When, to-morrow?” asked one of the enemy.
“No, to-night, and before that dinner’s over,” answered Slim above the burst of laughter that greeted the sally. “You’re pretty clever for a bunch of freshies, but then you’re only freshies, you know!” Slim managed to smile sweetly as he said it, but that didn’t make the insult less severe. He took Leonard’s arm and turned carelessly away while the crowd jeered more loudly and with the first note of anger. To call a freshman a freshman is, for some reason, the deadliest of insults.
“Sore-head!” some one called shrilly, and “Follow them, Tom!” advised a second. “Better watch ’em!”
Slim turned and leveled a finger at the big leader of the crowd. “Come on,” he said. “Follow us. I’d like to have you!”
But the big freshman only grinned and shook his head. “No, thanks,” he called after them. “I’ll wait here. Come again, Staples, won’t you? Dinner’s ready!”
Followed by Leonard, Slim walked briskly around the corner of Moody street, but, once out of sight, he slowed down. “Any one after us?” he asked softly.
“No,” said Leonard. “Now what, Slim?”
Slim shook his head. “There’s the back entrance, but something tells me I didn’t do those guys justice. I’m going to have a look, but I don’t believe they’ve left the back door unguarded.” He went down the block about half-way and there turned into a narrow alley. Some eighty feet beyond, the forms of a dozen or more youths showed where the dim light from a glass-paneled door fell across the passage. Slim stopped. “You can’t fight them,” he muttered disgustedly. “They’ve got us stopped again, General.” The two retraced their steps, followed by a jeering shout from the depths of the alley. “We’ll go around to Market street,” announced Slim, “and think this over. There must be some way!”