pen

ties had taken definite action on the case, young Prescott could not again

the school defiantly when taking Dick's books

ade tried to thrash another sophomore for a very similar offense, but Reade got whipped by a ver

ee different sophomores. All of the partners were diligent

back on" the suspended freshman. All treated him with the utmost cordiality and faith wherever they met him. Laura Bentley and some of the ot

n making that football stroke doesn't need larceny as an aid to

ave friends," smiled Dick, wistfully. "But,

invited, but members of other classes have to depend on favor for invitations. We've fixed it so that Ripley couldn't get an invite. He tried, though. Now, Prescott, you'll receive an invitation in tom

he art naturally. Had life been happier for him just then he would have been glad to take up t

ng, of course," asked

ed Dick, "I don't

sense, o

though I'm tremendously grateful to those who want me

gued, but i

s going," said Frank. "Here comes

tand we're to be invited, and we'd give almost anything to go, bu

boys of the freshman class who were invited attended. Eight girls of the same class were invit

mportant games came o

k high school teams

hen I'm suspended--hardly a H.S. boy, in fact,

muttered

t you can't go," pro

o together, o

oth games by the s

all the members of Dick & Co. The six freshmen, walking along the street together had be

body," muttered Dick. "I haven't been

e score over the enemy! Don't let it get out of your heads that you're our real, sure-thing mascots. Why,

, though not breaking down or wilting under the suspicion that lay against him, felt convinced

hletic Association's money in hiring a swell detective to come to town and find out who re

kward much in his studies. He had his books at home, and

une to have Dave Darrin and Greg Holmes up in his roo

rd of Education, but a result had not yet been reached by that slow-moving body. Of course, the members of the Board had now more than a good idea that Dick & Co. had been b

ing to the cloud," observed Dave, dejectedly. "If it's

er Prescott, loudly, from the foot of

, bounding to the door

alk to you quicker'n lightning, whatever speed that may indicate. She

ugh he could not have told why he picked up these garments. Dave and Greg, acting on some mysterious im

one instrument in the back room of the st

iscovered that the girl was breathless with excitemen

every word,"

eade's house. Belle a

u know where the hou

d Stetson

; I

second floor, you know. Well, Belle was passing that window--in the dark--and she heard voices down below in the alley. She wouldn't have thought anything of it, but she heard one of

ra Bentley hurried on, breathlessly. "The two parties are still there, talking. It's hardly a minute's run from where you are. Can't you g

e 'phone. "I have two chums here now. We'll be there li

receiver, drinking in every word. Now they shot out through the front of the stor

a few moments later. "We want to he

ree freshmen was out of breath by the time t

ead of the alley, Dick and his freshmen

ere was not light enough there to recognize the fellow. And the three boys could make out some one past thi

t creep up a little n

ott,

e us coming,

in and nab them anyway," Dick rejoin

freshmen stole down the dark alleyway. Then Dick halted, pas

ught of the trick of slipping that watch and pin into Prescott's trunk, did ye? That was my brains. I supplied the brains, an' you've got to raise the cash to pay for 'em! How did I do that tric

in response, from the second party who

t there was no need of

heard

'em--and hold 'em!" s

mething that sounded like an almost hysterical cheer in

s paused to give thought to t

king wheeled with an oath, making a frantic da

g slightly, and made a bound for the

party had keen standing was a yard that fur

her fugitive to his two active, quick-witted chums. They were swift to u

own in a scuffli

the adjoining back yard. Prescott, in trying to get in after h

grabbed one of his fugitive'

other, in too low a v

look upward, the wretch lifted a cane, bri