io in
the rear. "He is really the meanest boy you could find in all the
towns of this country. But fellows like him sometimes catch a Tartar;
so, perhaps, it might happen in this case," and Thad, who evidently
had something on his mind, would not commit himself further, as they
walked on in company.

CHAPTER VI

THE PROWLER

There had been considerable of a change in connection with the big
open field where the boys of Scranton were allowed by the town council
and mayor to play baseball, and also football, since summer waned.
Somehow the success that attended the work of Scranton High in
the battles of the Three Town League, as narrated in an earlier
volume of this series, seemed to have stirred up many of the leading
citizens. Besides, Mr. Leonard, the efficient under-principal of the
high school, with a genuine love and sympathy for all boys in his heart,
had kept things at boiling pitch.

Consequently there was, first of all, a move made to lease that splendid
field for a long term of years, from the owner, so that the young people
of Scranton might have some central place to gather for all sorts of
outdoor games and sports.

So subscriptions were started looking to collect a fund with which not
only to erect some sort of decent grandstand, but a building that would
contain a number of conveniences such as most athletic grounds and
similar institutions can boast.

This building had now been completed, and the boys were in full
possession. It contained, among other things, a score and more of
lockers, where the one who paid a small fee could keep his "fighting
togs," as Thad Stevens was wont to term his baseball clothes, or it
might be the scanty raiment he wore when exercising on the athletic
field, running, or boxing, or wrestling.

Each boy who hired such a locker, of course, carried the key to the
same; and when engaged in practice work rested easy in the belief that
his street garments were securely taken care of.

There was also a shower-bath and a pool in the building, as well as
several other conveniences that could be used in the summer time during
the hot weather. The boys arranged to take turns in shifts with regard
to keeping the building clean, and thus far the scheme had worked very
well; for the town did not care to go to the extra expense of hiring
a custodian.

Besides this, a high fence was ordered to be built around the entire
grounds, for most other towns had their athleti