e some way through
which this deluded mother might be shown what a terrible error she
was making in bringing up her boy to be so inane and useless. He
needed physical development more than any other fellow in Scranton
High. Constant feeding upon lofty ideas, and never given a chance to
develop his muscles, was wrecking his health. Mr. Leonard had even
gone to Mrs. Jardine and entreated her to let him undertake a
moderate programme of athletic exercises with Claude; but he might as
well have tried to lift the high-school building as to make her
change her set ideas.

Hugh and Thad had been out on a particular night after supper,
visiting another boy who chanced to live on the outskirts of town.
He had received a wonderful collection of curios from an uncle living
out in India, after whom he had been named; and upon being especially
invited over to view these things, which included a wonderful
assortment of rare postage stamps, the two chums had made it a point
to accept, being greatly interested in all boyish "hobbies."

That was how they happened to be passing along the road close to the
athletic grounds about half-past nine o'clock that same night.

There was a fair moon shining, but objects appeared more or less
misty, as often occurs under such conditions. The boys had about
exhausted their vocabulary of words that express delight, in
examining the many things of interest shown by "Limpy" Wallace, who
was a cripple, and had to use a crutch, he being also a great admirer
of Hugh Morgan, whom he considered in the light of a hero.

Besides this, both boys were unusually tired after the exertions of
the day, and Thad frequently yawned in a most terrific fashion, as he
walked homeward. Probably these were the main reasons for their
unnatural silence, as they stalked along side by side; since it is
seldom that two lads will refrain from exchanging opinions on some
subject or other, when in company.

Afterwards, in the light of what happened, they were inclined to
believe that it was exceedingly fortunate they had lapsed into this
queer condition of silence, for, otherwise, they would have missed
something that proved unusually interesting, as well as afforded them
more or less excitement.

It was Thad who discovered it first. Perhaps he chanced to be
looking that way while Hugh was star-gazing. At any rate he gripped
his chum suddenly by the arm.

"Sh! Hugh, what's that yonder, a skulking dog, or a fellow