ll rang and the informal conclave broke up.

"Wait for me after dinner," whispered Chub to Roy at the table. "I want
to see you."

"All right," answered Roy cheerfully.

He was trying very hard to hide the fact that he was terribly down in
the mouth. The half-curious, wholly sympathetic looks of his companions
followed him all through the meal and he was glad when it was over. Chub
caught up with him on the steps and together they crossed the walk and
found seats under one of the elms well away from possible eavesdroppers.

"Tell me all about it," demanded Chub, scowling fiercely.

So Roy told him.

"You don't think he will let you off in time for the game Saturday?"
asked Chub.

"No, I'm pretty sure he won't. He's dead certain it was me that Mercer
saw."

Chub jumped to his feet.

"Where are you going?" asked Roy suspiciously.

"To see Emmy," was the answer. "I'll tell him that you didn't wear your
red sweater and that you couldn't have been on old Mercer's place
because you were with me."

"Don't be a fool!" said Roy. "What's the good of getting into trouble
yourself? He'll ask what you were doing and you'll have to 'fess up; and
then the nine won't have any captain on Saturday."

"I don't care," answered Chub stubbornly. "I got you into the hole and
the least I can do is to get you out."

"But you wouldn't get me out! You'd just throw yourself in with me. Look
here, now, Chub; Emmy isn't going to take any stock in your story. He'll
just think that we concocted it between us this morning. Besides, you
left me for almost an hour and you can't swear that I didn't go over to
Mercer's while you were gone. It's only a quarter of a mile from where
you left me."

"But you were asleep!"

"So you say."

"Well, weren't you?"

"Yes, but Emmy won't believe it. He'll think we were both out fishing
and that I went to Mercer's; and instead of being minus a first baseman
on Saturday the team will be short a first baseman and a second baseman
too; also a captain."

"But it isn't fair," cried Chub. "I was the only one that fished, and
now you're getting the blame for it. It was all my fault, anyhow; I made
you go along when you didn't want to."

"Nonsense; I didn't have to go."

"But you went to please me."

"Oh, well, what if I did?"

"It isn't fair," muttered Chub. "If I play in that game and you don't
I'll feel like a brute."

"You don't need to, Chub. Besides, there's the school to think of. You
kno