athless
suspense.

Even the saucy light on Forrester's face faded as he hesitated a moment
between fear and duty.

"Collar him there!" shouted the School.

"He'll pass him easily," said the Sixth.

Forrester stepped desperately across his adversary's path, resolved to
do his duty, cost what it might.

Jeffreys never swerved from his course, right or left.

"He's going to charge the youngster!" gasped Farfield.

Forrester, who had counted on the runner trying to pass him, became
suddenly aware that the huge form was bearing straight down upon him.

The boy was no coward, but for a moment he stood paralysed.

That moment was fatal. There was a crash, a shout! Next moment
Jeffreys was seen staggering to his feet and carrying the ball behind
the goal. But no one heeded him. Every eye was turned to where young
Forrester lay on his back motionless, with his face as white as death.

CHAPTER THREE.

GONE!

It would be difficult to picture the horror and dismay which followed
the terrible termination to the football match described in our last
chapter.

For a second or two every one stood where he was, as if rooted to the
ground. Then with an exclamation of horror Mr Freshfield bounded to
the side of the prostrate boy.

"Stand back and give him air!" cried the master, as the school closed
round and gazed with looks of terror on the form of their companion. He
lay with one arm above his head just as he had fallen. His cap lay a
yard or two off where he had tossed it before making his final charge.
His eyes were closed, and the deathly pallor of his face was unmoved by
even a quiver of life.

"He's dead!" gasped Farfield.

Mr Freshfield, who had been hastily loosening Forrester's collar, and
had rested his hand for an instant on his heart, looked up with a face
almost as white as the boy's and said--

"Go for the doctor!--and some water."

Half a dozen boys started--thankful to do anything. Before the ring
could close up again the ungainly form of Jeffreys, still panting from
his run, elbowed his way to the front. As his eyes fell on the form of
his victim his face turned an ashy hue. Those who watched him saw that
he was struggling to speak, but no words came. He stood like one turned
suddenly to stone.

But not for long.

With a cry something resembling a howl, the school by a sudden
simultaneous movement turned upon him.

He put up his hand instinctively, half-deprecatingly, half in s