s to that effect.

"So the eleven was to cruise across the bay in the Greased Lightnin',
Peter's little motor launch, and the rooters was to go by train later
on. 'Twas Parker's idee, goin' in the launch. 'Twould be more quiet,
less strain on the nerves of his men, and they could talk over plays and
signals on the v'yage.

"So at nine o'clock in the forenoon they was ready, the whole
team--three waiters, two fishermen, one carpenter from up to Wellmouth
Center, a stable hand, and Parker and three reg'lar boarders. These last
three was friends of Parker's that he'd had come down some time afore.
He knew they could play football, he said, and they'd come to oblige
him.

"The eleven gathered on the front porch, all in togs and sweaters,
principally provided and paid for by Sterzer. Cap'n Parker had the ball
under his arm, and the launch was waitin' ready at the landin'. All the
boarders--except Grace, who was upstairs in her room--and most of the
help was standin' round to say good luck and good-by.

"Snow, the detective, was there, and I whispered in his ear.

"'Say,' I says, 'do you realize that for the fust time since the robbery
here's a lot of folks leavin' the house? How do you know but what--'

"He winked and nodded brisk. 'I'll attend to that,' he says.

"But he didn't have to. Parker spoke fust, and took the wind out of his
sails.

"'Gentlemen,' says he, 'I don't know how the rest of you feel, but, as
for me, I don't start without clear skirts. I suggest that Mr. Brown and
Mr. Wingate here search each one of us, thoroughly. Who knows,' says he,
laughin', 'but what I've got that precious stolen paper tucked inside my
sweater? Ha! ha! Come on, fellers! I'll be first.'

"He tossed the ball into a chair and marched into the office, the
rest of the players after him, takin' it as a big joke. And there the
searchin' was done, and done thorough, 'cause Peter asked Mr. Snow to
help, and he knew how. One thing was sure; Pa Gabe's agreement wa'n't
hid about the persons of that football team. Everybody laughed--that is,
all but the old man and the detective. Seemed to me that Snow was kind
of disappointed, and I couldn't see why. 'Twa'n't likely any of THEM was
thieves.

"Cap'n Parker picked up his football and started off for the launch.
He'd got about ha'fway to the shore when Willie--who'd been stand-in'
with the rest of the help, lookin' on--stepped for'ard pretty brisk and
whispered in the ear of the Pinkert