"Oh, nothing, nothing!" was the answer, as Scudder grinned and rubbed his chin. "Just happened along and heard what you said."
"Didn’t you? Then I must have been dreaming."
"Now, don’t get on your high horse with me!" said Uric, in a low tone, suddenly assuming a defiant air. "I know all about you, and you’re not a bit better than I am—if as good. Just because I declined to be your tool, don’t think you can play the lofty with me. You acknowledged that you had been caught, and——"
"Stop that kind of talk here! I don’t want to play the lofty; but we’re both known as Merriwell’s enemies, and some of these suspicious ones may see us talking together. We’re not in the same class. You’re a plebe. If I have too much to say to you, it will excite comment. That’s all."
"I’m glad that’s all," said Uric, with sarcasm. "All right; I’ll not call suspicion down upon you. But if you’re banking on Viewland winning to-day, I fancy you’ll lose. Your game didn’t work, did it?"
Somehow, this pricked the curiosity of Lynch. Was it possible Scudder knew something about the disappearance of Cranch?
Uric did not seem inclined to commit himself.
"Are you quizzing me?" said Jabez angrily.
"Oh, not at all! But it looks to me as if something had gone wrong in your plans. You wear a worried expression."
"Little danger; but if Viewland wins, I’ll call round and see you to-night."
"I’m broke, and I shall need a little loan," said Uric significantly.
"Won’t I?" grinned Scudder. "Oh, I don’t know! Perhaps you’ll conclude to cough after you think about it. Of course, I don’t want to make it unpleasant for you, you know, but [illegible]"
"Go on!" he grated. "You may be sorry if you try any blackmailing-game on me!"
"Oh, law!" said Scudder, in pretended horror. "Don’t use such harsh language! You shock me!"
Then, with a sneering laugh, he moved off. Lynch glared after him.
"That fellow is going to make trouble for me," thought Jabez. "I’ve told him too much. He can’t be trusted."
But now he gave his entire attention to the playing.
Having secured the ball on downs, Fardale lined up for the assault, and Merriwell was hurled into Viewland’s center. Kernan was a good man there, but the impetus of Merriwell’s rush, backed as it was by Singleton, Nunn, and Shannock, forced Viewland to give for a distance of four yards.