Part 32 (1/2)

urged Darrin.

”Yes,” agreed Tom. ”And we'll throw out any of the rest that may have a nerve to try to step in here.”

Hardly had they taken their stand by the door when the three chums received a shock.

For the next arrivals were Phin Drayne, and his father, Heathcote Drayne.

Phin was now in attendance at the Wilburville Academy, and his father had come down, the evening before, to urge his son to try for West Point.

Tom looked the newcomer over with especial disfavor. Young Drayne, like many another ”peculiar” fellow, was an unusually good student.

At any time Drayne would have a very good chance of coming out even with, or just ahead of, either d.i.c.k or Dave.

The Draynes did not favor our three chums with any greeting, but walked on down into the hall.

”Excuse me a minute,” murmured Tom. ”I want to find out how the land lies.”

Tom thereupon walked boldly over to the Draynes.

”May I speak with you just a moment, Mr. Drayne?” asked Tom.

”Go ahead,” replied Mr. Heathcote Drayne, not over-graciously.

”It is important, sir, that I speak with you aside,” Tom went on.

Heathcote Drayne scowled, then stepped to one side, turning and glancing down at Reade.

”Well, young man, what is it?”

”I thought it barely possible,” continued Tom coolly, ”that I might be able to offer you a hint or two worth while.”

”Worth whose while?” demanded Heathcote Drayne, suspiciously.

”Yours. Has your son come here to compete for either the West Point or Annapolis cadets.h.i.+p?”

”What if he has?”

”Then has Phin his certificates of good character with him?” demanded Tom, his blue eyes steely and cold as he looked straight and significantly at the elder Drayne.

”Confound your impudence, Reade! What do you mean?”

”Just this,” continued Tom readily. ”Only boys of good character are eligible for West Point or Annapolis. Now, the fact is, your son was expelled from Gridley High School for a dishonorable action.

Are you content to have your son try for a cadets.h.i.+p, with that record hanging over his head and enveloping his chances?”

”Who'll know anything about that record if you don't blab?” demanded Mr. Drayne.

”Why, your son would have to state where he had attended school, and furnish certificates of good character from his teachers,”

ran on Reade. ”Now, honestly, do you think that Dr. Thornton, of Gridley High School, would furnish a certificate on which Congressman Spokes could appoint your boy to West Point or Annapolis? Because, if you think so,” wound up Reade, ”go ahead and put Phin in the running, to be sure.”