“Ripley certainly looked hang-dog,” commented Hazelton.

“And he must feel mightily ashamed over something,” continued Dick.  “I wonder if his father has found out anything about Tip Scammon and certain happenings of last year.  That might account for a lot.  But what do you say, fellows?  If Ripley has been a bit disagreeable and ugly, shall we try to make him feel that there’s always a chance to turn around and be decent?”

“Why, I’d believe in trying to point out the better road to Old Nick himself,” replied Dave Darrin warmly.  “Only, I don’t believe in doing it in the preachy way—–­like some people do.”

“That’s right,” nodded Dick.  “See here, Purcell, if Ripley is looking down in the mouth at recess, why don’t you go up to him and talk baseball?  Then call us over, after you’ve raised some point for discussion.  And we’ll tip two or three other fellows to join in, without, of course, getting a crowd.”

“I’ll try it,” nodded Purcell.  “Though I can’t guess how it will turn out.  Of course, if Rip gives us the black scowl we’ll have to conclude that no help is wanted.”

It was tried, however, at recess.  Purcell went about it with the tact that often comes to the easy going and big hearted.  Soon Purcell had Dick and Dave with Fred and himself.  Then the other chums drifted up.  Two or three other fellows came along.  After some sulkiness at first Fred talked eagerly, if nervously.  On the whole, he seemed grateful.

When Dick reached home that day he felt staggered with astonishment.  Waiting for him was a note from Lawyer Ripley, asking the boy to be at the latter’s office at half-past two.

“I shall take it as a very great favor,” the note ran on, “and, from what I know of you, I feel certain that you will be glad to aid me in a matter that is of vast importance to me.”

“What on earth is coming?” wondered Dick.  But he made up his mind to comply with the request.

Promptly to the minute Dick reached the street door of the office building.  Here he encountered Dave Darrin and Dalzell.

“You, too?” asked Dick.

“It looks as though all of Dick & Co. had been summoned,” replied Dave Darrin.

On entering the lawyer’s office they found their other three chums there ahead of them.  Tip Scammon was there, also, looking far from downcast.

Lawyer Ripley looked very grave.  He looked, too, like a man who had a serious task to perform, and who meant to go about it courageously.

“Young gentlemen, I thank you all,” said the lawyer slowly.  “I am pursuing a matter in which I feel certain that I need your help.  There has been some evil connection between Scammon and my son.  What it is Scammon has refused to tell me.  I will first of all tell you what I do know.  I am telling you, of course, on the assumption that you are all young men of honor, and that you will treat a father’s confidence as men of honor should do.”