“Thank you, but it isn’t the arrest that is really bothering me,” Prescott answered.  “It’s the feet that I’m fooled out of playing this afternoon.  And Darrin and I had been trained for so many special tricks for today’s game that I’m almost afraid my absence will make a difference in the score.  But, Herr Schimmelpodt, if you want to help me, do you really mind dropping in at the store and telling my father, so that he can come down to the court room?  Yet please be careful not to scare Dad.  He has a horror of courts and criminal law.”

“I bet you I do der chob—–­slick,” promised the German, and hurried away.

“There goes a man that’s all right, from his feet up to the top of his head,” declared Officer Hemingway.

On the streets Dick’s appearance with Hemingway attracted little notice.  Folks were used to seeing the High School reporter of “The Blade” walking with this policeman-detective.  The few who really did notice merely wondered why Dick Prescott was not on his way to the Tottenville gridiron today.

When Hemingway and his prisoner reached the court room there were only two or three loungers there, for it was still some minutes before the time for the assembling of the court.

Presently Bert Dodge and his friend, Bayliss, dropped in.  They glanced at the young left end with no attempt to conceal their feelings of triumph.  Bert looked much the worse for wear.

Dick returned their looks coolly, but without defiance.  He was angry only that he should have been cheated of his right to play in that big game.

Then in came the elder Dodge, only just back from a sanitarium.  Beside him walked Lawyer Ripley, who immediately came over to Dick, just before Herr Schimelpodt and Dick’s father entered the room hastily.

“Prescott,” began the old lawyer, sitting down beside the young player, and speaking in a low tone, “I’ve just been called into this matter, as I’m the Dodge family lawyer.  Had my advice been asked I would have demanded much more investigation.  From what knowledge I have of you, I don’t regard you as one who is likely to commit an unprovoked assault.  Have you any objection to stating your side of the case bearing in mind, of course, the fact that I’m the Dodge lawyer.”

“Not the least in the world,” Dick replied promptly.

It was just at this moment that Herr Schimmelpodt and the elder Prescott came hastening into the room.

Bert Dodge and Bayliss looked over uneasily, several times, to where Lawyer Ripley and the young prisoner sat.  Dick’s father stood by in silence.  He already knew his son’s version of the affair of the day before.  Herr Schimmelpodt didn’t say anything, but sat down, breathing heavily.

Then the clerk of the court and two court officers came in.  Justice Vesey entered soon after and took his seat on the bench.

“The case of Dodge versus Prescott—–­I mean, the people against Prescott, your honor, is the only thing on the docket this afternoon,” explained the clerk.