On tiptoe the members of the squad stole upstairs to the exhibition hall.  There they quickly got into their uniforms, next stowing their street clothing in a closet, the key of which the principal had supplied to Captain Dick Prescott.

In thoughtful silence Dick led his small host from the schoolhouse to the diamond.  When they had halted by the benches Dick began: 

“Now, fellows, each of you keep steadily in mind what we have at stake this afternoon.”

“Yes, sirree!” grinned Dan Dalzell.  “If we win to-day we’re going to learn what the man on the clubhouse steps said.”

“To-day’s victory gives one school or the other the championship of the Gridley Grammar School League,” Dick declared.

“Oh, that’s a side issue, entirely,” retorted Tom gravely.  “What we’re really burning about is to know what the man on the clubhouse steps said.”

“Are we going to pitch in to practice now?” asked Greg.

“You fellows can, if you want to, but don’t go at it too hard,” replied Captain Dick.

“If you didn’t want to practice, what were you in such a hurry to get out of school for?” demanded Holmes.

“Because I felt that we had been in school about as long as we could stand on the day of the championship game,” laughed Prescott.

“Wise captain,” approved Darrin.

They had not been on the field many minutes when a whoop sounded near at hand that caused the boys to look with surprise.

“Here come the Souths!” called Dave.  “They must have been let out early, too.”

“Hello!” hailed Captain Teall.  “You fellows are here early, but I don’t see your shovels.”

“Shovels?” repeated Dick.

“Yes; to dig holes to get into after the game is over,” Ted retorted.

“Teall,” Prescott responded sternly, “if the South Grammars want any holes to hide in, they’ll have to dig them themselves.”

“Humph!  We’ll see which side feels most like digging a hole when the score is read!” retorted Ted.  “Come along, Souths!”

Ted led the way down the field for practice.  On the way he turned to shout something back.  At that moment he tripped over a small wooden box and fell flat.

“Oh, Ted!” called Dick hurriedly.

“Well?” growled Teall, rubbing his shins.

“Did you enjoy your little trip?”

“My—–­little—–­trip?” repeated Ted wonderingly.  “Oh—–­pshaw!  Of course you’d think of something like that to say.”

“If you’re lamed any by your little trip,” offered Tom, “I’ll leave left field to do your base running for you this afternoon.”

“Yah!  I’ll bet you would,” jeered Teall.  “And if I let you, I’d be down on the score card for three less than no runs at all.”

“You will, anyway,” said Reade gravely.

“Somehow,” broke in Dan, “I feel unusually happy this afternoon.”

“That’s because you know we’re going to win to-day,” laughed Dick.