The principal had kept the members of both teams after school and questioned them closely.  No one had seen Grace fall, nor realized that she was hurt until she had been discovered sitting on the gymnasium floor.  Miss Thompson had a vague suspicion of foul play on the part of the juniors, but was unable to find out anything.

“Athletics for girls have always been encouraged in this school,” she had said.  “Rough play is disgraceful.  If I found that any member of any High School basketball organization, either directly or indirectly, caused the injury of an opponent, I should forbid basketball for the rest of the season at least, and perhaps absolutely.  Tripping, striking and kicking are barred out of the boys’ games and will certainly not be tolerated in those of the girls.”

As Grace was returning to the study hall from geometry recitation that morning, she encountered Julia Crosby.  Julia glanced at her with an expression half fearful, half cunning, as though she wondered if Grace knew the truth about her fall.

Grace returned the look with one of such quiet contempt and scorn that Julia dropped her eyes and hurried along the corridor.

“How could she have been so contemptible?” thought Grace.

“I wonder if she’ll tell,” thought Julia.  “She evidently knows I was responsible for her tumble.  My, what a look she gave me.  I wonder if that snippy little Anne Pierson knows about it, too.  Very likely she does, for Grace Harlowe tells her all her business.  If they do say anything I’ll take good care no one believes it.”

She was so absorbed in her own ruminations that she crashed into the dignified president of the senior class with considerable force, much to the glee of Nora, who happened to be near enough to catch the icy expression on the senior’s face as Julia mumbled an apology.

At recess Grace notified the members of the basketball team and their substitutes that she had called a meeting to take place that afternoon at three o’clock in the sophomore locker room.  “Only the basketball people are requested to be present,” she concluded, “so don’t bring any of the rest of the class.”

At three o’clock precisely the last member had arrived.  Every girl took particular pains to be there, for most of them had been at the Harlowe’s on the day that Grace had silenced Miriam.

The meeting promised to be one of interest, for had not Grace Harlowe said that she would tell them something about the betrayed signals?

“Girls,” Grace began, “you all know that although it is against the rules to allow any outsider to witness our practice, we have always made an exception in favor of Jessica.  You all have perfect confidence in Jessica, I am sure.  Since practice began this fall we have allowed Anne to come to it, too.  You remember I asked permission for her to see the practice game, because I knew her to be absolutely trustworthy.”