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silence once more filled the room—a silence unbroken by the ticking of the clock this time, for it was mute, because of the toothpick. But its accusing face seemed to look at the three chums, as though begging to be allowed to speak, even if it did but mark the passage of time.

"Maybe we can prevail on Bricktop to stay until after the big game with Boxer Hall," suggested Tom, hopefully.

Jerry Jackson shook his head mournfully.

"I've tried it," he said. "I knew it would be a bad loss, so I asked Bricktop to stay, but he said his whole future depended on this chance, and he wouldn't feel that he was doing right if he let it slip."

"Talk about futures," murmured Dan, "what of the future of Randall?"

"It does seem sort of tough for Bricktop to leave just when we've all got so we play so well together," commented Sid. "And only to go to another college, too! It isn't like Ed, who has