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 needs it, if you'll tutor him a bit for the good of Northfield."

The Owl promised to lend his aid, but added with brutal candor that it wouldn't be easy to teach Martin from a book. Nevertheless, he was puffed up a bit because he had been singled out as the only man who could save the star shortstop to the nine.

"This is all confidential," Jennings reminded him.

"Confidential," the Owl said seriously, "and a sacred trust. Yes, sir. When Martin is ready, let him come to me." He went on his way, and before walking half a block had his nose into the book again.

Next morning Jennings told Martin of his conversation with the Owl. The shortstop was a bit resentful.

"Isn't this crowding things?" he demanded. "I haven't flunked yet."

"The time to get in some work is before you do flunk," Jennings retorted sharply. "If you take my advice you'll hunt up the Owl and make up some lost ground."

"Well—I'll try to," Martin said after a moment. That afternoon he played against Barringer High. When the game was over his line in the scorebook read: