Bob Cook and the German Spy | Page 7

Most of them cheered for Bob, he being popular with all,
while Frank had not so many friends.
Bob lowered his guard for an instant, and Frank was quick to take
advantage of the opportunity offered. He dealt Bob a staggering blow
directly over the left eye; a ring on his finger broke the skin and blood
flowed into Bob's eyes, while a swelling appeared almost immediately.
He felt no pain, however, and with a yell of rage he rushed at his
opponent. He had thrown caution to the winds and consequently Frank
drove home two more good stiff punches to Bob's wet and bleeding
face. Nothing daunted Bob clinched and swaying back and forth for a
moment they presently fell to the ground. Over and over in the dust
they rolled, each one trying desperately to get his arms free. The crowd
cheered wildly and moved back to give more room to the fighters.
Presently the spectators saw that Bob was on top. He was in better
physical condition than Frank and this fact was beginning to count.
Frank was short of wind and puffing hard. Bob sat astride him, holding
him pinned to the earth with both knees while he pounded his head up
and down on the ground.
"Lemme up," said Frank weakly.
Bob bumped him once or twice more for good measure. "Had enough?"
he asked.
"Yes," gasped Frank, while the spectators yelled their approval.
Suddenly the cheering stopped and a gap appeared in the ranks of the
onlookers. The principal of the school came running toward the spot
where the fight had occurred.
"What does this mean?" he demanded, much out of breath.
The two fighters picked themselves up slowly. They were smeared with
dirt and blood. Bob's collar was torn and Frank's coat was almost
ripped from his back. Bob's left eye was half closed and rapidly turning
black; Frank's nose was swollen and the skin all scraped off the side of

his jaw.
"We had a fight, sir," said Bob.
"So I see," said the principal, while the crowd snickered.
"He started it," exclaimed Frank.
"I did not," cried Bob hotly, turning half way around as if he was
considering pitching into his opponent again.
"We won't discuss that question here," said the principal. "The best
thing for you two boys to do is to get cleaned up and then come and see
me in my office."
He turned away, slowly followed by Bob and Frank and all the rest of
the spectators. "Good boy, Bob," whispered Hugh in his friend's ear.
"You did him up all right and he deserved it too." Many others also
took occasion to show Bob that they heartily approved of what he had
done.
A short time later Frank and Bob stood before Mr. Hewitt, the principal.
He was a kindly man and well liked by all the boys, even if they did
love to imitate the way he had of looking at them over his spectacles.
He was always fair to every one and the boys knew they could expect
to be treated justly by him at all times. They respected him and looked
up to him.
"Well, boys," said Mr. Hewitt, "I'm sorry you had a difference of
opinion."
"That's just what it was, sir," exclaimed Bob quickly.
"Haven't I a right to opinion?" demanded Frank.
"What is your opinion?" inquired Mr. Hewitt.
"Well," said Frank slowly, "I say that the United States is wrong about
going to war with Germany."

Mr. Hewitt glanced at Frank over his spectacles. "I'm afraid I can't
agree with you, Frank," he said. "I don't like war and I don't believe
many of our people do either. There is a limit to any country's patience,
however."
"Some people here want war," said Frank.
"Yes," exclaimed Bob. "He said that my father wanted war so he could
make money out of it."
"He's making ammunition for the Government," Frank exclaimed.
"But at cost price," said Bob. "He will lose money if anything."
"I have always regarded Mr. Cook as one of our best citizens and a fine
man," said Mr. Hewitt. "I think you must be wrong, Frank."
"I tried to convince him that he was," said Bob, stealing a sidelong
glance at Frank's battered features. Mr. Hewitt also looked at Frank and
a faint smile flitted across his face.
"People should be careful about what they do and say these days," he
advised. "You are very wrong to talk against the United States, Frank."
"I only repeated what my father says," exclaimed Frank. "He knows."
"I'm sure he's mistaken this time," said Mr. Hewitt quietly. "I also hope
he won't talk like that again; people's feelings are easily aroused in
times of war and he might suffer harm."
Frank looked sullenly