Jack Winters Gridiron Chums | Page 7

the German submarines allow it to reach there. And if I don't find out
the truth now, just think of the days and weeks I'll be worrying my head
off about that letter! Oh! it makes me just sick to even think of it. I
could kick myself with right good pleasure."
Jack realized that this was bound to be the long-needed lesson, by
means of which careless Bob would cut loose from his pernicious habit
of taking everything free--and--easy. Good might spring from evil, and
what now seemed to be a crowing disaster, the boy was likely in later
days to look upon as a blessing in disguise.
"If you'd like, Bob," he told his friend, to ease the strain, "I'll see the
postmaster in the morning, and without arousing his suspicions find out
if he noticed a letter directed to England in the mail yesterday. There
are not so many foreign letters going out of Chester these days but what
such a thing might happen to catch his eye. If he says there was, of
course that'll settle the matter. Even if he didn't happen to notice any
such, you mustn't believe it is absolutely certain you dropped it."
"I'd give anything to just know, one way or another. Then I could, if the
worst turned out to be true, tell my father, and stand the consequences,
for he'd be able to rewrite the letter, you see. But, Jack, it would hit me
terribly hard if he has to know what a fool I've been; because he told
me if he caught me in any bit of carelessness again this Fall he'd force
me to give up all my connection with the football squad, and not even
allow me to attend the gym this Winter. Oh! he's in dead earnest this
time, and I'm afraid my goose is cooked. It'd almost break my heart to

be shut off from connection with my mates in athletic sports, because
I'm crazy about such things, you know; it's in the blood, I guess."
Big Bob stretched out his massive arms when saying this, as though to
call the attention of his companion to his splendid physique. Indeed, he
did look like a boy whom a generous Nature intended to take part in
every conceivable manner of athletic sports; no fellow in all Chester
was built in quite such a massive mould as Big Bob Jeffries.
"I tell you what let's do," said Jack, immediately afterwards; "I'll get
my lantern, and we'll walk back over that path. Possibly the wind may
have carried the letter further away than where you looked. How about
that, Bob?"
"It's mighty kind of you to take so much trouble for such a stupid
comrade, Jack, and let me tell you I appreciate it a heap. Yes, and I'll
also get out before dawn in the morning to scour every yard of ground
on the way from my house to the post-office. If I could only find that
letter I'd be the happiest fellow in Chester, believe me."
So they once more donned their caps, and Jack lighted the lantern he
had mentioned. While its rays might not be as strong as the glow of the
hand-torch, it was able to cover much more ground at a time; and with
its help a white envelope half hidden in the long grass could not escape
detection.
Jack could easily understand just what had happened to Big Bob. He
had become so "rattled" when that dreadful suspicion first flashed into
his brain after supper that for the life of him he found it impossible to
say positively one thing or the other. Now he thought he could
remember distinctly pushing the important letter through the slot or
drop inside the post-office; and immediately afterwards doubts again
assailed him, leaving him worse off. after each experience.
If they failed to find the letter, and the postmaster and his assistant had
no recollection of having noticed it in cancelling the stamps of the heap
that went out with the afternoon mail, then there was no help for it; and
poor Bob was doomed to wait day after day, as even weeks went on,
always dreading lest each morning was destined to usher in the time
when his great crime must come to light, and his punishment begin.
They were soon on the spot, and each with his separate light started to
carefully examine the long and tangled grass, now partly dead, that lay
on either side of the well-worn path across the lots.

Doubtless Bob's heart still beat high with hope and anticipation; for
when Jack on one occasion started to say something he saw the other
whirl around as though thrilled with expectations that were
immediately doomed to disappointment.
Nothing rewarded their