smarties of Clifford, who imagine that they're the whole shooting-match?"
Frank laughingly disclaimed any intention of paralyzing their opponents with a brilliant play. He simply wanted to talk over certain matters connected with the line of defense that Lanky, as the rover of the seven, could bring to bear better than any one else.
It was nearly ten o'clock when the two visitors started up to leave.
"No chance of our being kidnapped to-night, I guess, Frank?" laughingly suggested Lanky.
"Hardly. Clifford is too sure of winning that match to want to weaken our poor team. They think we've only got our nerve to go on; and that they can make circles around us when it comes to a show-up. If I don't see you again, Ralph, remember you promised to spend the whole day with me Monday," said Frank.
"I'm not apt to forget. If it's half way decent we'll skate as far up the river as we can in the morning. I wish Lanky was to be along," returned the other.
"Wish so too, but they made other arrangements for me on Christmas, you see," grunted the one addressed, with a look of disgust on his face.
"We don't have dinner until evening on that day, so father can get home in time; so you see the
