bully and the sneak mentioned what they had learned, in an off-hand way. As Dave was being talked of because of the run during the football game, the revelation created something of a sensation, and the news quickly spread until every boy at Oak Hall had heard it.
"By jinks, I can't believe this!" cried Sam Day, running up to Shadow, who was in the Hall gymnasium.
"Can't believe what, Lazy?" demanded the boy who loved to tell stories.
"What the fellows are telling about Dave Porter."
"What are they telling?"
"They say he is a nobody—that he was raised in a poorhouse, and that he doesn't know anything about his parents or relatives."
At this announcement Shadow Hamilton, who was on a bar, dropped to the floor.
"Is that true?"
"So they say."
"Who told you?"
"Blinky Watterson."
"And who told Blinky?"
"Chip Macklin. But Blinky heard it elsewhere, too. He said it must be so."
"I can't believe it," answered Shadow, soberly. "If it is true——" He stopped short.
"What?" demanded Sam Day.
