Nancy's Mysterious Letter Part 21

Marian Wilson was shocked. "We mustn't let that lovely Miss Drew be swindled!" she cried.

Bess spoke up. "Nancy is doing everything she can. She has left messages everywhere for Nancy Smith Drew not to get married and to get in touch with her immediately. Now let's concentrate on the game." The girls agreed and Nancy said no more about the mystery.

There was a huge crowd on hand for this important game between Emerson and State University. Vendors stood outside the stadium selling pennants and football pins, and hats and flowers of the colors of the two colleges. Inside, the bands of both schools were playing. This, together with whistles and high-pitched conversation, made a great din. It turned to thunderous applause and cheers as the two teams trotted onto the field.

Nancy and her friends had seats ideally located near the center of the field. They cheered l.u.s.tily, then quieted as a whistle was blown by the referee and the captains of the opposing teams met to confer with the officials.

"Emerson receives the kick!" came the announcement over the loudspeaker.

The ball sailed through the air. The game was on! The blue jerseys of State U swept down the field.

"Frank's catching it!" Marian cried out as the ball came down.

After deftly side-stepping a would-be tackler, Frank cut to his left, and with a good block from Ned Nickerson, sped to the thirty-yard line before being tackled.

Excitement ran high in the stands, packed solid with spectators in red, blue, and green sports clothes. Pennants waved amid the laughter and cheering spectators.

"Now watch Ned go!" Nancy said. "Come on, Ned, touchdown!"

On the playing field, Ned Nickerson realized there was no magic formula for conquering State U. He pa.s.sed to a halfback, who tried an end sweep. It was good for three yards.

On the next play Ned faded back to pa.s.s, but apparently State U had scouted him well, because two linebackers came charging through. His toss was rushed and fell short of the receiver. A groan went up from Emerson.

Ned himself tried an off-tackle slant but failed to make the necessary ten yards. Then he dropped back to punt. The ball soared high and far, giving Emerson defenders plenty of time to race down the field. The State receiver was stopped in his tracks as Emerson fans roared their approval.

"Come on, State! Sock it to 'em!" came cries from across the field, but State fared no better. They also had to kick on fourth down. Frank again received the ball. But instead of running with it, he lateraled to Ned. The speedy quarterback dived, ducked, wriggled, and side-stepped as he flew up the field.

"Stop him! Stop him!" screamed State's rooters.

Now there was only one man between Ned and the goal line. The quarterback tried to side-step him.

Slam! With a bone-jarring tackle, Ned was brought to the turf twelve feet short of a six pointer. He rose slowly from the ground and limped back into the huddle, but his chest hurt.

"You all right?" Frank asked him.

"Sure. Just shaken up a little. Let's give 'em the down-and-out pa.s.s pattern."

When the ball was snapped, Ned rolled back and to his left. Emerson's left end faked out the opposing halfback and dashed toward the corner of the field. Ned rifled a pa.s.s. It was a perfect pitch. The end caught it in his upstretched arms and fell across the goal line!

"Eeh!Yeeh!" Marian exclaimed, jumping up and down and waving her arms wildly.

Emerson stands were a bedlam of noise and motion. Their team led, 6-0.

"Come on, Ned!" Nancy cried out. "Make it seven!"

She felt confident about Ned's place-kicking. The sportswriters had praised his toe. Now he would add to their score!

As Ned walked back into the huddle, he was still wincing with the pain in his chest. The teams faced each other. State's linemen were poised, ready to spring forward at the snap of the ball.

The ball was pa.s.sed low to Frank. He set it up for the kick. Ned's leg came forward, his toe hit the ball, and sent it sailing into the air as the spectators rose to their feet. There was dead silence for an instant, then a deafening roar.

No good! The referee's motion indicated that the ball had missed by inches.

"That's a shame," Marian said.

"What happened to the great Nickerson?" a State fan yelled. "He better go to another college where he can learn how to punt."

Nancy was concentrating on Ned. "Oh dear, I hope nothing has happened to him," she said to Marian. "He was limping a little."

Suddenly Nancy's hand flew to her mouth as she stifled a shriek. "Oh no!"

Ned Nickerson had collapsed on the green turf.

CHAPTER XVI.

Mistaken Ident.i.ty

INSTANTLY Frank called for time out. The water boy rushed onto the field, followed by the Emerson trainer. Nancy rose from her seat, excused herself as she stepped in front of other spectators, and finally made it to the aisle.

Worried, Nancy hastened down the concrete steps toward the field. By the time she reached the railing, Ned was being carried from the field by Frank and the trainer.

"Ned! Ned!" she cried out, but he did not hear her as the trainer eased him carefully onto the bench. Players crowded around quickly and Nancy lost sight of her friend.

Marian came to stand at Nancy's side. "I'm sure he'll be all right, honey," she said consolingly. "Ned has been hurt before and always managed to return to the game."

Suddenly Nancy saw Frank walking away from the bench toward the field, where the men were waiting to resume play.

"Frank, is he all right?" Nancy cried out. The fullback turned and waved at the two girls, but said nothing.

"Come on. Let's get back to our seats," Marian said.

Nancy only half-watched the game. Her mind was on Ned. But nothing spectacular happened. It was a defensive battle with each side gaining a few yards, then being forced to kick to its opponent.

During the half-time period, the marching band performed, but the colorful formations were lost on Nancy because she was worried about Ned. But when the players trotted back, she relaxed. Ned was among them!

"Oh!" she said with a sigh of relief. Ned, however, remained benched. Emerson's defenses could well have used him the two periods that followed. State's backfield gained momentum. Finally they were on the two-yard line of Emerson.

"Hold that line! Hold that line!" Nancy screamed along with the Emerson rooting section.

But on the next play State scored. Now the cry arose, "Block that kick! Block that kick!"

The teams lined up. Toe met ball. Good! The score stood 7-6 in favor of State U.

Nancy and Marian screamed themselves hoa.r.s.e as the autumn shadows settled over the stadium and a brisk wind began to blow across the field.

"Oh dear," Nancy said. "Only three minutes left, Marian."