“My what?” Nancy asked, astonished.

“You know what I’m talking about,” Tom hinted darkly. “Tell me, do you and Ned toast the trustees when you’re out on the town?”

“Just what are you implying?” she demanded. “What do our dates have to do with trustees or school money or anything?”

George tugged on her arm. “Come on, Nancy, this guy’s a jerk. Let’s go.”

“Not until he explains himself! He’s insulting Ned! And I’m not going to let him get away with it!”

“Nancy, come on! The line’s beginning to move.”

Reluctantly, Nancy abandoned her argument with Tom Stafford and rejoined the line. In no time they were inside, climbing the bleachers to their seats. She explained what had happened to Bess, who agreed that Tom was out of his mind.

“How someone like that could be elected president of the student council is beyond me,” she remarked.

“Me, too.”

Nancy seethed quietly. Once the game began, however, she gradually forgot the encounter. The action was fast and exciting, and it was impossible not to be swept up by it.

St. George’s had a good team, but they were no match for Emerson’s razzle-dazzle offense and their tough, relentless defense. Several times Ned took possession on the rebound and led his team in fast break drives down the court. The score climbed, and by the end of the first half Emerson was ahead by an eighteen-point margin.

“Looks like the game’s in the bag,” Nancy said to George during half time.

“Sure looks that way.” George grinned back.

But a few minutes later Nancy realized she had spoken too soon. Shortly after the jump ball that began the second half, the action came to a halt as a blood-curdling scream rang out!

Chapter Three

An eerie silence descended in the gym. It didn’t last, however. A second later a murmur rose from the bleachers. On the court, a referee blew his whistle for a time-out. Nancy noticed security guards hurrying toward the Emerson bench, and without a moment’s hesitation she joined them.