He turned to find Professor Beck, the trainer and physical director.

"What a game he has put up, eh ?" Gardiner nodded.
"Best quarter in years," he answered.

"It'll weaken us considerably, but I suppose it's necessary." There was a note of interrogation in the last, and the professor heard it.
"Yes, yes, quite," he replied.

"The boy's on his last legs." Gardiner turned to the line of substitutes behind them.
"Decker!" The call was taken up by those nearest at hand, and the next instant a short, stockily-built youth was peeling off his crimson sweater.

The referee's whistle blew, and while the mound of squirming players found their feet again, Gardiner walked toward them, his hand on Decker's shoulder.
"Play slow and steady your team, Decker," he counseled.