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diff --git a/old/60463-h/60463-h.htm b/old/60463-h/60463-h.htm deleted file mode 100644 index 63c8eba..0000000 --- a/old/60463-h/60463-h.htm +++ /dev/null @@ -1,13274 +0,0 @@ -<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" - "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd"> -<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en"> - <head> - <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=utf-8" /> - <meta http-equiv="Content-Style-Type" content="text/css" /> - <title> - The Project Gutenberg eBook of Frank Merriwell's Diamond Foes, by Burt L. 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Standish - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most -other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of -the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have -to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. - -Title: Frank Merriwell's Diamond Foes - Straight Over The Plate - -Author: Burt L. Standish - -Release Date: October 9, 2019 [EBook #60463] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK FRANK MERRIWELL'S DIAMOND FOES *** - - - - -Produced by David Edwards, Craig Kirkwood, and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net - - - - - - -</pre> - - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 559px;"> -<img id="coverpage" src="images/cover.jpg" width="559" height="800" alt="Cover" /> -</div> - -<div style="padding-top:2em"> -<div class="transnote"> -<h2 style="margin-top: 0em">Transcriber’s Notes:</h2> - -<p>The Table of Contents was created by the transcriber and placed in the public domain.</p> - -<p><a href="#TN_end">Additional Transcriber’s Notes</a> are at the -end.</p> -</div></div> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<div class="chapter"></div><!--Page break for ePub--> - -<div class="boxcontents"> -<p class="xlargefont center boldfont">CONTENTS</p> -<p class="pcontents"><a href="#CHAPTER_I">Chapter I. Colonel Carson, of Carsonville.</a><br /></p> -<p class="pcontents"><a href="#CHAPTER_II">Chapter II. Why Billy Left School.</a><br /></p> -<p class="pcontents"><a href="#CHAPTER_III">Chapter III. Like Father, Like Son.</a><br /></p> -<p class="pcontents"><a href="#CHAPTER_IV">Chapter IV. Colonel Carson’s Revenge.</a><br /></p> -<p class="pcontents"><a href="#CHAPTER_V">Chapter V. The Village Green.</a><br /></p> -<p class="pcontents"><a href="#CHAPTER_VI">Chapter VI. A Challenge.</a><br /></p> -<p class="pcontents"><a href="#CHAPTER_VII">Chapter VII. Chip Gets a Letter.</a><br /></p> -<p class="pcontents"><a href="#CHAPTER_VIII">Chapter VIII. Getting Down to Work.</a><br /></p> -<p class="pcontents"><a href="#CHAPTER_IX">Chapter IX. Colonel Carson Makes a Bet.</a><br /></p> -<p class="pcontents"><a href="#CHAPTER_X">Chapter X. How the Game Opened.</a><br /></p> -<p class="pcontents"><a href="#CHAPTER_XI">Chapter XI. The Clippings Get Wild.</a><br /></p> -<p class="pcontents"><a href="#CHAPTER_XII">Chapter XII. Clipping the Clippers.</a><br /></p> -<p class="pcontents"><a href="#CHAPTER_XIII">Chapter XIII. Beaten at His Own Game.</a><br /></p> -<p class="pcontents"><a href="#CHAPTER_XIV">Chapter XIV. “Sour Grapes.”</a><br /></p> -<p class="pcontents"><a href="#CHAPTER_XV">Chapter XV. Three Cheers for Chip!</a><br /></p> -<p class="pcontents"><a href="#CHAPTER_XVI">Chapter XVI. A Wily Plotter.</a><br /></p> -<p class="pcontents"><a href="#CHAPTER_XVII">Chapter XVII. A Night Attack.</a><br /></p> -<p class="pcontents"><a href="#CHAPTER_XVIII">Chapter XVIII. The Initials in the Hat.</a><br /></p> -<p class="pcontents"><a href="#CHAPTER_XIX">Chapter XIX. Father and Son.</a><br /></p> -<p class="pcontents"><a href="#CHAPTER_XX">Chapter XX. Lured Away.</a><br /></p> -<p class="pcontents"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXI">Chapter XXI. Where is Merry?</a><br /></p> -<p class="pcontents"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXII">Chapter XXII. Investigating.</a><br /></p> -<p class="pcontents"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXIII">Chapter XXIII. The Third Degree.</a><br /></p> -<p class="pcontents"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXIV">Chapter XXIV. Quick Work.</a><br /></p> -<p class="pcontents"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXV">Chapter XXV. Won in the Ninth.</a><br /></p> -<p class="pcontents"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXVI">Chapter XXVI. Captain of the Nine.</a><br /></p> -<p class="pcontents"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXVII">Chapter XXVII. A Challenge.</a><br /></p> -<p class="pcontents"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXVIII">Chapter XXVIII. Laying the Wires.</a><br /></p> -<p class="pcontents"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXIX">Chapter XXIX. A Thousand Dollars in Cash.</a><br /></p> -<p class="pcontents"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXX">Chapter XXX. Criminal Work.</a><br /></p> -<p class="pcontents"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXXI">Chapter XXXI. Before the Game.</a><br /></p> -<p class="pcontents"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXXII">Chapter XXXII. Who Got It?</a><br /></p> -<p class="pcontents"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXXIII">Chapter XXXIII. Accused of Theft.</a><br /></p> -<p class="pcontents"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXXIV">Chapter XXXIV. A Mystery.</a><br /></p> -<p class="pcontents"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXXV">Chapter XXXV. The Fight of His Life.</a><br /></p> -<p class="pcontents"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXXVI">Chapter XXXVI. The Jump Ball.</a><br /></p> -<p class="pcontents"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXXVII">Chapter XXXVII. A Desperate Finish.</a><br /></p> -<p class="pcontents"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXXVIII">Chapter XXXVIII. Caught With the Goods.</a><br /></p> -<p class="pcontents"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXXIX">Chapter XXXIX. Conclusion.</a><br /></p> -</div> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<div class="chapter"></div><!--Page break for ePub--> - -<p><span class="pagenum">[21]</span></p> - -<div class="boxtop"> -<p class="center largefont">BOOKS FOR YOUNG MEN</p> - -<p class="center xxlargefont">Merriwell Series</p> - -<p class="center largefont" style="word-spacing:0.25em">ALL BY BURT L. STANDISH</p> - -<p class="ir0">Stories of Frank and Dick Merriwell</p> - -<p class="center">Fascinating Stories of Athletics</p> - -<p>A half million enthusiastic followers of the Merriwell brothers will -attest the unfailing interest and wholesomeness of these adventures -of two lads of high ideals, who play fair with themselves, as well as -with the rest of the world.</p> - -<p>These stories are rich in fun and thrills in all branches of sports -and athletics. They are extremely high in moral tone, and cannot -fail to be of immense benefit to every boy who reads them.</p> - -<p>They have the splendid quality of firing a boy’s ambition to become -a good athlete, in order that he may develop into a strong, vigorous, -right-thinking man.</p> -</div> - -<p class="center"><em>ALL TITLES ALWAYS IN PRINT</em></p> - - -<div class="boxlist"> -<p class="nitem3">101—Frank Merriwell’s Nomads</p> -<p class="nitem3">102—Dick Merriwell on the Gridiron</p> -<p class="nitem3">103—Dick Merriwell’s Disguise</p> -<p class="nitem3">104—Dick Merriwell’s Test</p> -<p class="nitem3">105—Frank Merriwell’s Trump Card</p> -<p class="nitem3">106—Frank Merriwell’s Strategy</p> -<p class="nitem3">107—Frank Merriwell’s Triumph</p> -<p class="nitem3">108—Dick Merriwell’s Grit</p> -<p class="nitem3">109—Dick Merriwell’s Assurance</p> -<p class="nitem3">110—Dick Merriwell’s Long Slide</p> -<p class="nitem3">111—Frank Merriwell’s Rough Deal</p> -<p class="nitem3">112—Dick Merriwell’s Threat</p> -<p class="nitem3">113—Dick Merriwell’s Persistence</p> -<p class="nitem3">114—Dick Merriwell’s Day</p> -<p class="nitem3">115—Frank Merriwell’s Peril</p> -<p class="nitem3">116—Dick Merriwell’s Downfall</p> -<p class="nitem3">117—Frank Merriwell’s Pursuit</p> -<p class="nitem3">118—Dick Merriwell Abroad</p> -<p class="nitem3">119—Frank Merriwell in the Rockies</p> -<p class="nitem3">120—Dick Merriwell’s Pranks</p> -<p class="nitem3">121—Frank Merriwell’s Pride</p> -<p class="nitem3">122—Frank Merriwell’s Challengers</p> -<p class="nitem3">123—Frank Merriwell’s Endurance</p> -<p class="nitem3">124—Dick Merriwell’s Cleverness</p> -<p class="nitem3">125—Frank Merriwell’s Marriage</p> -<p class="nitem3">126—Dick Merriwell, the Wizard</p> -<p class="nitem3">127—Dick Merriwell’s Stroke</p> -<p class="nitem3">128—Dick Merriwell’s Return</p> -<p class="nitem3">129—Dick Merriwell’s Resource</p> -<p class="nitem3">130—Dick Merriwell’s Five</p> -<p class="nitem3">131—Frank Merriwell’s Tigers</p> -<p class="nitem3">132—Dick Merriwell’s Polo Team</p> -<p class="nitem3">133—Frank Merriwell’s Pupils</p> -<p class="nitem3">134—Frank Merriwell’s New Boy</p> -<p class="nitem3">135—Dick Merriwell’s Home Run</p> -<p class="nitem3">136—Dick Merriwell’s Dare</p> -<p class="nitem3">137—Frank Merriwell’s Son</p> -<p class="nitem3">138—Dick Merriwell’s Team Mate</p> -<p class="nitem3">139—Frank Merriwell’s Leaguers</p> -<p class="nitem3">140—Frank Merriwell’s Happy Camp</p> -<p class="nitem3">141—Dick Merriwell’s Influence</p> -<p class="nitem3">142—Dick Merriwell, Freshman</p> -<p class="nitem3">143—Dick Merriwell’s Staying Power</p> -<p class="nitem3">144—Dick Merriwell’s Joke</p> -<p class="nitem3">145—Frank Merriwell’s Talisman</p> -<p class="nitem3">146—Frank Merriwell’s Horse</p> -<p class="nitem3">147—Dick Merriwell’s Regret</p> -<p class="nitem3">148—Dick Merriwell’s Magnetism</p> -<p class="nitem3">149—Dick Merriwell’s Backers</p> -<p class="nitem3">150—Dick Merriwell’s Best Work</p> -<p class="nitem3">151—Dick Merriwell’s Distrust</p> -<p class="nitem3">152—Dick Merriwell’s Debt</p> -<p class="nitem3">153—Dick Merriwell’s Mastery</p> -<p class="nitem3">154—Dick Merriwell Adrift</p> -<p class="nitem3">155—Frank Merriwell’s Worst Boy</p> -<p class="nitem3">156—Dick Merriwell’s Close Call</p> -<p class="nitem3">157—Frank Merriwell’s Air Voyage</p> -<p class="nitem3">158—Dick Merriwell’s Black Star</p> -<p class="nitem3">159—Frank Merriwell in Wall Street</p> -<p class="nitem3">160—Frank Merriwell Facing His Foes</p> -<p class="nitem3">161—Dick Merriwell’s Stanchness</p> -<p class="nitem3">162—Frank Merriwell’s Hard Case</p> -<p class="nitem3">163—Dick Merriwell’s Stand</p> -<p class="nitem3">164—Dick Merriwell Doubted</p> -<p class="nitem3">165—Frank Merriwell’s Steadying Hand</p> -<p class="nitem3">166—Dick Merriwell’s Example</p> -<p class="nitem3">167—Dick Merriwell in the Wilds</p> -<p class="nitem3">168—Frank Merriwell’s Ranch</p> -<p class="nitem3">169—Dick Merriwell’s Way</p> -<p class="nitem3">170—Frank Merriwell’s Lesson</p> -<p class="nitem3">171—Dick Merriwell’s Reputation<span class="pagenum">[22]</span></p> -<p class="nitem3">172—Frank Merriwell’s Encouragement</p> -<p class="nitem3">173—Dick Merriwell’s Honors</p> -<p class="nitem3">174—Frank Merriwell’s Wizard</p> -<p class="nitem3">175—Dick Merriwell’s Race</p> -<p class="nitem3">176—Dick Merriwell’s Star Play</p> -<p class="nitem3">177—Frank Merriwell at Phantom Lake</p> -<p class="nitem3">178—Dick Merriwell a Winner</p> -<p class="nitem3">179—Dick Merriwell at the County Fair</p> -<p class="nitem3">180—Frank Merriwell’s Grit</p> -<p class="nitem3">181—Dick Merriwell’s Power</p> -<p class="nitem3">182—Frank Merriwell in Peru</p> -<p class="nitem3">183—Frank Merriwell’s Long Chance</p> -<p class="nitem3">184—Frank Merriwell’s Old Form</p> -<p class="nitem3">185—Frank Merriwell’s Treasure Hunt</p> -<p class="nitem3">186—Dick Merriwell Game to the Last</p> -<p class="nitem3">187—Dick Merriwell, Motor King</p> -<p class="nitem3">188—Dick Merriwell’s Tussle</p> -<p class="nitem3">189—Dick Merriwell’s Aero Dash</p> -<p class="nitem3">190—Dick Merriwell’s Intuition</p> -<p class="nitem3">191—Dick Merriwell’s Placer Find</p> -<p class="nitem3">192—Dick Merriwell’s Fighting Chance</p> -<p class="nitem3">193—Frank Merriwell’s Tact</p> -<p class="nitem3">194—Frank Merriwell’s Puzzle</p> -<p class="nitem3">195—Frank Merriwell’s Mystery</p> -<p class="nitem3">196—Frank Merriwell, the Lionhearted</p> -<p class="nitem3">197—Frank Merriwell’s Tenacity</p> -<p class="nitem3">198—Dick Merriwell’s Perception</p> -<p class="nitem3">199—Dick Merriwell’s Detective Work</p> -<p class="nitem3">200—Dick Merriwell’s Commencement</p> -<p class="nitem3">201—Dick Merriwell’s Decision</p> -<p class="nitem3">202—Dick Merriwell’s Coolness</p> -<p class="nitem3">203—Dick Merriwell’s Reliance</p> -<p class="nitem3">204—Frank Merriwell’s Young Warriors</p> -<p class="nitem3">205—Frank Merriwell’s Lads</p> -<p class="nitem3">206—Dick Merriwell in Panama</p> -<p class="nitem3">207—Dick Merriwell in South America</p> -<p class="nitem3">208—Dick Merriwell’s Counsel</p> -<p class="nitem3">209—Dick Merriwell, Universal Coach</p> -<p class="nitem3">210—Dick Merriwell’s Varsity Nine</p> -<p class="nitem3">211—Dick Merriwell’s Heroic Players</p> -<p class="nitem3">212—Dick Merriwell at the Olympics</p> -<p class="nitem3">213—Frank Merriwell, Jr., Tested</p> -<p class="nitem3">214—Frank Merriwell, Jr.’s, Conquests</p> -<p class="nitem3">215—Frank Merriwell, Jr.’s, Rivals</p> -<p class="nitem3">216—Frank Merriwell, Jr.’s, Helping Hand</p> -<p class="nitem3">217—Frank Merriwell, Jr., in Arizona</p> -<p class="nitem3">218—Frank Merriwell, Jr.’s, Mission</p> -<p class="nitem3">219—Frank Merriwell, Jr.’s, Ice-boat Adventure</p> -<p class="nitem3">220—Frank Merriwell, Jr.’s, Timely Aid</p> -<p class="nitem3">221—Frank Merriwell, Jr., in the Desert</p> -</div> - -<p class="boxtop">In order that there may be no confusion, we desire to say that the -books listed below will be issued during the respective months in -New York City and vicinity. They may not reach the readers at a -distance promptly, on account of delays in transportation.</p> - -<p class="center">To be published in July, 1929.</p> - -<div class="boxlist"> -<p class="nitem3">222—Frank Merriwell, Jr.’s, Fight for Right</p> -<p class="nitem3">223—Frank Merriwell, Jr.’s, Team Work</p> -</div> - -<p class="center p1">To be published in August, 1929.</p> - -<div class="boxlist"> -<p class="nitem3">224—Frank Merriwell, Jr.’s, Athletic Team</p> -<p class="nitem3">225—Frank Merriwell, Jr.’s, Peck of Trouble</p> -<p class="nitem3">226—Frank Merriwell, Jr.’s, Ordeal</p> -</div> - -<p class="center p1">To be published in September, 1929.</p> - -<div class="boxlist"> -<p class="nitem3">227—Frank Merriwell, Jr., Birdman</p> -<p class="nitem3">228—Frank Merriwell, Jr., at the Old School</p> -</div> - -<p class="center p1">To be published in October, 1929.</p> - -<div class="boxlist"> -<p class="nitem3">229—Frank Merriwell, Jr.’s, Repentant Enemy</p> -<p class="nitem3">230—Frank Merriwell, Jr.’s, Gridiron Honors</p> -</div> - -<p class="center p1">To be published in November, 1929.</p> - -<div class="boxlist"> -<p class="nitem3">231—Frank Merriwell, Jr., on the Border</p> -<p class="nitem3">232—Frank Merriwell’s Diamond Foes</p> -</div> - -<p class="center p1">To be published in December, 1929.</p> - -<div class="boxlist"> -<p class="nitem3">233—The Merriwell Company</p> -<p class="nitem3">234—Dick Merriwell and June Arlington</p> -</div> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<div class="chapter"></div><!--Page break for ePub--> - - -<h1 style="line-height:1em">Frank Merriwell’s Diamond Foes<br /> -<span class="mediumfont">OR</span><br /> -<span class="xlargefont">STRAIGHT OVER THE PLATE</span></h1> - - -<p class="center p2 xlargefont"><span class="mediumfont">By</span><br /> -BURT L. STANDISH</p> - -<p class="center" style="margin-bottom:2em">Author of the famous Merriwell stories</p> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 124px;"> -<img src="images/logo.jpg" width="124" height="175" alt="Publisher logo." /> -</div> - -<p class="center p2 xlargefont">STREET & SMITH CORPORATION<br /> -<span class="largefont">PUBLISHERS</span><br /> -79-89 Seventh Avenue, New York</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<div class="chapter"></div><!--Page break for ePub--> - -<div class="boxcopyright"> -<p class="center">Copyright, 1914<br /> -By STREET & SMITH</p> - -<p class="center p1">Frank Merriwell’s Diamond Foes</p> -</div> - -<p class="center p2">All rights reserved, including that of translation into foreign<br /> -languages, including the Scandinavian.</p> - -<p class="center">Printed in the U. S. A. -</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum">[5]</span></p> - - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="chapter"></div><!--Page break for ePub--> - -<p class="center xxlargefont">FRANK MERRIWELL’S DIAMOND FOES.</p> - - -<h2 id="CHAPTER_I" class="no-break">CHAPTER I.<br /> -<span class="cheaderfont">COLONEL CARSON, OF CARSONVILLE.</span></h2> - - -<p>Chip Merriwell, in running togs, had just taken -a rail fence at a flying leap. As he dropped into -the road beyond the fence, he halted suddenly and -gave vent to a startled exclamation.</p> - -<p>Almost at the same instant, a second figure in -athletic shirt and track pants came hurtling over -the fence, pulled up abruptly, and stood hanging -on to Merry’s shoulder. This second person was -Billy McQuade, with whom Frank Merriwell, -junior, was spending a few days of the spring -vacation.</p> - -<p>The two friends had left home for a cross-country -hike together. It was now the middle -of the forenoon, they were on their way back, -and had still four miles to go before reaching -Carsonville.</p> - -<p>The crisp spring air of morning gave the two -runners new life at every breath. To many a -languid youth it spelled laziness and lack of all -effort, but Merry and his friend knew from experience -that “spring fever” is only a convenient -name for doing nothing. Both of them were -looking forward to a luxurious relaxation in the<span class="pagenum">[6]</span> -long grass by the Carsonville mill pond that afternoon, -but they intended to make it all the more -enjoyable by an honest physical weariness.</p> - -<p>At the point where the two friends struck the -highway, it curved in a wide horseshoe bend in -order to avoid a tongue of undrained swamp land -that struck up from the river. Merriwell had -come to the road on one side of the curve, intending -to follow the highway back to town.</p> - -<p>As he took the hedge bordering the road with a -flying hurdle, he had caught sight of a buggy in -the white stretch directly ahead of him. That -one flashing glimpse had shown him a man in the -buggy, and, as he came to earth, he saw the horse -give a sudden leap, shying frantically at sight of -the flying figure.</p> - -<p>Merriwell regretted instantly that he had not -looked before he had leaped, but it was now too -late. Before Billy McQuade took the leap in -turn, the mettlesome steed hitched to the buggy -was tearing around the bend of road, while the -lone occupant stood up sawing savagely at the -reins.</p> - -<p>“That’s a lesson I should have learned before -this,” Merriwell murmured regretfully. “The -horse shied when I came over the hedge, and he’s -run away.”</p> - -<p>“No doubt about that,” commented Billy, -watching with startled eyes. “He looks as if he -didn’t intend to stop this side of Fardale.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum">[7]</span></p> - -<p>The course of the runaway was anything but -reassuring. The startled horse was racing madly -around the horseshoe bend, with the buggy leaping -and rocking behind him, threatening at every -instant to go over.</p> - -<p>The driver still stood erect, however. He was -shouting in an angry tone of voice, and trying -vainly to curb the frightened animal. Disaster -was imminent at any moment.</p> - -<p>“My eye!” Billy ejaculated soberly. “We’ve -done it this time, Chip!”</p> - -<p>“Then we’d better undo it,” snapped Merriwell, -rousing himself. He pointed across the marshy -land to the opposite bend of the road.</p> - -<p>“Come along, Billy! We can cut straight -across over there, and beat the horse to it. He’s -forced to go clear around the bend.”</p> - -<p>“Practical lesson in geometry,” murmured -Billy, with a resigned look at the boggy strip. -“The shortest distance between two points is a -straight line. Go ahead, old man, I’m with you. -Hope the buggy will still be with the horse when -it gets there!”</p> - -<p>Chip Merriwell leaped across the road, Billy -close behind him. They vaulted the rail fence on -that side, and set off across the marsh land at the -best possible speed.</p> - -<p>It did not seem that Billy McQuade’s hope -would be fulfilled. The runaway had by this time -reached the central point of the curve, and the<span class="pagenum">[8]</span> -driver’s efforts seemed to have no effect, for the -buggy was careering and bouncing as if ready to -smash up at each wild leap.</p> - -<p>Merriwell took a glance over his shoulder, and -increased his speed. But it was difficult to cover -the ground rapidly; pools of water lay here and -there, the soft grass and soaked soil sucked at -every step, and only by jumping from tussock to -tussock could progress be made.</p> - -<p>The two runners made it, however. They -were nearly across the neck of sunken land when -Merriwell heard a startled cry from his friend, -and glanced around.</p> - -<p>He was just in time to see the driver flung from -the buggy!</p> - -<p>With a thrill of fear that his carelessness had -brought about an irreparable injury, Chip Merriwell -dashed forward. The horse was almost upon -him as he scrambled up and swung himself across -the fence, but the frightened beast had no time -to swerve. Taking a few long running steps, -Merry flung himself sideways and caught at the -bridle.</p> - -<p>Almost directly, the horse stopped, trembling -and heaving. With a breath of relief, Merriwell -began stroking his muzzle, patting his neck, and -uttering soothing words. The animal perceived -that he was a friend, and stood quiet.</p> - -<p>One swift glance showed that the buggy was -uninjured, then Merriwell looked around for the<span class="pagenum">[9]</span> -driver, stepping back from the horse to get a -clear view.</p> - -<p>He saw Billy McQuade meeting the driver, -who had risen to his feet. It was evident at once -that he had suffered from nothing worse than a -severe shock, for, as Merriwell turned and approached -the two, he heard the driver cursing -furiously. With a feeling of distaste, he inspected -the man, whose clothes Billy was hastily -brushing.</p> - -<p>The driver of the rig was a tall, spare, stoop-shouldered -man. He was very well dressed, and -wore a gray mustache and goatee. There was a -hard set to his face, and a pouchiness beneath his -black eyes, that denoted self-indulgence, and a -life that was anything but what it should be.</p> - -<p>“You good-for-nothin’ loafer!” he roared, -turning furiously on Billy, as Chip Merriwell -came up. “You done this a-purpose! You——”</p> - -<p>“It was not Billy’s fault at all,” broke in Merry -warmly. “I was the first one over the fence, and -your horse shied at me.”</p> - -<p>The driver whirled on him, his rage becoming -a cold fury as he met Merriwell’s firm, steady -gaze.</p> - -<p>“What are you doin’ in them duds?” he demanded. -“So it was you, hey?”</p> - -<p>“Yes,” and, although Merry’s eyes flashed at -the tone of the man, he kept his voice cool. “Yes,<span class="pagenum">[10]</span> -and I’m very sorry about it. Of course, I’ll be -glad to settle for whatever damage was done.”</p> - -<p>“Lot o’ good that’ll do!” growled the other, -who seemed to be eying him with anything but -liking. “What you chasin’ around in them duds -for?”</p> - -<p>“We were doing a bit of cross-country running,” -Merriwell said quietly. Billy McQuade -was flashing him queer looks which he interpreted -as warnings, but he took no heed of them. “As -I said, I’ll expect to make good any damage, and -I’m very sorry the accident occurred. My name -is Frank Merriwell, junior, and you’ll find me at -the McQuades’ residence, if you want me.”</p> - -<p>The man flung Billy a hard look, then laughed -sneeringly.</p> - -<p>“Mebbe I will and mebbe I won’t,” he jeered. -“They ain’t goin’ to have a residence very long, -I reckon. I s’pose he put you up to scarin’ that -hoss, eh?”</p> - -<p>“He did not!” cried Merry indignantly. The -insinuation made him angry clear through. Billy -flung him an imploring glance, but he was a chip -of the old block, and showed it in his next words.</p> - -<p>“I don’t know who you are, my friend, but -you’ve got a disposition that I wouldn’t like to be -let loose with. We’ve caused an accident, or, -rather, I have, and I’ve apologized and offered to -do all in my power to make it right.</p> - -<p>“Instead of throwing slurs and curses into the<span class="pagenum">[11]</span> -atmosphere, it’d be a whole lot more decent if -you’d try to act white. I don’t blame you for -being mad. I’d probably be mad myself in the -same circumstances. But that’s no reason for -your acting in this way.”</p> - -<p>The stranger gave him a black look, then moved -off.</p> - -<p>“Humph!” he grunted sarcastically. “I guess -you’re like your dad, if all I’ve heard say is correct. -Let’s see what damage was done. I reckon -the buggy was smashed up.”</p> - -<p>Merriwell and Billy McQuade followed him -to where the horse stood. The man went over the -buggy, then examined the horse.</p> - -<p>“Ain’t nothing busted,” he said, almost regretfully, -it seemed. “But you kids are too gay, runnin’ -around the country in them duds. It’s goin’ -to be stopped.”</p> - -<p>“Don’t let our clothes worry you,” retorted -Merry. “You know where to find me if you want -damages. Come along, Billy.”</p> - -<p>He promptly turned his back. Billy threw a -dubious look at the man, then followed slowly. -Once more the deep voice reached Merriwell.</p> - -<p>“You’ll be sorry for this, mind my words! You -ain’t a-going to talk to me that way and get off -with it, you young scoundrel!”</p> - -<p>Chip Merriwell’s cheeks flamed a little, but he -kept a firm grip on himself and walked on. After -a moment he turned to see the man climb into his<span class="pagenum">[12]</span> -buggy and give the horse a savage cut with the -whip.</p> - -<p>“The brute!” he murmured indignantly. -“What that horse needs is a kind word, instead -of the lash. More than likely that fellow had -him whipped into such a temper that he would -have shied at a dead leaf.”</p> - -<p>Billy nodded. To his surprise, Merry saw that -his friend’s usually clear, frank features were -overcast and troubled.</p> - -<p>“What’s the matter, old man? You seemed to -know that fellow.”</p> - -<p>“I do.”</p> - -<p>Billy cast a worried look at the rig, now disappearing -around the curve of the road.</p> - -<p>“Here’s a go!” he muttered gloomily. “I guess -we’re all in for it now, Chip.”</p> - -<p>“Why? That man isn’t the sheriff, is he?” -asked Merriwell, with a laugh.</p> - -<p>“No. He’s a whole lot worse. That chap -is Colonel Carson, who owns most of Carsonville, -and he’ll make the old burg plenty hot for -us now, believe me!”</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="chapter"></div><!--Page break for ePub--> - -<p><span class="pagenum">[13]</span></p> - - - - -<h2 id="CHAPTER_II">CHAPTER II.<br /> -<span class="cheaderfont">WHY BILLY LEFT SCHOOL.</span></h2> - - -<p>Chip Merriwell looked curiously at his friend -and host.</p> - -<p>“Has this Colonel Carson anything to do with -your leaving Fardale—or, rather, with your writing -that you would not be back?”</p> - -<p>“Yes,” Billy said, in a low voice. “Let’s walk -along, Chip, and I’ll tell you about it. It might -as well come out now as any time, I s’pose.”</p> - -<p>It was Merry’s second day in Carsonville. -Billy McQuade, or, as he was more generally -known, “Billy Mac,” was a plebe at Fardale -Academy. During the preceding summer he had -shown remarkable ability as backstop on the -scrub nine, and it was reported that he was in line -to catch for the regular team during the coming -season. Billy Mac was also good at first, however, -so that Fardale had been in no little doubt.</p> - -<p>Shortly before the spring vacation began, Billy -had been called home to Carsonville. His father -was dead, and his mother had merely written that -she needed Billy’s presence to settle up some portions -of the estate. Then had come a letter from -Billy himself—a heartbroken letter, stating that -he would be unable to return to Fardale.</p> - -<p>He assigned no definite cause, and the reason -remained pretty much a mystery. It was a most<span class="pagenum">[14]</span> -disconcerting mystery, also. Owen Clancy, Chip -Merriwell’s regular backstop, was somewhere off -in the Southwest. It had been pretty generally -settled that Billy Mac would don the mask this -season, and his sudden withdrawal was a body -blow to Fardale hopes.</p> - -<p>These had been swiftly raised, however, when -on the last day of school before the vacation -Clancy had appeared without warning. He had -retrieved his family fortunes, and was ready to -pitch into work at Fardale once more. This, none -the less, did not throw any light upon the mystery -of Billy Mac’s dropping out.</p> - -<p>Both Merry and his father had been no little -worried. Frank Merriwell, senior, had finally -suggested that Chip drop around to Carsonville -during vacation. Although head over ears in -track and field work, Chip had assented gladly. -Billy Mac sent him a cordial invitation to come -along, and he had promptly arrived.</p> - -<p>The McQuade home was a comfortable, old-fashioned -residence on a hill near the river, just -outside of town. During his first day, Merry -had asked no questions, but his eyes had been -busy. He noted the worried, uneasy air of hospitable -Mrs. McQuade, and the nervousness of -his friend. It was not hard to guess that the -estate of the senior McQuade had fallen into difficulties, -though not a word had been said on the -subject.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum">[15]</span></p> - -<p>“Let’s have it, old man,” said Merry gravely. -“Nothing helps a fellow so much as being able to -spout out his trouble to some one else.”</p> - -<p>“I know,” sighed Billy Mac hopelessly. “But -this is different. I s’pose you remember about—about -dad dying just before Christmas holidays?”</p> - -<p>“Yes,” said Chip sympathetically. “And we -were all mighty sorry to hear of it, old fellow.”</p> - -<p>“Well,” went on the other, “things didn’t look -so bad just then. Mother had a thousand dollars -of insurance money, while the house and -orchard was ours. We’ve got some mighty fine -fruit trees there, and they promised to take care -of things pretty well.”</p> - -<p>“I should think they would! Those apples you -dug up yesterday were something fine, Billy -Mac.”</p> - -<p>“They were the last of the ones we buried last -fall, Chip. We shipped off some of them, for -with the apples and other things we get high -prices from the city. They seem to appreciate -getting extra fine fruit.”</p> - -<p>“Of course they do. The trouble with most -farmers is that they don’t take pains enough to -market their crop right, and take care of it on -the way. But go ahead.”</p> - -<p>Billy sighed again, and glanced heavily at the -river.</p> - -<p>“This here Colonel Carson,” he broke out,<span class="pagenum">[16]</span> -“suddenly produced a mortgage on the house and -orchard for two thousand dollars. That was just -before vacation, when mother wrote for me to -come home.”</p> - -<p>“But you knew that he had the mortgage?” -queried Chip, frowning.</p> - -<p>“We thought dad had paid it. You see, dad—well, -dad was kind of careless about money. Just -the same, we <em>knew</em> he had paid that mortgage. -Mother could find no receipt, however, and Carson -vowed that it had never been paid.”</p> - -<p>“Somebody ought to teach him something,” -said Merry warmly. “Hadn’t you any proof -whatever?”</p> - -<p>“Not a scratch, Chip. We couldn’t find a -single thing. Mother pleaded with him, and he -agreed to give us a little time in which to pay it—over -again. It hit us pretty hard, you see. We -knew that dad had paid it, but that villain Carson -only wants to get hold of the place.”</p> - -<p>“Looks as though the scoundrel had you,” said -Merriwell thoughtfully. “Can you pay it, Billy?”</p> - -<p>“Maybe. Mother has that thousand insurance -money, and—well, to tell the truth, I’ve arranged -to get a job as clerk in the Carsonville general -store. If we can hold the colonel off a while, I -guess we can fix it.”</p> - -<p>“Pretty hard lines, just the same,” commented -Merry. “So that’s why you wrote that you -wouldn’t be back to Fardale, eh?”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum">[17]</span></p> - -<p>“Yes,” said Billy Mac miserably. “It’s all off, -Chip. And now, after what’s happened this -morning—well, you can guess that Carson won’t -have much mercy.”</p> - -<p>Merriwell whistled softly. Now he began to -see the possible disaster he had brought upon the -McQuade family through scaring Colonel Carson’s -horse. Recalling the man’s face, he was -forced to admit to himself that he could not see -much hope in it. Every line spelled hardness, cold -unscrupulousness.</p> - -<p>There was good cause for Billy Mac’s worry—yet -he had cast no word of blame on Chip, -whose lack of caution seemed to have brought -wreck upon him. Merry appreciated this fact. It -was only another indication of the sterling qualities -of his friend.</p> - -<p>At the same time, it gave him serious food for -thought. If Colonel Carson did come down upon -Mrs. McQuade, in his rage, Chip knew that he -would be morally responsible for it.</p> - -<p>“I’m mighty sorry about this, old man,” he exclaimed -soberly, “What kind of a fellow is this -Carson? Is he well off?”</p> - -<p>“Got slathers of money,” said Billy Mac, with -added gloom. “The burg was named after his -family, and he owns most of the main street, the -bank, and everything else, even the baseball -team.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum">[18]</span></p> - -<p>“Baseball team?” inquired Merriwell sharply. -“A professional team?”</p> - -<p>“No, the Clippers are made up of amateurs, -and stand pretty high in the Amateur League. -But it’s like everything else, Chip. The colonel -is said to be mighty careless about methods in -everything he does, so long as he gets what he -wants. The Carsonville Clippers are amateurs, -all right, but I notice most of ’em have jobs in -Colonel Carson’s bank, or on his farms, or somewhere. -And the jobs don’t need much attention.”</p> - -<p>“So that’s it, eh?” Merriwell looked thoughtful. -“Are they a good bunch?”</p> - -<p>There was no doubt that the Clippers could -play ball, and play it well enough to win most of -their games. Carsonville, of course, was not a -large-enough place to support such a team, but, -where his one great hobby was concerned, Colonel -Carson was willing to spend money like water.</p> - -<p>One reason for this was that his own son was -the star pitcher of the Clippers. Another was -that Colonel Carson had a consuming ambition -to make such a showing with his amateur team, -that he could buy into one of the larger professional-league -teams as a well-known follower -of the sport.</p> - -<p>To this end, it was necessary that his team -should win games. The Clippers did so. But—and -this point Merry dragged by sheer force from -the reluctant Billy—it was whispered that Colonel<span class="pagenum">[19]</span> -Carson did not care much how they won, so -long as they did win.</p> - -<p>“I don’t believe in repeating calumnies,” went -on Billy, “whether you like a man, or don’t. I believe -that Colonel Carson is a scoundrel and a liar -where my family is concerned, but I don’t like -to repeat things that have no foundation.”</p> - -<p>“Right you are,” exclaimed Chip. “But in a -case of this kind, rumor is apt to hit pretty close -to the mark, Billy Mac. Is there a good diamond -here?”</p> - -<p>“You bet!” cried Billy enthusiastically. “Almost -as good as the Fardale grounds, Chip. It’s -laid out down below the milldam, by the river, -with concrete stands and all that. Colonel Carson -certainly does things up brown!”</p> - -<p>“That’s what he wants,” agreed Chip. “It’ll -help his reputation with the league magnates. But -if he builds his reputation on secret chicanery and -dirty work, he isn’t going to get very far, and, -judging from your own case, it looks as though -Colonel Carson had a tricky streak right through -him.”</p> - -<p>He could not help feeling sorry for Billy Mac, -even while admiring his sturdy pluck. To throw -up school, athletics, and everything else in order -to take up a hopeless undertaking was a stiff -proposition. And Billy’s task looked hopeless.</p> - -<p>His salary as clerk in the Carsonville general -store would certainly be small. It would take him<span class="pagenum">[20]</span> -a long time to get together a thousand dollars, to -add to the thousand his mother already possessed. -Yet it had been the only chance, and Billy Mac -had plunged desperately at it without a squeal for -help.</p> - -<p>Merriwell knew better than to offer financial -assistance, though he knew that his father would -be glad to help the McQuades. He had seen -enough of Billy’s mother to guess at her pride, -and, as though Billy had read his secret thought, -he turned to Merriwell.</p> - -<p>“Don’t say anything to mother about my telling -you this,” he said quietly. “It may come out -other ways, or she may tell you herself——”</p> - -<p>“I understand,” interrupted Chip. “She -wouldn’t like to think that her guests had been -bothered with family troubles. She’s a mighty -fine mother to have, Billy.”</p> - -<p>“You bet your boots!” and the other’s eyes -lighted up. “She didn’t want me to quit Fardale, -of course. But it was the only chance there was, -and she had to give in at last.”</p> - -<p>“Well, the place isn’t lost yet, so brace up,” advised -Merriwell.</p> - -<p>By the time they had finished this heart-to-heart -talk, they were at the outskirts of the town, -and nearing the McQuade home. Billy pointed -out a large white house set in from the road as -the Carson residence.</p> - -<p>They had just passed this point, when, from a<span class="pagenum">[21]</span> -bend in the road, came a shrill cry in a boyish -voice. An instant later they sighted two figures. -One was that of a rather small young fellow, -crouching; over him stood a tall, heavy-set figure, -striking at the smaller chap, and paying no -attention to his cries for mercy.</p> - -<p>“My eye!” cried Billy Mac hotly. “Trail along, -Chip. I’ll give that brute something else to think -of!”</p> - -<p>And Billy broke into a run, with a yell of anger.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="chapter"></div><!--Page break for ePub--> - -<p><span class="pagenum">[22]</span></p> - - - - -<h2 id="CHAPTER_III">CHAPTER III.<br /> -<span class="cheaderfont">LIKE FATHER, LIKE SON.</span></h2> - - -<p>“Hel-l-lup!”</p> - -<p>At sight of Chip Merriwell and Billy Mac, the -smaller of the two figures uttered a shrill appeal. -As the bully straightened up, the little fellow -writhed away and danced over to the side of the -road.</p> - -<p>“Hello, Chub!” cried Billy, pausing. “What’s -the trouble? Were you playing?”</p> - -<p>“Pl-l-laying nothing!” returned Chub shrilly, -dancing about in his rage, and pointing at his tormentor. -“That big stiff said I rooted too much -for the visiting team l-l-l-last Saturday! He -caught me and was l-l-lambasting me!”</p> - -<p>Chip saw that his friend was fully competent -to handle the situation, and stood back. There -was something comical about the helpless rage of -Chub, and about his manner of stumbling speech, -that amused Merriwell.</p> - -<p>“You’re a fine sort of sport, I don’t think!” -exclaimed Billy Mac, addressing the bully. “Just -because a fellow doesn’t root for you, you want -to punish him—and a little chap like Chub, too!”</p> - -<p>The bully glowered at Billy Mac in a threatening -fashion. He was a hulking big fellow, wearing -a sporty necktie of flaming red, and a loud-checked<span class="pagenum">[23]</span> -suit. His features were heavy and overbearing, -with deep-set black eyes, that gleamed -maliciously, and from one corner of his mouth -drooped a burned-out cigarette.</p> - -<p>“What’s it to you, Billy Mac?” he growled -menacingly. “You’d better not try to show off -around here, just because you been to a military -academy fer a few months!”</p> - -<p>“There’s no one showing off around here except -that necktie of yours,” snapped Billy Mac. -“It’s a wonder you couldn’t find a baby to lick, -you coward!”</p> - -<p>It became evident to Merry that the two knew -each other, and that his friend cherished a thorough -dislike for the bully.</p> - -<p>“Give it to him, Bil-l-ly!” chirruped Chub, who -was well out of danger by this time. It seemed -impossible for the little chap to pronounce the -letter “l” without spilling it out by degrees. -“L-l-l-lam him for me!”</p> - -<p>The big fellow sneered.</p> - -<p>“I suppose you think you can run the place, -Billy Mac, now that you’ve been away to school, -hey? You think you are a real athlete, with them -underwear things on, don’t you?”</p> - -<p>Seeing that his friend was speechless with rage, -Merriwell interfered.</p> - -<p>“It’s quite evident that you’re not fitted to pass -on athletes, my friend,” he broke in ironically. -“I’ve always found that the fellow who goes<span class="pagenum">[24]</span> -around with a coffin nail sticking in his face is the -one who sticks in the bleachers. He doesn’t get -out and toss the ball very much.”</p> - -<p>For some reason, this speech seemed to infuriate -the bully. He whirled on Merry with a -snarl of anger.</p> - -<p>“Smart guy, ain’t you? I suppose you’re that -Merriwell kid that Billy’s been blowin’ about so -much?”</p> - -<p>“It seems that you have some brain left, in -spite of cigarettes,” returned Merry dryly. -“You’re supposing a lot of things, my friend. It -might strike you to suppose that your absence is -better than your company.”</p> - -<p>“Oh, is that so?” The big fellow clenched his -fists, glaring. “Say, fer about two cents I’d take -you down a peg, Slim-shanks!”</p> - -<p>Billy Mac turned quickly.</p> - -<p>“Look here, Chip, you butt out of this!” he demanded. -“Chub Newton’s a friend of mine, and -this isn’t your quarrel.”</p> - -<p>“All right, old man,” said Merriwell, waving -his hand. “I’ll gladly turn over our genial friend -to you. He looks as if a dose of McQuade compound -would improve his health a good deal.”</p> - -<p>“Yah!” shrieked Chub Newton, in wild delight. -“That’s the way to talk! L-l-listen to -that, Bul-l-ly! You’re goin’ to hear things, al-l-l -right!”</p> - -<p>Bully favored Chub with a black look.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum">[25]</span></p> - -<p>“I’ve give you one lesson about closin’ that -jaw of yours, Chub,” he grated. “You’d better -lay mighty low, mind my words!”</p> - -<p>There was something in the tone and aspect of -the fellow that struck a responsive chord in Merriwell’s -memory. What the familiarity was, he -could not fathom. However, he was sure that -there was a familiarity.</p> - -<p>“L-l-light into him, Bil-l-ly!” pleaded Chub, -his shrill voice appearing to irritate Bully like -the buzzing of a mosquito. The latter shook his -fist threateningly.</p> - -<p>“You heard what I said!” he roared. “Shut -that jaw, or I’ll show you what a real lambastin’ -is, you tow-headed little rat!”</p> - -<p>“I don’t think you will, Bully,” said McQuade. -Merriwell had thrown him a warning look, and -he had curbed his temper.</p> - -<p>“Hey? Why not?” The big fellow turned on -Billy, seeming to comprehend for the first time -that he was being actually interfered with. “I -suppose you’ll stop me, hey?”</p> - -<p>“Well, I’ve been thinking it over quite a while,” -admitted Billy, with a grin. “Try a fresh cigarette, -Bully. It might help you to get ideas -faster.”</p> - -<p>Chub Newton waved his arms in delight. A -few passers-by were pausing to listen to the altercation, -and the little fellow turned to them -eagerly.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum">[26]</span></p> - -<p>“Watch Bul-l-ly catch it!” he sang out shrilly. -“He’s going to get a fal-l-len on harder than the -Sprucetown batters fel-l-l on him l-l-l-last Saturday!”</p> - -<p>At this the big fellow’s face went positively -black with rage. It was clear that he could think -of no taunts to fling back at his diminutive foe, -so he did the next best thing that occurred to -him. He took a swift step toward Chub, his fists -clenched.</p> - -<p>“No you don’t!”</p> - -<p>Billy Mac leaped forward and caught his -shoulder, twirling him around.</p> - -<p>“Look out!” roared Bully furiously. “I’ll -mash that smart-alec mouth o’ yours, you fool! -Go home an’ dress yourself!”</p> - -<p>“I’d make a better job of it than you’ve done,” -retorted Billy, with contempt.</p> - -<p>Among the gathering array a quick smile -passed, with significant looks at the loud attire -of the big fellow. This only served to infuriate -him the more. It was clear to Chip that Bully -was by no means a favorite, though for some reason -no voice was lifted against him, save that of -Chub Newton.</p> - -<p>“Go for him, ol-l-ld scout!” Chub shrieked. -“You can l-l-lick him easy! He’s got a yel-l-ler -streak!”</p> - -<p>“And you’ve got a yelling streak,” observed -Merry, with a laugh.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum">[27]</span></p> - -<p>Glaring from his deep-set eyes, Bully stepped -toward McQuade.</p> - -<p>“I guess you need a lesson,” he growled. -“You’re gettin’ too all-fired smart around this -town, for a pauper.”</p> - -<p>Billy went white.</p> - -<p>“I’d sooner be a pauper than the son of a -crook,” he snapped. “And I’d sooner be the son -of a crook, than a crook myself, Bully!”</p> - -<p>A murmur of applause went up from the -crowd. It was cut short by a roar from the big -fellow.</p> - -<p>“Call me a crook, will you!”</p> - -<p>With a quick lunge forward, he aimed a vicious -blow at Billy Mac. The backstop did not -appreciate the compliment, however.</p> - -<p>Catching the blow on his arm, he took a quick -step in, and there was a dull smack. Bully went -staggering back.</p> - -<p>“Yah!” chirruped Chub, in great glee. “I -tol-l-ld you! L-l-lam him again!”</p> - -<p>The big fellow hesitated, with a surprised expression -on his face. Evidently concluding that -an accident had happened, he rushed at Billy with -a shout.</p> - -<p>“Here’s where you get yours, smart alec!”</p> - -<p>Billy Mac did not seem at all disturbed over -the prospect. He waited the rush quietly, and, as -the big fellow drove in another blow, Billy caught<span class="pagenum">[28]</span> -the arm. He turned, jerked the other’s wrist -over his shoulder, and Bully flew over him into -the dust. This brought a shout of applause from -the spectators.</p> - -<p>It was a simple jujutsu trick. Billy Mac had -not learned it very adroitly, but he had learned -it well enough to spill his adversary head over -heels. Bully was unhurt, and was up instantly, -brushing at his gay attire.</p> - -<p>“Got some luck, ain’t you!” he sneered furiously.</p> - -<p>“Better not try my luck again,” said Billy Mac, -with a laugh.</p> - -<p>Chub Newton let out a shrill yell.</p> - -<p>“L-l-look at the l-l-loud guy now! Yah! Why -don’t you cl-l-laim you stubbed your toe, Bul-l-ly -Carson?”</p> - -<p>Merriwell started. Could it be possible that -this fellow was the son of Colonel Carson, of -whom Billy Mac had spoken—the baseball -player? Yes, he placed the chap now. The -features and voice were not unlike those of Colonel -Carson.</p> - -<p>However, he had no time to conjecture further. -Bully went at Billy Mac with a second rush, this -time exercising more caution. McQuade had to -depend entirely on his quickness, and proved that -it was quite dependable.</p> - -<p>He slipped aside, raising a cloud of dust as he<span class="pagenum">[29]</span> -did so, and tried to trip his opponent. Bully staggered -and lost his balance, and, as his arm flew -out wide, Billy Mac stepped in and his fist went -out.</p> - -<p>Again there came a sharp crack as the blow -landed. The big fellow, struck fairly on the -angle of the jaw below the ear, shivered, and then -went reeling across the street. He pulled up at -the fence, clinging to it desperately.</p> - -<p>“Yah! He’s scared out!” cried Chub.</p> - -<p>So, indeed, it seemed. The blow had not been -hard enough to knock him out, yet he made no -offer to return to the fight. Instead, he raised his -fist and shook it menacingly.</p> - -<p>“You’ll suffer for this!” he exclaimed. “You -wait till I see dad!”</p> - -<p>“Yah!” shrilled Chub Newton, dancing wildly. -“Go put a muffl-l-ler on your new cl-l-lothes, Bully -Carson!”</p> - -<p>Bully moved off, evidently sick of the encounter. -Since it was plainly over, the spectators -drifted away, and Chub Newton thanked his -rescuer. Billy Mac introduced him to Frank -Merriwell, junior, but seemed to have little delight -in his victory.</p> - -<p>“Now I am in for it, and no mistake!” he exclaimed, -looking after the big fellow.</p> - -<p>“Why?”</p> - -<p>“Didn’t you notice the resemblance?”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum">[30]</span></p> - -<p>“Well, yes. And I heard Chub call him Bully -Carson——”</p> - -<p>“Yes, that’s his usual nickname. He is Colonel -Carson’s son, Chip. And I guess you can see that -I’ve done a pretty bad morning’s work for the -McQuade family.”</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="chapter"></div><!--Page break for ePub--> - -<p><span class="pagenum">[31]</span></p> - - - - -<h2 id="CHAPTER_IV">CHAPTER IV.<br /> -<span class="cheaderfont">COLONEL CARSON’S REVENGE.</span></h2> - - -<p>“I’m awful-l-ly gl-l-lad to meet you! Bil-l-ly’s -tol-l-ld me a l-l-lot about Chip Merriwel-l-l!”</p> - -<p>“We seem to have come along just right,” said -Merry, shaking hands with Chub. “But we’d -better get home, Billy Mac. We seem to attract -a good deal of attention in these running togs.”</p> - -<p>Billy Mac nodded.</p> - -<p>“Sure. You’d better come with me, Chub. -We’ll go down to the swimming hole near the -house and have a plunge.”</p> - -<p>Chub looked disappointed.</p> - -<p>“I’m sorry, fel-l-lows, but I can’t. I’m workin’ -at the grocery, you know, and I got to get orders -this morning. I’l-l-l see you l-l-later, though.”</p> - -<p>“You come down to the swimming hole,” offered -Billy quickly, “and I’ll help you make up -for lost time by covering this street and taking -orders.”</p> - -<p>“Wil-l-l you, honest!” cried Chub! “Oh, hurray! -Watch me go!”</p> - -<p>“Well, chase along to the river, then. We’ll -get our duds and be right down.”</p> - -<p>Chub went capering off at full speed, while -Chip and Billy trotted off to the McQuade home.</p> - -<p>Here they secured their clothes and towels,<span class="pagenum">[32]</span> -saying nothing to Mrs. McQuade of what had -happened that morning. Billy was full of fears, -but he forced them down in her presence. He -did not want to worry his mother unnecessarily.</p> - -<p>When they left the house to get to the river, -they passed a corner of the orchard. It was -bright with blossoms, whose scent came sweetly -on the breeze, and Billy jerked his head toward -the gnarled trees.</p> - -<p>“I’d hate to see those trees piling up an income -for Colonel Carson, Merry.”</p> - -<p>Chip Merriwell nodded in comprehension.</p> - -<p>“It would be hard, old chap. But that’s exactly -what they’re doing, right now, since you’ll -have to pay the loan a second time. Even that -will be better than letting the place fall into his -hands.”</p> - -<p>“Can’t help it,” and Billy shook his head -gloomily. “The mortgage is overdue, and he -could foreclose any time he wanted to, you see. -He’s going to be sore as blazes over what happened -this morning, too.”</p> - -<p>“He doesn’t seem to be very fair-minded, for a -fact,” agreed Merry. “But it’s a bad plan to -worry over what hasn’t happened, Billy. Just -forget about financial troubles, and enjoy your -swim.”</p> - -<p>It would have been hard for the most hardened -pessimist <em>not</em> to have enjoyed that plunge into the -cool, quiet old river, whose waters were backed<span class="pagenum">[33]</span> -up for half a mile by the dam below, forming an -ideal swimming pond. The warm air was fresh -with the breath of fruit blossoms, for Carsonville -was in the fruit belt, and surrounded by -orchards.</p> - -<p>After twenty minutes of vigorous exercise, the -three friends pulled themselves out on the grassy -bank and enjoyed a sun bath.</p> - -<p>Somewhat to his surprise, Chip Merriwell -found that Chub Newton was older than he appeared, -and was an expert swimmer. Also, he -had no high opinion of the autocrats of his native -town.</p> - -<p>“I hope the Cl-l-lippers get l-l-lambasted good -and proper this year,” he announced pleasantly. -“Bul-ly Carson has the worst case o’ swel-l-led -bean you ever saw!”</p> - -<p>“He looks like it,” said Chip, stretching out -lazily. “Can he pitch?”</p> - -<p>Chub Newton snorted disgustedly, but Billy -spoke up.</p> - -<p>“Sure he can pitch, Chip. Chub has a private -grouch on, that’s all. Bully isn’t any great -favorite off the diamond, but he has the knack -of tossing the ball, all right.”</p> - -<p>“Yah!” sniffed Chub. “He’s got l-l-luck with -him.”</p> - -<p>“That’s what he said about Billy,” said Merriwell. -“What’s your private grievance against the -colonel’s son?”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum">[34]</span></p> - -<p>“Why, I wanted to pl-l-lay on the Cl-l-lippers,” -bubbled the little chap. Every time he struck the -letter “l” his tongue seemed unwilling to let go -of it. “I tried out with ’em and made good. -Then a bunch o’ city fel-l-lers come out here and -got jobs whil-le they pl-l-layed bal-l-l. They done -me, al-l-l right, and three or four other fel-l-lers, -too. I was too short to pl-l-lay third, and -one o’ them guys was a swel-l-l shortstop. That -l-let me out. L-l-lot o’ folks think that Colonel -Carson ought to ’a’ favored home pl-l-layers.”</p> - -<p>“I don’t know about that,” said Merry -thoughtfully. “Of course, sentiment can’t enter -into ball games that way, Chub. If the odds -were about even, though, he might have done -so, I should think. Those city chaps aren’t ringers, -are they?”</p> - -<p>“No, I guess not,” spoke up Billy. “I don’t -think that even Colonel Carson would try that -game, Chip. He made quite a bit of bad feeling -among the young fellows here, just the same.”</p> - -<p>“Time we were gettin’ dressed,” observed -Chub uneasily. “I hate to go, but those orders -have to be in before noon.”</p> - -<p>The three took a last plunge into the cool -water, had a quick rub down, and dressed. Then -Chub and Billy Mac departed to take a short cut -back to town along the river banks, while Merry -returned to the house in order to write a letter<span class="pagenum">[35]</span> -to his father. On the way, however, he reconsidered.</p> - -<p>“I think I’ll let it wait till to-night,” he reflected. -“I’ll have a talk with Mrs. McQuade -first, if I can work it, and see how the idea strikes -her.”</p> - -<p>As he passed the corner of the orchard, and -came to the garden patch that stretched below the -house, he paused suddenly. A sound of vehement -talking drifted down to him, and he recognized -the deep voice, with a thrill of alarm.</p> - -<p>The next moment he made out a horse and -buggy standing in front of the house, in the -drive. An exclamation of dismay burst from -him, for he recognized it at once as the same -which he had encountered at the horseshoe bend -that morning.</p> - -<p>“It isn’t possible!” he murmured. “Colonel -Carson wouldn’t try such a trick!”</p> - -<p>He approached the house, and, as he did so, -his alarm increased. There was no doubt that -the autocrat of Carsonville was present, and that -he was extremely angry. As Merriwell sprang -to the wide veranda, he clearly heard the vibrant -tones.</p> - -<p>“Yes, that graceless son of yours publicly assaulted -my boy in the streets, not half an hour -ago, Mrs. McQuade. It’s the last straw, I tell -you! First he tries to frighten my horse, then -he assaults my son. If it hadn’t been for the<span class="pagenum">[36]</span> -spectators, he might have killed the poor fellow. -Now, you’ve either got to pay that mortgage or -move out.”</p> - -<p>Merry chuckled at this version of the incident. -Then his face became serious.</p> - -<p>“Billy is a good son,” faltered the voice of -Mrs. McQuade. “I’m sure there’s some mistake, -Colonel Carson. He’s going to start to work -Monday at the store, and we hope to pay you that -loan before long.”</p> - -<p>“You’ll pay up inside of five days,” stormed -the angry man. “I’m sick of this fool way of conductin’ -business, mind my words! You’ve got -till Monday mornin’, then out you go, if you don’t -settle.”</p> - -<p>Merriwell stepped to the door, his eyes snapping. -Colonel Carson stood inside, and Mrs. -McQuade was helplessly facing him.</p> - -<p>“I think you’ve made a mistake, sir,” said -Chip quietly. Carson swung around. “I was -present at the encounter in the street, and I assure -you that your son was in no danger. Billy -hit him twice, and he lost his nerve and started -for home.”</p> - -<p>Colonel Carson’s face purpled with fury.</p> - -<p>“So you admit it, hey?” he roared. “You can -be mighty thankful, young man, if I don’t have -both o’ you arrested for this business! Nice -goings on, this is!”</p> - -<p>“I guess you won’t do any arresting in a<span class="pagenum">[37]</span> -hurry,” said Chip calmly. “It wouldn’t make a -very nice story to get out about your son. The -‘poor fellow,’ as you call him, was brutally beating -little Chub Newton, and Billy stepped in to -prevent it, that’s all. If there’s any arresting to -be done, it might be the other way around, for -your son assaulted Billy first.”</p> - -<p>Mrs. McQuade gave Merriwell a grateful -glance. Colonel Carson sputtered.</p> - -<p>“That’s a lie!” he broke out.</p> - -<p>Chip’s eyes flashed.</p> - -<p>“I think we’ve had enough of your brand of -politeness,” he said quickly. “You have given -Mrs. McQuade until next Monday to pay you, -and that settles your business in this house, Colonel -Carson.”</p> - -<p>“What’s that to you?” shouted the enraged -autocrat. “You ain’t got any right here neither——”</p> - -<p>“I think you had better go, Colonel Carson,” -and Mrs. McQuade gestured toward the door, -with quiet dignity. “I have no legal proof of -the mortgage having been paid, although the fact -is morally certain. If we are not able to pay you -before Monday, we cannot resist eviction, of -course.”</p> - -<p>“Fine chance you have of raising two thousand -dollars by then!” sneered Colonel Carson, -grasping his hat. “I’ll be around at eight o’clock -Monday morning, so you’d better be packed up.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum">[38]</span></p> - -<p>And with that he left, still muttering threats.</p> - -<p>“I’m sorry about this, Mrs. McQuade,” said -Merriwell. “But don’t give up hope yet. Billy -told me about the matter after we met Colonel -Carson this morning.”</p> - -<p>“It’s hard to keep up heart,” and the good -woman looked out the door, her face strained and -hopeless. “You see, we are positive that Mr. -McQuade paid off that loan long ago, but we have -no proof that would stand in law. It seems hard -that such a man as Colonel Carson should drive -us out!”</p> - -<p>“He’s not done it yet,” responded Chip cheerfully. -“I never knew chicanery to get a man anything -lasting, Mrs. McQuade. It may seem to -win out, but there are other things more important -than money, you know.”</p> - -<p>“You’re a good comfort, Mr. Merriwell,” and -she gave him a smile, as she dabbed at her eyes -with her apron. “Well, I’ll have to see about -those cookies——”</p> - -<p>And she went to the kitchen, leaving Chip -in a thoughtful mood. When Billy returned half -an hour later, he was wrathful at hearing of the -colonel’s ultimatum, but could see no hope ahead. -During luncheon, however, Merry made a -proposition.</p> - -<p>“If I could get a thousand dollars to add to -your thousand, Mrs. McQuade, would you let me -lend it to you? You could pay me interest, of<span class="pagenum">[39]</span> -course, and give me a mortgage to that amount, -if you liked, as security.”</p> - -<p>This proposal was argued pro and con., but -Chip had made it in such a way that it was a -straight business proposition, and in the end Mrs. -McQuade assented, providing that Merriwell -could get the money.</p> - -<p>So that night Chip wrote his father at Bloomfield. -He related the situation at Carsonville, -told what had happened that day, and stated that -since he felt responsible in some measure, he -would like to borrow a thousand dollars from his -father in order to help out the McQuades. It -never occurred to him that his father might refuse -the loan.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="chapter"></div><!--Page break for ePub--> - -<p><span class="pagenum">[40]</span></p> - - - - -<h2 id="CHAPTER_V">CHAPTER V.<br /> -<span class="cheaderfont">THE VILLAGE GREEN.</span></h2> - - -<p>“When are them guys coming?”</p> - -<p>“They’ll be along pretty quick, Bully. I hear -there ain’t any game Saturday?”</p> - -<p>“No. There’s been a flood down the valley, -and them Greenville scrubs wired that they -wouldn’t be up. They’re all helpin’ flood sufferers. -Think o’ lettin’ a little thing like that interfere -with our schedule!”</p> - -<p>Bully Carson grunted sarcastically. It was -evident that he had little use for flood sufferers.</p> - -<p>“Come on, Bully, let’s get a little practice right -here,” suggested one of the half dozen fellows -standing around in baseball uniforms. “Bunting -practice.”</p> - -<p>“Might’s well, while we’re waiting, I suppose,” -assented Carson.</p> - -<p>They were waiting by the schoolhouse, lolling -about the village green, and waiting for the remainder -of the Clippers to show up for the morning -work-out. Off at one side stood a group of -young fellows who were watching proceedings -with scowling faces.</p> - -<p>Bully Carson and “Squint” Fletcher, who covered -home plate for the Clippers, stepped out and -began to plunk a ball back and forth. Hendrix, -the shortstop, seized a bat and began to bunt.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum">[41]</span></p> - -<p>At this juncture; Frank Merriwell, junior, accompanied -by Billy Mac, strolled up. They had -been having a work-out of their own down by -the river, and Billy carried his catcher’s mitt. -They paused not far from the group of discontented-looking -chaps, who nodded to Billy. Merriwell -was introduced, and all watched the Clippers -at work.</p> - -<p>It was the morning after Colonel Carson’s -ultimatum had been delivered. From the comments -which were passed, Chip decided that the -young fellows of Carsonville cherished a distinct -feeling of dislike for the colonel’s son, who was -captain of the Clippers.</p> - -<p>“Bully gives me a pain,” declared one of the -group, Bud Bradley. He proceeded to narrate -Carson’s comment on the action of the Greenville -club.</p> - -<p>“That doesn’t sound extra well,” commented -Merry. “It’d be more to the point if the Clippers -would pile down to Greenville and help out -the flood sufferers.”</p> - -<p>“No chance of that,” exclaimed Dan McCarthy, -a lanky village youth. “Nobody ever -heard o’ Bully Carson helpin’ any one, nor his dad -neither.”</p> - -<p>“Howdy, fel-l-lers,” piped Chub Newton, as he -joined the group. “Any one want to order groceries -this morning? I hear there’s no game -Saturday.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum">[42]</span></p> - -<p>“Open date,” returned Billy. “Too late now -to rearrange things, too.”</p> - -<p>“Look at that second baseman drop them!” -growled Jim Spaulding.</p> - -<p>“And talkin’ about bushers, watch that feller -who tries to play first,” added McCarthy.</p> - -<p>“Yah!” jeered Chub Newton, prodding Bud -Bradley in the ribs and dancing away. “You -fel-l-lers are jeal-l-lous, that’s what! You’re sore -because you aren’t inside of those uniforms.”</p> - -<p>“And who wouldn’t be sore?” said Bradley -hotly. “When that fellow Carson blacklists his -own townfolks, and drags in city players, it’s -enough to make any one hot!”</p> - -<p>“’Tisn’t as if we wasn’t good ball players, -either,” added McCarthy. “Bully knows he -couldn’t show off around us, that’s all. He wants -to be captain, and he’d stand a fine chance of us -electin’ him!”</p> - -<p>Merriwell moved off a few steps, watching the -Clippers. The foregoing remarks had indicated -clearly the position of things in the town. The -group of disgruntled natives comprised several -of those who, like Billy Mac, had been ousted -from the Clippers by the imported amateurs.</p> - -<p>It was not hard to understand the reason for -this, and Merry found himself in sympathy with -the feeling. Knowing what he did of Bully Carson, -he thought it highly probable that the captain -of the Clippers doubted his ability to hold<span class="pagenum">[43]</span> -that position among the young fellows who had -grown up with him.</p> - -<p>It was much easier to impress a crowd of chaps -who worked for his father. They would be very -likely to toady to him, and allow him to lead them. -This was plainly the sort of thing that Carson -loved.</p> - -<p>“Just the same,” remarked Chip to Billy, who -stood beside him, “I don’t think your friends give -him full credit, old man. He looks like a good -pitcher, and those other chaps know their business.”</p> - -<p>“You’d show him up in two jerks, Chip,” declared -Billy stoutly. Merry smiled, but did not -reply.</p> - -<p>Carson had noted the arrival of the two -friends, for more than once he looked blackly at -the group, and passed remarks to his companions -that drew their eyes also. They grinned at his -words as if they formed great strokes of humor.</p> - -<p>Merry saw at once, however, that Carson knew -his business. So did the rest of the Clippers. -They had spread out over the green, and handled -the bunts in fine shape, moving in perfect harmony -and whipping over the ball with precision.</p> - -<p>Their captain and star pitcher might have a -bad case of “swelled head,” but he showed that -when it came to pitching, he was right there. As -a group of girls passed on the other side of the -street, he proceeded to cut loose.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum">[44]</span></p> - -<p>And Merry admitted to himself that Bully Carson -was a pitcher. He had speed and good control, -while his curves broke sharply.</p> - -<p>“Aw, cut out the comedy, cap,” growled his -catcher, Squint Fletcher. “This ain’t no stage -performance!”</p> - -<p>Carson scowled, but kept silent. Perhaps he -had already discovered that his husky backstop -had little desire to truckle to him.</p> - -<p>“Say, I got an idea!” chirruped Chub Newton -shrilly. His voice lifted across to the green, and -it caused Bully Carson to throw a vicious glance -in the direction of the group.</p> - -<p>“Be careful of it,” grinned McCarthy. “You -want to set on it an’ hold it gently by the ears, -Chub. Don’t push it too hard.”</p> - -<p>“You l-l-listen to me,” went on the little fellow -eagerly. “We could get a better team right -here in town than those Cl-l-lippers! I’d l-l-like -to form another one, a cl-l-lub of our own, and -l-l-lambaste the spots out o’ them!”</p> - -<p>At this astounding proposal, the members of -the group stared at each other. Carson, who -must have heard the words, looked blacker than -ever, but continued tossing the ball.</p> - -<p>“We couldn’t do it,” and Bud Bradley shook -his head. “We’ve no money for grounds or uniforms -or things, and most of us have to keep -close to work.”</p> - -<p>“I’d like to show that second baseman up, just<span class="pagenum">[45]</span> -the same,” said Spaulding. “But I guess there’s -no chance, Chub.”</p> - -<p>“Why not?” spoke up Billy Mac hastily. -“We’ve got uniforms of one kind and another already, -haven’t we? We don’t need grounds—we -can practice up and beat the Carsonville Clippers -on their own grounds, fellows!”</p> - -<p>“Yah! That’s the stuff!” shrieked Chub, -dancing excitedly. “Wouldn’t that be a scream, -though! A bunch of us l-l-lambastin’ the town -cl-l-lub! Wow!”</p> - -<p>It was plain that Chub’s proposition appealed -strongly to most of those present, but the difficulties -seemed insurmountable.</p> - -<p>“It’d take down Colonel Carson a heap,” muttered -McCarthy. “I’d do a good deal to pay him -back fer the way he gobbled our pasture lots, -when his cussed mortgage come due!”</p> - -<p>“Look here,” exclaimed Billy Mac, with eagerness. -“It isn’t near so bad as it looks, honest! -We got pretty near a full infield right here in this -crowd. We could get to work and practice off -days till the ball season gets going, then light into -that bunch right.”</p> - -<p>“Sounds good,” admitted Spaulding. “But it -won’t work, Billy. Those fellows are sluggers -from Sluggville. We’d have to have a crackajack -pitcher to hold ’em down. And you know -as well as I do that we’d have a hard job hitting -Carson.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum">[46]</span></p> - -<p>“That’s all right,” retorted Billy Mac. “Mebbe -we could get Chip Merriwell, here, to come down -from Fardale and pitch!”</p> - -<p>At this proposal, every eye went to Merry. McQuade’s -eager seconding sent Chub into spasms -of delight.</p> - -<p>“Yah!” he piped shrilly. “Put Chip in the -box, and watch him l-l-lam Carson! See him -cl-l-lip the Cl-l-lippers! Yah!”</p> - -<p>“What do you think of the plan, Merriwell?” -inquired Bud Bradley doubtfully. “Would you -be willing to come over and pitch?”</p> - -<p>Merry nodded. Before he could speak, however, -his eye was caught by a sudden movement -on the part of Carson’s team.</p> - -<p>Three or four members had just arrived. Bully -Carson, who must have heard the eager cries of -Chub Newton, had immediately ceased practice. -He had gathered the Clippers around him, and -appeared to be talking vigorously, though his -words were lost.</p> - -<p>“You’d better put on the soft pedal, Chub,” -advised Merry. “Seems to me that Bully has it -in for you and Billy Mac.”</p> - -<p>“Let him come!” sniffed Billy. “But what do -you think about the idea, Chip?”</p> - -<p>The group closed in about Merriwell, every -member anxious for his opinion, as Billy had -more than once described the diamond wizard’s -prowess to his home friends.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum">[47]</span></p> - -<p>Merry hesitated, as he glanced around the -faces. It did not appear likely that the Clippers -could be easily trounced, and, besides this, he -did not like to appear to be stirring up ill feeling.</p> - -<p>He knew that there was a strong current of -dislike against the Carson methods. At the same -time, Colonel Carson controlled the town, and -could possibly make it hot for those who opposed -his son. Merry hesitated to give advice, under -the circumstances, but finally nodded.</p> - -<p>“Yes, I think the idea’s a good one, if you don’t -carry your antagonism to extremes. As to coming -over and pitching for you, I can’t promise -definitely. I’d be glad to do it, of course, if things -shape themselves right.”</p> - -<p>“Hurray!” went up a general shout of delight, -and Billy Mac patted his friend on the back, until -Merry almost choked.</p> - -<p>“Hurray for you, Chip! I knew you wouldn’t -go back on us!” he cried.</p> - -<p>“By gum, we’ll have the first practice this -afternoon!” exclaimed McCarthy, in high excitement. -“Chub can get off o’ the store, I reckon, -and we’ll go down to the river an’ start things! -Jim, can we get enough fellers together?”</p> - -<p>“I guess so,” assented Spaulding, with a nod. -“Merriwell might be able to give us some good -advice, and he could get a line on our work.”</p> - -<p>He was interrupted by a sudden cry from Chub -Newton.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum">[48]</span></p> - -<p>“Hey! L-l-look out, fel-l-lers! Here they -come!”</p> - -<p>Merry and the others turned quickly. Bearing -down upon them was Bully Carson, a bat in -his hand, and crowding around him were the -members of the Clippers. One and all looked -ugly in the extreme.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="chapter"></div><!--Page break for ePub--> - -<p><span class="pagenum">[49]</span></p> - - - - -<h2 id="CHAPTER_VI">CHAPTER VI.<br /> -<span class="cheaderfont">A CHALLENGE.</span></h2> - - -<p>As the Clippers approached, there was no sign -of giving way in the ground around Merriwell. -The Carsonville boys were not equal in numbers, -but they were plainly anxious enough for -battle. Carson paused a few yards distant.</p> - -<p>“Well, what do you want?” snapped Merry.</p> - -<p>“We’re goin’ to run you out o’ town, see?” -retorted Squint Fletcher, his cross eyes glaring -savagely. “You’re here tryin’ to stir up trouble -against us, eh? Well, you don’t get no chance.”</p> - -<p>“I think you’re misinformed,” returned Chip -quietly. “No one’s stirring up a fuss except -you.”</p> - -<p>“Oh, is that so?” Bully Carson pushed forward -aggressively, clutching his bat. “I suppose -you didn’t try to kill dad yesterday, hey? I suppose -you didn’t set Billy Mac on me, hey?”</p> - -<p>“You’re doing a lot of supposing,” said Merry -dryly. “Your thinking apparatus needs oiling, -Bully. Try a cigarette. It may straighten out -things.”</p> - -<p>Merriwell’s calm demeanor, and the resolute -air of the group around him, rather cooled the -ardor of the Clippers. It only angered Carson -and Fletcher the more, however.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum">[50]</span></p> - -<p>“So you’re the famous Chip Merriwell, hey?” -spluttered Squint, shoving his undershot chin forward. -“I guess we’ve heard enough slush out o’ -you and the rest o’ this gang. Let’s beat ’em up -proper, fellers!”</p> - -<p>“Yah!” chirruped Chub, dancing on the outskirts -of the crowd. “Try it! Ask Bul-l-ly -where he got that bump on his chin. Ask him!”</p> - -<p>This sally scored, for Billy Mac’s fist had left -unmistakable marks on the heavy countenance of -the captain of the Clippers.</p> - -<p>“You’ll get yours, you little runt!” foamed the -angry Carson, brandishing his bat at Chub. -“We’ll make you pretty sick of lettin’ off your -jaw around here!”</p> - -<p>“Well, you’re a mighty slow bunch to git -started,” observed the lanky, bronzed McCarthy, -who worked in the orchards, and looked it. He -spat on his hands. “I allus did want to paste -them lamps of yours, Squint.”</p> - -<p>“You’ll get your wish, all right,” added Bud -Bradley, shoving forward belligerently. “Let’s -take Carson down and throw him in the river, -fellows!”</p> - -<p>This proposal was greeted with high delight -on the part of the town group. The Clippers began -to move forward, and Merriwell saw that a -conflict was imminent.</p> - -<p>“You’d better go slow,” he advised the Carson -crowd. “We’re not forcing any battle, remember.<span class="pagenum">[51]</span> -Keep back there, Bradley. If they start it, -let them take the consequences.”</p> - -<p>“We’ve got ’em scared already,” jeered Squint -Fletcher. “Leave that Merriwell kid to me. I’ll -handle him!”</p> - -<p>“Yes, you won’t!” piped up Chub Newton. -“Yah! L-l-lambaste ’em, Bil-l-ly!”</p> - -<p>Chub’s shrill cry was the last straw. Carson -emitted a furious roar and raised his bat, while -his team began crowding forward. The group -around Merry closed in compactly, and it looked -as if there would surely be a fight.</p> - -<p>At that instant, however, a brawny man shoved -in between the two parties. Squint Fletcher was -just aiming a blow, and the man seized him by -the shoulders and flung him back, sending him -into Carson with a thump.</p> - -<p>“That’s enough o’ this!” roared the town constable, -for the man was no other. “I been keepin’ -my eye on you, Fletcher. Clear out o’ here, the -bunch of you.”</p> - -<p>“What right have you got to interfere?” cried -Carson angrily. “I’ll have my father——”</p> - -<p>“You shut up, or I’ll pinch you!” exclaimed -the constable hotly. “I don’t care for either you -or your dad. I’m constable o’ this town. Git out, -now, and do it lively, or I’ll run the lot o’ you -in! Jump!”</p> - -<p>He pulled forth his club. Seeing that he -meant business, Carson flung a sullen look<span class="pagenum">[52]</span> -around, nodded to his gang, and they melted -away. The constable turned to Merry.</p> - -<p>“Much obliged,” said Chip, smiling. “We -were afraid they meant trouble.”</p> - -<p>“So they did,” growled the constable. “You’d -better let ’em simmer down.”</p> - -<p>“We will,” said Billy. The group was just -breaking up when Merriwell halted them.</p> - -<p>“One minute, everybody. What do you say to -getting a game with the Clippers this Saturday? -I believe it’s an open date; I can pitch, and if -you’re willing to work between now and then, we -can give them a run for their money!”</p> - -<p>“Whoop!” A yell of delight burst from every -throat.</p> - -<p>“Bully for you!” cried Spaulding, grabbing -Merry’s hand and pumping it.</p> - -<p>“No, us fer Bully!” said McCarthy. “You bet -we will!”</p> - -<p>“Can you get a team together?” asked Chip. -“If you can, meet at Billy’s house to-night and -talk things over.”</p> - -<p>“We can get everything but a first baseman,” -said Bud Bradley, thinking quickly.</p> - -<p>“Well, maybe I can take care of that,” said -Merry. He remembered that Owen Clancy -was at Fardale, and his chum could be induced -to come to Carsonville. “So long, then. Billy and -I will get the game, and we’ll expect you right<span class="pagenum">[53]</span> -after supper. Bring all the fellows you can get, -and we’ll start practice work in the morning.”</p> - -<p>This sudden proposal had been simmering in -Merriwell’s brain for some moments. He knew -that it would be hard for him to get away from -Fardale later in the season, and if these local -players had any talent, there might be a chance -of defeating the Clippers at once.</p> - -<p>The group broke up. Merry and Billy set off -together, while the others spread the news -through the town in great excitement.</p> - -<p>“We’ve undertaken a big contract, Billy. Let’s -go up and see the colonel now.”</p> - -<p>“I’m willing,” said Billy Mac. “But he’ll want -to bet on the game, Chip.”</p> - -<p>“He’ll—what?”</p> - -<p>McQuade explained hastily. It seemed that -Colonel Carson was used to plunging heavily on -his own team, in common with a number of other -men who followed the Amateur League. Some -large sums of money changed hands as a result -of the games.</p> - -<p>“If he only knew it,” exclaimed Merry, frowning, -“that will hurt his chance of ever buying into -a big-league team. That sort of a man is not -wanted in baseball to-day. However, we’ll see if -he’s willing to play us.”</p> - -<p>The two friends wended their way to the large -white house occupied by Colonel Carson. They -were met at the door by that gentleman, in person,<span class="pagenum">[54]</span> -who did not ask them inside, but stiffly inquired -their business.</p> - -<p>Merriwell stated it, saying that he understood -the Clippers had an open date on Saturday, and -that he would like to meet them with a pick-up -Carsonville team. The colonel tugged at his -goatee suspiciously.</p> - -<p>“What’s your object?” he snapped. “Want -to play for the gate receipts?”</p> - -<p>“Not at all,” said Chip. “We just want to play -the Clippers off their feet, and we intend to -do it.”</p> - -<p>“Humph!” grunted the other. “Got a mighty -good opinion of yourself, hey?” His face cleared -suddenly. “Mebbe you’d like to make a little -side bet, you or Billy?”</p> - -<p>“No, thanks,” returned Merriwell. “I don’t -gamble, and I don’t think Billy does.”</p> - -<p>“Well, look a-here,” went on Colonel Carson -wheedlingly, addressing Billy. “I know you’ve -got some insurance money, McQuade. You put -it up on this game, and I’ll give you odds, two -to one. How’s that? Ain’t that fair?”</p> - -<p>“Fair enough,” grinned Billy Mac. “Only, -I’m not in your class as a gambler, colonel. No, -we’re in this just to show up that club of yours, -and do it proper. That’ll satisfy us.”</p> - -<p>“But if you won,” persisted the other, taking -no heed of the taunt, “you’d have enough to pay -off that mortgage, and some over!”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum">[55]</span></p> - -<p>Billy wavered, but only for an instant.</p> - -<p>“Nothing doing,” he declared firmly. “If you -want to play us, we’ll make your old team hump -itself. If you’re scared of getting beaten, all -right. Just say so.”</p> - -<p>“What! The Clippers scared o’you!” Colonel -Carson laughed scornfully as he eyed the two. -“Well, I guess not! It’s a go. The reg’lar umpires -will be here, anyway, so I guess we can -use ’em?”</p> - -<p>“Certainly,” said Merriwell. “We may have -the ball park for practice?”</p> - -<p>“Not much,” retorted Colonel Carson. “Get -your own practice ground. Mebbe you had a notion -I’d lend you uniforms!”</p> - -<p>“No, we’d hate to play in Clipper uniforms,” -returned Merry gravely.</p> - -<p>Colonel Carson was not quite sure how to take -that remark, so he let it pass.</p> - -<p>“Too bad you’re scared to bet on yourself,” -he said cuttingly. “Got any battery picked out -yet?”</p> - -<p>“We’ll be it,” said Billy, with a grin. “Merriwell -pitches for Fardale, you know.”</p> - -<p>“Humph! And you’ll do the ketchin’, hey? -Well, I don’t wonder that you fellers don’t want -to bet, then!”</p> - -<p>Merry flushed a trifle.</p> - -<p>“You’re wrong, Colonel Carson. I don’t believe -in betting on principle. And especially<span class="pagenum">[56]</span> -where baseball is concerned. It’s an unhealthy -element to drag into the game, and the big baseball -men have no use for a gambler, any more -than good business men have.”</p> - -<p>This speech caused Colonel Carson to flush. -His hard-lined, unhealthy face took on a most unpleasant -aspect.</p> - -<p>“Oh, you think you’re smart!” he observed -darkly. “Young man, I’ve not forgotten what -took place yesterday morning. You’re goin’ to -regret it. I intend to make you so sick of this -town that you’ll never come back to it.”</p> - -<p>“Thanks,” said Merry easily. “The town looks -pretty good to me, though—all except the name. -Well, you haven’t said whether we’d get that -game or not.”</p> - -<p>“Of course you’ll get it,” said Colonel Carson. -“We’ll run up such a score on you that you’ll quit -before the third inning.”</p> - -<p>“Thanks again,” and Merry chuckled. “Maybe -you’ll change your mind about that. Anyhow, -we’ll make you hump.”</p> - -<p>“Humph!” grunted the colonel, as if to echo -the last word. “Two-thirty this Saturday. I’ll -provide the umpires, and they’ll be our regular -league men.”</p> - -<p>“That suits me,” said Merry, and the two -friends took their departure.</p> - -<p>Billy stated that there need be no worry about<span class="pagenum">[57]</span> -the umpiring, as that end of the league was in -good hands, and the umpires were excellent men.</p> - -<p>“That’ll help a whole lot, then,” said Merry. -“To-day is Wednesday, Billy. We will get -started to-morrow morning. Two days of practice -looks pretty slim, but I guess we can pull -through. Want to get out with your mitt for -signal work this afternoon?”</p> - -<p>“You bet!” cried Billy excitedly. “And I’ll -catch you in a real game—my eye!”</p> - -<p>“Let’s hope we don’t make exhibitions of ourselves,” -said Merry.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="chapter"></div><!--Page break for ePub--> - -<p><span class="pagenum">[58]</span></p> - - - - -<h2 id="CHAPTER_VII">CHAPTER VII.<br /> -<span class="cheaderfont">CHIP GETS A LETTER.</span></h2> - - -<p>That evening, the McQuade homestead -thrummed with eager voices. Six of the best -local players, carefully picked by McCarthy, had -gathered. A good many more had offered their -services, but most of these had more enthusiasm -than baseball knowledge.</p> - -<p>“We sure need a first baseman,” exclaimed -Spaulding. Merry smiled.</p> - -<p>“I wired my chum, Owen Clancy, this afternoon,” -he explained. “He’s at Fardale now, and -has been out West. He’s just getting over a -sprained ankle, but I think he can cover first for -us all right. Now, let’s get down to business and -map things out.”</p> - -<p>Billy Mac, of course, would be backstop. He -had been practicing all afternoon with Merry, -and Chip had found that he could ask no better -partner. The lanky Dan McCarthy would cover -third, and looked as if he would do it efficiently.</p> - -<p>Jim Spaulding made a bid for the central sack. -He was one of the town players who had been -ousted by Bully Carson, and was correspondingly -bitter against the Clippers. Chub Newton -would take care of short.</p> - -<p>“We won’t be a cl-l-lassy-l-l-lookin’ bunch,”<span class="pagenum">[59]</span> -announced the little fellow, as he inspected the -ancient and tattered uniform he had brought -along, “but we’l-l-l be right there when it comes -to bal-l-l pl-l-laying!”</p> - -<p>“You bet!” chuckled McCarthy, eying his own -faded green shirt and baseball pants. “If I don’t -bang out a two-bagger, I’ll quit tryin’ to play ball, -by gum!”</p> - -<p>The outfield would be taken care of by Moore, -also an ex-Clipper; Henderson, who had been a -high-school star two years before, and a tremendously -built young chap named Nippen. This -Nippen was almost a giant in build, possessed -of terrific strength, and apparently had the general -aspect and intelligence of a cow.</p> - -<p>He was the one member of the gathering who -did not impress Merriwell as being especially -adapted for baseball. Billy, however, reassured -his friend in a whispered aside that Nippen -would produce the goods.</p> - -<p>“He doesn’t look up to much, Chip, and he -lumbers around like an overgrown puppy. But -when he lands on the ball, he kills it, and the way -he covers center field is something wonderful -to watch. You wait!”</p> - -<p>So Merry smiled and waited. Every one present -displayed inspiring eagerness to work. There -was one thing, however, which troubled Merriwell. -This was the ill feeling which they displayed.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum">[60]</span></p> - -<p>“You’ve got to watch that, fellows,” he said. -“I noticed to-day that you weren’t a bit anxious -to avoid trouble. Now, if we start in to win that -game, it’s going to make the other crowd sore. -They’ll try to get us into a fight and break up -things. I want you to promise me that whatever -they say or do, you’ll keep your heads and -let the scrapping wait till later. We can’t afford -to get rattled, you know.”</p> - -<p>All save McCarthy recognized this fact and -readily extended their promise. The lanky third -baseman held back, however.</p> - -<p>“If that feller Squint Fletcher gets gay, I’m -goin’ to paste him,” he declared stubbornly. “I -won’t take any talk or any dirty work from him.”</p> - -<p>“All right,” said Merry quietly. “We’ll have -to find another man to cover third, I’m afraid. -We can’t take any chances that way, fellows.”</p> - -<p>McCarthy was taken all aback by this. When -he found that Merriwell was in earnest, he -scratched his head and reconsidered.</p> - -<p>“All right,” he said, “I’ll promise not to start -anything like a scrap, no matter what Squint -does. But I’m goin’ to file my spikes, jest the -same. I reckon we’d better make Merriwell captain, -fellers.”</p> - -<p>There was an instant shout of agreement. -Chip held up his hand.</p> - -<p>“Hold on, everybody! I think that Billy Mac<span class="pagenum">[61]</span> -ought to be your captain. I’m an outsider, and -I’m only butting in here, anyhow——”</p> - -<p>“Not on your life!” yelled Billy.</p> - -<p>“Yeh! You’re it, Merriwell!” chirped Chub -Newton. “I’l-l-l bank on you every time! -L-l-let’s make it unanimous, fel-l-lows!”</p> - -<p>Merry’s protests were voted down amid wild -enthusiasm, and he was elected captain of the -pick-ups. Spaulding suggested that they call -themselves the Carsonville Clippings.</p> - -<p>“That’s it!” cried Chub. “The Cl-l-lippers and -the Cl-l-lippings—wow! Won’t Bul-l-ly Carson -be mad, though!”</p> - -<p>The name was adopted with a yell of delight. -The meeting was just breaking up when there -was a ring at the doorbell, and Billy returned -with a telegram for Chip.</p> - -<p>“It’s from Clancy,” cried Merry, tearing open -the envelope. “Hello! Listen to this, fellows!”</p> - -<p>And, holding up the message, he read as follows:</p> - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<p>Coming on the jump. Ankle fine. Bringing your uniform -and some balls. Arrive to-morrow noon via <em>Hornet</em>.</p> - -<p class="center p-1 shiftright"><span class="smcap">Owen Clancy</span>.</p></div> - -<p>“What’s the <em>Hornet</em>?” inquired Billy, in wonder. -“There’s no noon train in!”</p> - -<p>“That’s Clancy’s car,” laughed Merry. “It’s -an old auto that he took off the scrap heap and -made into a racer, though it doesn’t look up to -much. He brought it with him from the West.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum">[62]</span></p> - -<p>“I’d like to put him up,” volunteered Spaulding. -“We’ve got lots of room at our place, and -he’d be welcome to stay a month.”</p> - -<p>Billy protested, for he wanted Clancy as a -guest himself, but Merriwell knew that two -guests would sorely tax good Mrs. McQuade’s -resources, so he accepted Spaulding’s offer gratefully. -The meeting broke up with the first practice -set for the following morning, Chub Newton -stating that he would get off work easily enough, -as his employer had no love for the Carsons.</p> - -<p>Merriwell rather expected that he would get a -letter from his father in the morning’s mail, but -none came. Though he said nothing of it, this -worried him slightly. He had explained to Billy -that he had written his father, asking for the -thousand dollars, and he began to wonder if his -letter had miscarried.</p> - -<p>He soon forgot his worry, when the Clippings -assembled on an old diamond used by the high -school. It was in a meadow beside the river. -Three or four old balls were produced, and Merry -at once set to work to get an idea of what his -team could do.</p> - -<p>The results were both encouraging and discouraging. -The diamond was rough and uncared -for, so that the infield had a tough time judging -balls, but the base throws were excellent, and -they showed good form.</p> - -<p>Merry handed up slow ones, and the batting<span class="pagenum">[63]</span> -practice proved that in this quarter his team was -lamentably weak. Chub Newton would bite at -anything. McCarthy faced the plate wickedly, -but his eye was poor on slow ones, and it was said -that Bully Carson did his best work with a fadeaway -ball.</p> - -<p>Spaulding proved to be a fair batsman, while -Nippen landed on Merry’s first ball and knocked -it into the middle of the river. Henderson and -Moore did poorly, and, although the three outfielders -showed up better on gathering in high -ones, Merry was not greatly encouraged when he -and Billy went home for lunch.</p> - -<p>“We’ve got a tough nut to crack here, old -man,” he remarked soberly. “Can the Clippers -hit pretty well?”</p> - -<p>“That’s their strong suit,” gloomily returned -Billy Mac. “They get a pitcher going, and it’s -all off with him. They’re pretty ragged when it -comes to headwork, but they give Carson mighty -good support. Yes, they can certainly hit. -Squint Fletcher leads the league.”</p> - -<p>“Slugging doesn’t always mean hitting,” said -Merry cheerfully. “Brace up, old man! We’ve -a day and a half for practice, and we’re going to -improve a whole lot.”</p> - -<p>“We’ll need to,” muttered Billy. He halted -suddenly, staring up at the house just ahead of -them. “Hello! There’s a machine standing out -in front!”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum">[64]</span></p> - -<p>“Clancy must have come ahead of time!” cried -Merry.</p> - -<p>The two burst into a run. Reaching the -veranda, they found a red-haired young fellow -seated in a rocker. He was talking with Mrs. -McQuade. At sight of Merriwell, he leaped up -and vaulted the railing.</p> - -<p>“Hello, Chip!” he cried, wringing Merry’s -hand. “Wow! I’m glad to see you!”</p> - -<p>“Same here,” returned Chip. “I see you’ve -already met Mrs. McQuade, eh?”</p> - -<p>“We’re old friends by this time,” said Clancy. -“Hello, Billy! I haven’t seen you since last fall. -How’s everything?”</p> - -<p>“Pretty good,” stated Billy, forgetting his -troubles for the moment. “When do we get some -eats, mother?”</p> - -<p>“Lunch is all ready,” said Mrs. McQuade, who -had taken a fancy to the red-haired chap already. -“Do you want to bring your stuff inside, -Mr. Clancy?”</p> - -<p>Merriwell hastily explained that Clan was -going to stop with Jim Spaulding, and they -turned to examine the load heaped in the vacant -seat of the machine.</p> - -<p>This was composed of two Fardale uniforms, -together with a catcher’s mitt, protector, and -mask, and a half dozen balls. On these Billy -pounced with delight.</p> - -<p>“Wait till this afternoon, Chip! We couldn’t<span class="pagenum">[65]</span> -do much with those old balls this morning, but -we’ll show you something this afternoon! Say, -this looks pretty good to me.”</p> - -<p>“Something to eat would look pretty good to -<em>me</em>,” said Clancy. “I’ve been hitting the high -places ever since early this morning. Say, it -certainly did feel good to go out and have your -mother pump water over me, Billy. Reminded -me of days on the farm.”</p> - -<p>The three settled down about the table, and -Merry at once launched into a description of -events at Carsonville. Billy and his mother never -tired of watching the bronzed young fellow, who -had been regaling Mrs. McQuade with tales of -his adventures in Arizona, and Clancy polished -off the good things before him with astonishing -rapidity.</p> - -<p>“It listens good to me,” he commented, with a -sigh, when, at length, he could stow no more -away. “I hear at Fardale that Billy has developed -into quite a backstop, eh?”</p> - -<p>“Sure,” said Merry. “He’s a wonder, and no -mistake, Clan.”</p> - -<p>“Oh, my eye!” sniffed Billy. “Just because I -happen to hold on to your double shoots, you -needn’t raise my modesty like that!”</p> - -<p>“It isn’t every one who can hang on to them,” -said Clancy. “Oh, by the way, Chip, I came -mighty near forgetting! Your father was at -Fardale yesterday on a flying visit.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum">[66]</span></p> - -<p>And he began to dig excitedly at his pocket, -finally extricating an envelope which he handed -to Merry.</p> - -<p>“Your father asked me to give this to you. He -said it would get to you quicker than if he mailed -it.”</p> - -<p>Merriwell nodded. With a word of apology to -Mrs. McQuade, he tore open the envelope, half -expecting to see an inclosure. None fell out. He -ran his eye quickly over the letter, and his cheeks -paled a trifle, then he refolded it, and put it in -his pocket.</p> - -<p>Five minutes later he stood on the veranda with -Billy. Clancy was down in the drive explaining -the hidden beauty of his car to Mrs. McQuade.</p> - -<p>“What’s the trouble, Chip? Wouldn’t he let -you have the coin?” asked Billy.</p> - -<p>“I’m sorry, old man,” and Merriwell bit his -lip. “He didn’t think it wise.”</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="chapter"></div><!--Page break for ePub--> - -<p><span class="pagenum">[67]</span></p> - - - - -<h2 id="CHAPTER_VIII">CHAPTER VIII.<br /> -<span class="cheaderfont">GETTING DOWN TO WORK.</span></h2> - - -<p>Merriwell drew out the letter and sank into a -chair. While Billy listened, he read over that -portion of the letter referring to the request for -a loan. Chip read as follows:</p> - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<p>“I sympathize very deeply with both Billy and his -mother, Frank, and I would be glad to have you read this -to Billy, and assure him of my best regards and wishes. -As to lending you the money, however, I do not think that -this would be wise, for several reasons.</p> - -<p>“The first and most important is that it seems to me to -be a poor way in which to checkmate a scoundrel like this -Colonel Carson. I have made inquiries about him, and -find that he had a reputation as a plunger on ball games, -and is wrapped up in the success of his own team.</p> - -<p>“I think you have done well in raising a team to defeat -the Clippers, as intimated in your wire to Clancy. I -was going to suggest that very thing. If you and Billy can -beat his club, it would be an ideal way in which to punish -him. I only wish that more of the Fardale boys were -here, so that they could come down and help, but vacation -has scattered them.”</p></div> - -<p>“That’s all very well,” interrupted Billy -mournfully, “but licking the Clippers isn’t going -to save this house for mother, Chip. I wish—I -wish we’d taken a chance on it, and taken up that -bet he offered!”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum">[68]</span></p> - -<p>“No, you don’t,” exclaimed Merriwell. “Hold -on, Billy. I haven’t finished yet.”</p> - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<p>“Go ahead and whip Carson’s team, Frank. You and -Billy and Clancy can do it if you try, and remember that -I’ve every faith in all of you. Do it, and I will see that -Billy and his mother do not lose the roof over their heads.</p> - -<p class="center p-1 shiftright">Your loving father,<br /> -<span class="smcap" style="padding-left:8em">Frank Merriwell, Senior</span>.”</p></div> - -<p>Merry looked up to meet his friend’s startled -gaze.</p> - -<p>“What does he mean by that, Chip?”</p> - -<p>“Search me,” said Merry, as he stowed away -the letter. “But you can be sure that father -means something, all right.”</p> - -<p>“I guess he does,” rejoined Billy, new hope -dawning in his eyes. “My eyes! It’s a promise, -Chip! I’ll bet he means that if we beat the -Clippers he’ll lend you the coin!”</p> - -<p>“No,” and young Merriwell shook his head -decidedly. “He doesn’t think it a good plan, old -man, and that ends it. Father doesn’t have to say -a thing twice. Yes, it’s a promise, I imagine. I’ve -no idea what he means by it, of course, but he -has some kind of plan up his sleeve. You quit -worrying.”</p> - -<p>“I’ll try,” said Billy, with a sigh. “But I wish -he’d said something a little more definite than -that.”</p> - -<p>“So do I, Billy,” confessed Merry. “He didn’t, -so there’s no use wondering. I’m not going to<span class="pagenum">[69]</span> -say anything to Clan about this business, so now -let’s go around to Jim’s house with him, then -we’ll get out to the ball field again.”</p> - -<p>Merriwell decided that the McQuades’ trouble -was a personal affair. He had entered into it -largely through accident, and he did not consider -it a matter to share even with Clancy. So all -three of the friends piled into the <em>Hornet</em>, Billy -standing on the running board, and they made a -triumphal progress to the Spaulding residence.</p> - -<p>Despite his unbounded confidence in his father, -Chip could not help feeling disappointed over that -letter. However, the definite promise at the end -served to relieve his anxiety, to some extent, but -he could see no light upon the subject. How could -his father prevent Colonel Carson from carrying -out his threats?</p> - -<p>As he obtained no answer to this mental -query, Merriwell tried to forget the whole thing, -and trust that his father knew best. But it was -no easy matter.</p> - -<p>That afternoon they met the other Clippings on -the village green, going from there to their practice -ground. Chub Newton had been given a -vacation until Saturday night, and his employer -had promised that if the Clippers were beaten, -Chub would get full pay.</p> - -<p>In fact, the entire town was already plunged -into excitement over the sudden contest. Public -disapproval of Bully Carson had long simmered<span class="pagenum">[70]</span> -beneath the surface, kept under cover by the influence -and general fear of Colonel Carson.</p> - -<p>It was not yet daring enough to show itself -openly, but it peeped forth in minor ways. Every -one knew that Billy McQuade, prompted by his -guest from Fardale, Chip Merriwell, had dared -to defy Colonel Carson. Also, that half a dozen -of the town’s best local baseball talent had joined -the two friends.</p> - -<p>Consequently, the grocer’s son, who was taking -Chub Newton’s place behind the counter temporarily, -ran out with a bag of apples and deposited -them mysteriously on the ground by the -astonished Clippings. A little later, as they -passed the one ice-cream parlor in the place, the -proprietor appeared suddenly and thrust a paper -bucket of ice cream into Spaulding’s hand, then -vanished without a word.</p> - -<p>By such tokens as these, Frank and his friends -soon discovered that they were not without secret -good wishers, though none of the latter dared -come into the open.</p> - -<p>“Talk about a scared town!” laughed Clancy, -munching an apple vigorously. “Looks like your -friend Carson had this place buffaloed for sure, -Chip!”</p> - -<p>“Well, there’s good reason for it,” explained -Spaulding. “The colonel owns the bank here, -and pretty near half the farms and orchards -around. If he said to smash a merchant, that<span class="pagenum">[71]</span> -merchant would be apt to smash. I know, because -he’s done it before this, and he’d do it -again.”</p> - -<p>“It’s a pretty poor kind of influence to hold -over people,” declared Frank. “I’d hate to walk -down the street and know that nine out of ten -people hated me in their hearts.”</p> - -<p>“The colonel doesn’t know it. He’s got too -much vanity. And he wouldn’t care very much -if he did realize it, I guess.”</p> - -<p>“Somebody ought to l-l-lam him good,” piped -Chub. “I’d l-l-like to see him run out of town!”</p> - -<p>“Maybe you will some day,” growled McCarthy -ominously.</p> - -<p>“Don’t forget your promise,” said Frank, in a -low voice.</p> - -<p>“No danger o’ that, Merriwell. I filed them -spikes o’ mine, though.”</p> - -<p>“See here, Dan, I don’t want to have any of -that work——”</p> - -<p>“I ain’t goin’ to start anythin’, I said,” broke -in the lanky youth doggedly. “And I won’t. But -I ain’t goin’ to let trouble hit me over the ear, -you bet. I’ll be jest as meek as a lamb until they -try dirty work on me, only I want to be ready.”</p> - -<p>Frank nodded. After all, he did not greatly -blame McCarthy for distrusting the caliber of -Squint Fletcher, or, for that matter, the rest of -the Carsonville club. He did not believe in fighting<span class="pagenum">[72]</span> -fire with fire, but he saw that it would be -useless to try argument with Dan McCarthy.</p> - -<p>So he let the matter drop, confident that the -lanky third baseman would not be the first to -start any “dirty work.” The general sentiment -of the Clippings was that the Clippers would not -stop at anything to win, but that the umpiring -would be fair.</p> - -<p>“I want you to help me out, Clan,” said Frank, -as he walked along beside his old chum. “These -chaps are just aching for a good chance to start -a scrap with the other team. They’ve all promised -me that they’d go slow during the game, but -I want you to get after ’em during practice.”</p> - -<p>“In what way, Chip?”</p> - -<p>“By showing them how necessary it is that -they keep their heads. That’s our only hope. If -our boys get rattled, the Clippers will walk away -with us. Impress on them, Clan, that, no matter -what provocation they get, they have to keep -quiet while the game is on. What happens later -doesn’t concern me.”</p> - -<p>Clancy grinned. “All right. Count on me, -Chip.”</p> - -<p>Upon reaching the practice grounds, Merry at -once sent the men to their positions. He took the -bat, and for half an hour gave the entire team a -driving practice work-out. The new white balls -seemed, oddly enough, to put new heart into his -team.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum">[73]</span></p> - -<p>It showed them that Frank and Clancy meant -business. It was a little thing, but it is just such -little things that count tremendously. The red-haired -chap covered first like a demon, scooping -up everything that came his way. His example -fired the others.</p> - -<p>As Billy had foretold, the Clippings seemed -like a different set of players. They went after -the ball with a vim. Spaulding, Chub, and -McCarthy tackled anything, and managed to -smother the stiffest ones Frank drove at them.</p> - -<p>In the outfield, the marvelous fielding of Nippen -astonished Merriwell. The gigantic, overgrown -fruit picker, in his lumbering fashion, -fairly ate up the ground. When he went after a -high one, he seemed never to know where it would -fall, but when it came down, it invariably plunked -into his mitt. He had no science, but he seemed -to have luck.</p> - -<p>“How do they strike you?” inquired Merry, -as he and Clan conferred during a brief rest.</p> - -<p>“Pretty promising bunch, Chip. But when -they get up against those Clippers, it’ll be a whole -lot different. Those fellows can do in their sleep -what this crowd has to break their necks over.”</p> - -<p>“That’s true, but, just the same, they’ll improve -a lot by Saturday.”</p> - -<p>Clancy shook his head doubtfully. It was clear -that he was not greatly impressed by the Clippings.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum">[74]</span></p> - -<p>The batting practice that followed served to -back up Clancy’s opinions. Calling in the outfielders, -Frank kept putting over nothing but outs -and ins and straight fast ones, yet the batters -could not seem to connect.</p> - -<p>His coaching helped them a good deal, but -nothing wonderful resulted. Nippen seemed to -have spent all his energy on the one ball he had -struck that morning. Chub Newton could hit -nothing. Henderson was afraid to stand up to -the plate, and Billy McQuade seemed to have -lost his batting eye.</p> - -<p>McCarthy, however, fell on the ball, and -pounded it viciously until Frank served him up -slow floaters, when he failed lamentably. Then -Merry put Billy through his paces as backstop, -using everything from the double shoot to the -jump ball; and the work-out was over.</p> - -<p>“It’s a bum lookout,” observed Billy, when they -were walking together past the orchard to the -house. “We did pretty rotten at bat to-day.”</p> - -<p>“Oh, not so bad,” said Frank encouragingly. -“We’ll all be nerved up more on Saturday, for -one thing. Then remember, Bill, it isn’t the sluggers -who win.”</p> - -<p>“That’s right, Chip. Do you honestly think -we’ve got a show?”</p> - -<p>“I do,” replied Frank earnestly. “Our fellows -are fine on base-throwing, and when they get to -work on a decent diamond, the results will be<span class="pagenum">[75]</span> -astonishing. I really think we’ve an excellent -chance, old man.”</p> - -<p>“Then that takes a load off my mind,” said -Billy, with a sigh. “I thought you’d be pretty -disgusted with us.”</p> - -<p>Frank smiled and patted him on the back cheeringly. -But in his heart he felt that, while the -Clippings might have a chance, it was a terribly -slim one.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="chapter"></div><!--Page break for ePub--> - -<p><span class="pagenum">[76]</span></p> - - - - -<h2 id="CHAPTER_IX">CHAPTER IX.<br /> -<span class="cheaderfont">COLONEL CARSON MAKES A BET.</span></h2> - - -<p>On Friday morning, the day before the game, -Colonel Carson was standing in the lobby of the -Carsonville Bank. He appeared extremely discontented.</p> - -<p>“Not a one,” he said disgustedly. “Everybody -in town is scared to bet on them Clippings.”</p> - -<p>“I don’t wonder,” sneered Bully Carson derisively. -“They’re a bunch of pick-ups.”</p> - -<p>Bully Carson wore his most flamboyant attire, -for he would not go to work-out with the Clippers -for another hour. From one corner of his mouth -drooped a limp cigarette.</p> - -<p>“Too bad you can’t place a few dollars,” he -went on. “It’d be easy money.”</p> - -<p>“Is your arm all right?” inquired the colonel.</p> - -<p>“Never better. Hello, who’s that gink?”</p> - -<p>The two turned to gaze at the doorway. The -bank had just been opened for business, and, as -things were not very brisk in Carsonville, this -was the first customer of the day. And he was -evidently a stranger.</p> - -<p>“Must ’a’ come in on the mornin’ train,” observed -Bully.</p> - -<p>He was a well-set-up, quietly dressed man, and -would have attracted little attention save for his -remarkably fine build. A soft crush hat was<span class="pagenum">[77]</span> -pulled down over a pair of very keen but pleasant -eyes, and the lower portion of his face was -hidden by a curly dark beard.</p> - -<p>The stranger gave a single glance at the two, -and walked to the teller’s window. With a nod -and a cheery “Good morning,” he drew out a long -bill book and opened it. Colonel Carson gasped -and clutched at his son’s shoulder, for the bill -book appeared to be crammed with yellowbacks.</p> - -<p>“I have a couple of certified checks I’d like -you to cash for me, if you will.”</p> - -<p>His voice was quiet and self-restrained.</p> - -<p>“Certainly, sir,” replied the teller.</p> - -<p>The stranger shoved the two checks he had -taken out through the window. The teller -glanced at them, and his jaw fell. He excused -himself, then beckoned to Colonel Carson to -come over.</p> - -<p>“These are pretty large checks, colonel,” he -said apologetically.</p> - -<p>“Humph!” grunted Carson, and turned to the -stranger. “Made out to John Smith! Is that -your name?”</p> - -<p>“Aren’t those checks sufficient warrant?” -smiled the stranger. “They’re certified, and -ought to be as good as gold, Colonel Carson.”</p> - -<p>“You know me?” The bank owner looked surprised.</p> - -<p>“I’ve heard of you,” returned John Smith -pleasantly. “You see, I’m quite a follower of<span class="pagenum">[78]</span> -baseball, though I don’t often get away from -home. I’ve heard a good deal of the Carsonville -Clippers, and came over to have a look at -them.”</p> - -<p>Bully Carson swelled visibly. His father -turned to the teller.</p> - -<p>“It’s all right, I guess. Two thousand is a -big sum, but they’re certified. Mr. Smith, meet -my son. He’s the pitcher o’ the Clippers. Goin’ -to stay for the game to-morrow?”</p> - -<p>“Perhaps,” smiled John Smith. “I’ll see what -the chances are for placing a few bets around -here.”</p> - -<p>He winked knowingly, and Colonel Carson -flung Bully a warning glance.</p> - -<p>“We got an awful tough team to go up -against,” he said, tugging at his goatee. “I’d like -to bet on the Clippers myself, but durned if I -don’t think we’ll get beat.”</p> - -<p>Bully had caught that look.</p> - -<p>“Yes, they got a feller named Merriwell,” he -said dolefully. “I dunno’s I’ll be much good -against him, either.”</p> - -<p>“Oh, Merriwell! I’ve heard of him often,” exclaimed -the stranger. “By Jove, I’d like to get -a bet down on his team, whatever it is! I suppose -I could see the two teams at work, -couldn’t I?”</p> - -<p>“Sure, I’ll take care o’ you, Mr. Smith,” volunteered -Bully.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum">[79]</span></p> - -<p>He went off arm in arm with the stranger, and -Colonel Carson turned to his teller.</p> - -<p>“There’s an easy mark! When Bully gets -through with him, he’ll be ready to put up some -real coin on them Clippings, mind my words!”</p> - -<p>Colonel Carson’s confidence in his son was -well placed. Indeed, Bully had no easy task, for -not a soul in Carsonville had any great belief that -the Clippers would be defeated the next day.</p> - -<p>The stranger went out to the park with them, -and was pleasantly astonished by the concrete -stands and excellent diamond.</p> - -<p>“You have quite a place here, eh,” he observed. -“Go ahead, boys, don’t mind me.”</p> - -<p>The Clippers did not appear to mind him in -the least. They went to work, and, after watching -them a little time, the stranger was evidently -well satisfied. Bully Carson seemed to have difficulty -in finding the plate. His infield gave him -wretched support, making wild throws, and letting -the ball tear through them.</p> - -<p>His outfield did little better. On the whole, -the stranger was anything but well impressed by -the Clippers, and did not hesitate to say as much -on the way back to town. Bully Carson agreed -that they were in poor shape, but when the -stranger had left him, he congratulated his team -warmly.</p> - -<p>“I guess that feller’s hooked,” he observed -sagely, and hastened home.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum">[80]</span></p> - -<p>After casual inquiries about town, John Smith -found his way to where the team captained by -Frank Merriwell, junior, was working out during -the afternoon. As this was their first visitor, -the Clippings displayed no little curiosity, seeing -that he was a stranger to them, but he held aloof -from the diamond.</p> - -<p>“Who is he—one of the umpires?” inquired -Frank.</p> - -<p>“Search me,” returned Billy Mac. “He’s a -new one in this burg.”</p> - -<p>“It’s a scout for the Phil-l-ladel-l-lphia Ath-l-letics,” -chirruped Chub Newton from second. -“He’s l-l-lookin’ for recruits.”</p> - -<p>“What’s that?” cried McCarthy excitedly, taking -Chub seriously.</p> - -<p>“Sure, he’s goin’ to sign you on, Dan,” grinned -Spaulding.</p> - -<p>McCarthy did not see the joke. He advanced -to take his turn at batting, and, when Frank -handed him a stiff inshoot, he fell on it and -knocked the ball through Chub’s hands. Then -Merry began teasing him, but he refused to bite, -until he caught one on the nose and lined it -out.</p> - -<p>“Wow? Mebbe that’ll show him what Dan -McCarthy can do!” he yelled, as the ball zipped.</p> - -<p>When he discovered that he had been victimized, -he turned on Chub.</p> - -<p>“You blamed little yapper!” he said. “You’d<span class="pagenum">[81]</span> -be a whole lot s’prised to find that he <em>was</em> a big-league -scout, wouldn’t you?”</p> - -<p>“Yah!” piped Chub jubilantly. “L-l-line her -out again, Dan!”</p> - -<p>The stranger hung around for an hour, speaking -to no one, but watching the practice intently. -Finally he drifted off in the direction of town.</p> - -<p>Once back in the town, he began inquiries as -to Colonel Carson’s whereabouts. That individual -was not hard to find. In fact, he was -on a still hunt for the stranger, and finally encountered -him near the bank.</p> - -<p>“Well, Mr. Smith, how’d the two teams strike -you?”</p> - -<p>“The Clippers didn’t look up to much, to my -mind,” said the stranger easily. “Of course, I -may be mistaken, but Merriwell’s crowd seemed -to be pretty good. Why, one of those fellows -lammed the ball a mile, Carson!”</p> - -<p>“Yes,” and Colonel Carson fingered his goatee, -“them fellers can hit, Smith. Placed any bets -yet?”</p> - -<p>“Well, no,” replied the stranger. “I rather -thought I might induce you to put up a little -money.”</p> - -<p>“I ain’t very flush right now,” said the colonel -cunningly. It was not the first time that he and -Bully had worked together to good advantage. -“Still, I dunno as I’d mind placin’ a little on the -Clippers, seeing’s they belong to me.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum">[82]</span></p> - -<p>“Ah, you’re a true sport!” cried Smith heartily. -“Oh, by the way—I have some friends here -by the name of McQuade. Perhaps you know -where Mr. McQuade lives, colonel?”</p> - -<p>“Well, yes. He lives in the cemetery, right -now, Smith. He’s been dead quite a spell.”</p> - -<p>“Dead! You don’t say!” The stranger was -visibly perturbed. “Poor McQuade! He never -had much head for business. I suppose he died -poor?”</p> - -<p>“He died owin’ me two thousand,” said Colonel -Carson grimly. “I got a mortgage on his -place over by the river, right in my safe. I’m -goin’ to foreclose, too.”</p> - -<p>“Well, well! Did he leave any family?”</p> - -<p>“Son an’ widder,” jerked the other. “Son’s -ketchin’ on Merriwell’s team.”</p> - -<p>John Smith glanced around. The town constable -stood at a little distance, and the stranger -pointed at him.</p> - -<p>“That’s the constable, isn’t it, Carson? Well, -let’s bring him into your office, and if we can -make a little bet, he could be stakeholder. Eh?”</p> - -<p>Colonel Carson grinned to himself, and agreed -with some show of hesitation. With the constable -following, they entered the bank and sat -down in the owner’s private room.</p> - -<p>“Look here, Carson,” said the stranger affably. -“I’ve been thinking this thing over. McQuade -used to be an old friend of mine, and I hate to<span class="pagenum">[83]</span> -think of his widow and son being left out in the -cold. I tell you what I’ll do. I’ll set two thousand -dollars against that mortgage you hold.</p> - -<p>“If you win, the money’s yours. If the Clippers -are beaten, then I get the mortgage. How -does that sound?”</p> - -<p>“No good,” stated Carson firmly. “The McQuade -place is worth a heap more’n that sum, -Smith. I got that mortgage cheap.”</p> - -<p>The stranger looked disappointed.</p> - -<p>“Well,” he remarked, replacing the bill book -which he had taken from his inner pocket, “I -don’t know that I’m very anxious to bet against -the Clippers, anyway. I’d risk the sum for the -sake of McQuade’s family, out of pure sentiment, -but—— Well, I’ll hang about town and -see if I can’t get a bit of money down on your -team. After all, it’s safer.”</p> - -<p>He rose, with a gesture of dismissal to the constable.</p> - -<p>“Hold on!” cried Colonel Carson. “You ain’t -in earnest, Smith?”</p> - -<p>“Why, of course!” said the stranger. “Merriwell’s -team is untried and green. After all, I -might be foolish——”</p> - -<p>“Set down, set down,” and the colonel reached -out to his safe. “I’ve got that mortgage right -here. I reckon I’ll take a chance, Smith.”</p> - -<p>And once more he grinned to himself.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="chapter"></div><!--Page break for ePub--> - -<p><span class="pagenum">[84]</span></p> - - - - -<h2 id="CHAPTER_X">CHAPTER X.<br /> -<span class="cheaderfont">HOW THE GAME OPENED.</span></h2> - - -<p>Carsonville was emptying itself.</p> - -<p>Every person in town, young and old, was a -baseball enthusiast. The grand stand and bleachers -of the club grounds were invariably crowded -every Saturday. But on this one Saturday it -seemed as though the town had gone crazy over -the game.</p> - -<p>So, after a fashion, it had. Despite its support -of the Clippers, Carsonville turned out to -see baseball, rather than to see the Clippers play. -It loved the game for itself. Down underneath -the surface, however, it cherished a warm dislike -for the Clippers and their captain.</p> - -<p>This dislike had been, perforce, hidden, for -fear of antagonizing the autocrat of Carsonville. -When the home team had been playing, all personalities -had been forgotten in the game itself. -On such occasions, even Bully Carson had become -popular for the moment, if he won a game.</p> - -<p>It was quite different on this Saturday, however. -The Carsons had been defied, and when -the crowd had streamed into the park, it forgot -all about its fear of Colonel Carson’s power.</p> - -<p>“I hope them Clippers get trounced! I hope -Bully Carson gets knocked out of the box!” cried<span class="pagenum">[85]</span> -old Abner Powell, on whose forty acres the colonel -held a heavy mortgage.</p> - -<p>“So do I! Hurray for the Clippings!” yelled -the teller of the Carsonville bank.</p> - -<p>“Here’s where the colonel gets took down!” -shouted the Carsons’ hired man.</p> - -<p>Every one had forgotten their fears, under the -magic influence of the ball park. And every one -had raised the price of a seat. By general consent, -it was the largest crowd that the Carsonville -park had ever held.</p> - -<p>Every man on the two teams was known personally -to the fans, except Merriwell and Clancy. -Even they were known by reputation, though few -of the townsfolk had dared to show support by -watching the Clippings practice.</p> - -<p>The line-up of the two teams was announced -that morning by bulletin:</p> - -<div class="center"> -<p class="displayinline" style="margin-right:2em"> -<span class="smallfont" style="padding-left:1em">CLIPPINGS.</span><br /> -McCarthy, 3d b.<br /> -Nippen, c. f.<br /> -Clancy, 1st b.<br /> -Merriwell, p.<br /> -McQuade, c.<br /> -Spaulding, 2d b.<br /> -Moore, l. f.<br /> -Henderson, r. f.<br /> -Newton, ss. -</p> - -<p class="displayinline" style="margin-left:2em"> -<span class="smallfont" style="padding-left:1em">CLIPPERS.</span><br /> -Fletcher, c.<br /> -Burkett, 1st b.<br /> -Bangs, 3d b.<br /> -Ironton, ss.<br /> -Johnson, r. f.<br /> -Murray, 2d b.<br /> -Carson, p.<br /> -Runge, l. f.<br /> -Merrell, c. f. -</p> -</div> - -<p>The diamond was in perfect condition, its caretaker -having spent all morning getting it in shape.<span class="pagenum">[86]</span> -Every line was freshly marked, every inch carefully -raked free of hindrances. The very sight -of it was a joy to the fans, empty though it stood.</p> - -<p>And it was joy to Merriwell and Clancy, also, -when they arrived at the clubhouse beneath the -grand stand. Both had been too busy to look at -the place, but they were instantly delighted by it. -Meantime, the <em>Hornet</em> proceeded around to the -field with Mrs. McQuade and Jim Spaulding’s -young brother.</p> - -<p>“It’s a peach of a place, Chip!” cried the red-haired -chap.</p> - -<p>“Yes—look at that diamond! I don’t remember -when I’ve seen a better cared-for place.”</p> - -<p>Merry continued his inspection as the rest of -his team poured in to dress. There were bleachers -behind first and third, all well filled, and the -only symptom of neglect was in the high board -fence. Directly behind second, in the center -fielder’s territory, there was a strip of fence ten -feet wide that had been leveled. This, it appeared, -had been cut out to erect a large score -board, but there had been delay in the shipment -of materials, and the gap was unfilled.</p> - -<p>Billy Mac pointed to the river, which ran about -a hundred yards behind the fence.</p> - -<p>“No home runs in this field,” he said, “unless -the ball goes into the river. You see, the diamond -inclosure is a little small, Chip. Outside of -the fence it’s marshy, and it would have cost a<span class="pagenum">[87]</span> -lot to fill in. So they compromised on that ground -rule. If the ball goes into the river, it’s a home -run. It’s never yet gone in, though.”</p> - -<p>“Queer kind of ground rule,” growled Clancy. -“But there’s no accounting for tastes, so let’s -try to put the ball in the water, fellows!”</p> - -<p>“We’l-l-l try,” piped Chub resolutely. “When -do we practice?”</p> - -<p>“Right now,” exclaimed Frank. “We’re a little -early, so we’ll get to work and let the Clippers -howl, if they want to.”</p> - -<p>When the Clippings walked out, they were -greeted by a long yell from the fans. Then there -rose a buzz of voices as the players trotted out -to their places, and Merry began to drive hot -ones along the infield.</p> - -<p>Every one was wondering how the home talent -would show up. No sooner had the ball begun to -snap around the bases than shout after shout -pealed up. Despite their rare and wonderful uniforms, -the Clippings showed form!</p> - -<p>Even Frank was surprised. On the level diamond -his team proved that they could do something, -after all. They went after the ball with -ginger, and the way they snapped it up was -astonishing.</p> - -<p>The Clippers now produced themselves, and -promptly spread out behind the foul lines to inspect -their opponents. They delivered themselves<span class="pagenum">[88]</span> -of comments, which were audible over -most of the field.</p> - -<p>“Look at the uniforms!” yelled Squint Fletcher. -“They used them kind fifty years ago! Pipe the -Irish third baseman! Wow!”</p> - -<p>“Who’s that scrubby runt playin’ short?” cried -Ironton, waving his fists. “Wait till I land on -him!”</p> - -<p>“I’l-l-l show you!” chirped Newton angrily. -“Wait til-l-l——”</p> - -<p>“Listen to him!” cried Ironton. “Wow! He -talks like a washing machine!”</p> - -<p>Even the crowd laughed at that, for every one -knew Chub. The little fellow lost his temper, -and sent the ball far over third.</p> - -<p>“They’re easy,” commented Bully, in contempt. -“We got their goat already. You watch -when that Merriwell gets up to the plate. I’ll lam -him in the head.”</p> - -<p>“You’d better try it!” retorted Clancy heatedly. -Merry signed to him to walk up toward -the box, with Chub.</p> - -<p>“You fellows keep quiet,” he said. “Pass the -word around not to give any back talk unnecessarily. -First thing we know, this will be a free-for-all, -and we have to avoid that if possible.”</p> - -<p>The Clippings tried to restrain themselves, but -it was hard work for them to keep from answering -the taunts that poured in from Bully Carson’s -men. At length, Frank signed to his team,<span class="pagenum">[89]</span> -and they trotted in. The Clippers spread out on -the field, and began to amuse themselves with -threats of what they would do to their opponents, -while they tossed the ball around.</p> - -<p>In Colonel Carson’s private box, square in the -center of the grand stand, sat the colonel and -his new acquaintance, John Smith. The latter -had accepted the proffered seat gratefully, though -he refused the proffered stogies, pleading that -his health did not permit smoking.</p> - -<p>As the Clippings came in to their bench, they -looked up and saw the stranger.</p> - -<p>“There’s your scout, Dan,” chuckled Billy. -“Only it looks like he was friends with the wrong -side.”</p> - -<p>The stranger waved a hand at them.</p> - -<p>“Go in and win!” he cried. “You’ve got ’em -licked, Merriwell!”</p> - -<p>“You bet!” returned Clancy quickly. “Just -watch our smoke, Whiskers!”</p> - -<p>The stranger’s white teeth flashed through his -beard, and he turned his attention to the Clippers -as they fell to work.</p> - -<p>“They seem to do better than they did yesterday,” -he remarked suddenly.</p> - -<p>Colonel Carson leaned back and grinned complacently.</p> - -<p>“I reckon they slept well last night, Smith,” he -drawled. “Any team is liable to an off day, you -know.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum">[90]</span></p> - -<p>“Yes, I know,” returned Smith sharply. “It -looks to me as if you had let me in for a bit of -sharp practice, Carson.”</p> - -<p>“Sport is sport,” observed the colonel, with a -grin. “You risks your money, and you takes your -chance.”</p> - -<p>“I’ve a good mind to call the bet off!”</p> - -<p>“No, ye don’t! The constable’s down keepin’ -order in the bleachers, and you can’t locate him -’fore the game starts if ye want to. ’Sides, I -reckon you ain’t a welsher.”</p> - -<p>The stranger allowed himself to be soothed -down, and settled himself to watch the progress -of things.</p> - -<p>Frank and Bully Carson met with the two umpires, -and went over the ground rule regarding a -home run.</p> - -<p>“No chance o’ your scrubs gettin’ the ball in -the river,” jeered Carson. “Don’t need to worry -over it. Ain’t never been done, anyhow!”</p> - -<p>“That’s no sign it can’t be done,” said Frank, -with a smile.</p> - -<p>A gong rang out. Merry and Carson quickly -discussed the question of outs and ins, while the -umpires were announcing the batteries.</p> - -<p>“I’d like to git in the box first crack, an’ knock -your block off,” growled Bully. “But I dunno’s -I wouldn’t jest as soon knock you out o’ the box. -Take your choice.”</p> - -<p>“Thanks,” said Merry easily. “Since you’re<span class="pagenum">[91]</span> -so kind, I think we’ll give you a chance to get a -home run, Bully. According to the batting order, -I’m afraid you won’t get a crack till the third -inning, though.”</p> - -<p>Carson, whose name stood seventh on the list, -glowered derisively.</p> - -<p>“Huh! We’ll prob’bly bat around twice in the -first inning, you joke! You’d better get another -pitcher warmin’ up.”</p> - -<p>“Come on, Bully,” cried Squint Fletcher. -“Leave that poor simp alone!”</p> - -<p>No one had any need to hear the umpires’ announcement, -and it was drowned in a roar of -cheers as the Clippings went out to their positions. -Colonel Carson glowered and tugged at -his goatee, then smiled as Squint Fletcher advanced -to the plate amid a mingling of hisses and -cheers. Squint had his backers, who liked him -for his rough-and-ready tactics.</p> - -<p>Indeed, it soon developed that the Clippers -were not without friends. The general sentiment -was against them, but there were plenty of -hoodlums and toadies who were willing to cheer -them. Also, many farmers had come in, who -were used to yelling for the Clippers.</p> - -<p>The umpires took their positions, and Merry -whipped over three balls to Billy. Squint stepped -up to the plate, with a sneer, and balanced himself -aggressively. Billy Mac signed for the double -shoot.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum">[92]</span></p> - -<p>Frank nodded, took his time, and, amid a wild -shriek of delight from the crowd, delivered the -first pitched ball. Squint Fletcher pulled down -his bat—and there was a crack like a pistol shot.</p> - -<p>Squint had landed square on Frank Merriwell, -junior’s, famous double shoot!</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="chapter"></div><!--Page break for ePub--> - -<p><span class="pagenum">[93]</span></p> - - - - -<h2 id="CHAPTER_XI">CHAPTER XI.<br /> -<span class="cheaderfont">THE CLIPPINGS GET WILD.</span></h2> - - -<p>The connection, however, was so plainly an -accident, and Squint himself looked so bewildered, -that every one roared with laughter.</p> - -<p>The ball went almost straight up in the air over -first, until it seemed to lose itself in the sky. -Fletcher came pounding down the base line, while -Bully Carson, behind first, sent a roar at Clancy.</p> - -<p>The red-haired first baseman was not rattled, -however. He calmly stepped back, pulled down -his cap, and waited. The ball came down like a -bullet and stuck in his glove.</p> - -<p>“Out!”</p> - -<p>Roar after roar of applause went up. The -Clippings, who had been nervous and unsettled, -instantly regained their poise and confidence.</p> - -<p>“Take your time, Chip!” snapped Spaulding, -from second.</p> - -<p>“That’s the ticket, old man!” cried McCarthy -encouragingly.</p> - -<p>“L-l-lam into ’em!” piped up Chub.</p> - -<p>Frank smiled. Burkett, who covered first for -the Clippers, advanced to the plate, pulled down -his cap, and waited.</p> - -<p>“We’re all behind you, old-timer,” chirped -Clancy.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum">[94]</span></p> - -<p>“Let him hit it, Chip!” cried Billy. None the -less, he signaled for an inshoot.</p> - -<p>Burkett was plainly anxious to hit. Frank put -over a fast inshoot. The ball fairly smoked with -speed, and Burkett swung too late.</p> - -<p>“Strike—uh—one!”</p> - -<p>“Land on him!” yelled Bully Carson. “All -he’s got is speed!”</p> - -<p>Billy called for another of the same, but Merry -shook his head. He guessed that Burkett wanted -speed, and would be looking for it, so he put over -a fadeaway that drew Burkett for another strike.</p> - -<p>“This fellow’s a cinch!” cried Billy. Burkett -looked determined.</p> - -<p>Studying him for a moment, Frank nodded at -the signal for a jump ball. He sent the sphere -down to the plate waist-high. Burkett brought -down his bat, but the ball seemed to jump over -it, and plunked into Billy’s mitt.</p> - -<p>“Out!”</p> - -<p>Cheer after cheer rolled up, as Burkett sullenly -retreated, and was replaced by Bangs. The -Clipper third baseman was a wiry, alert fellow, -and he chopped down his bat as if ready for anything -that could come along. Merry determined -to let him hit.</p> - -<p>So, without pretending to pitch, he merely -tossed over the ball and waited. Bangs gasped, -then struck viciously. Another crack, and the<span class="pagenum">[95]</span> -ball went on a bee line to McCarthy. And Dan -fumbled it.</p> - -<p>A groan swelled out from the crowd, but it -changed instantly to a cheer. For McCarthy had -picked up the ball and slammed it over to Clancy -a yard ahead of Bangs.</p> - -<p>“One, two, three!” yelled the crowd, confident -now that it would see a real game of ball. A -storm of applause greeted the Clippings as they -walked in.</p> - -<p>“Rotten fumble,” grunted McCarthy.</p> - -<p>“Don’t you believe it!” cried Clancy, slapping -his shoulder. “You retrieved it before it had a -chance to work, Dan. Fine business!”</p> - -<p>“You’re up first, Dan,” said Merry. “Now -go in and repeat!”</p> - -<p>McCarthy grinned happily, and strode out to -the plate. He waited while Carson tossed over -his warmers-up.</p> - -<p>“This pie-eater’s pretty soft, Bully,” snarled -Squint. “Let him hit. He ain’t worth fanning.”</p> - -<p>The lanky chap opened his mouth, then snapped -it shut again, and stepped into the box. Carson -eyed him a moment, and the bleachers fell silent -in suspense.</p> - -<p>“Speed fer him, Bully,” cried Fletcher. “He’s -scared already.”</p> - -<p>Carson nodded and wound up. The ball seemed -to come with startling speed. In reality it was -a slow fader, and it fooled McCarthy completely.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum">[96]</span></p> - -<p>“Strike—uh—one!”</p> - -<p>Squint returned the ball. Almost without a -pause, Carson snapped over a hot one across the -inside corner. Dan was taken by surprise, and -a second strike was called. It was followed by -a third.</p> - -<p>“This bunch of rubes is soft!” chirruped Bangs -from third.</p> - -<p>“Whoop! Down they go!” cried Ironton, as -the big Nippen stalked out.</p> - -<p>“Who’s the cow?” inquired Murray, from second. -Carson grinned.</p> - -<p>“This is an animal show, Bully,” snapped -Squint. “Watch the elephant fan his ears!”</p> - -<p>The crowd could not help laughing at the awkward -figure of Nippen. Carson burned a hot one -across. Nippen swung, after it had plunked home.</p> - -<p>“Gone to sleep at the switch!” grunted Squint, -while the bleachers roared a storm of advice and -criticism. The big fellow flushed angrily.</p> - -<p>“Hit him in the ribs and wake him up!” cried -Murray.</p> - -<p>Carson grinned again. He sent over a smoking-hot -ball that forced Nippen to leap back. The -huge fruit-picker looked at him furiously.</p> - -<p>“You watch out!” he cried warmly.</p> - -<p>“Shut up, Nippen,” exclaimed Merry. “He -doesn’t dare hit you.”</p> - -<p>As if to disprove this, Carson launched another -in the same place. Nippen jumped back, and, as<span class="pagenum">[97]</span> -his bat fell, the ball struck against it and rolled -out into the diamond.</p> - -<p>The big fellow leaped out toward first. Bangs -darted in to secure the ball, laughing as he did so. -He straightened up with it, and slapped it to -Burkett, but a cry of amazement went up. Nippen -had beaten out the throw!</p> - -<p>“Watch the elephant run!” shrieked the fans.</p> - -<p>Clancy walked out to the plate, while Chub -went down to coach at first.</p> - -<p>“Hello, carrot-top!” growled Squint. “Watch -out you don’t scorch the ball on his thatch, Bully!”</p> - -<p>Carson knew that Clancy was dangerous. He -put over a fast drop, but Clan refused to bite. -Then came a slow fadeaway, and the red-haired -chap took it on the nose.</p> - -<p>There was a groan of dismay. The ball -soared high, and Merrell raced back toward the -fence. Then he stopped, and waited, and the ball -came down into his glove.</p> - -<p>Nippen, showing poor judgment, had dashed -for second as soon as the ball settled softly in -Merrell’s glove. The center fielder did not wait -an instant, however, and threw the ball to Murray, -who made Nippen an easy out.</p> - -<p>The Clippings were retired. The inning was -over, without a run.</p> - -<p>“We’re holding them, fellows,” said Frank -quietly, as they walked out. “Keep up the good -work, and we’ll win, sure.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum">[98]</span></p> - -<p>“We’ll do it, Chip,” cried Spaulding.</p> - -<p>“L-l-look out for Ironton,” snapped Chub, as -the Clipper shortstop walked out. “He’s l-l-like-l-ly -to start something.”</p> - -<p>Billy Mac evidently thought the same thing, for -he signaled for the double shoot. Merry shook -his head, and compromised on the jump ball. -Ironton struck vainly.</p> - -<p>“Hoop-a-la!” sang out Clancy. “He’s going!”</p> - -<p>“Let him soak it,” pleaded McCarthy. “We’re -all behind you, old scout!”</p> - -<p>Billy called for a fast drop. Although doubtful -of its wisdom, Frank put it across, and Ironton -murdered it. With a clean crack, the ball began -to soar toward center field, and Ironton went racing -toward first.</p> - -<p>“Wake up, Nippen!” roared the fans. “What’s -the matter with the elephant?”</p> - -<p>The huge fruit-picker stood staring up at the -ball. Suddenly he turned and began lumbering -toward the fence. He did not even look over his -shoulder at the ball, but continued through the -ten-foot gap, while the crowd sent a storm of catcalls -after him.</p> - -<p>“He must be going for a swim!” gasped Merry.</p> - -<p>“Whoop!” yelled Dan McCarthy. “Look -there!”</p> - -<p>Nippen had turned abruptly. The ball was seen -to fall squarely into his glove—and stick! A wild -roar rose from the crowd, then it died away into<span class="pagenum">[99]</span> -a groan, as the base umpire motioned Ironton -to hold third.</p> - -<p>“What does this mean?” exclaimed Frank, -walking back. “That ball was caught!”</p> - -<p>“Outside the fence,” said the umpire. “That -gap shouldn’t be there by rights. It went over -the fence, and Ironton is entitled to his three-bagger.”</p> - -<p>“By gum!” yelled McCarthy wrathfully. -“What kind of——”</p> - -<p>“Quiet!” snapped Frank.</p> - -<p>He turned and waved back his angry players, -who were crowding forward.</p> - -<p>“That’s a mighty queer decision,” he said, -forcing himself to calmness. “Does it go for -every ball that drops outside the fence?”</p> - -<p>“Yes,” said the umpire.</p> - -<p>Frank saw that the umpire regretted his hasty -decision, but would not change it.</p> - -<p>“All right,” he said.</p> - -<p>The crowd looked at it otherwise, however. -One howl of indignant surprise went up as Ironton -was seen to be safe. The mob threatened to -pour out on the field, and only when Frank was -seen to be taking up his position again did the -fans restrain themselves.</p> - -<p>As for the Clippings, they could not understand -the decision. It looked to them like foul play, -though Merry saw that the umpire had not meant -to be unfair. Nippen started to bellow out his rage,<span class="pagenum">[100]</span> -Spaulding managed to quiet him, and the game -proceeded. But the Clippings had been demoralized.</p> - -<p>This became evident when Johnson popped up -a foul. McCarthy went after it, and let it drop. -He made a throw to catch Ironton at the plate, -and sent the ball into the grand-stand wiring. -Ironton scored and Johnson stopped at second.</p> - -<p>Frank saw that the balloon was going up, and -wasted no more time. He struck out Murray -with three pitched balls, and then Carson slouched -up to the plate with a wide grin.</p> - -<p>“Good-by!” he called cheerfully. “Here’s -where we knock the Fardale wonder out!”</p> - -<p>His hopes were not realized, however. Frank -handed him a fadeaway, and Carson swung -vainly. Billy called for the double shoot. Carson -saw the ball break for an in, and brought down -his bat, but the sphere suddenly curved away -from him.</p> - -<p>“Strike—uh—two!”</p> - -<p>Mindful of the fellow’s threats, Frank put all -his speed into the next ball. It was a shoulder-high, -straight one, that nipped the inside corner -of the plate. So fast was it, that Carson instinctively -jumped back, then flung down his bat with -a curse. As he did so, Johnson leaped toward -third.</p> - -<p>Billy whipped off his mask and slapped the ball -to Dan. The lanky chap took it and slammed it<span class="pagenum">[101]</span> -down on Johnson in a cloud of dust. The Clippers -were retired.</p> - -<p>“See here, fellows,” pleaded Merry, as he -picked out his bat, “this has to stop right now! -Cool down, everybody. Billy, you work Carson -for your base. Clan, get down to first and coach. -We’ve got to break their streak.”</p> - -<p>And Merry went out to the plate, with a badly -demoralized crowd on the bench behind him.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="chapter"></div><!--Page break for ePub--> - -<p><span class="pagenum">[102]</span></p> - - - - -<h2 id="CHAPTER_XII">CHAPTER XII.<br /> -<span class="cheaderfont">CLIPPING THE CLIPPERS.</span></h2> - - -<p>“Here’s the boy wonder!” announced Squint -Fletcher. “Soak him in the bean!”</p> - -<p>As Carson began to wind up, a voice pierced -the roar of cheers that startled Frank. It seemed -like a voice that he knew well.</p> - -<p>“Fardale forever! Hurrah for old Fardale!”</p> - -<p>Merry could not tell whence that voice came, -but he gripped his bat hard at the sound of it. -Carson unwound, and a white streak shot toward -the plate.</p> - -<p>Whether he intended it or not, the ball came -straight for Frank, who was forced to step back. -Squint grinned.</p> - -<p>“Look out for your bean!”</p> - -<p>Again Carson sent the ball whizzing down, but -this time Merry connected. There was a crack, -and the sphere went sailing over second, and -Frank went to first.</p> - -<p>“Hold it!” cautioned Clancy, as Billy came up -to the plate.</p> - -<p>“Here’s the champion human mistake, Bully!” -sang out Squint.</p> - -<p>Carson gave Billy a black look and whipped -over the horsehide.</p> - -<p>“Ball—one!” announced the umpire. A storm -of cheers floated across the field.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum">[103]</span></p> - -<p>The next ball broke sharply. It struck Billy on -the arm, and the backstop at once flung away his -bat and took first. He gave Frank a grin as the -latter advanced.</p> - -<p>Spaulding came up, and Carson fanned him. -The Clippers were evidently waking up.</p> - -<p>Moore managed to pop up a weak fly, which -Ironton gathered in easily. Henderson followed, -and struck out, leaving Billy on first and Frank -marooned on second. Two innings were finished, -and the Clippers were one run to the good.</p> - -<p>In the third, Merry shut out the Clippers, but, -although McCarthy connected for a long drive, -he was caught trying for third. In the fourth the -heavy end of the Clippers was up, but Burkett, -Bangs, and Ironton fanned in beautiful harmony. -Clancy was up for the Clippings.</p> - -<p>“Lay out a soft one, Clan,” said Merry. “This -has been an old-time slugging match so far. Get -to first, and work the hit-and-run.”</p> - -<p>The red-haired chap nodded and stepped to the -plate. Carson sent over a wide one, and Clancy -swung viciously, drawing a chuckle from Squint. -Again he swung at a poor one, then Carson lashed -a fast high one across.</p> - -<p>To the surprise of the Clippers, Clancy choked -his bat and laid a neat bunt down the third-base -line. So astonished was Bangs that Clancy beat -his throw easily, and Frank came up to bat, smiling.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum">[104]</span></p> - -<p>Carson paused, scowling. He did not like -Merry’s smile, and knew that his speed had not -fooled Frank before. So he wound up as if delivering -a fast one, and his famous slow fadeaway -floated down toward the plate.</p> - -<p>Instantly Clancy was sprinting for second. -Merry was not altogether fooled by that delivery, -and he fell on the ball for a short, choppy stroke -that sent the sphere zipping along the ground to -Carson.</p> - -<p>The pitcher tried to stop it, but it went through -him. Murray was backing him up, but before the -ball reached first, Merry was standing on the -bag, and Clancy was safe. Roar upon roar -swelled out from the fans; but Frank did not -again hear the voice which had startled him.</p> - -<p>Billy McQuade strode out and pounded the -plate with a determined air. Carson fooled him -twice with a slow fader, and, at the second strike, -Merry gave Clancy the signal for a double steal, -doubting whether Billy could connect.</p> - -<p>As Carson unwound, the two sprinted for third -and second. Billy saw the movement, and stepped -forward desperately. He managed to bunt, and, -although he was nailed at first, Clancy and Frank -were safe.</p> - -<p>It seemed as though they would remain safe, -however, for Spaulding put up a foul tip that was -easily smothered by Squint Fletcher. Moore came<span class="pagenum">[105]</span> -up, and as he was a notoriously weak batter, -Frank gave his chum the signal to steal.</p> - -<p>Clancy grinned, ready for anything. Carson -kept him close to third, but, as the big pitcher -wound up again, Clancy went toward home like -a streak. Instantly Carson let the ball fly.</p> - -<p>Moore, however, knew his business. He was -in his box, and, although Squint yelled at him to -get out of the way, he stepped forward and bunted -the ball along the first-base line. Clancy came -sliding to the plate in a cloud of dust, and the umpire -motioned him safe, Moore, in the meantime, -getting to first.</p> - -<p>Squint at once moved for a new trial, but the -umpire denied the motion, and the Clippings and -their admirers sent up a shrill yell as they knew -the score was tied. During the argument Frank -stole third, but an instant later Moore was caught -off first, and the inning was over, with the score -tied.</p> - -<p>The fifth, sixth, and seventh passed without -another run. In the eighth, Runge took third on -a long fly, which Henderson dropped, but he died -there. Henderson made good his error by a hit -in the next half, and Chub Newton astonished -every one by getting another, but the Clippers -woke up and effected a beautiful double play that -retired the side.</p> - -<p>The ninth opened with the heavy end of both -sides at bat. The crowd was now silent and tense,<span class="pagenum">[106]</span> -for the game was apt to jump either way without -warning. Merriwell seemed airtight, and Carson -had superb support behind him.</p> - -<p>Squint Fletcher strode up to the plate, and came -down on the first ball Frank put over. The hit -was a clean one, the sphere flying out between -Moore and Nippen for a Texas leaguer, but -Squint was not content with this. He tore around -first and went on to second like a whirlwind.</p> - -<p>Moore sent the ball in to Spaulding perfectly. -The second baseman stood off the line, and, as -he stooped for the catch, Squint came slamming -into him in a whirl of dust. The ball was seen -to drop, and, when the dust cleared off, Spaulding -was fiercely addressing the grinning Squint, -whose spikes had gone into his leg.</p> - -<p>“Rotten! Murder him!” went up the yell.</p> - -<p>“Dirty work! Smash him, Jim!” cried McCarthy.</p> - -<p>Spaulding was about to obey, when Chip Merriwell -leaped on him and restored him to sanity. -Muttering, the angry Spaulding wiped the blood -from his leg and limped to his place. Frank returned -to his box, glad that trouble had been -avoided.</p> - -<p>Burkett fanned, but Bangs clipped a high one -that Moore misjudged. Squint was halted at -third, while Bangs took second on a close decision, -with one out. Ironton came up and deliberately -stepped into Merry’s double shoot, but did it so<span class="pagenum">[107]</span> -cleverly that the umpire was deceived into giving -him a base. The sacks were filled.</p> - -<p>The next man up was Johnson. Frank fooled -him once, then snapped the ball to Clancy in an -endeavor to catch Ironton. The effort failed, but -Squint Fletcher took a chance on reaching home.</p> - -<p>Clancy sent in the ball far ahead of him, and -Squint turned to get back to third. As he did so, -Billy put the ball into McCarthy’s hand. Squint -gave a yell and flung himself at Dan feet first, in -an undoubted effort to spike.</p> - -<p>A shout of anger burst from every man on the -field. The lanky McCarthy was not so easily -caught, however. As Squint came at him, he -writhed aside and drove down his fist with the -ball into Fletcher’s face.</p> - -<p>Squint was knocked a yard away, and rose -with a yell of wrath, blood streaming from his -nose. McCarthy was only too ready to pitch into -him, but Bully Carson dragged his backstop -away, and Merry caught Dan by the shoulder.</p> - -<p>“You paid him out for spiking Jim,” cried -Frank. “Now simmer down, Dan.”</p> - -<p>Squint was greeted with howls and catcalls as -he came in. But, during the storm, Bangs had -stolen third, and Ironton had taken second. -Frank gave Johnson a fast high one, and Johnson -hammered it for two sacks.</p> - -<p>Murray fanned, but the evil was done. The<span class="pagenum">[108]</span> -score stood three to one, and the Clippings -seemed lost when McCarthy came out to the -plate and went out on a high fly. The crowd began -to stream away from the field.</p> - -<p>Nippen lumbered up to the plate, and, with a -grin, Carson handed him an out. A shriek of -astonishment went up as the huge fruit-picker -connected. The ball went up and up, and the -Clipper outfield raced back. Then they halted in -dismay.</p> - -<p>Silence fell on the crowd—broken by a gasp. -Nippen passed second, rounded third, and held on -home. The ball not only cleared the fence, but—dropped -into the river! The huge outfielder had -knocked a homer!</p> - -<p>When the fans understood what had happened, -they went wild. Amid the confusion, Clancy -came to bat and rapped out a single. The field -became a bedlam. Shrieks and wild yells rose -on every side, and the thump of feet rose into a -dull thunder. When Merry came out to bat, the -entire crowd went crazy all over again.</p> - -<p>As for the Clippers, they were thunderstruck. -Carson tried to gain time, but the umpire commanded -him to play ball, and he threw a vicious -one straight at Frank’s head. Merry calmly -stepped back and bunted it toward first.</p> - -<p>Carson leaped for it and fumbled. Clancy -sprinted down to second, and, before the big -fellow could decide where the ball ought to go,<span class="pagenum">[109]</span> -Merry was safe on first and Clancy was taking -third.</p> - -<p>“Wake up, you bonehead!” growled Squint, as -he walked out and met his captain. “Say, you’re -the limit!”</p> - -<p>“He’s l-l-limited, al-l-l right!” chirruped Chub, -from behind third. “The bal-l-loon’s gone up, -fel-l-lows! Tag al-l-long!”</p> - -<p>Carson scowled as Billy Mac faced him. -Frank seized his chance and went down to second. -Again the crowd lost its head with delight, -yelling and stamping in a frenzied manner.</p> - -<p>“Finish it up, you bonehead,” grated Squint. -“Fan this man and we have ’em.”</p> - -<p>Billy laughed. A moment later the ball came -down, and he cracked it squarely. It shot back at -Carson like a bullet. The big fellow leaped aside -amid a yell of derision, and, before Murray had -fielded it, Clancy and Merriwell had crossed the -plate.</p> - -<p>The Clippings had clipped the Clippers!</p> - -<p>Merry and Billy reached the shelter of the -dressing room first, but the rest of the team was -caught by the frenzied crowd. As the two entered, -they found the black-bearded stranger -waiting for them. He held out a paper to Billy.</p> - -<p>“Here,” he said, with a laugh, “is something -for your mother, Billy. I think you won it pretty -fairly, old man!”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum">[110]</span></p> - -<p>The stranger caught at his beard, and it came -off in his hand. Chip took one glance, then leaped -for him with a yell.</p> - -<p>“Father!”</p> - -<p>And Frank Merriwell, senior, smiled quietly -as he took Chip’s hand.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="chapter"></div><!--Page break for ePub--> - -<p><span class="pagenum">[111]</span></p> - - - - -<h2 id="CHAPTER_XIII">CHAPTER XIII.<br /> -<span class="cheaderfont">BEATEN AT HIS OWN GAME.</span></h2> - - -<p>“Now, boys, I owe you a word of explanation.”</p> - -<p>Frank Merriwell, senior, faced the victorious -Clippings, who were lined up around Mrs. McQuade’s -extended dinner table.</p> - -<p>“I want you to know why I did this. It wasn’t -to gamble, as most of you know that I don’t -countenance that so-called sport for a minute. It -wasn’t to fight Colonel Carson with his own -weapons. That’s another thing I don’t believe in.</p> - -<p>“But I do enjoy beating a man at his own -game, when I can do it cleanly and make him -learn a lesson. Now, in plain words, I knew -that Colonel Carson was little short of being a -crook. When he gambled, he wanted to gamble -on a sure thing.”</p> - -<p>“That’s right,” went up a murmur.</p> - -<p>“But I did not make this bet with him in the -prospect of winning money. I made it in order -to get that mortgage from him—that mortgage -which my good friend, Mrs. McQuade, had the -pleasure of burning just before dinner. He had -obtained it legally. Then he had been paid for it. -By some mischance, Mr. McQuade had not obtained -it, and had no receipt to show.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum">[112]</span></p> - -<p>“Colonel Carson produced it after his death, -and claimed that he had never received payment. -He intended to oust Mrs. McQuade from this -house on Monday. If she had borrowed the -money and paid it off the second time, Carson’s -villainy would have triumphed. This I did not -want to see.”</p> - -<p>He paused, his grave eyes sweeping from face -to face.</p> - -<p>“As I wrote you, Frank, that would be a poor -way to defeat him. So I came to Carsonville -myself, in disguise. The worthy colonel tried to -entrap me into betting against his team. I appeared -to fall into the trap, and wagered my -money against his mortgage. He tried to induce -me to bet against his money, but this I -would not do. I want you to get the difference, -and get it clearly.”</p> - -<p>“I do, father,” exclaimed Chip quickly.</p> - -<p>One after another the rest nodded assent.</p> - -<p>“What would you ’a’ done if you’d lost?” -queried McCarthy.</p> - -<p>Frank Merriwell, senior, smiled.</p> - -<p>“I watched you at practice work, Dan, and -felt sure that I couldn’t lose.”</p> - -<p>At this retort a yell of delight went up, and -Dan flushed and wriggled in his chair. The -speaker went on quickly:</p> - -<p>“Are you sure, all of you, that you get my<span class="pagenum">[113]</span> -point? I’m not defending betting, even in a -righteous cause, mind; it is demoralizing, and -every sport in which it is allowed is sure to suffer. -Colonel Carson is doing a great injury to baseball -to-day. But in this case I might plead extenuating -circumstances. I was not betting in -order to win. I would cheerfully have let Mrs. -McQuade borrow the money, except that this -would have been knuckling under to a scoundrel. -I won nothing for myself except the satisfaction -of having been of service to a lady whom I am -proud to number among my friends, and to her -son, whom I am proud to number among my -son’s friends.”</p> - -<p>And he leaned forward, took up his glass of -water, and, with the warm smile which had endeared -him to so many hearts, proposed a toast.</p> - -<p>“To Mrs. McQuade and her hospitable roof-tree!”</p> - -<p>A resounding cheer shook the rafters, and the -good lady herself, between tears and laughter, -was unable to respond. But she could not have -made herself heard.</p> - -<p>“And here’s another to Frank Merriwell, -senior!” shouted Billy McQuade. Another roar -went up.</p> - -<p>“And another to the ‘Chip of the old block’!” -yelled Clancy frantically. Chip held up his hand -for silence.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum">[114]</span></p> - -<p>“I guess,” he said, looking around with the -smile that was so much like his father’s, “I guess -we’d better call off another to the Carsonville -Clippings—the picked-up nine that clipped the -Clippers!”</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="chapter"></div><!--Page break for ePub--> - -<p><span class="pagenum">[115]</span></p> - - - - -<h2 id="CHAPTER_XIV">CHAPTER XIV.<br /> -<span class="cheaderfont">“SOUR GRAPES.”</span></h2> - - -<p>“Too bad about Ted Crockett,” said Garding, -pulling on the weights.</p> - -<p>“For Fardale, you mean,” returned Lee Chester. -“Fine for Ted.”</p> - -<p>“Uh-huh,” Hunt Garding paused with a sigh. -“Going around the world with his dad, eh?”</p> - -<p>“He’s foolish! I’d sooner be captain of the -Fardale nine than go around the world a dozen -times! When does he leave, Hunt?”</p> - -<p>“Monday night—right after the Franklin -Academy game. Say, Chesty!”</p> - -<p>“Huh?”</p> - -<p>Garding dropped his voice with a glance -around. No one appeared to be in hearing, and -he leaned forward.</p> - -<p>“Do you think Chip will get it?”</p> - -<p>“Get what?”</p> - -<p>“The captainship. Ted’s going away leaves it -vacant, you know.”</p> - -<p>“Holy smoke! That’s right! By golly, we’ve -got to root for Chip!”</p> - -<p>Hunt Garding nodded, but looked doubtful. -He and his brother plebe were among Frank Merriwell, -junior’s, stanchest supporters at Fardale. -In common with many other students, they had -remained at Fardale during the spring vacation.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum">[116]</span></p> - -<p>It was Saturday morning, the last day of the -vacation. Owing to a conflict in the schedules, a -postponed game with Franklin Academy was to -be played off on the following Monday, a half -holiday having been declared by the two schools. -Franklin was Fardale’s ancient rival, and as it -was the second game of the season, feeling was -running high.</p> - -<p>Unfortunately for the Fardale team, its second -baseman and captain, Ted Crockett, was leaving -school. He had been called away suddenly to -take a long trip with his father, but had managed -to postpone his leaving until after the -Franklin game.</p> - -<p>His abrupt departure would leave vacant an -important office, that of captain of the nine. It -was of this that the two plebes were talking -in the gymnasium. They did not observe a figure -which stood just around the corner, and which -was that of Bob Randall. He had just emerged -from the locker room, had caught their words, -and was listening for the remainder.</p> - -<p>“I’m not so sure, Chesty. Chip isn’t certain to -get the place, you know.”</p> - -<p>“I’d like to know why not!” broke out Lee -Chester indignantly, glaring at his chum. “Why, -he’s the best pitcher Fardale ever had, barring -his father and uncle!”</p> - -<p>“Of course,” said Garding. “Best all-around -athlete, too.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum">[117]</span></p> - -<p>“Well, what’s the matter with you, then? All -we’ve got to do is to get the fellows on their -toes, and——”</p> - -<p>“There are several things the matter. First, -there’s another chap on the team who’s a mighty -fine tosser.”</p> - -<p>“You mean Bob Randall?”</p> - -<p>“Yes.”</p> - -<p>The silent figure around the corner drew back, -with a little smile playing about his clean-cut -mouth. Randall was a handsome, dark-eyed, -fiery-tempered Southerner, who could play ball -like a fiend, when he wanted to.</p> - -<p>He was full of pride, and his greatest fault -was his temper. Despite this, however, he was -a prime favorite. At Lee Chester’s next words -his face flushed darkly, and his smile changed to -a quick scowl.</p> - -<p>“Randall? Nonsense, Hunt! He’s a dandy -fellow, and is a peach of a pitcher, but he’s not in -Chip’s class.”</p> - -<p>“Naturally not, since Merry is a chip of the old -block,” said Garding, with a chuckle. His face -instantly became serious, however.</p> - -<p>“You’re wrong, Chesty,” he went on. “Bob -Randall is popular.”</p> - -<p>“So’s Chip, according to my notion.”</p> - -<p>“Sure. There’ll prob’ly be an election right -after the game on Monday. But Chip, Clancy, -and Billy Mac are over at Carsonville, and who’ll<span class="pagenum">[118]</span> -look after their interests? You can bet that Chip -will not try to get the captaincy, but he ought to.”</p> - -<p>“I s’pose there will be some campaigning -done,” admitted Chester. “But I don’t think -Randall has much show. He’s too hot-headed to -work as captain. Now, look at Chip Merriwell. -Did you ever see him rattled? Not enough to -notice it. He can pitch rings around Bob Randall, -too. Wait till Monday, and you’ll see.”</p> - -<p>“Well, you wait yourself. Randall doesn’t -think a heap of Chip, I guess——”</p> - -<p>“You’re wrong there, Garding.”</p> - -<p>The two plebes whirled in surprise as Bob -Randall stepped out. With an effort the latter -had wiped the traces of discontent from his dark, -good-looking features.</p> - -<p>“You’re wrong,” he repeated easily. “I do -think a good deal of Chip Merriwell, but since -you seem to be discussing the subject frankly, I’ll -say that he hasn’t any more chance of being -elected captain than you have.”</p> - -<p>The two plebes were inclined to be angry at -being overheard by Randall, of all persons, and -much more so by his words.</p> - -<p>“Who gave you any license to butt in?” -snapped Chester.</p> - -<p>“I happened to overhear what you said, that’s -all. This is a public place, isn’t it?”</p> - -<p>“Generally considered so,” said Hunt Garding, -with a grunt.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum">[119]</span></p> - -<p>Randall saw that he had hurt himself with -these two plebes, and he quickly tried to regain -lost ground. He was not the kind to do any disguising -of his true sentiments, however, and -stated his ground bluntly.</p> - -<p>“Look here, fellows, you seem to have the idea -that I’m sore on Merriwell. I’m nothing of the -kind. But there’s no use beating about the bush, -after what’s been said, and I’m quite willing to -admit that I want to be captain.”</p> - -<p>“We guessed it,” retorted Chester dryly.</p> - -<p>“Well, there’s no harm in that, is there?” Randall -began to grow warm. “Can’t a fellow contest -an elective office with Chip Merriwell?”</p> - -<p>“Some fellows could, maybe,” said Garding. -“But if you want it straight, Bob, you’re not the -fellow, in this case. He’s out of your class as a -pitcher.”</p> - -<p>Randall’s dark eyes flashed, but he controlled -himself.</p> - -<p>“I don’t acknowledge that. Who’ll go into the -box for Fardale when Chip isn’t around? Tell -me that.”</p> - -<p>“You will, because you’re the next best -pitcher,” retorted Hunt. “You don’t need to get -sore, Randall. I’m not decrying your ability -when I say that you’re not the equal of Merriwell, -because you’re a blamed good pitcher.”</p> - -<p>This only added fuel to the flame, however.</p> - -<p>“Well, that remains to be seen,” declared Randall<span class="pagenum">[120]</span> -hotly. “Chip gets away with it because he -has luck, that’s all. A whole lot depends on this -game with Franklin, Monday, and the fellow -that pitches and wins the game for Fardale will -be the next captain of the regulars!”</p> - -<p>“And that’ll be Chip Merriwell, for he’ll surely -pitch,” said Chester.</p> - -<p>“He won’t!” cried Randall, losing his temper. -“I’m slated for that game, and I’m going to show -you fellows what a real pitcher can do when he -gets started. The trouble with a lot of you -plebes is that you truckle to Merry because his -father and uncle are old-time diamond stars!”</p> - -<p>Lee Chester showed his wrath at this charge.</p> - -<p>“I guess that lets you out,” he exclaimed -angrily. “You’re so blamed jealous that your -brains are twisted, Bob Randall! Nobody gets -truckled to around this school, unless he’s got the -goods, and you’re a long ways from having -them.”</p> - -<p>“Well, I should hope so!” flashed back Randall. -“I’d hate to have a crowd of decent fellows -thinking that I was a little tin god on -wheels! That’s what you seem to think about -Merry.”</p> - -<p>“Better take it easy, Bob,” advised Hunt -Garding, with a frown. “Go out and cool off, -and you’ll see it differently.”</p> - -<p>“I see it well enough, thanks,” snapped Randall -furiously. “It isn’t hard to see that a bunch<span class="pagenum">[121]</span> -of you fellows toady to Chip Merriwell because -you think it’s going to get you something. That -chap is overrated. He’s got ability, but it’s your -crowd that has given him such a case of swelled -head that he thinks he can cop off everything. -He’s going to find that he can’t.”</p> - -<p>“Aw, go away and sneeze! Your brain’s -dusty!” jeered Chester.</p> - -<p>“I’ll tell you two something!” cried Randall, -shaking his fist and advancing a step. “We’re -going to win this game on Monday, and I’m -going to do it! Look at the team—it’s all shot -to pieces! Billy McQuade has left school. Crockett’s -going to quit. Clancy is off with Merry at -Carsonville, instead of being back here practicing -to get into shape to cover first. What kind -of a captain would Chip make, when he allows -this on the eve of an important game, tell me -that?”</p> - -<p>“He’d make a better one than you would, losing -your fool head this way,” retorted Chester. -“He’s at Carsonville trying to persuade Billy Mac -to return, and you know it! Say, if I had that -jealous disposition of yours I’d hang it on the -back fence and throw stones at it! You make me -tired!”</p> - -<p>Randall’s temper lashed out. His face went -white with anger.</p> - -<p>“Yuh impudent little Yankee!” he roared. -Whenever he forgot himself his voice took on a<span class="pagenum">[122]</span> -soft Southern drawl, which it now assumed -abruptly. “I reckon I’ll teach yo’-all somethin’ -right heah! I’ll show yo’-all yo’ cain’t talk to a -Randall like he was a low-down niggah!”</p> - -<p>He started for Chester, and Chester started -for him with great willingness. Before they -could strike a blow, however, Hunt Garding -dashed in between with a quick warning, pointing -across the gym.</p> - -<p>“’Sh-h-h! The athletic instructor’s coming!”</p> - -<p>Randall flung a look toward the door, then -sullenly jammed his hat over his eyes and strode -away.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="chapter"></div><!--Page break for ePub--> - -<p><span class="pagenum">[123]</span></p> - - - - -<h2 id="CHAPTER_XV">CHAPTER XV.<br /> -<span class="cheaderfont">THREE CHEERS FOR CHIP!</span></h2> - - -<p>On that Saturday evening there was a momentous -discussion under way at the quarters of -Colonel Gunn, principal of Fardale Academy.</p> - -<p>It was here that Coach Trayne occupied a -room, and in his room was seated Ted Crockett, -the present captain of the Fardale baseball team. -The two were discussing the future destinies of -the nine.</p> - -<p>Crockett was extremely popular among his -teammates. Coach Trayne knew that his influence -would go far toward the selection of a -new captain, and had asked him over for a frank -talk. He had certain information which was -bound to startle Captain Crockett, and which -would startle all Fardale when it was made public. -The coach did not intend that it should be -made public for the present, however.</p> - -<p>Meanwhile, Villum Kess had seen Crockett -enter Colonel Gunn’s quarters, and the astute -German lad guessed at once that a consultation -was going on regarding the new captain of the -nine. He started off hastily, and bumped into a -dark figure.</p> - -<p>“Who’s that?” demanded the voice of Lee -Chester.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum">[124]</span></p> - -<p>“Kess,” returned Villum, panting.</p> - -<p>“Guess?” cried Chester. “Get out into the -light, you dub!”</p> - -<p>“Kess!” shouted Villum. “Dot iss vot I——”</p> - -<p>“Oh, it’s you!” said Lee Chester, with a -chuckle. “What’s your hurry?”</p> - -<p>“Vait! You hafe mein vind pumbed avay!”</p> - -<p>Villum hung on to Chester’s arm for a moment, -then straightened up.</p> - -<p>“Grogett hass yust gone into der house, yes, -no,” he cried excitedly. “Dey vos goin’ to elegtion -a gaptain, Jesty!”</p> - -<p>“Whew!” gasped Chester. “Looks like business, -eh? Think they’re going to make a choice -to-night?”</p> - -<p>“Yah, aber ve moost hellup oud Chip. I should -faint fits oof dey bicked any one else. I bet -you’ve moost get der poys togedder und root!”</p> - -<p>“Say, you’re not so far off, old scout!” exclaimed -Chester. “Come along! We’ll settle -Randall’s hash right here!”</p> - -<p>And the two disappeared in hot haste.</p> - -<p>The captain and coach of the Fardale nine -were engaged in animated discussion, while Villum -Kess and Chester were getting to work. -Captain Crockett was learning something that -carried dismay to his heart, for the success of -Fardale was very dear to him, and it looked as -though Fardale’s hopes were going glimmering -for that year.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum">[125]</span></p> - -<p>“I’m afraid I have bad news for you, Ted,” -said Coach Trayne gravely. “I suppose you -know that Frank Merriwell, senior, ran over from -Bloomfield last Thursday?”</p> - -<p>“Yes, sir,” said the perplexed Crockett. “I -know he made a hurry visit, and I supposed that -it had something to do with Clancy’s jumping off -for Carsonville.”</p> - -<p>“Not altogether. He came over to make certain -arrangements, and to let me know about -something important that has just turned up. -Mr. Merriwell gave me permission to use the information -at my discretion. I suppose you will -regard it as confidential if I pass it on to you, -Crockett?”</p> - -<p>“Why, certainly, sir!”</p> - -<p>Crockett sat up, his eyes beginning to bulge. -He knew that something serious had come up, -for it was seldom that Coach Trayne used his -“business tone” when off duty.</p> - -<p>“I hope that nothing really grave has happened, -sir?”</p> - -<p>“You can judge for yourself, Ted. We’re -likely to lose the services of Chip Merriwell for -the rest of the season.”</p> - -<p>“Wh-a-a-t!”</p> - -<p>Crockett stared at the trainer as if he thought -the latter’s senses had taken flight. Lose Chip -Merriwell, just when Fardale was counting on -sweeping all her foes before her! Impossible!</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum">[126]</span></p> - -<p>“Are you joking, Mr. Trayne?” he gasped.</p> - -<p>“I’m sorry to say that I’m not,” returned the -worried trainer. He sighed, for he, too, had had -visions of what his team would do with Merry -in the box.</p> - -<p>“No, it’s anything but a joke, Crockett. I am -not at liberty to say very much, and in fact I’m -not aware of the definite reasons myself, but the -fact remains that Chip may leave school before -long.”</p> - -<p>“But why?” queried the astounded captain of -the nine. “He’s not sick or anything, is he?”</p> - -<p>“No. As I understand it, his father and uncle -are going West, and intend to take Chip with -them. Mr. Merriwell did not go into details, but -it’s easy to imagine that it must be something of -importance to necessitate Frank’s leaving school -at this juncture. It’s going to be a hard blow -to the team, for he was the mainstay.”</p> - -<p>Crockett nodded. He was absolutely unselfish, -and realized fully that much of the school’s success -in sports was due to Frank Merriwell, -junior.</p> - -<p>“That’ll be awful news to get out!” he murmured. -“It’s going to jar things on the campus, -all right!”</p> - -<p>“Well, don’t let it out for a while,” went on -the coach. “I’ve told you about it because I -wanted to ask you who you had in mind to fill -your position when you leave. I’d like to have<span class="pagenum">[127]</span> -the election held right after Monday’s game, if -possible.”</p> - -<p>“Well,” replied Crockett gloomily, “if you -hadn’t told me this, I’d have said that Chip himself -was the man. He’d make a better job of it -than I would, in fact. But since he’s going to -drop out also, I’d say Bob Randall.”</p> - -<p>“Randall? Yes, he’s a good man, Ted. But if -Chip does leave, isn’t that the very reason why -he ought to be elected?”</p> - -<p>“Huh! I don’t get you,” said Crockett, his -mind in a whirl.</p> - -<p>“It’s like this,” smiled Coach Trayne: “Frank -has done a whole lot for the school, and for the -baseball team. It’s not settled that he’s to leave, -remember; but I think that whether he does or -not, the school ought to avail itself of the chance -to give him honors while it can.”</p> - -<p>“You’re right,” assented Captain Crockett -quickly. “Yes, I get your angle now, sir. I suppose -he’ll go in the box for us on Monday? -That’ll cinch the game, and it’ll throw everything -his way when I mention to the boys that he -ought to be captain.”</p> - -<p>“I’m glad that such is your opinion,” said the -coach, with a breath of relief. “I happen to -know that Randall is moving heaven and earth -to get the election, and—— Hello! What’s all -this?”</p> - -<p>From in front of the house had risen a sudden<span class="pagenum">[128]</span> -burst of cheering. Coach Trayne went to -the window and flung it open. Instantly a renewed -shout went up.</p> - -<p>“Merry for captain! Whoop-ee!”</p> - -<p>A crowd of students was gathered before the -windows. They had been hastily marshaled by -Chester and others of Merry’s adherents, and -more were assembling at every moment. On the -edge of the crowd, hidden by the darkness, stood -Bob Randall. He was flushed and angry, but he -knew better than to give way to his inclinations -before this gathering.</p> - -<p>“Vot’s der matter mit Randall?” shouted the -voice of Villum Kess.</p> - -<p>A chorus of groans answered, mingled with -jeers and catcalls. The dark-haired lad in the -shadow clenched his fists and muttered wrathfully, -but he kept himself under control. A roar -went up.</p> - -<p>“Chip Merriwell! We want Chip for captain!”</p> - -<p>Coach Trayne slammed down the window and -turned to Crockett with a smile.</p> - -<p>“Hardly representative of the team, Ted, but -they show the trend of public sentiment. But if -Merry wins Monday’s game, and is elected, what -about Randall?”</p> - -<p>“That’s what I was thinking,” said Crockett -uneasily. “He’s a splendid chap, except for his<span class="pagenum">[129]</span> -hot, Southern temper, Mr. Trayne. He really believes -that he’s as good as Chip on the mound, and -I must say that he’s the best we have after Merry -himself.”</p> - -<p>“I understand you,” nodded the coach. “I -think he’s a bit jealous of Merry, and it’s quite -certain that he is anxious to be elected himself. -However, he’s a bit too quick to pick up grievances. -I’d be afraid of him as captain. You -understand, old chap, that I’m not trying to -dictate?”</p> - -<p>“Of course, sir,” smiled the captain. “You’re -dead right, just the same. He has the clear-headed -ability to serve as captain, but he’s apt -to lose it all in a quick flash of temper. A captain -has to be a pretty cool sort—I guess the -only qualification I had for the job was my coolness. -By the way, have you heard from Chip -whether Billy Mac will return or not?”</p> - -<p>“No word yet,” and the coach shook his head. -“Things look bad, Crockett. With Billy gone, -Clancy will have to catch Merry on Monday. -Who’ll go to first in his place I haven’t decided -yet. After you go, the team will be badly disrupted, -I’m afraid. When Merry goes—well -may——”</p> - -<p>And he flung up his hands in hopeless despair. -Ted Crockett stared gloomily at the window, and -listened to a new burst of cheers that came from -the campus.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum">[130]</span></p> - -<p>As if in answer to these, there came a knock -on the door. Coach Trayne answered it, and -uttered a cry of satisfaction as he received a yellow -envelope.</p> - -<p>“A wire, Crockett! Let’s hope it’s from Chip.” -It was not from Merry, however, but from Owen -Clancy.</p> - -<p>“Read that, Ted!” cried Trayne, and handed -the message to Crockett. It was brief and very -much to the point:</p> - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<p>Chip won great game in Carsonville. Billy McQuade -returning to Fardale with us. On deck bright and early -Monday morning.</p></div> - -<p>“Hurrah!” cried Crockett jubilantly. “Billy’s -coming back! Say, may I read this to the fellows, -Mr. Trayne?”</p> - -<p>The coach nodded a smiling assent. The news -that the backstop was coming back to school after -writing that he would not return, was a great -relief to him.</p> - -<p>Crockett flung up the window and read out the -message. It was greeted with a storm of frantic -cheers. Then he held up his hand for silence, and -after a moment the crowd fell quiet.</p> - -<p>“Three cheers for Captain Chip!” he shouted.</p> - -<p>Another roar of cheers welled up through the -night as the crowd acclaimed this good news. -Then the meeting slowly broke.</p> - -<p>With bitter heart and darkening brow, Bob<span class="pagenum">[131]</span> -Randall had heard the message read, and had -heard the cheers that followed Crockett’s shout. -He slipped away across the campus and toward -the barracks, a fierce anger welling up within -him.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="chapter"></div><!--Page break for ePub--> - -<p><span class="pagenum">[132]</span></p> - - - - -<h2 id="CHAPTER_XVI">CHAPTER XVI.<br /> -<span class="cheaderfont">A WILY PLOTTER.</span></h2> - - -<p>Randall slowly returned home to the barracks. -His heart was hot against Chip Merriwell, and -hotter yet against the crowd who had acclaimed -his rival.</p> - -<p>“Confounded Yankees!” he muttered. “Whatever -did I come to this part of the country for, -anyway! Just because I had an uncle livin’ at -Carsonville, I reckon. I wish I had stayed down -home an’ taken a chance on the Annapolis examinations!”</p> - -<p>The cool night air calmed down his heated -anger a little, and by the time he reached the barracks -it had changed into a dull despair. It -seemed to him that no one had a chance to rival -one of the Merriwells at Fardale.</p> - -<p>Yet Bob was not a bad sort of fellow at heart. -His impulsiveness sometimes led him into hot-headed -errors, which he bitterly repented later. -He had tried to conquer himself, and to some extent -had succeeded. None the less, in this case -he had given way to his bitterness without restraint.</p> - -<p>As he reached the door of the barracks he detected -a figure lurking in the shadow to one side. -A keen glance showed him that the figure was -not in uniform, and was one of the village youths.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum">[133]</span></p> - -<p>“Here!” cried Randall sharply. “What are -you doing around here?”</p> - -<p>“I’m lookin’ for Bob Randall,” came the surprising -answer.</p> - -<p>Randall started.</p> - -<p>“You’re not looking for him, but at him,” he -answered. “What’s your business?”</p> - -<p>The village youth held out a paper.</p> - -<p>“Here’s a message I was to bring you. And -the feller said that you was to keep it under your -hat.”</p> - -<p>Randall took it in some wonder, and the youth -darted off. When he reached his room, where -his roommate, Harlow Clarke, was busy over his -books, Bob opened the paper, and read the message -it bore:</p> - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<p>Come over to Dobb’s Hotel. Must see you and talk -with you at once. Don’t let any one know you’re meeting -me.</p> - -<p class="center p-1 shiftright"><span class="smcap">Your Uncle.</span></p></div> - -<p>Randall whistled. His uncle! He had had the -pleasure of meeting that gentleman on his arrival -in the North, and he had not been greatly -impressed by Colonel Carson’s rather uncouth -accents and hard features. Still, Colonel Carson -was his uncle, and had come up from Carsonville -to see him, it appeared.</p> - -<p>He turned quickly to his roommate.</p> - -<p>“I’ve got to go over to town, Clarke,” he said. -“Will you fix the rope in the window so I can get -in without running the guard?”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum">[134]</span></p> - -<p>“Surest thing you know, old man,” said Clarke. -“Will you get in before taps?”</p> - -<p>“I can’t tell yet, but probably not.”</p> - -<p>“Well, get along, then. I’ll fix up a dummy -that’ll fool the inspector when he comes to look -at the beds. You’ll find the rope out of the window -as usual.”</p> - -<p>Quickly but quietly, Bob left the barracks and -the academy grounds. It was not the first time -that he and his roommate had wanted to come in -after regulation hours, and by the aid of the rope -and dummy this was invariably effected without -much danger of detection and punishment.</p> - -<p>Randall found his uncle waiting for him at the -hotel, and was quickly taken to a private room.</p> - -<p>“Glad to see ye, Bob, glad to see ye!” he cried -effusively, as he pressed Bob into a chair. “Shall -I send for a drink, eh?”</p> - -<p>“I don’t drink, thanks,” said Randall. “You -must have been in something of a rush to see -me, uncle!”</p> - -<p>“Well, might’s well admit that I was,” and -Colonel Carson fingered his goatee thoughtfully -and eyed his nephew. “I hear there’s to be a -game here on Monday?”</p> - -<p>“Yes,” and Randall’s face fell a trifle. “Franklin -Academy is coming over. It ought to be a -pretty good game. Will you stay over?”</p> - -<p>“Mebbe. Hard to say, though, Bob. I know -about them Franklin fellers. I been keepin’ tabs<span class="pagenum">[135]</span> -on their pitcher, thinkin’ to pick him up for the -Clippers next year. I wanted to see ye about that -game, Bob.”</p> - -<p>“I’m glad some one wants to see me about it,” -returned Randall bitterly. “I thought that I was -going to pitch for Fardale. If I pitched and won, -I’d probably get elected captain afterward—our -captain leaves Monday night, you know.”</p> - -<p>For some reason Colonel Carson looked perturbed.</p> - -<p>“Yes?” he prompted.</p> - -<p>“But it seems they’ve slated Merriwell to pitch. -That means he’ll do me out of the captaincy. -Everybody seems to knuckle down to these Merriwells -over here. I can’t understand it!”</p> - -<p>Colonel Carson looked relieved. He eyed his -nephew keenly.</p> - -<p>“I s’pose that if Merriwell pitched, it’d be a -cinch for Fardale, Bob?”</p> - -<p>“It’ll be a cinch, anyhow,” exclaimed Randall. -“If I got in the box I’d draw rings around those -fellows.”</p> - -<p>“Well, I’m talkin’ about Merriwell. He’d do -considerable more, wouldn’t he?”</p> - -<p>Randall hesitated.</p> - -<p>“Yes,” he replied unwillingly. “I’m bound to -say that his very name seems to scare Franklin -out of its boots. Why?”</p> - -<p>Colonel Carson tugged at his goatee slowly.</p> - -<p>“Well, I figure on gettin’ you in the box, Bob,”<span class="pagenum">[136]</span> -he said reflectively. “I want to do a little bettin’ -on that game. If it wasn’t for Merriwell, I think -that Franklin pitcher might have a chance to -win.”</p> - -<p>“He couldn’t do it,” exclaimed Randall quickly. -“If I got a chance at him I’d show him up!”</p> - -<p>The older man’s eyes narrowed suddenly.</p> - -<p>“I don’t s’pose you’d throw the game?” he -snapped out.</p> - -<p>Randall flushed and sat up. He looked hard -at his uncle, but the latter was smiling. Bob -sank back, with an uncertain laugh.</p> - -<p>“I pretty nearly thought you were in earnest, -uncle! Of course, I know you’d never think of -such a thing, though. No, if I can win that -game I’m pretty sure to get the election that will -follow it.”</p> - -<p>The colonel tugged at his goatee once more. -He seemed to get all kinds of inspiring thoughts -from that patch of gray hair on his chin. Just -at present his thoughts were anything but inspiring, -however.</p> - -<p>“I’ve got him placed,” he was reflecting inwardly. -“He thinks that Franklin feller is no -good. Now, if I can keep Merriwell out and let -Bob pitch, I can go ahead and place some bets -on Franklin. I hate to see Bob get the spots -licked off him, but business is business.”</p> - -<p>Aloud, however, he expressed himself quite in -an opposite fashion.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum">[137]</span></p> - -<p>“Well, nephew,” he said pleasantly, “I’d like -to see ye get a fair chance. It don’t seem to me -like that feller Merriwell gives any one else a -show, does he?”</p> - -<p>“You wouldn’t think so if you were here at -Fardale!”</p> - -<p>“I don’t need to be here to tell that. If you -go on the mound Monday afternoon, you’re pretty -sure to win, eh?”</p> - -<p>“Dead certain,” said Randall. “We’ll have a -bang-up team, and we’ll hand it to Franklin pretty -hot, uncle.”</p> - -<p>“Glad to hear it, nephew, glad to hear it. I’ll -see to it that Merriwell does not do ye out o’ -your chance.”</p> - -<p>“You’ll—what? What do you mean?”</p> - -<p>“None o’ your business,” and Colonel Carson, -with a dry chuckle, pulled out his watch. “I got -you placed, Bob. You go right ahead and ’tend to -business. I’m a-goin’ to help out one o’ my kin -when I get the chance, that’s all.”</p> - -<p>“But what influence have you with Captain -Crockett and Coach Trayne?”</p> - -<p>Colonel Carson gave Bob a look of commiseration. -Was it possible that his own nephew was -so green?</p> - -<p>“Not much, I reckon. But I got some influence -with Merriwell. There’s a train out o’ here in -twenty minutes, Bob. It’ll get me to Carsonville<span class="pagenum">[138]</span> -before midnight. I reckon I’d better take it, to -make sure. I got a heap o’ things to see to.”</p> - -<p>Randall looked at him in astonishment.</p> - -<p>“But I thought you’d be here for the game, -uncle!”</p> - -<p>“I reckon I will be,” laughed the colonel -quietly. “Now, you lay mighty low, Bob. Don’t -say nothin’ to any one about seein’ me, or about -what I said. But as sure’s you stand here, -nephew,” he went on impressively, “you’ll be the -one to pitch in that game on Monday, mind my -words!”</p> - -<p>“I’d like to know how you’re going to work it!” -said Randall, in some wonder. “If you do, you’re -a wizard!”</p> - -<p>“Well, some folks have called me worse’n -that,” said Colonel Carson, with a chuckle, as he -reached for his suit case. “You’ll be pitchin’, and -I’ll be here, and I’m a-goin’ to lay some whoppin’ -good bets, let me tell you!”</p> - -<p>After Randall had taken his departure, not -knowing whether to feel delighted or dejected -over his uncle’s promises, Colonel Carson -laughed softly.</p> - -<p>“Oh, yes, I’ll lay some bets!” he chuckled -again evilly. “But it’ll be on Franklin, all right! -I guess you’re goin’ to get a pretty bad lickin’, -nephew—but business is business. I see where -I get revenge on that cussed Merriwell kid!”</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="chapter"></div><!--Page break for ePub--> - -<p><span class="pagenum">[139]</span></p> - - - - -<h2 id="CHAPTER_XVII">CHAPTER XVII.<br /> -<span class="cheaderfont">A NIGHT ATTACK.</span></h2> - - -<p>“There’s nothing like being square, fellows. -You can’t beat it, I don’t care what any one says. -It’s not so much whether you win or lose, it’s simply -that you feel square inside. That’s what -Davy Crockett meant when he said: ‘Be sure -you’re right, then go ahead!’ Davy didn’t care -a snap about dying—he knew he was right, and -he won out!”</p> - -<p>“Lecture on history by Frank Merriwell, -senior,” laughed Chip. His father smiled as he -watched the lights of the train flashing up the -valley.</p> - -<p>“It’s a fact,” he went on, turning to Chip and -Billy McQuade and Clancy, who had accompanied -him to the train. “I’m not preaching, and you -know it.”</p> - -<p>“But Davy Crockett died in the Alamo,” interjected -Clancy doubtfully.</p> - -<p>“Sure,” flashed back Frank Merriwell, senior. -“That’s why he won, that’s why he’ll live forever, -Clancy. He knew he was right—get that? -Defeat is no sign of failure, not a bit of it. This -Colonel Carson, of Carsonville, has been winning -consistently until you fellows turned the -trick on him. Now he’s started in to reap the -whirlwind.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum">[140]</span></p> - -<p>“He reaped it, all right, when Chip pitched to-day,” -said Billy Mac. “He reaped a few double -shoots he didn’t expect—or, rather, the Clippers -did.”</p> - -<p>“You’ve got the idea,” said Merriwell, as the -train pulled in. “Well, so long for the present, -everybody. Good luck to you on Monday, Frank! -I’ll try to run down from Bloomfield to see that -game, but I can’t promise. I’ve got some important -affairs on with Dick—you’ll learn about -them later.”</p> - -<p>He handed his grip to the porter and sprang up -the steps. The eleven-o’clock express was already -late, and there was only time for a last -wave of the hand before the train began to move, -then drew away into the night.</p> - -<p>“I wish you fellows wouldn’t go to the hotel,” -said Billy, as the three friends started toward -town. “We’ve all kinds of room at home.”</p> - -<p>Chip flung his arm over the other’s shoulder, -smiling.</p> - -<p>“Cheer up, Billy! Clan and I haven’t had -much chance to get together since he came home -from the West, you know. We’ll have an old-time -gabfest, and will get acquainted again before -we come up to the house to-morrow. By -gracious, these streets are dark!”</p> - -<p>“I’m sorry now we didn’t come down in the -<em>Hornet</em>,” said Clancy regretfully. “We could -have piled into her somehow.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum">[141]</span></p> - -<p>Late Saturday night in Carsonville was, indeed, -a dark time, especially for the Carsonville -Clippers!</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Quite naturally, Colonel Carson and his son -had not taken their beating with a good grace. -Bully Carson was an excellent pitcher, but so -far did Chip outclass him, that he and his father -were furious over the disgrace of being beaten -by a pick-up nine from their own home town.</p> - -<p>No sooner was the game over, than they put -their heads together in order to concoct a plan -which would assist them both in humiliating the -Merriwells and in winning a few side bets upon -the Franklin game. Colonel Carson was fond of -gambling, but he usually liked to know beforehand -which way the game was going to come out.</p> - -<p>As a result of their conference, the astute colonel -hurriedly caught the late afternoon train for -Fardale, determined to gain revenge on Chip and -his father, and recoup his losses at the same time.</p> - -<p>He needed only a lever in order to get his -machinations into working order, and this lever -he found in the person of Bob Randall. Having -discovered that his nephew was not cut on his -own pattern and merely disliked Chip Merriwell -with an open and manly fervor, he had changed -his tactics. Obtaining the information he was -after, he caught the late train back to Carsonville,<span class="pagenum">[142]</span> -passing that which bore Frank Merriwell, -senior, on the way. Things were shaping themselves -very nicely, indeed, he reflected.</p> - -<p>Meantime, Bully Carson had been busy trying -to obtain his own revenge. During the evening -his team met at the town pool room, which they -frequented the greater part of the time, and -Bully set to work.</p> - -<p>Squint Fletcher, his catcher, could barely walk. -Bully passed him up with a scowl, and turned to -the rest of the assembled Clippers.</p> - -<p>“We hadn’t ought to let them fellers get away -with it,” he declared cunningly. “They put the -spurs to us right, then they beat up Squint here.”</p> - -<p>“If you hadn’t blown up they wouldn’t have -beaten us,” growled Ironton, the Clippers’ shortstop.</p> - -<p>This criticism was quite true. But Bully Carson -was loath to admit it, so he merely frowned -the more.</p> - -<p>“If we’d had a little decent support from you -guys,” he snapped, “I wouldn’t have gone up. -How can a pitcher do anything when he don’t -get any support?”</p> - -<p>“How can he get support when his balls get -knocked a mile outside the grounds?” snapped -back Ironton.</p> - -<p>A general grin went up at Carson’s expense. -It was quite true that when he had started to<span class="pagenum">[143]</span> -lose his head, Chip’s men had fallen on him and -pounded the ball unmercifully, and Bully knew it.</p> - -<p>“Well,” he insisted surlily, “we oughtn’t to let -’em get away with it, just the same. They’d -ought to go back home so’s they’d know what -they’d been up against.”</p> - -<p>A general mutter of assent went up. On this -point, at least, it was evident that the Clippers -thoroughly agreed with their captain.</p> - -<p>“Well, what’s the process?” inquired Murray, -the second baseman.</p> - -<p>Bully gathered them around him, with a wary -glance at the other occupants of the pool room. -He lit a cigarette, got it drooping in approved -fashion from one corner of his mouth, then explained -himself.</p> - -<p>“I happen to know that Merriwell’s old man is -goin’ off by the express. I heard ’em say somethin’ -about it. More’n likely, the kid and that -carrot top who played first will come down to see -the old man off. It’s gettin’ along toward train -time, and if we went down we’d be liable to meet -them two comin’ back. If the whole crowd’s -with ’em, so much the better.”</p> - -<p>“Count me out,” growled Squint Fletcher. “I -got both eyes shut.”</p> - -<p>“It ain’t so bad, Bully,” said Ironton. “We -can beat ’em up proper, eh? Guess there’s enough -of us without Squint.”</p> - -<p>Bully Carson’s proposal was accepted without<span class="pagenum">[144]</span> -any great enthusiasm, but it was decided that -Merriwell and his friends needed a lesson, consequently -they must be given it without delay.</p> - -<p>So, after rolling fresh cigarettes, the party decamped -toward the railroad station. There were -six of them, all told, for two had remained to -help Squint Fletcher home, but it was conceded -that six Clippers would be enough to handle Merriwell -and as many of his “gang” as might be -with him.</p> - -<p>While nearing the station, which was situated -at some little distance from the center of town, -the train was heard pulling out. Ironton had -hastened ahead, and a moment later he returned -with word that Merriwell and two others were -coming. The Clippers hastily disposed themselves -in a dark doorway.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="chapter"></div><!--Page break for ePub--> - -<p><span class="pagenum">[145]</span></p> - - - - -<h2 id="CHAPTER_XVIII">CHAPTER XVIII.<br /> -<span class="cheaderfont">THE INITIALS IN THE HAT.</span></h2> - - -<p>“Why don’t you finish the year at Fardale, -Chip?”</p> - -<p>Billy Mac was distinctly worried. So was -Owen Clancy.</p> - -<p>“I’m sure I don’t know,” returned Frank, with -a frown. “Dad only hinted that he and I might -go West. Looked as though Uncle Dick was -mixed up in it, too, but I couldn’t get him to say -anything definite.”</p> - -<p>“Looks bad for Fardale if you have to leave,” -remarked Clancy. “We’ll lick the spots off -Franklin on Monday, anyhow. With Ted -Crockett going away, too, the team will be all -bust up for sure.”</p> - -<p>“I s’pose there’ll be a new captain elected,” -said Billy slyly.</p> - -<p>“That’s right!” exclaimed Chip.</p> - -<p>“I guess there’s only one fellow going to nab -that honor, Chip.”</p> - -<p>“Who?” inquired Frank. “Randall would be -a mighty good man, and I’d like to see him get -it——”</p> - -<p>“You old humbug!” cried Clancy. “You’re it, -of course! Why, Chip, if you didn’t get it I’d -never set foot on the diamond again!” He broke<span class="pagenum">[146]</span> -off abruptly as he stubbed his toe. “Why don’t -you get some light in your blamed old burg, -Billy?”</p> - -<p>“We’ve got shining lights right now if you’d -only take your hat off,” grinned Billy Mac. “But -Clan is right, Chip. Captain Chip, I should say!”</p> - -<p>“Nonsense!” said Merry. “Of course, I won’t -say that I wouldn’t appreciate the honor, fellows, -but I think that Randall is the one for the place. -Besides, remember, dad talked as if he and I -would go away. I sure hope it won’t come true.”</p> - -<p>He paused suddenly, for he had detected a -dark figure lurking against a wall ahead of them.</p> - -<p>“Do you ever have holdups here, Billy?” he -went on, in a low voice. “Looks as if that fellow -was waiting for a belated traveling man, eh?”</p> - -<p>“No danger,” scoffed Billy Mac, after a glance -at the hulking figure, which remained by the wall -in shadow. “This isn’t a particularly good residence -section, but the constable keeps things -pretty clean around here. No, I sure hope you -won’t leave——”</p> - -<p>He was interrupted as the lurking figure -slouched out and barred their path. Chip took -a keen look, but did not recognize the man at -once, for it was dark, and the fellow’s hat was -pulled down over his eyes. Something about the -figure suggested Bully Carson to him, but he dismissed -the swift suspicion that flashed over him.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum">[147]</span></p> - -<p>“Where ye goin’?” demanded the fellow, in an -obviously disguised voice.</p> - -<p>“That’s our business,” flashed Merry. “Get -out of the way.”</p> - -<p>The figure lunged forward with a swift blow. -So rapidly was it done that before Frank could -dodge he felt the man’s fist strike his breast, -flinging him violently back against Clancy. At -the same instant the eager voice of Carson rose -in a low cry:</p> - -<p>“We got ’em, boys! Come along!”</p> - -<p>Out from an adjacent doorway poured a group -of dark shapes, while Carson flung himself forward -with another blow at Merriwell. Before it -landed, however, Chip had recovered himself, -and he realized the situation in a flash. Darting -under the big fellow’s lunge, he snapped in a -blow that caught Carson full in the mouth and -jarred him to an abrupt stop.</p> - -<p>“Against the wall, fellows!” he cried quickly. -“We’ll have to fight them off!”</p> - -<p>“It’s Carson’s gang,” exclaimed Billy, as he -and Clancy ranged up beside Chip.</p> - -<p>“You bet it is,” responded a voice, and the dark -figures closed in on them.</p> - -<p>It seemed that there was no hope for the three -friends, as the crowd rushed in at them with furious -blows. Chip, however, had hastily pushed -back into an angle formed by the union of two<span class="pagenum">[148]</span> -house walls, where it was difficult for the Clippers -to get at them.</p> - -<p>This fact, together with the darkness, rendered -the odds somewhat more even. Carson’s -followers were confused by Merry’s quick move, -and when they came shoving forward in a mass -Clancy stepped out and let fly with his fists.</p> - -<p>“Look out!” cried Ironton, trying to get back. -“They’ve got clubs, boys! Watch out for ’em!”</p> - -<p>“Quit your crowding,” exclaimed Bully Carson, -to those behind.</p> - -<p>He was flung forward, however, and Merry’s -fist cracked into his right optic. Unable to see -what had hit him, he staggered back with a howl.</p> - -<p>“Look out fer sledge hammers!” he cried. -“They got some bricks—get back, you fellers!”</p> - -<p>Merry was smiling slightly—that old, self-confident -smile which spelled danger had the Clippers -but seen it. Before Carson could retreat, -Chip stepped out and followed up his first blow -with two swift punches from right and left. The -big fellow was sent reeling back headlong into -his own men.</p> - -<p>Meanwhile, Clancy and Billy Mac had not been -idle. Taking advantage of their opponents’ momentary -confusion, they had immediately carried -the battle into the enemy’s camp. Every head -was that of a foe, and they struck out with amazing -carelessness as to whether they hurt any one.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum">[149]</span></p> - -<p>Taken by surprise at these bewildering tactics, -the Clippers tried to shove back from the -niche in the wall. Their numbers were against -them, however. Those behind were still trying to -get into the conflict, and the two or three in the -front rank were getting all the benefit of the -three friends’ flying fists.</p> - -<p>A fragment of rock crashed against the wall -behind Frank. Flaming with anger at the whole -cowardly attack, he leaped forward with a cry -to Clancy and Billy. Carson met him with an -angry bellow.</p> - -<p>The big fellow lacked all science, however. Already -smarting under his punishment, his attack -was futile. Merry’s fists beat a tattoo on his -heavy face, while his own vicious blows merely -beat the air. Once again Chip’s knuckles landed -against his puffing eye, and he measured his -length in the dust.</p> - -<p>One of the Clippers had hurled a rock at -Clancy, which had struck the red-haired chap on -the shoulder and staggered him. He recovered -instantly, however, and as Carson went down the -three leaped forward, carrying the fight back into -the street.</p> - -<p>Ironton went reeling away, clasping his stomach -where Billy’s fist had located his solar plexus. -Clancy floored Murray, while Chip sent another -of the assailants staggering. How the battle -would have ended was doubtful, had not Bully<span class="pagenum">[150]</span> -Carson scrambled to his feet at this juncture and -promptly started for home.</p> - -<p>Already demoralized by their failure to carry -the three friends off their feet at the first rush, -the Clippers lost any further desire for combat -on seeing their leader streaking his way into the -darkness.</p> - -<p>Hardly had his flying figure disappeared when -the others broke. They attempted no retaliation -for the blows they had received, but simply melted -off into the night and vanished. Billy McQuade -would have pursued, but Chip seized his arm -and dragged him back.</p> - -<p>“Hold on,” he panted, with a laugh. “We can -be mighty glad they’ve decided to go, Billy. No -use getting after them, or they might change their -minds.”</p> - -<p>“Bring ’em on!” cried Clancy vigorously. -“Hoop-a-la! I’m just getting ready to scrap, -Chip!”</p> - -<p>“Who were they?” asked Frank, getting Billy -calmed down. “Was it Carson and the Clippers?”</p> - -<p>“Didn’t you recognize Bully’s voice? Sure it -was.”</p> - -<p>“Here’s a job for the town constable, then,” -said Clan energetically. “Chip, if this wasn’t a -cowardly, no-account, low-down assault, then I’ll -eat my hat!”</p> - -<p>“Eat this one instead,” laughed Frank. He<span class="pagenum">[151]</span> -picked up a soft felt hat which lay on the ground -at his side.</p> - -<p>Billy struck a match. The hat bore a violent -scarlet band, and on the sweatband inside were -stamped the letters “E. T. C.”</p> - -<p>“Who does that stand for?” asked Chip.</p> - -<p>“Bully Carson,” spoke up Billy promptly. -“Edward T., otherwise Bully. Say, fellows, I -guess we can land that bunch in the lockup, hey? -There must ’a’ been six or eight of ’em, and with -this for evidence we can maybe jail the whole -bunch.”</p> - -<p>“Seemed to be more like a dozen,” said Clancy.</p> - -<p>Merry laughed.</p> - -<p>“Come along, you two fire eaters. Billy’s right, -for I counted six.”</p> - -<p>“You were cooler than I was, then,” commented -Clancy. “Shall we go wake up the constable, -old man? There’s no doubt about our -being able to——”</p> - -<p>Frank shook his head.</p> - -<p>“I think they’ve had enough punishment, to -judge by the way they acted. Let it go, fellows. -You aren’t hurt?”</p> - -<p>“Nary scratch,” said Clancy. “Somebody hit -me with a brick, but it struck my shoulder and -didn’t hurt. Of course, if you think it’s better -not to prosecute ’em, I’m agreeable. But I’d like -to see that cuss Carson do time for this business.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum">[152]</span></p> - -<p>Frank nodded. He knew exactly how his -chum felt in the matter, but the Clippers had received -fair punishment, and their attack had -failed. When he went on to state that by prosecuting -Carson they would be detained in town, -the others agreed instantly.</p> - -<p>“Sure,” said Billy. “We couldn’t afford to -miss that Franklin game. I wish you two obstinate -mules wouldn’t go to the hotel, though.”</p> - -<p>“We’ll let your mother get a little sleep,” said -Clancy. “She got a bang-up supper after the -game, and it wouldn’t be fair to impose on her, -Billy. I’ll take you back to-morrow in the -<em>Hornet</em>, if you’ll sit on the running board.”</p> - -<p>“You bet I will! Just the same, I wish we -were goin’ back to-night,” added Billy, with a -worried note in his voice. “The Carsons are -down on you because you helped me, Chip, and -they never overlook an injury.”</p> - -<p>“I don’t think Bully will overlook anything for -a day or two,” said Frank. “I landed on his right -eye twice, anyhow. Nonsense, Billy! He’s tried -for a cowardly revenge and he’s failed, and that -closes up the incident. We’ll get back to Fardale -to-morrow night if your mother doesn’t kill us -with that chicken dinner she promised for to-morrow.”</p> - -<p>“Yum!” and Clancy smacked his lips. “Billy, -don’t say anything more about our going back -to-night, or I’ll assassinate you! Wow! Your<span class="pagenum">[153]</span> -mother’s chicken dinners certainly do hit me in -the right spot!”</p> - -<p>“All right,” retorted Billy Mac. “But I’d bet -you fifteen thousand dollars and a half that we -hear from that crowd again!”</p> - -<p>Merry flung the initialed hat into the street, -and they went on their way. None of the three -observed a shadowy form that followed them at -a little distance, as if spying on their movements.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="chapter"></div><!--Page break for ePub--> - -<p><span class="pagenum">[154]</span></p> - - - - -<h2 id="CHAPTER_XIX">CHAPTER XIX.<br /> -<span class="cheaderfont">FATHER AND SON.</span></h2> - - -<p>Bully Carson, long after midnight, was still -sitting over a washbowl in his room at home, -bathing a startlingly black eye. It was a painful -operation.</p> - -<p>He was growling savagely to himself as he -worked. There was a strong smell of arnica in -the air, while his room was decorated with cigarette -stubs and hastily discarded garments. These -latter were calculated to be striking in appearance, -and they were. When attired in all his -glory, Bully Carson, as Billy Mac said, could be -heard coming a full mile away.</p> - -<p>Just at present he was attired only in his underwear, -however, and in several bruises. He -had been adorning these with arnica, but not with -arnica alone, for ranged beside him were all manner -of bottles.</p> - -<p>At intervals of five minutes, Bully would -anxiously pick up a hand mirror and examine his -injured eye. It was something of a job, since -he could only see out of the other one, and he -gained little joy from it.</p> - -<p>“He must ’a’ hit me with a brick!” he muttered -vengefully. His mutter mingled with a groan of -despair as he took another look at his eye.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum">[155]</span></p> - -<p>“Wow! I guess I’ll get my auto and get out o’ -town fer a while—this is only gettin’ worse every -minute! Yes, sir, that’s what I’ll do, as soon’s -Ironton shows up. He’s watchin’ them fellers, -and if they get the constable I reckon I’ll have -passengers in that car o’ mine.”</p> - -<p>Bully Carson was disheartened, there was no -doubt of that. He was also discolored, and -realized the fact thoroughly. He had counted on -flashing a particularly flamboyant necktie on the -girls the next day, but the colors would not harmonize -very well with his eye. And his eye was -immense, and growing more so. Bathing only -seemed to help it along.</p> - -<p>He began to dress. Late as the hour was, he -was determined to get his car and slink out of -town, rather than display his facial adornments to -Carsonville’s admiring gaze. He realized just -how admiring that gaze would be.</p> - -<p>Suddenly he paused, at the sound of some one -entering the house. He started, then recognized -his father’s step ascending the stairs. This was -strange, for when Colonel Carson had left for -Fardale he had expected to remain over Monday. -A moment later the colonel opened the door of his -son’s room and stepped in.</p> - -<p>“Still up, eh?” he said. Then his eyes took -in the array of bottles, and he sniffed. “Arnica?”</p> - -<p>“Arnica,” repeated Bully sullenly, keeping his -back to the light.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum">[156]</span></p> - -<p>“What have you been doing?”</p> - -<p>“I been sittin’ on the roof eating scrambled -eggs—what’d you suppose?”</p> - -<p>Being used to Bully’s disrespectful manner, -Colonel Carson took no notice.</p> - -<p>“When I left, you agreed that you would get -Merriwell laid out,” he said. “Did you succeed?”</p> - -<p>“If I had, I wouldn’t be packin’ up,” returned -Bully. He moved around until the light struck -his face. “See that peeper? Well, I’m goin’ to -take that car o’ mine and beat it. I’ll be back -in a few days.”</p> - -<p>“Hold on, son, hold on,” but Colonel Carson -could not help smiling, angry though he was. -“Do you mean to say that kid licked you?”</p> - -<p>“Don’t look that way, does it? He had about -a dozen fellers hid in a doorway, and they jumped -us with clubs. We couldn’t do nothin’.”</p> - -<p>Bully reeled off this astonishing lie with assurance. -His father examined the black eye with -commiseration and rage.</p> - -<p>“My poor boy! We’ll make that fellow rue -the day he ever came to Carsonville, son! So -you were going away, eh?”</p> - -<p>“Yes. I reckon I’ll lay over in Orton fer a -few days.”</p> - -<p>Orton was a small town fifteen miles from -Carsonville, a mere country village, where it -would be easy to remain and pass over the injury<span class="pagenum">[157]</span> -with any excuse. Colonel Carson nodded -thoughtfully.</p> - -<p>“That’s not so bad, son. I dunno’s it won’t fit -in pretty well, too.”</p> - -<p>Bully looked up suddenly.</p> - -<p>“Thought you was goin’ to stay over in Fardale? -You must ’a’ done some tall hustling to get -back on that late train! Did you see Randall?”</p> - -<p>“Yes,” and Colonel Carson’s hard face darkened -suddenly. “He’s no good the way we -thought, Bully. He won’t throw the game.”</p> - -<p>“Huh? Why not?”</p> - -<p>“I didn’t get down to reasons—didn’t have to. -He’s one o’ these here goody-goody fellows who -believe in sport for sport’s sake, prob’ly. Anyway, -he shied when I mentioned it, so I changed -my plans around a bit.”</p> - -<p>“You’re a wonder!” and Bully chuckled suddenly, -in unholy admiration. “You got the slickest -brain I ever did see! What’s the idea now?”</p> - -<p>“Well,” and Colonel Carson sank wearily into -a chair, “you know that I want to get down some -bets on this Fardale-Franklin game, Bully. The -only thing is how to know which team will win, -d’you see?”</p> - -<p>“Sure—even with this eye,” said Bully, with -a grin. “Go on.”</p> - -<p>“The Franklin pitcher is a wonder, but they -don’t know it at Fardale. Randall thinks he can -win easily, if he pitches. And he’ll pitch if Merriwell<span class="pagenum">[158]</span> -doesn’t show up, that’s certain. So if Randall -pitches, it’s a dead sure thing that Franklin -wins the game.”</p> - -<p>“And if Merriwell pitches——”</p> - -<p>“Then it’s not so sure. But listen here, Bully! -Randall put me wise to something, something -that made me alter my plans. We want to get -back at Merriwell, at both of ’em, father and son. -The father will get hit if Fardale loses, and the -kid gets hit if he don’t pitch.”</p> - -<p>“How so?”</p> - -<p>“’Cause whoever pitches that game gets ’lected -captain o’ the Fardale team. I don’t understand -it all, but that’s how she lays. If Randall pitches, -Merriwell loses out all around, d’you see?”</p> - -<p>“And if he pitched, then he’d get the ’lection?”</p> - -<p>“That’s it, Bully.”</p> - -<p>The son grimaced, as he knotted a yellow-purple -necktie about his neck.</p> - -<p>“Then he can pitch, fer all o’ me. By thunder, -I know when I got enough, pop. If you can figger -out any way——”</p> - -<p>“Hold on, son, hold on!” and Colonel Carson -tugged at his goatee, smiling craftily. “You ain’t -never seen the old man lose out very long, have -you? He ain’t a-goin’ to this time, either. Merriwell -ain’t goin’ to pitch that game, see?”</p> - -<p>“How you goin’ to keep him out?”</p> - -<p>“That depends. Where is he now?”</p> - -<p>“Gettin’ the constable to arrest me, mebbe,”<span class="pagenum">[159]</span> -returned Bully easily. “I lost my hat, and he -slung it away after seein’ whose it was. Ironton -is watchin’ to see where he goes fer the night.”</p> - -<p>“Well, we can take care of him easily enough,” -announced Colonel Carson, with great complacence. -“Your goin’ to Orton will come in -jest right, too.”</p> - -<p>“Me? Not on your life!” exclaimed Bully fervently. -“You don’t get me mixed in no more -doings with that kid, Merriwell, pop. Not much! -I’m done.”</p> - -<p>“Oh, no you’re not!” said the other easily. “I’ll -get over to Fardale for that game, and I’ll get a -good bunch o’ money down on Franklin. That -cussed fool Merriwell done me out o’ the McQuade -mortgage, and I’m goin’ to make him and -his kid sweat for it, you bet!”</p> - -<p>“I guess he wasn’t so much of a fool if he did -you out o’ anything,” muttered Bully, under his -breath.</p> - -<p>“Yep, it’s a good scheme, a mighty good -scheme,” mused his father reflectively. “I’ll give -you a rake-off on them bets, Bully. Ain’t the kid -got an uncle named Dick Merriwell?”</p> - -<p>“Sure. What’s the idea?”</p> - -<p>Bully began to take a keener interest in the -subject. He knew that the wily Colonel Carson -was rarely bested at such an encounter as this, -and hope sprang anew that his father could succeed -where he himself had failed.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum">[160]</span></p> - -<p>“You wait, son. I ain’t got the precise details -figgered out, but they’re a-comin’. Yes, they’re -on the way, all right.”</p> - -<p>Colonel Carson fell to tugging thoughtfully at -his goatee. An instant later there came a soft -whistle below the windows.</p> - -<p>“There’s Ironton now,” exclaimed Bully.</p> - -<p>He crossed to the nearest window, and flung -up the sash.</p> - -<p>“That you, Bully?” came the voice of Ironton.</p> - -<p>“Sure, it’s me. What’d you find out?”</p> - -<p>There was a trace of anxiety in his tones. He -still half feared that Merriwell would arrest him -for that night’s work.</p> - -<p>“It’s all right, Bully. I heard ’em talking. -They ain’t goin’ to do nothin’ about it, but figure -on goin’ home to-morrow.”</p> - -<p>“Ask where Merriwell is,” spoke up Colonel -Carson hastily. Bully repeated the question.</p> - -<p>“He and the red-headed guy went up to the -Morton House,” answered Ironton. “How’s the -eye?”</p> - -<p>“Black,” said Bully, with a curse. “I’m goin’ -to skip out o’ town fer a few days. Much obliged, -Ironton. See you later.”</p> - -<p>He closed the window. Colonel Carson had -risen, and was reflectively fingering a telegraph -blank he had extracted from his pocket.</p> - -<p>“I’m glad to get that information, Bully. I<span class="pagenum">[161]</span> -guess I can fix Mr. Chip Merriwell without much -trouble!”</p> - -<p>“I’d like to know how,” growled Bully.</p> - -<p>“You will, as soon as you get your car out. I -want you to do an errand over at Orton, and I -guess there won’t be any chance to go wrong this -time. Get ready, and when the car’s out come to -my room.”</p> - -<p>And Colonel Carson made his exit, whistling -softly to himself.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="chapter"></div><!--Page break for ePub--> - -<p><span class="pagenum">[162]</span></p> - - - - -<h2 id="CHAPTER_XX">CHAPTER XX.<br /> -<span class="cheaderfont">LURED AWAY.</span></h2> - - -<p>“No use—I can’t sleep a morning like this!”</p> - -<p>Chip Merriwell jumped out of bed and went -to the window. It was early Sunday morning, -and from the room at the hotel which he and -Clancy occupied he had a clear view of the village -green, the streets leading on down toward -the river, and the green opposite slope of the -valley beyond.</p> - -<p>The air was heavy with apple blossoms, warm -with spring richness, and Frank drank it in -eagerly. From somewhere about the place he -heard the pur of a motor car, but could see -nothing of the machine.</p> - -<p>“I don’t believe I can stay indoors,” he sighed -softly, and turned to where his clothes lay on a -chair.</p> - -<p>Indeed, the morning was a perfect one. The -little town lay still, deserted, apparently empty -of all life. Yet its streets were clothed with -freshness, and its feathery-leaved trees were -green with new spring life. From the fruit -orchards that hedged Carsonville there drifted -renewed sweetness on every breeze.</p> - -<p>Chip glanced at his chum, but Clancy was -sleeping the sleep of the just. The red-haired<span class="pagenum">[163]</span> -chap put in his daytime most energetically, and -when he slept he did it with just as much vigor.</p> - -<p>“I’ll let him pound his ear,” smiled Chip, as he -flung on his clothes, impatient to be outdoors. -“Anyway, I’d just as soon have a walk all by -myself for a change. I’ve a good notion to go -down and take a dip in the mill pond, by gracious!”</p> - -<p>At thought of the cool, inviting waters of the -river, which he had explored with the aid of -Billy Mac, he finished his dressing hurriedly. The -hotel was still dead to the world, and Frank -quietly let himself out into the silent corridor.</p> - -<p>Downstairs, however, he found the clerk -sweeping out the office. The clerk looked up with -a cheery greeting and a wide grin, for Chip was -already a popular hero in Carsonville, after the -game of the day before.</p> - -<p>“Up early, ain’t you?”</p> - -<p>“Too fine a morning to sleep,” said Chip. -“What’s that machine I heard buzzing around?”</p> - -<p>“The garage is down the street a ways,” explained -the clerk, leaning on his broom. “They’ve -got one machine there for hire. Want to get it?”</p> - -<p>“No, thanks,” and Frank laughed. “I was -only mildly curious. Clancy’s car is all right?”</p> - -<p>“Sure, I seen it out in the back yard only just -now.”</p> - -<p>Merry nodded and passed on to the veranda. -At sight of the upturned chairs he was attacked<span class="pagenum">[164]</span> -by sudden laziness, and with a yawn turned over -one of the chairs and seated himself, drinking -in the clear air greedily.</p> - -<p>“Mornings like this make life worth living,” -he reflected contentedly. “I’ll wager that if folks -knew how good these early spring mornings were, -they’d go to bed earlier and get up earlier. It’s -worth all the rest of the day!”</p> - -<p>He sprawled out comfortably. He was still -weary with his stiff game of the previous afternoon, -and his long evening following, and soon -realized that if he sat here very long he would -be fast asleep once more. So, after five minutes, -he forced himself to rise.</p> - -<p>“I never thought I’d be getting lazy!” he murmured. -“Well, down to the river and have a -quick dip, then a rest on the long grass, and back -to rout Clan out in time for breakfast.”</p> - -<p>He paused as he reached the steps, for he -caught sight of a solitary figure that seemed to be -approaching the Morton House.</p> - -<p>The figure was that of a farmer, but this signified -nothing in Carsonville, where every one -owned farms or orchards, or else worked in them. -The man was tall, round-shouldered, and his face -was decorated with a yellowish wisp of beard. -He seemed to be a powerful fellow, Chip thought.</p> - -<p>As he approached the hotel, Merry caught sight -of the man’s face. It was not exactly a pleasant -one, for the eyes were very close set, and<span class="pagenum">[165]</span> -there was a general look of shrewd cunning about -the man which was not reassuring.</p> - -<p>Frank would not have noticed him, had the -man not been inspecting him rather closely as he -drew near. It occurred to Merry that the fellow -might be looking for him.</p> - -<p>“Good morning!” he exclaimed. “This is certainly -great spring weather, eh?”</p> - -<p>“Purty good,” and the man looked him over -curiously. “Say, mister, mebbe you kin tell me -if there’s a feller at the hotel by the name o’ Merriwell? -Frank Merriwell, I guess the front part -of it is.”</p> - -<p>Merry wondered. Without any undue self-glorification, -he thought it odd that the man did -not know him, for every soul in town had witnessed -the game of the previous day. He himself -had come in for a good deal of attention.</p> - -<p>“I believe he’s stopping here,” he said. “In -fact, you happen to be talking to him at this moment. -Why?”</p> - -<p>“Well, now!” The man stared up. “Are you -him?”</p> - -<p>“I’m it,” laughed Frank. “Anything I can do -for you?”</p> - -<p>“Why, I was down to the railroad dee-po jest -now, when a tellygram come in fer a feller o’ that -name. The agent, he couldn’t come up very well, -so I said I’d fetch it along and see if you was -here.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum">[166]</span></p> - -<p>While he spoke, the man began fishing in the -pocket of his overalls, and at last pulled out a -yellow envelope. Merry took it with a nod. He -knew that there was no regular telegraph office -in the little town, messages being handled from -the railroad station, so he thought little of the -matter.</p> - -<p>“Well, I’m much obliged to you for your trouble,” -he said, taking out a quarter as the man -handed him the message. “If you’ll take——”</p> - -<p>“No, thanks, mister,” and the man turned away -without taking the money. “I couldn’t take -nothin’, thanks. So long.”</p> - -<p>“So long,” said Frank.</p> - -<p>He tore open the message, as the man slouched -away down the street. It was a typewritten message, -and had evidently been received at Carsonville -some ten minutes previously.</p> - -<p>“By gracious!” he said. “What the deuce has -struck Uncle Dick, anyhow? And where or what -is Orton?”</p> - -<p>This was the message that caused him so much -wonder:</p> - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<p><span class="smcap">Frank Merriwell, Junior</span>, Carsonville: Have your -father meet me not later than nine, Sunday morning, Orton. -Very important. Keep destination secret.</p> - -<p class="center p-1 shiftright"><span class="smcap">Uncle Dick.</span></p></div> - -<p>Merry stared down at it, frowning. There -must be a place named Orton, though he knew<span class="pagenum">[167]</span> -of none in the vicinity. But what was Dick Merriwell -doing there?</p> - -<p>He turned at a step, to find the clerk sweeping -out the refuse through the doorway of the hotel. -Chip knew that he would be able to get information -at once, and spoke.</p> - -<p>“Where is Orton? Is that any place near -here?”</p> - -<p>“Orton? Sure, Mr. Merriwell!” The clerk -jerked his thumb over across the valley. “It ain’t -what you might call a metropolis, nohow, but it’s -got a smithy and a couple o’ stores and a schoolhouse. -Thinkin’ o’ goin’ over there?”</p> - -<p>Frank started. Going over there! Why, of -course!</p> - -<p>“How far is it from here?” he queried.</p> - -<p>“About fifteen mile by road, I take it. ’Bout -ten, as the crow flies.”</p> - -<p>While the clerk paused to stare at him curiously, -Merry considered. If his uncle was at -Orton, he must be expecting his father to meet -him there. But Frank Merriwell, senior, had returned -home on the late train! And Dick had -stated that it was very important, so there was -but one thing to do.</p> - -<p>“Clan hasn’t waked up yet,” thought Chip, “so -I guess I won’t disturb him. I’ll go down and -see if I can get that garage machine, and if it’s -taken then I can rouse up Clancy and get the -<em>Hornet</em> buzzing.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum">[168]</span></p> - -<p>He turned to the clerk, with quick decision, -shoving the telegram into his pocket.</p> - -<p>“Yes, I just received a telegram——” he -stopped, remembering the admonition in that -telegram. “But, by the way, I’d rather you -wouldn’t say anything to any one about my going -to Orton, will you?”</p> - -<p>“Sure not,” assented the clerk at once.</p> - -<p>“Tell Clancy that I’ll be back before noon,” -went on Merry, turning. “I’ll get a car if I can, -and be back by then, easily. Much obliged to -you!”</p> - -<p>“You got a good morning for the trip,” called -the clerk after him. “Good luck!”</p> - -<p>Chip waved his hand in return, and walked -down the street toward the garage. He glanced -about for the messenger, but doubtless the man -had returned to the station, and he sighed.</p> - -<p>“I see where I don’t get that early swim this -morning! Well, that’s what comes of a fellow -having a family!”</p> - -<p>And with a whimsical grimace he saw the -garage ahead of him. In front was an old-fashioned -but comfortable-looking car, with a young -fellow busily engaged in washing it off.</p> - -<p>“Must be expecting Sunday traffic,” thought -Frank. “That looks a whole lot better than -Clan’s bumpy old scrap heap, just the same. Six-cylinder, -too, so probably she can go some.”</p> - -<p>Approaching the washer, he inquired if the car<span class="pagenum">[169]</span> -was for rent. The young fellow hailed the proprietor -of the garage, inside, and the latter came -out and nodded to Chip at once.</p> - -<p>“You’re young Merriwell, ain’t you? I seen -that game yesterday, by thunder! Is it you who -wants to get a car?”</p> - -<p>“I want to go over to Orton and back,” said -Merry, “if your car’s for rent.”</p> - -<p>“For rent? To you?” A wide grin came -over the man’s face. “Say, Merriwell, you -couldn’t rent no car off’n me, not if you was to -offer me a cold million dollars!”</p> - -<p>“Eh!” Merry looked at him in astonishment. -“What do you mean?”</p> - -<p>“Anybody that lays over Colonel Carson like -you did yesterday, son, can have my car when -he wants it, see? No, don’t do any hollering. I -won’t take no pay, except for gas and the chauffeur. -Just expenses. You’ll have to get back -by noon, though. I only got the one car, and -it’s engaged for the afternoon.”</p> - -<p>Finding that the man was absolutely earnest -in his refusal to take money, Chip assented.</p> - -<p>“We’ll be back as soon as we can reach Orton -and turn around,” he said, getting into the car. -“And I’m much obliged to you, sir!”</p> - -<p>“Pleasure’s all mine, son,” returned the other, -with a grand air.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="chapter"></div><!--Page break for ePub--> - -<p><span class="pagenum">[170]</span></p> - - - - -<h2 id="CHAPTER_XXI">CHAPTER XXI.<br /> -<span class="cheaderfont">WHERE IS MERRY?</span></h2> - - -<p>“Great morning, Chip!”</p> - -<p>Clancy was drowsily looking out of the window. -His eyes had just opened, and he had not -yet observed the absence of his chum.</p> - -<p>“Wake up and take a look at things, you -lazy——”</p> - -<p>Clan turned over to give Merry a punch, then -suddenly sat up.</p> - -<p>“Well, by Jupiter!” he gasped.</p> - -<p>He noticed for the first time that his chum’s -clothes had disappeared, as well as Chip himself. -Then he turned toward the window, hearing a -church bell ringing sweetly across the valley, and -noticed the maturity of the morning.</p> - -<p>“Jumping whippoorwills! I must have overslept -a whole lot——”</p> - -<p>At that moment there came a sudden, furious -knocking on the door. Clancy paused, half out -of bed, and poised a pillow to fling as the door -opened.</p> - -<p>“Come in!” he yelled. “I’m not deaf. Come -in, you imitation of a real man! You don’t fool -me, Chip Merriwell——Wow! Get out o’ -here!”</p> - -<p>Clancy had thought that it was his chum, but<span class="pagenum">[171]</span> -as the door opened wide his voice shot up to a -shrill yell. For there, looking in with rolling -eyes, was one of the two negresses who acted -as waitresses and bell boys at the hotel.</p> - -<p>“Get out o’ here!” shrilled Clan, pulling the -bedclothes around him. “Can’t you hear? Shut -that door! What d’you think I am, a moving-picture -show?”</p> - -<p>The door shut. From the outside came the -voice of the startled negress:</p> - -<p>“Ah thought yo’ said to come in, suh. Ah -suttinly did!”</p> - -<p>“I was wrong,” retorted Clancy, grinning in -spite of himself. “I meant to say go climb up -the flagpole and kill flies. What do you want?”</p> - -<p>“Why, suh, dar’s a gem’man downsta’rs askin’ -foh yo’ an Mistuh Merriwell.”</p> - -<p>“What’s his name, and what time is it?”</p> - -<p>“It’s dat ar McQuade boy. It’s ten o’clock, -suh.”</p> - -<p>“Send him up,” and Clancy leaped for his -clothes. “Great Scott! Ten o’clock! Say, there -must be something in this Carsonville air! I -haven’t slept as late as this for a month of Sundays.”</p> - -<p>He tore open his suit case, and went into -dressing with such furious energy that the room -was filled with baseball uniforms and sections of -underwear and clean shirts when Billy flung -open the door.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum">[172]</span></p> - -<p>“What’s goin’ on here?” demanded the astonished -Billy Mac.</p> - -<p>“Me, mostly,” said Clancy. “Where’s Chip?”</p> - -<p>“How do I know? Say, are you just getting -up?”</p> - -<p>“No!” roared Clancy, half into a clean shirt. -“I’m sitting on Brooklyn Bridge making mince -pie, you bonehead!”</p> - -<p>“Oh, don’t let me disturb you,” said Billy sarcastically. -“If you haven’t got your beauty -sleep, old sorrel top, go right back to bed. It’s -only ten o’clock, and I thought maybe you’d like -to take a sunrise swim down in the mill pond.”</p> - -<p>Clancy cut these remarks short by seizing a -pillow and letting fly. Billy was sent back into -the corner, and came up grinning.</p> - -<p>“Where’s Chip?”</p> - -<p>“Look under the bed,” retorted Clancy. “I -just woke up. I suppose he’s dug out for the -river himself. There’s no sign of a bathroom -around this jay hotel.”</p> - -<p>“What d’you expect for three dollars a week? -There, leave off that white shirt, Clan! We’ll go -down to the crick and meet Chip, then come back -here and dress.”</p> - -<p>This program suited Clancy to perfection. On -their way down to the street, however, he -stopped and asked the clerk whether Chip had -left any message for him.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum">[173]</span></p> - -<p>“Sure, Mr. Clancy. Said he’d be back before -noon.”</p> - -<p>“Huh? And when was that?”</p> - -<p>“A little before seven this morning.”</p> - -<p>“Holy smoke!” cried Clancy. “Before seven! -Then Merry’s been gone for three hours, Billy! -He isn’t down at the river, you boob!”</p> - -<p>“Quit calling names,” retorted Billy, a trace -of anxiety in his clear eyes. “It didn’t improve -your manners to go West, I reckon. Sure, we’ll -go down and see, anyhow. He might be asleep -in the sun down there.”</p> - -<p>Clancy asked the clerk if he knew where Merry -had gone. The clerk, mindful of Chip’s injunction, -said that he “couldn’t say,” and the two -friends went off toward the river in helpless wonderment.</p> - -<p>Billy said nothing, but he was not a little worried. -Clancy suspected nothing wrong, though -he knew that it was not Chip’s usual custom to -disappear without leaving any word of where he -had gone.</p> - -<p>Upon reaching the mill pond they found no -sign of Merry. Clancy scoffed at the fears of -his friend, so they stripped and took a hasty dip, -then dressed and made their way back to the -hotel.</p> - -<p>“If he don’t show up pretty soon,” said Billy, -“mother will be all balled up with her chicken -dinner, Clan.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum">[174]</span></p> - -<p>“Well, we aren’t going to wait for him,” said -Clancy firmly. “I want that chicken dinner, believe -me! We’ll give him half an hour, then -we’ll load into the <em>Hornet</em> and go up to your -house. Maybe he’s there now.”</p> - -<p>Mrs. McQuade had been requested to prepare -an early dinner, as the three friends intended returning -to Fardale in the <em>Hornet</em> that afternoon. -So promptly at eleven-thirty Clancy got out his -car and ordered the reluctant Billy to climb in. -Since there was a strong possibility that Merriwell -was at the McQuade house, Billy finally -obeyed.</p> - -<p>“Nothing could happen to him,” scoffed -Clancy, as they climbed the hill. “He’s off on a -walk, that’s all, and probably has gone to sleep on -the shady side of a tree.”</p> - -<p>Mrs. McQuade had seen nothing of Merry, -and since her dinner was all ready and waiting, -she put aside a generous portion to keep warm -for Chip and insisted on Clancy and Billy pitching -in at once.</p> - -<p>They did so, but as the meal progressed Clancy -began to feel the same anxiety that was worrying -his friend. Finally he asked Mrs. McQuade -to hold her pies in the oven for a little.</p> - -<p>“Billy and I will run back to the hotel. He -might be there, or on the way.”</p> - -<p>The two jumped into the <em>Hornet</em>, and Clancy -hit only the high spots until they drew up before<span class="pagenum">[175]</span> -the hotel. A man came down the steps, and -Clancy recognized him as the garage proprietor.</p> - -<p>“Say, Mr. Clancy, where’s Mr. Merriwell?”</p> - -<p>“Isn’t he here?”</p> - -<p>“No,” returned the man, in a worried voice. -“I got that auto rented this afternoon, and——”</p> - -<p>“Auto!” yelled Billy. “Did he rent your -auto?”</p> - -<p>“Why, sure! Didn’t you know that?”</p> - -<p>“Not yet, I didn’t!” snapped Clancy. He -wakened abruptly to the fact that there must be -something seriously wrong. “When was this?”</p> - -<p>“About seven o’clock.”</p> - -<p>“Where did he go to?”</p> - -<p>The garage proprietor hesitated.</p> - -<p>“Well, last thing he says was not to say anything. -But mebbe you boys could go and see if -anything’s wrong. Anyhow, you’re his pals, so -I reckon he wouldn’t mind me tellin’ you so much. -He went over to Orton, or said he was goin’ -there.”</p> - -<p>“What the deuce was he going to Orton for?” -queried Billy, in astonishment. “Why, there’s -nothing there but a schoolhouse and a smithy!”</p> - -<p>Clancy frowned. He looked to see the clerk -coming down toward them in a hesitant way, -having heard the conversation.</p> - -<p>“There ain’t nothin’ wrong, is there?” inquired -the clerk.</p> - -<p>“Seems to be,” and Clancy gave him a sharp<span class="pagenum">[176]</span> -look. “Didn’t Merry say he was going to Orton?”</p> - -<p>“Oh, you know about it, then?” said the clerk, -looking relieved. “Why, yes, the telegram come -from Orton, I think he said——”</p> - -<p>“What’s the matter with you?” sang out Billy. -“There’s no telegraph station at Orton, and you -know it! Did he tell you that?”</p> - -<p>“Well, he got a telegram, then he started askin’ -me about Orton,” returned the clerk. “I didn’t -ask no questions, so I don’t know where it come -from. He seemed rather fussed, though.”</p> - -<p>“There’s something wrong, Clancy,” murmured -Billy, leaning over and speaking in a low -voice. “It isn’t like Chip to go off like that.”</p> - -<p>“No,” agreed Clancy, “that’s not his regular -trail at all.”</p> - -<p>He turned to the garage proprietor.</p> - -<p>“Don’t worry about the car, sir. We’ll do a -little inquiring around here, and then start out -after it. But whatever loss you incur will be -made good.”</p> - -<p>“I wouldn’t give a whoop,” explained the man, -“only I’d promised the car for this afternoon -to another party. Far’s I’m concerned, Merriwell -could have the car out all day without payin’ -a cent. But I hate to disappoint folks.”</p> - -<p>“Well, we’ll see what can be done,” said -Clancy. “How far to this place?”</p> - -<p>“Fifteen miles or less. The roads ain’t none<span class="pagenum">[177]</span> -too good, but it ain’t a long ride at all. The car -was in good shape, too.”</p> - -<p>“H’m!” grunted Clan. “Mighty funny if it’d -take a car five hours for that! But he might -have had a breakdown somewhere. It’d be a -good play to run out and take a look at Orton, -Billy.”</p> - -<p>“Better look at that telegram first, Clan.”</p> - -<p>“Huh? Why?”</p> - -<p>“Because we might learn something.”</p> - -<p>“Where’s the office here?”</p> - -<p>“At the depot. But I’d bet you thirteen thousand -dollars and fifty cents that we’ll find there -hasn’t been any message for Chip received.”</p> - -<p>“Say, what’s got into you?” queried Clancy. -“Too much chicken pie?”</p> - -<p>“Oh, you know same’s I do, only you won’t -say it,” sniffed Billy forebodingly. “It’s foul -play, Clan. Merry has helped me, and those -Carsons are getting even with him, that’s what -it is!”</p> - -<p>“Well, I’m beginning to think so myself, all -right,” said Clan soberly. “Only I didn’t want -to scare you out.”</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="chapter"></div><!--Page break for ePub--> - -<p><span class="pagenum">[178]</span></p> - - - - -<h2 id="CHAPTER_XXII">CHAPTER XXII.<br /> -<span class="cheaderfont">INVESTIGATING.</span></h2> - - -<p>Once more assuring the garage proprietor that -any losses he might incur would be made good, -Clancy opened up the <em>Hornet</em> and started for the -railroad station.</p> - -<p>“Colonel Carson owns a lot of land over -toward Orton,” stated Billy gloomily. “He’s -mixed up in this somewhere, you can believe -me!”</p> - -<p>Clancy grunted, but made no reply. When they -reached the railroad station they had no difficulty -in finding the combination agent and telegraph -operator.</p> - -<p>“Morning, Mr. Martin!” sang out Billy. “Did -you get a wire for Mr. Merriwell about seven -this morning?”</p> - -<p>“Not me, Billy,” returned the agent. “Was he -expecting one?”</p> - -<p>“Not that we know of, but he got one,” exclaimed -Clancy. “Are you sure that none came -in this morning or last night?”</p> - -<p>“Nobody here last night, and nothing has come -this morning.”</p> - -<p>The operator regarded them with curiosity.</p> - -<p>“Did you say Merriwell got a telegram, Billy?” -he asked.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum">[179]</span></p> - -<p>“No, I said so,” snapped Clancy. “He certainly -got a telegram this morning, and if it -didn’t come through you, it’s a mighty queer -thing!”</p> - -<p>“Yes, I reckon it is,” returned the agent -calmly. This merely exasperated the red-headed -chap.</p> - -<p>“Well it’s a darned funny thing,” he exclaimed, -“that telegrams can be received here without the -telegraph operator knowing it!”</p> - -<p>“Ain’t no message come this morning,” declared -the agent again, and with a nod to Billy, -he turned and went back into his place of business.</p> - -<p>For a moment the two friends were at a loss -what to do. It was quite evident that Chip Merriwell -had been called away to Orton by some -important affair, yet this agent declared that no -message had arrived for him!</p> - -<p>“I guess we’ll go back and grill those fellows -over again,” said Clancy, starting the <em>Hornet</em>. -“We want to make sure about this telegram business.”</p> - -<p>“It’s easy enough to send a fake message,” suggested -Billy Mac.</p> - -<p>“We’ll soon see, then.”</p> - -<p>Returning to the hotel, they questioned the -clerk anew. By this time he was in enough -anxiety to speak out fully, and stated emphatically<span class="pagenum">[180]</span> -that he had seen the telegram, and that -Merriwell had mentioned it.</p> - -<p>“I guess that settles it, Clan,” exclaimed Billy, -with a gloomy countenance. “He got a message, -all right, but it didn’t come through the station -agent.”</p> - -<p>“Do you suppose that Colonel Carson or his -son had a hand in it?”</p> - -<p>“Sure I do! Only, what’s their reason? Do -you think they tried to get Merry where they -could beat him up?”</p> - -<p>“From what I saw of the colonel,” said Clancy -thoughtfully, “he wouldn’t go into anything so -raw as that, old man. Bully tried it and got all -that was coming to him last night. Granted that -Chip was lured away, there are some folks who -would have a decidedly good reason to keep him -out of sight for a day or two.”</p> - -<p>“Who?”</p> - -<p>“Some of the Franklin Academy crowd. I -may be doing him an injustice, but I’d be more -apt to blame Bob Randall than the Carsons, -Billy.”</p> - -<p>Billy Mac stared in open disbelief.</p> - -<p>“Randall? But why should he try to keep -Chip away from Fardale?”</p> - -<p>“Because he wants to pitch in Monday’s game -against Franklin. It looks to me as if Randall -was trying for the place Ted Crockett will leave<span class="pagenum">[181]</span> -vacant. If he won the Franklin game he’d be a -popular hero——”</p> - -<p>“Cut out this foolishness, Clan!”</p> - -<p>Billy Mac leaned forward earnestly. He was -a staunch friend of Merriwell’s, but he had seen -Bob Randall at his best, and both liked and admired -the fiery, handsome Southerner.</p> - -<p>“You’re away off. Bob Randall isn’t that sort, -not by a good deal. He doesn’t like Chip particularly, -but it’s an honorable, open-faced dislike, -and it won’t last. If he knew anything like -this was going on, he would be the first one to -warn Chip. No, if there’s any one to blame, -Clancy, it’s the Carsons.”</p> - -<p>The red-haired chap nodded. He was quick -to recognize that his words might have been an -injustice to Randall, whom he did not know at -all well. Moreover, if anything was wrong it -was no doubt inspired by Bully Carson or his -father.</p> - -<p>“Yes, Billy, I got a bit out of perspective there, -I reckon. Randall or the Franklin crowd -wouldn’t be down here. Well, our best plan will -be to hit for Orton and see if Merry’s car got disabled.”</p> - -<p>By dint of inquiries they soon found that there -was but one road to Orton, and that if they took -it there was no chance that they could miss -Merry. Clancy was for going to call on Colonel -Carson and putting it up to him straight, but<span class="pagenum">[182]</span> -Billy Mac persuaded him to adopt the more sensible -course of taking the road to Orton and tracing -up Merriwell.</p> - -<p>“Let’s go up to your house, then,” said Clancy, -“and load up with some rations. Chip may be -pretty hungry when we find him, and there’s no -knowing how long we’ll be gone. Besides, we’d -better tell your mother nothing of what we -suspect. No use worrying her, Billy.”</p> - -<p>This was sound argument, and when they arrived -at the McQuade home they said nothing of -their uneasiness. Clancy stated that Chip had -been called over to Orton very unexpectedly, and -that they were going over to meet him, and might -possibly proceed on to Fardale without returning.</p> - -<p>So, loading the <em>Hornet</em> with their belongings -and a generous amount of Mrs. McQuade’s toothsome -edibles, the two started out on the trail of -Frank Merriwell, junior. Once outside of town, -Clancy opened up the <em>Hornet</em> and showed what -she could do.</p> - -<p>“I took her off the scrap heap,” he declared -proudly, “and while she doesn’t look up to much, -she can certainly go some!”</p> - -<p>Billy’s interest was only perfunctory, however. -He was still thinking about Chip and the Carson -family.</p> - -<p>“Funny we didn’t see Bully around town, Clan. -He usually sports around in his gay duds on<span class="pagenum">[183]</span> -Sunday, and runs an old car he bought second-hand. -The colonel sticks to horses, but Bully -likes to make an impression with his car.”</p> - -<p>“I guess Merry gave him a black eye last -night,” said Clancy. “That may account for his -failure to sport around. I guess the whole crowd -is laying low and keeping quiet for the present.”</p> - -<p>Billy grunted, but relapsed into silence.</p> - -<p>The Orton road was a rough one, and after -the first mile Clancy had to slow down a bit. -They were going directly away from the railroad, -and as they proceeded without seeing any trace -of the garage car, they found that the country -lost its prosperous aspect, and became a good deal -rougher and wilder.</p> - -<p>More than once they passed rocky farms that -had been abandoned years before, although the -flowering orchards around Carsonville had -proved that, with industry and skill, the country -could be made productive.</p> - -<p>Mile after mile reeled off without any token -of their quarry, other than tracks of auto tires in -the road, which might have been left by any one -of a dozen machines. At length they topped a -rise and saw Orton itself, two miles farther on. -It was a miserably small place, and Clancy’s -heart sank.</p> - -<p>“There’d be an elegant place to hold Merry -prisoner,” said Billy, pointing to a deserted farmhouse -that stood back from the road to one side.<span class="pagenum">[184]</span> -It was the fifth place he had pointed out with -the same idea, and Clancy grunted.</p> - -<p>“You’re off, Billy. I don’t believe Merry was -ever in this jay town. There’s nothing to it but a -blacksmith shop and a couple of stores.”</p> - -<p>“But don’t you think that’s what’s happened?” -persisted Billy Mac.</p> - -<p>“No, I don’t. Chip may have been lured away, -all right, but Colonel Carson has too much gumption -to work that kind of a racket, according to -my notion. No hotel here, is there?”</p> - -<p>“No,” said Billy anxiously. “We can find out -if Merry was here by going to the smithy. The -blacksmith lives just behind it.”</p> - -<p>Orton was not even large enough to be possessed -of a church, it appeared. The little place -seemed absolutely desolate in the Sunday afternoon -quiet, but as the <em>Hornet</em> drew up in front -of the smithy, Clancy saw that the blacksmith -was standing under an apple tree, watching them.</p> - -<p>Leaping out, the two hastened into the orchard -behind the smithy, and proceeded to question the -burly smith.</p> - -<p>“I couldn’t say,” he responded to their inquiries. -“I’ve seen two or three machines go -past, but didn’t pay much attention. Mebbe my -wife did. Hold on a minute.”</p> - -<p>He turned and lifted a shout at the house in -the rear. A tired-looking woman came forth, -and made response that she had seen Bully Carson’s<span class="pagenum">[185]</span> -machine early that morning, but had not -noticed the others.</p> - -<p>“Bully Carson!” exclaimed Billy, in a low -voice. “We’re on the trail, Clancy!”</p> - -<p>Clancy considered. If they were to make inquiries -through the place, it might be best to -leave the <em>Hornet</em> here. Turning to the smith, he -found that the latter sold gasoline to the few -cars coming through the place, and arranged to -leave the <em>Hornet</em> in his care.</p> - -<p>Returning to the car, he brought it around behind -the smithy, and with Billy made his way to -the tree-bordered street. An instant later, Billy -clutched his arm.</p> - -<p>“I hear a car, Clan! It’s coming this way!”</p> - -<p>The two friends stopped, the slow exhaust of -a motor car coming clearly from ahead of them. -The car came into sight, running slowly toward -them. There was a single figure at the wheel.</p> - -<p>“By gracious, it’s Bully!” cried McQuade excitedly.</p> - -<p>The car rolled toward them at a slow pace.</p> - -<p>“Get ready to jump her,” ordered Clancy, in a -tense voice.</p> - -<p>“What you going to do?”</p> - -<p>“We’ll do a little kidnaping on our own hook, -Billy. Watch out, now!”</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="chapter"></div><!--Page break for ePub--> - -<p><span class="pagenum">[186]</span></p> - - - - -<h2 id="CHAPTER_XXIII">CHAPTER XXIII.<br /> -<span class="cheaderfont">THE THIRD DEGREE.</span></h2> - - -<p>Carson was evidently quite unsuspecting. Possibly -he did not see the two figures that waited -at the roadside. At all events his car rolled -slowly past the smithy, and, as it came opposite -to their waiting place, Clancy nudged Billy and -leaped forth.</p> - -<p>He believed in doing a thing thoroughly, when -he <em>was</em> doing it. Consequently, as he saw Bully -twist around in his seat with a start of alarm, -Clancy gave him no chance to increase his speed, -but put all his energies into a flying leap.</p> - -<p>A cry broke from Carson, but he was too late. -Clancy rose in the air like a bird and struck full -against him, driving him down at once. The -two fell in a confused tangle under the steering -wheel, while the car went slowly along the road.</p> - -<p>Meantime, Billy Mac jumped to the running -board and piled into the tonneau. He leaned over -the back of the front seat. Before he could -lend assistance, the two figures came erect, and -Clancy shoved Carson bodily over into the -tonneau.</p> - -<p>“Keep him there, Mac,” he ordered.</p> - -<p>“What you going to do?” gasped Billy.</p> - -<p>“No time to talk,” said Clancy, jumping to the<span class="pagenum">[187]</span> -steering wheel. “Throw a robe over that fellow’s -head! Sit on him, you chump!”</p> - -<p>Carson, indeed, was rising to the occasion. He -had landed in the tonneau on his head and shoulders, -and was squirming upright, letting out wild -yells as he did so. The peace of the Sabbath was -being terribly shattered.</p> - -<p>Billy Mac saved the day by adopting Clan’s -suggestion. Seizing the heavy blanket that did -duty for an auto robe, he threw it over Carson’s -head, managed to evade the waving fists, and -plumped himself on top of the big fellow.</p> - -<p>Carson was forced to the floor of the car, -which had leaped into speed under Clancy’s -touch. Billy McQuade being a chunky fellow for -his age, made no light weight, and Carson’s bellows -for help were stifled.</p> - -<p>So quickly had it all occurred, that, while Bully -Carson must have recognized his assailants, he -had been too startled to propound any questions. -In fact, he had been hustled about so rapidly that -when Billy came down on him he had no more -breath left with which to shout.</p> - -<p>After a moment Clancy stopped the car on a -lonely stretch of road, and told Billy to shove -their prisoner out. Billy did not stand on ceremony, -but opened one of the side doors and sent -Carson tumbling out like a bag of flour.</p> - -<p>The big fellow landed in the dust, came to his<span class="pagenum">[188]</span> -feet, flung off the robe, and emerged, spluttering -with rage.</p> - -<p>“What’s this mean!” he exclaimed hotly. “I’ll -have you dubs pinched fer this!”</p> - -<p>Clancy grinned.</p> - -<p>“No, you won’t, Bully. You’re liable to get -pinched yourself for what took place last night. -Where’s Chip Merriwell?”</p> - -<p>“How do I know?” demanded Carson, working -himself up into a rage. “You’d better clear -out, and do it quick, or I’ll smash your carrot -head in about——”</p> - -<p>“No more of that talk,” said Clancy. “You’re -a coward, my friend. If you try fighting, you’ll -get the worst of it by a good deal. Where’s Chip -Merriwell?”</p> - -<p>Clancy gave no sign of his inward perturbation. -He had conducted this assault absolutely -without evidence, and on a momentary impulse. -If he failed to extract any information, he was -apt to find himself up against the law.</p> - -<p>“I don’t know anythin’ about him,” said Carson -sullenly.</p> - -<p>“Don’t lie,” said Clancy angrily. “You sent -him a fake telegram that got him over to Orton -this morning. Where is he?”</p> - -<p>Carson went white.</p> - -<p>“How’d you know that——” he began, then -checked himself and tried to bluster it off.<span class="pagenum">[189]</span> -“You’re crazy, you boobs! I ain’t seen the feller——”</p> - -<p>“You make me sick,” said Clancy, with renewed -self-confidence. “You gave yourself away -right there, Bully. Now come across, or take the -consequences.”</p> - -<p>Carson glared at him out of his one good -optic.</p> - -<p>“I’ll show you!” he bellowed. “You ain’t -a-goin’ to get clear with this kind o’ doin’s around -here——”</p> - -<p>And turning swiftly, he shoved Billy Mac -aside and made a break down the road. Clancy -grinned inwardly. Carson was not only scared, -but he was extremely anxious to get away.</p> - -<p>Clancy caught the big fellow within fifty feet. -Carson showed fight, but the red-haired chap -decided to waste no further time. Catching the -arm of Carson, he twisted it behind the other’s -back, and had him at his mercy.</p> - -<p>“Take his arm, Billy,” he commanded. “Put -him into the machine and keep him quiet. If he -yells for help, twist his arm and it’ll break just -below the elbow.”</p> - -<p>Carson went green.</p> - -<p>“Hey, what you fellers tryin’ to do?” he whimpered. -“Ouch! I’ll go along—don’t twist that -arm, Billy! We allus been friends, ain’t we?”</p> - -<p>“Not much,” retorted Billy Mac, with unconcealed -contempt. “I always knew you were a<span class="pagenum">[190]</span> -coward, Bully, but I thought you’d show a little -fight! Get along with you.”</p> - -<p>Clancy climbed into the driver’s seat, feeling -highly satisfied with himself. He had forced a -practical admission from Carson that his suspicions -were correct, and he grimly made up his -mind to force a good deal more from the fellow.</p> - -<p>“Where you goin’, Clan?” inquired Billy, with -some anxiety.</p> - -<p>He had shoved Carson into the tonneau and -followed him, still grasping his arm.</p> - -<p>“Well,” said Clancy, with a wink that Bully -did not catch, “I think we’d better take him to -that deserted house you pointed out, as we came -into town. Then we can torture him until he -confesses.”</p> - -<p>“Fine!” grinned Billy. “We’ll do some fancy -branding on him, and if that don’t work, we can -hang him up by the thumbs and roast his feet, -eh?”</p> - -<p>Unfortunately, perhaps, he overdid the matter. -Carson’s evil conscience had turned him into -an arrant coward, but it had not destroyed his -judgment by any means. He perceived that the -two were trying to frighten him, and he relapsed -into a sullen silence.</p> - -<p>“You’d better tell us where Merry is,” stated -Clancy, turning to look into the heavy, surly -features. “I’ll warn you, Bully, that we’re not -inclined to show you any mercy.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum">[191]</span></p> - -<p>“Go to thunder!” growled the captive, and followed -it with a string of curses. Clancy flushed -angrily and threw in the clutch.</p> - -<p>“All right, my friend,” he grated. “You’ll get -yours!”</p> - -<p>Ten minutes later they drew up at the deserted -house outside town. Clancy drove around to the -side, installed the machine in the half-ruined -barn, and reconnoitered the house. A door was -swinging on its hinges, but the place in general -was in tolerable condition. He returned to the -barn and took out his handkerchief.</p> - -<p>“Put his wrists together,” he ordered.</p> - -<p>“Give him a chance to talk,” pleaded Billy. -Clancy nodded.</p> - -<p>Carson, however, merely poured out a string -of curses and began to plunge in a furious attempt -to escape. His twisted arm soon made -him quiet.</p> - -<p>“Take him up to the house,” said Clancy, when -he had been bound. “I’ll get some stuff to make -a fire with.”</p> - -<p>Billy obeyed. He deposited Carson in an -empty room, tied his ankles securely, then returned -to Clancy with an anxious face.</p> - -<p>“See here, Clan, how far are you goin’? You -don’t mean to torture him?”</p> - -<p>“I should hope not,” said Clancy, with a grin. -“I feel like it, but I don’t believe I’d go that far. -I’m goin’ to walk back and get the <em>Hornet</em>. We’ll<span class="pagenum">[192]</span> -have something to eat, and maybe you can scare -him into talking before I get back.”</p> - -<p>Clancy’s hope was vain. When he returned -with the <em>Hornet</em> and their provisions, he found -that Carson had absolutely refused to say a word -on the subject. Billy was not a little anxious, -but Clancy stood firm.</p> - -<p>“Billy, I’m goin’ to make that fellow talk if I -have to bust every law on earth. Just stop to -think—he’s done something to Chip, and knows -where he is. He seems to have a notion that -we’re throwing a bluff into him about torture -and——”</p> - -<p>“So we are,” interjected Billy. “You know it -blamed well.”</p> - -<p>“Sure,” admitted Clancy, with a grimace. -“But I’m goin’ to make him think he’s wrong, if I -can.”</p> - -<p>There ensued a series of bluffs at torture on -Clancy’s part, but they had not the slightest effect -on Carson.</p> - -<p>But Bully Carson stood pat. The first shock -of alarm over, he resisted all of Clancy’s efforts -with a grim silence that could not be broken. He -knew that he was helpless, but he also knew that -despite Clancy’s talk the red-haired chap would -not dare to proceed to extremities. And as long -as he could hold silence, he intended to do so. -Merriwell must be kept out of that Franklin -game. He knew that his father had gone to<span class="pagenum">[193]</span> -Fardale and would doubtless plunge heavily on -the result of the game. Since money meant -more than anything else to the Carson family, -Bully intended making a hard fight of it.</p> - -<p>He did so. Clancy and Billy built a roaring -fire in the old fireplace when darkness came on. -This took the damp from the main room of the -farmhouse, and rendered it habitable. They ate -some of their provisions, refusing to give Carson -anything to eat or drink. Finally Clancy -gave up in disgust.</p> - -<p>“All right,” he said grimly to the prisoner. -“You’ll stay here a month if you don’t loosen up, -old scout. Billy, we’ll take turns keeping him -awake to-night. He must have been on the go -most of last night and to-day, and that’ll bring -him to terms.”</p> - -<p>When morning dawned, Bully Carson was -haggard and drawn, but still refused to open his -lips. Clancy was desperate. Thirsty and hungry -though their captive was, nothing seemed to have -any effect. Yet their only hope of rescuing Chip -Merriwell lay in making him talk.</p> - -<p>“I’ve had enough of this,” said Clancy, when -the morning was half gone. “Billy, we’re up -against it. Right or wrong, that fellow’s going -to talk.”</p> - -<p>“You’re not going to really torture him?” -asked the white-lipped Billy.</p> - -<p>“I am.”</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="chapter"></div><!--Page break for ePub--> - -<p><span class="pagenum">[194]</span></p> - - - - -<h2 id="CHAPTER_XXIV">CHAPTER XXIV.<br /> -<span class="cheaderfont">QUICK WORK.</span></h2> - - -<p>Carson was worn out with lack of sleep and -exhaustion. When Clancy dragged him to the -fireplace, took a burning brand from the fire, and -approached him, he let out one frightened yell.</p> - -<p>The red-haired chap knew that he could not -carry out his bluff, but he held so desperate a -countenance that Carson was overborne. Even -Billy himself half thought that Clancy meant to -put his bluff into effect.</p> - -<p>“I give in!” yelled Carson wildly.</p> - -<p>Clancy drew a long breath of relief, but did -not let Carson see it.</p> - -<p>“Where’s Chip Merriwell?” he demanded -grimly.</p> - -<p>“Don’t burn me!” yelled Carson frantically. -“Give me a drink!”</p> - -<p>“You’ll drink when I get ready, and not before,” -roared Clancy. “Where’s Chip Merriwell? -Hurry up, you galoot!”</p> - -<p>“He’s at the Brundage Farm, on the other side -of Orton,” gasped Bully. “For Heaven’s sake, -give me a drink!”</p> - -<p>The bully had given in completely and absolutely. -None the less, he knew that since it was -getting on toward noon, all hope of getting to -Fardale for the game must now be over.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum">[195]</span></p> - -<p>“Get up,” and Clancy kicked him to his feet. -“Billy, take him out to the car and you take the -wheel. I’ll come along in the <em>Hornet</em>. Make him -guide us to this Brundage place, and do it quick!”</p> - -<p>“Give me a drink first,” pleaded Carson.</p> - -<p>“You’ll drink when you get there, not before. -Jump lively!”</p> - -<p>With a groan, Carson followed Billy. The fellow -was in a pitiable plight, but at thought of -Chip, Clancy lost all pity.</p> - -<p>He soon ascertained from Billy Mac that -Brundage was a farmer living on one of the Carson -farms, just outside Orton, but on the opposite -side of the town from where they were at -present. Also, Carson loosened up with the -story.</p> - -<p>He confessed to having lured Chip away, and -stated that both he and the driver of his machine -were being held at the farm in question, in order -that Chip should be detained from the Franklin -game. At this Clancy climbed into the <em>Hornet</em> -with a groan of despair.</p> - -<p>“The harm’s done, now!” he reflected bitterly. -“Billy, Chip, and I will be out of the game for -certain. That means that Franklin will have a -walk-away, unless old Fardale comes up to the -scratch, or a miracle happens.”</p> - -<p>Billy, driving Carson’s car with the owner -huddled in the tonneau, shot out on the road, -while Clancy followed in the <em>Hornet</em>. Poor Carson<span class="pagenum">[196]</span> -was almost in a state of collapse, but Billy -allowed him no sleep.</p> - -<p>The two cars shot through Orton like a streak, -giving Carson no chance to call for assistance. -On the other side of town they came in sight of -their goal—a large white farmhouse, set back -from the road.</p> - -<p>Billy turned in at the drive and whizzed up to -the side of the house. As Clancy followed him, -two men appeared, one carrying a shotgun. -Clancy instantly perceived that their troubles had -just begun, and took charge of the situation.</p> - -<p>“Get a drink of water for Mr. Carson,” he -cried, and the man with the shotgun leaned the -weapon against the side of the house and hurried -toward the well. The other came forward.</p> - -<p>“This Mr. Brundage?” inquired Clancy.</p> - -<p>“It is. What ye want? What’s the matter -with Bully?”</p> - -<p>Clancy turned and drew a breath of relief at -sight of Bully, who had fallen sound asleep from -utter weariness.</p> - -<p>“We came after Merriwell,” he stated, turning -to the farmer. “Get him out here in a hurry. -Bully is tired out, that’s all.”</p> - -<p>This statement was perfectly true. At Clancy’s -air of haste, Brundage clawed his whiskers for -an instant, then turned and hurriedly stamped -into the house. Before the other man returned,<span class="pagenum">[197]</span> -Clancy caught up the shotgun and thrust it into -Billy’s hands.</p> - -<p>“Climb into the <em>Hornet</em> and be ready to light -out,” he exclaimed. “Keep that fellow covered.”</p> - -<p>As the man approached, Billy ordered him to -put up his hands. Clancy was already examining -the barnyard. In one corner appeared an automobile, -which beyond a doubt was that of the -Carsonville garage.</p> - -<p>The astonished farm hand obeyed Billy’s -abrupt order. Bully Carson was in no danger -of awakening for the present, and Clancy made -ready to depart as soon as Chip was produced.</p> - -<p>“We’ve got to hit her up for Fardale, Billy. -When Chip comes, you give him that seat and -climb out to the running board——”</p> - -<p>“Take Carson’s car,” suggested Billy.</p> - -<p>“No. We’ll do it in the <em>Hornet</em>. That old bone -wagon of Bully’s couldn’t keep up with us for a -mile.”</p> - -<p>At this moment Brundage appeared at the -door.</p> - -<p>“Shall I let the other feller out——” he began, -then stopped abruptly at sight of Billy covering -the farm hand with the shotgun. “Hey! What -you fellers up to?”</p> - -<p>“You send Merriwell out here and do it in a -hurry,” said Clancy, striding toward the door.</p> - -<p>“All right, Brundage!” sang out the farm<span class="pagenum">[198]</span> -hand, with a grin. “I’ll ’tend to these fellers—that -old gun ain’t loaded!”</p> - -<p>He started for Billy on the jump. Brundage -slammed the door and vanished.</p> - -<p>At the man’s shout, Billy hastily examined the -shotgun. He found that it was unloaded, and -flung it to the ground. Clancy, flaming with anger -and despair, returned hastily to the machine -just as the farm hand leaped at Billy.</p> - -<p>The red-haired chap was in no mood for argument. -His fist shot out and caught the farm -hand underneath the ear. The fellow gave a -grunt, then slumped weakly to the dust, and lay -quiet.</p> - -<p>“We’re up against it, Clancy,” exclaimed Billy, -looking at the house. “He would have fallen for -it if he hadn’t seen me holding that chap up, or -trying to.”</p> - -<p>“It’s all my fault,” said Clancy, with a groan. -“But we know that he’s got Merry in there, and -that’s some comfort. We’ll have to get him out.”</p> - -<p>“I don’t see how——” began Billy, but at that -instant he was interrupted.</p> - -<p>A shrill yell arose from inside the house. Then -there followed a wild commotion.</p> - -<p>Without warning, there was a crash of glass, -as a china plate came through one of the lower -windows. Another followed, and another, then -a chair burst through the window.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum">[199]</span></p> - -<p>“Wow! Lemme out o’ here!” came a shrill -yell. “I want to go home!”</p> - -<p>Through the window protruded a frightened -countenance.</p> - -<p>“It’s the garage driver from Carsonville!” -yelled Billy. “Come on, old scout!”</p> - -<p>“Wow! Lemme out o’ here!”</p> - -<p>It was evident that the young fellow was -scared almost out of his head. He took a flying -leap through the window and landed in a rose-bush. -In his hand he held two more plates, and -as he scrambled to his feet he hurled them against -the house.</p> - -<p>Then, paying no attention to Clancy and Billy, -he rushed across the barnyard and cranked up -his machine. It was evident that he had broken -loose, and was too frightened to do anything but -hit it up for home.</p> - -<p>“Let him go,” said Clancy. “We’ll get in that -window, Billy!”</p> - -<p>He started for the house. The chauffeur, wild-eyed -and reckless, got his machine slewed around -and went shooting down the drive like a crazy -man.</p> - -<p>“Wow!” he yelled, as he passed. “Git the constable! -Wow!”</p> - -<p>Renewed sounds of commotion came from -within the house. Clancy dashed at the window. -Billy gave him a boost to the sill, and the red-haired<span class="pagenum">[200]</span> -chap shot over the edge headfirst and -tumbled to the floor inside.</p> - -<p>He found himself in a darkened room, evidently -the dining room of the farmhouse. It was -in wild confusion. Chairs were flung around, -the floor was littered with smashed crockery, and -over in the corner Clancy made out two figures -in furious combat.</p> - -<p>As he rushed up, he saw that Chip Merriwell -was being gripped by the enraged Brundage, and -that the young athlete was fighting furiously for -his freedom, despite the handicap of handcuffs -on his wrists.</p> - -<p>“Whoop-ee!” yelled Clancy, charging across -the room. “Here we are, pard!”</p> - -<p>Merry managed to break loose, and, raising -his handcuffed wrists, he brought them down -across the brow of the farmer, who toppled forward. -Clancy caught his chum in his arms as -the man fell senseless.</p> - -<p>“Come along, Chip——” he cried, but Merry -broke in.</p> - -<p>“Get the key for these irons, Clancy! He’s got -it in his vest pocket.”</p> - -<p>Clancy leaned over, and, after a short search, -found the key of the handcuffs in the farmer’s -pocket. Straightening up, he inserted it in the -lock, and Merry’s hands fell free.</p> - -<p>“Bully for you, Clan! I thought you were -never coming!”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum">[201]</span></p> - -<p>“We’ll put these fellows over the road,” cried -Billy, who had also entered. “This will land the -Carsons in jail, all right.”</p> - -<p>“I guess they’re all right,” said Merry. “They -got me over here on the pretext that Uncle Dick -was here. This man Brundage slipped the irons -on me, and they imprisoned me and the chauffeur. -Where’d he go?”</p> - -<p>“Went home on the jump,” said Clancy. -“What happened?”</p> - -<p>“Brundage came in and released him. Then -he went to the door a moment. The chauffeur -was almost wild with rage and fright, and he -started to smash his way out. I guess he did it, -all right!”</p> - -<p>“Looks that way, Chip! Say, do you know -it’s ’most noon Monday? Let’s get out of this!”</p> - -<p>The three hastily left by the window and ran -to the <em>Hornet</em>.</p> - -<p>“We’re off for Fardale and the big game,” -cried Clancy exuberantly.</p> - -<p>“You can’t get us there in time, can you?” -asked Merry anxiously.</p> - -<p>“By thunder, I can try!” returned Clancy. -“Hang on, Billy! We’re off!”</p> - -<p>And the <em>Hornet</em> darted away.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="chapter"></div><!--Page break for ePub--> - -<p><span class="pagenum">[202]</span></p> - - - - -<h2 id="CHAPTER_XXV">CHAPTER XXV.<br /> -<span class="cheaderfont">WON IN THE NINTH.</span></h2> - - -<p>Fardale field was clothed in gloom. The only -bright spot was the stand occupied by the -Franklin rooters, and they were certainly making -things lively in that quarter.</p> - -<p>The great game was on, but as far as Fardale’s -chances were concerned, it seemed to be all -off. Inning after inning had run along, and time -after time Fardale had been saved from disgrace -only by mere good luck.</p> - -<p>As it was, the eighth inning had started with -the score four to one in favor of Franklin. And -Peters, the Franklin pitcher, had tightened up -after the first inning, and was invincible.</p> - -<p>Randall, pitching for Fardale, had started out -strong. In the fifth he had let in a run, and in -the sixth his poor support had sent him up in -the air. For Fardale had certainly put a poor -team in the field, with substitutes behind the bat, -on first, and in the pitcher’s box.</p> - -<p>Even so, Randall might have held Franklin -had his own men been able to hit the swift curves -of Peters. Once he loosened up, however, -Franklin romped away with the game, and the -slaughter was on. All Fardale could now hope -for was to hold down the score, and she was -fighting desperately to that end.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum">[203]</span></p> - -<p>Coach Trayne and Captain Ted Crockett were -talking anxiously together while the Fardale batters -were being mowed down in the final half of -the eighth.</p> - -<p>“We’re gone completely now,” announced -Crockett gloomily. “We’ll get another chance -next inning, but the game’s over.”</p> - -<p>“I can’t understand it,” said the coach, in perplexity. -“I’ve had no answers to any of my telegrams -from Chip or Billy or Clancy. At noon I -wired the hotel there, and they said that all three -had left yesterday. Nobody knows where they -are.”</p> - -<p>“Something’s happened to ’em, all right,” said -Ted, as a storm of cheers swept out from the -Franklin bleachers, announcing that Peters had -fanned a second man. “Maybe that car of -Clancy’s has blown up. Did you wire Mr. Merriwell?”</p> - -<p>“I’ve wired everybody in the country!” cried -the coach desperately. “Nobody knows anything -about it. Merry left Carsonville yesterday -morning, with Clan and Billy. That’s all. -They’ve dropped completely out of sight.”</p> - -<p>“It’s a rotten shame,” muttered Crockett. “We -had to put Randall in, and they have simply murdered -him. The boys are all up in the air, too.”</p> - -<p>“Well, hold the score down,” said Coach -Trayne, in desperation. “That’s all we can hope -for now.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum">[204]</span></p> - -<p>Another roar went up from Franklin as Peters -fanned the third man. Villum Kess trotted out -to right field in gloomy fashion.</p> - -<p>“Ve vos complexicated now,” he said, as -Crockett joined him. “Ve make a losings ven -Chip vos gone, yah! Ve vos our feet viped off -der earth of, Ted!”</p> - -<p>“We’ll have to hold ’em,” said the captain -glumly. “We get one more chance.”</p> - -<p>Randall went into the pitcher’s box amid a -storm of cheers from the Fardale bleachers. The -Southerner realized that he had been outclassed, -but he was resolutely trying to hold his self-control.</p> - -<p>“All right, Randall!” cried Crockett. “We’re -all with you, old man!”</p> - -<p>“Yah, ve vos all mit you,” piped up Villum. -“But I vish dot Merry vos mit us, like plazes!”</p> - -<p>As the first Franklin man came up, Fardale -redoubled its cheers. It was the first of the ninth. -If Franklin could be held to its four runs, there -was still a slim chance that Peters might be -pounded in the next half. But every one admitted -that the chance was too slim to be hoped for. -Peters had everything.</p> - -<p>The batter fell on Randall’s first ball, and -cracked out a neat single. The next batter tried -for a sacrifice, but he was unable even to put -himself out. The ball rolled down to third, and -the third baseman made a wild throw to first.<span class="pagenum">[205]</span> -Both men were safe, and the Franklin cheers redoubled.</p> - -<p>It was too much for Randall. In his anger he -sent a fast one at the plate, and Peters himself -landed on it. The ball streaked down toward -first, but the unhappy substitute, playing Clancy’s -position, muffed it. By the time he got through -booting it around, the bases were filled, not a man -was out, and Franklin seemed fated to run up -a tremendous score.</p> - -<p>The next man advanced to the plate with a -wide grin at Randall. The heavy end of Franklin’s -batting order was up. At this instant, however, -a shrill yell ascended from the gate.</p> - -<p>“Merriwell! Merriwell! Stop the game!”</p> - -<p>The yell rose to a roar. Men rose in the -bleachers, stamping and waving their hats. -Every one knew of Merriwell’s unexplained absence. -Randall went white, and would have delivered -the ball had not the umpire stopped him.</p> - -<p>Across the field careered a dust-white <em>Hornet</em>, -with three uniformed figures clinging to it. Ted -Crockett turned with a wild yell as Clancy drew -up behind third.</p> - -<p>“Get in the game!” he shouted. “Merry, -pitch! Take first, Clan! Catch, Billy!”</p> - -<p>A renewed storm of yells swept the field as -the sudden shift of players was comprehended. -Randall, white-faced, tried to protest, but -Crockett waved him off the field. The three<span class="pagenum">[206]</span> -friends had made shift to don their uniforms as -they rode into town, not without difficulty. Coming -through the village they had heard how the -game was going, and had hastened on to the -field.</p> - -<p>While they took their positions, and Merry was -given a moment to warm up, the crowd fell silent. -Even the Franklin rooters had cheered, for they -were clean sportsmen, but the Fardale fans began -to realize that Merry had arrived too late.</p> - -<p>“They can’t do anything now except hold ’em -down,” declared Coach Trayne.</p> - -<p>New life had been infused into the team, however. -Villum Kess was capering around in right -field trying to stand on his head, and almost succeeding. -The ball was being snapped around the -bases in wonderful fashion. One and all, the -team were leaping into action as if the coming -of Merry and his friends had turned the tide.</p> - -<p>Yet the score stood four to one, and the bases -were filled, there were none out.</p> - -<p>“Play ball!” called the umpire.</p> - -<p>The Franklin batter stepped into his box. -Merry poised himself on the mound and nodded -at Billy’s eager signal.</p> - -<p>Then Merry did a strange thing:</p> - -<p>He knew that the men behind him had regained -confidence, and he proceeded to show his confidence -in them by lobbing over a slow, straight<span class="pagenum">[207]</span> -ball. The batter almost gasped with astonishment, -but swung and took it on the nose.</p> - -<p>“Wow!”</p> - -<p>The crowd came up on its toes. The ball drove -across the field like a bullet, so quickly that it -could hardly be seen what had happened. The -shortstop put out his glove, and the ball struck. -Instantly he leaped to second.</p> - -<p>The runners had leaped at the crack of the -bat. Touching second, the shortstop whipped the -ball to Clancy. It came straight and true, and -the man on first tried to get back, but too late. -Three men had been retired, in less than twenty -seconds from the time the ball was hit!</p> - -<p>“Great Scott!” gasped Trayne, watching with -bulging eyes. “It’s incredible!”</p> - -<p>The crowd went mad with excitement. Such -playing had rarely been seen on Fardale field -since the time of Frank Merriwell, senior. The -Fardale players had moved like clockwork, with -such absolute precision that they had accomplished -a triple play before they themselves realized -the fact!</p> - -<p>Small wonder that the fans went crazy as the -team trotted in. The grand stand was in bedlam, -screaming and shouting and stamping. The -bleachers shrieked that the game was not lost yet, -and implored Crockett to send Merry to bat.</p> - -<p>Crockett did not lose his head in the excitement, -however. He himself was up, and he was<span class="pagenum">[208]</span> -fairly confident of a hit. As he strode out to the -plate, the uproar died away. After all, Franklin -was three runs to the good, and the case for -Fardale looked hopeless.</p> - -<p>As it happened, Clancy, Billy Mac, and Chip -would come to bat in the order named.</p> - -<p>Crockett fell on the first ball for a clean safety, -Clancy walked out and the Fardale followers -greeted him with a storm of yells.</p> - -<p>These died into a groan, as Clancy swung twice -without result. Peters was a cool pitcher, and he -tried to tease Clancy into a third strike, but in -vain. With three balls, Clancy settled himself -for a good one.</p> - -<p>It came over—a sharp drop. Clancy chopped at -it, and the ball went sizzling toward third. Instantly -Crockett was speeding toward second, and -managed to beat out the ball by an inch. Once -more the crowd went wild with excitement.</p> - -<p>“A hit, Billy Mac!”</p> - -<p>“Billy Mac to bat!”</p> - -<p>“Win the game, Billy!”</p> - -<p>Yell after yell pealed across the field, as Billy -Mac went forth. Peters conferred with his -catcher, and steadied down his rather demoralized -team, then went back to the box.</p> - -<p>Billy looked like easy money. He swung widely -at two teasers, and Franklin began to grin. With -the next ball down, however, Billy suddenly -changed his tactics and met it on the nose. The<span class="pagenum">[209]</span> -ball sailed up over second, continued its course -beyond reach of the center fielder, and, before it -was retrieved, two men had come in and Billy -was grinning happily from third.</p> - -<p>“Four to three! Hurray!”</p> - -<p>The band struck into “Fair Fardale” and hundreds -of voices picked up the song and thundered -it forth as Merry was seen to step toward the -plate, bat in hand. The chorus rose and shrilled -up into a wild scream, drowning out the Franklin -cries. Peters waited, then shot the ball down.</p> - -<p>Frank struck—and missed.</p> - -<p>Again Peters poised himself. Again he uncurled -his slim length and sent the white sphere -sizzling down. Again Merry swung wickedly at -it, and missed.</p> - -<p>The song died away and settled into silence. -Peters grinned easily, glanced at Billy at third, -and sent another hot one over the plate.</p> - -<p>Merry struck. A sharp crack, and the ball -began to rise. But the Franklin outfielders took -one look at it, then flung up their gloves and ran -in. It was a home run, and Fardale had won by -one run!</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="chapter"></div><!--Page break for ePub--> - -<p><span class="pagenum">[210]</span></p> - - - - -<h2 id="CHAPTER_XXVI">CHAPTER XXVI.<br /> -<span class="cheaderfont">CAPTAIN OF THE NINE.</span></h2> - - -<p>“Hey, Chip! We got him!”</p> - -<p>The players grouped about Coach Trayne in -the clubhouse turned. They had been waiting -for the arrival of Clancy and Billy Mac, who was -still to vote on the new captain, as the coach had -demanded a written ballot.</p> - -<p>“By gracious!”</p> - -<p>The exclamation burst from Merry. Between -Clancy and Billy was a drooping figure which he -recognized as that of Colonel Carson. The man’s -clothes were torn, and by the fierce glances he -cast around it was clear that he had not been captured -without a struggle.</p> - -<p>“We knew he was somewhere,” explained the -panting Clancy. “So we went to the gate and -grabbed him. Let’s tar and feather him, fellows!”</p> - -<p>“Stop!”</p> - -<p>Merry stepped out as the yell went up. He -flung Billy and Clancy aside, and faced the -frightened Colonel Carson.</p> - -<p>“Colonel,” he said quietly, “I think you’d better -get out of town at once. You tried dirty work, -and I fancy that you’ve paid up for it, since you -intended betting on Franklin. Fade away, and -do it lively.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum">[211]</span></p> - -<p>Colonel Carson faded.</p> - -<p>“He plunged pretty heavily, I hear,” said -Trayne, holding back the indignant Fardale men. -“Let him go, boys. Merry’s right. Get in here -with your ballots, you fellows, and quit delaying -things!”</p> - -<p>“Hold on a minute, please,” said Chip. “I only -want to say that the fellow to be elected is Owen -Clancy——”</p> - -<p>“Pho! Shut up, you rube!”</p> - -<p>“Yah! Listen to der peesness! Go vay und -talk mit yourselluf, Frankie!”</p> - -<p>“Clan didn’t knock the home run!”</p> - -<p>Coach Trayne quieted down the yelling mob, -and roared for ballots. When he had written out -his, Merry turned to the silent and unhappy figure -of Bob Randall and held out his hand.</p> - -<p>“Bob,” he said, smiling, “I want to congratulate -you on your game to-day! That Franklin -chap, Peters, seems to have been a general surprise, -and with a smashed-up infield behind you, I -think you did remarkably well to keep them -down!”</p> - -<p>Randall hesitated, then accepted Frank’s hand. -There was a quick glitter in his dark eyes as he -searched Merry’s face.</p> - -<p>“Do you mean it?” he faltered. “You—you’re -not sarcastic?”</p> - -<p>“Well, I should say not!” cried Merry warmly. -“Old man, if you’d had Clan and Billy in their<span class="pagenum">[212]</span> -regular positions to steady things down, you’d -have won in a hand down!”</p> - -<p>“Thanks,” said Randall, and turned away. -“It’s—it’s mighty good of you, Chip.”</p> - -<p>There were fifteen men present, counting the -substitutes, who, of course, each had a vote. -When the last ballot had been handed in, Coach -Trayne read them one by one. Then he held up -his hand.</p> - -<p>“Men,” he said, “I received fifteen ballots in -the vote for a captain of the regular team to succeed -Captain Ted Crockett, who leaves Fardale -to-night. The results are as follows: One vote -for Randall, the other fourteen votes are all for -Merriwell, so I guess we can claim that the new -captain has been unanimously elected.”</p> - -<p>A shouting mob surrounded Chip, who had, in -truth, been surprised. His thoughts had all been -with Colonel Carson, and he had failed utterly -to consider the captaincy. Through the crowd -pushed Randall, his eyes shining.</p> - -<p>“And I want to congratulate you, Merry,” he -said simply, holding out his hand to Frank. -“You’re the man for the job!”</p> - -<p>“Thank you, old man,” said Merry, as he met -Randall’s eyes. “I’m proud to have you behind -me!”</p> - -<p>And their hands met, amid a renewed storm of -cheers.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="chapter"></div><!--Page break for ePub--> - -<p><span class="pagenum">[213]</span></p> - - - - -<h2 id="CHAPTER_XXVII">CHAPTER XXVII.<br /> -<span class="cheaderfont">A CHALLENGE.</span></h2> - - -<p>“Where’s Bob Randall?”</p> - -<p>“Search me, Chip. He didn’t turn up for -practice. Bet a dollar he’s still sore over not -getting elected captain.”</p> - -<p>“Nonsense, Clan! He came around finely, -congratulated me——”</p> - -<p>“Oh, I know all about that. But the galoot got -hot all over again, when he got to thinking it -over! I know his kind. He goes on impulse.”</p> - -<p>Merry turned away. Despite his efforts to -convince himself to the contrary, he knew that -Clancy was right. Randall “went on impulse.”</p> - -<p>“Well, I’ll do the best I can,” thought Merry -anxiously. “Bob is too fine a fellow to do this. -If I leave Fardale he ought to be captain, I -think.”</p> - -<p>The first and second teams were at practice -on the Fardale ball field. There was an hour -left before the drums would sound assembly for -supper formation, and Merry was putting his -men through their paces.</p> - -<p>“I hear there’s no game for Saturday,” said -Billy McQuade, joining Merry.</p> - -<p>“Right. Had to be canceled. I’m sorry, because -I may have to leave next week, and I’d like -to play one more game——”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum">[214]</span></p> - -<p>Frank broke off abruptly as the cadet orderly -from Colonel Gunn’s office came up and saluted.</p> - -<p>“Telegram, just arrived.”</p> - -<p>“Thank you.”</p> - -<p>Merry took the message and tore it open. A -cry of amazement broke from him, followed by -an incredulous laugh. Then he turned.</p> - -<p>“Mr. Trayne! Clan! Come over here!”</p> - -<p>Coach Trayne and Clancy joined him, and -Merry proceeded to read the message aloud:</p> - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<p>“<span class="smcap">Frank Merriwell, Junior</span>, Captain Fardale Baseball -Team: The Carsonville Clippers challenge you to a game -next Saturday, at Fardale. Anxious to meet regular Fardale -team. Wire my expense.</p> - -<p class="center p-1 shiftright">“<span class="smcap">Colonel Carson</span>, Owner.”</p></div> - -<p>Frank looked up, his eyes twinkling.</p> - -<p>“Say, fellows, talk about nerve!”</p> - -<p>“Nerve!” cried Clancy. “After you went over -to Carsonville, picked up a team, and beat them! -After Colonel Carson and his son tried to keep -you out of the Franklin game last Saturday by -kidnaping you! Nerve’s no name for it, Chip. -Tell ’em to go to thunder.”</p> - -<p>“That fellow’s a pirate!” cried Billy Mac excitedly. -“Wire him a hundred words collect with -a kick at the end, Chip!”</p> - -<p>“There’s something crooked behind this,” declared -Clancy hotly. “The Clippers are crooked -clear through, Chip, and we’d better not mix up -with them.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum">[215]</span></p> - -<p>“They’re an amateur team, though,” said Coach -Trayne doubtfully. “It’d be a good game, boys.”</p> - -<p>“Sure it would,” added Billy Mac scornfully. -“Colonel Carson wants to recoup for his losses, -Mr. Trayne. He has the reputation of being a -dirty gambler, and there’s something behind the -challenge, you can be sure of that!”</p> - -<p>Frank smiled.</p> - -<p>“His crooked work doesn’t seem to have won -for him, just the same! Look here, fellows, -there’s no game Saturday, so we might accept -this. It will be lots of fun to pound Bully Carson -out of the lot.”</p> - -<p>“I guess Bully won’t pitch,” declared Clancy, -with a grin. “It’d take him more than a week -to get over what I did to him, Chip.</p> - -<p>“That’s one thing that looks queer to me,” continued -the red-haired chap. “You can bet a fistful -that Colonel Carson isn’t out for sport, Chip. -He’s out for revenge and boodle, and he doesn’t -care how he gets either, so long as he gets it.”</p> - -<p>“Let him come after it,” said Coach Trayne. -“There’s no prospect of getting another game -for Saturday, and the athletic association can -use the money. That game would draw a big -crowd, Clancy.”</p> - -<p>“We don’t want to let him yell that we had -cold feet,” said Frank.</p> - -<p>Billy Mac grunted.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum">[216]</span></p> - -<p>“But what’s the sense in playing him, Chip? -We ought to have that shyster put in jail for -kidnaping you, and we could do it, and his son, -too. Everybody knows his crowd is crooked -and——”</p> - -<p>“So much the more glory in beating them -squarely,” said Frank. “What do you think about -it, Mr. Trayne?”</p> - -<p>“It looks all right to me,” returned the coach. -“I’d say to take the game, and then lick the stuffing -out of those fellows. We’re playing the Clippers, -you know, not Colonel Carson himself. -They could certainty raise a holler if we refused, -for they’re the crack team of the Amateur -League. We’ve no good reason for turning them -down, except on the score of crookedness, which -we can’t raise against the team as a whole. Carson’s -private dirty work doesn’t blanket his whole -team, remember.”</p> - -<p>“That’s true,” said Clancy, “but the team is a -bad lot, too. They tried to beat up Chip, Billy, -and me down at Carsonville, after our pick-ups -licked them. But you suit yourself, Merry. I’ll -stand back of you.”</p> - -<p>“Same here, Chip,” said Billy. “I’d just as -soon help to do the bunch up brown, anyhow.”</p> - -<p>“All right, then,” said Frank. “I see the practice -game is over, so I’ll trot across to the office -and phone down a telegram of acceptance.”</p> - -<p>“Oh, by the way, Merriwell,” said Coach<span class="pagenum">[217]</span> -Trayne, stopping him, “who are you working out -to fill Crockett’s place?”</p> - -<p>“Well, Mr. Trayne, my choice happens to be -holding down second right now,” and Frank -looked across the diamond with a twinkle. “What -do you think of him?”</p> - -<p>The party turned. Standing awkwardly on -second and waiting for a grounder from the batter -was Villum Kess. He stood full on the sack -itself, as though firmly determined not to let it -get away from him. A burst of laughter went -up, though Trayne kept silent.</p> - -<p>“Him!” cried Clancy derisively. “He’s done -nothing but right field up to now, Chip! Why, -he’ll fall all over the infield!”</p> - -<p>“He’s a joke,” said Billy Mac. “Oh, my eye! -Look at that!”</p> - -<p>Clancy gasped. As the batter sent a twisting -grounder at the place Kess should have been -standing, the German youth appeared to lose his -balance and topple from the bag. He stumbled -over his own foot, tried to recover in vain, and -went headlong to the ground in front of the ball. -By some weird chance it seemed to hit his glove, -and as he sat up he grinned and tossed it to -first.</p> - -<p>“Dot vos der pusiness!” he squawked, as every -one roared with laughter. “Yaw! Didn’t you -toldt me so? You pet!”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum">[218]</span></p> - -<p>“Talk about luck!” gasped Clancy. “Surely -you’re not in earnest, Chip?”</p> - -<p>“I am,” said Merry. “Maybe it’s luck, but I’ve -noticed that Villum always makes the luck break -his way, Clan. Get out to first and see if you -can make him miss your pegs. If you can, I’ll -reverse my decision.”</p> - -<p>Clancy trotted off with a whoop, and Coach -Trayne smiled.</p> - -<p>“I wish you were going to stay at Fardale as -captain, Chip! You’d either smash up the team -or else it would be a wonder to behold!”</p> - -<p>“Thanks for them kind words,” said Frank, -with a chuckle, moving away. “You can announce -that game for Saturday, Mr. Trayne!”</p> - -<p>And he departed for Colonel Gunn’s office, in -order to telephone his wire to the village.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="chapter"></div><!--Page break for ePub--> - -<p><span class="pagenum">[219]</span></p> - - - - -<h2 id="CHAPTER_XXVIII">CHAPTER XXVIII.<br /> -<span class="cheaderfont">LAYING THE WIRES.</span></h2> - - -<p>It was commonly reported around Carsonville -that the estimable Colonel Carson could tug more -Satanic inspiration out of his yellow-gray goatee -than Satan himself. At the present moment he -seemed to be highly satisfied with himself.</p> - -<p>He was sitting in his study at Carsonville, and -with him was his son. Bully Carson’s face was -decorated with a large black eye, over which he -wore an eye patch.</p> - -<p>He was clad in a loud checked suit, flaming-red -necktie, and green waistcoat. From one corner -of his mouth drooped a negligent cigarette. His -face looked pasty and unwholesome, and reflected -the same hard, unscrupulous look that shone in -his father’s eyes.</p> - -<p>“Son, here’s where we even up with them Merriwells -for good and all.”</p> - -<p>Colonel Carson tugged at his goatee again, and -glanced down at Merry’s telegram of acceptance. -He used the Clippers as a means to win money -by gambling. And when he did gamble, it was -usually a sure thing. This he proceeded to prove -in his next words.</p> - -<p>“Bully, I’m going to clean up a lot on this here -Fardale game,” he stated reflectively. “I got -word to-night that Southpaw Diggs will come.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum">[220]</span></p> - -<p>“Whew!” Bully peered at his father in admiration. -“Pop, you’re a slick one! Ain’t you afraid -they’ll recognize him?”</p> - -<p>“Not at Fardale. He’ll take a fictitious name -and shave off his mustache. I’m going to pay him -well for it. Also, I’ve got a semipro catcher to -take the place of Squint Fletcher, whom some of -the town boys trounced. Squint was always insolent, -anyhow.”</p> - -<p>“Yes,” said Bully, with a scowl. “He didn’t -have no respect for me at all. Then you’ve got -two other fellers from that outlaw league, ain’t -you?”</p> - -<p>“For first and third,” replied his father. “Our -own second baseman is excellent, and with Southpaw -Diggs we’ll have a walk-away, son.”</p> - -<p>Bully nodded. Diggs was a famous professional -pitcher. In his good days he was one of -the best in the country, but he had been let out -by the last team he had been with for drunkenness.</p> - -<p>“Sure Diggs won’t get boozed up, pop?”</p> - -<p>“Quite sure. He has agreed to let me bet half -the amount I am to pay him on our team. He’s -also agreed not to touch a drop meantime, and, -as he needs the money, we can depend on him -fully.”</p> - -<p>Carson, junior, looked down at the floor, then -lifted his one good eye suddenly.</p> - -<p>“Pop, I want some money,” he blurted out. “I<span class="pagenum">[221]</span> -want to get down some bets on this game for myself, -and I’m busted.”</p> - -<p>“Nothing doing,” and his father’s eyes narrowed. -“I’ll make a clean-up for the family, -son.”</p> - -<p>“Aw, loosen up!” exclaimed Bully disgustedly. -“You durned old tightwad, you got more dollars -in the bank than I have cents! Why, you own the -bank, yet you won’t come over with a hundred!”</p> - -<p>“I should say not!” cried Colonel Carson, horrified -at the mere idea. “Ain’t I brought you up -all your life? Ain’t I paid for them clothes you -got on?”</p> - -<p>“Well, you needn’t holler so about it,” retorted -his son. “I want some coin, hear that? I’m tired -o’ lollin’ around without any money to go on, and -I’m goin’ to have some.”</p> - -<p>“Get out and rustle for it, then, like I did,” retorted -his father grimly.</p> - -<p>Bully grunted with contempt. He had the same -keen love for dollars that his father had, but he -did not possess the elder Carson’s aptitude to pick -up cents. However, he fully intended to get hold -of some money to bet on the Fardale game.</p> - -<p>There was no doubt that the Clippers would -win, none at all. With Diggs on the mound the -academy team would be helpless, to say nothing -of the other professionals who would masquerade -as amateurs for the occasion. It was a “raw -deal,” but Colonel Carson was famed in sporting<span class="pagenum">[222]</span> -circles for his ability to put raw deals over successfully.</p> - -<p>“This is the surest kind of a good thing,” he -mused reflectively. “If Diggs shows up in good -shape, Bully, I’ll get down about a thousand that -we shut them out without a run.”</p> - -<p>“You’d better go easy on them fancy bets,” -growled Bully. “That Merriwell kid is liable to -connect with a streak of luck and jab out a homer, -like he done against Franklin. You thought that -was a sure thing, too.”</p> - -<p>Colonel Carson winced. Merriwell’s homer on -that occasion had cost him more money than he -liked to think about.</p> - -<p>“You may be right, Bully,” he said slowly. “But -he would be helpless before Southpaw Diggs.”</p> - -<p>“He’s got the durndest luck you ever seen,” insisted -Bully doggedly.</p> - -<p>Colonel Carson began to pull at his goatee once -more, frowning at the floor. He knew that Merriwell’s -success was not so much due to good luck -as it was to pluck, skill, and honesty. He could -not blind himself to this, but the knowledge only -swerved his mind toward vindictiveness.</p> - -<p>“No,” he replied slowly, “it isn’t all luck, son. -Just the same, I’ve no fears that he’ll be able to -buck Diggs. There’s no harm in making sure -against all chance, however. If we could get him -out of the way, Randall would pitch. That’d cinch -the whole thing.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum">[223]</span></p> - -<p>“Huh!” sniffed Bully. “You said that once before——”</p> - -<p>“Shut up!” snapped his father violently. “I’ve -had enough of your insolence! We’ll fix that kid -this time, and no mistake.”</p> - -<p>“You will, you mean. Count me out right here, -pop! I’ve had all I want o’ that kid, and if there’s -any ‘fixing’ to do, I ain’t goin’ to mix in it. No, -I’m cured, I am, and I reckon I’ll stay cured quite -a spell.”</p> - -<p>He felt his injured eye tenderly. His father -continued to pull at his goatee, and suddenly he -nodded in decision and rose.</p> - -<p>Going to a cabinet that stood against the wall, -he opened a small drawer and extracted a tiny -folded paper. With this in his hand, he returned -to Bully.</p> - -<p>“All right, son, we’ll let your goody-goody -Cousin Bob Randall handle this for us. You go -over to Fardale to-morrow and see him. Give him -this”—and he held up the folded paper—“and tell -him to get Merriwell to drink it any time in the -forenoon next Saturday. It’s a powder, and all -Randall will have to do is to shake it into a glass -of water. It’ll fix him.”</p> - -<p>Colonel Carson’s eyes were malevolent as he -spoke. Bully hung back, however.</p> - -<p>“No, you don’t, pop,” he cried, with something -like fear, “I ain’t goin’ to mix up in no poisoning——”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum">[224]</span></p> - -<p>“Shut up, you fool!” snarled his father, glancing -around. “This ain’t poison, but a powder -that’ll send him off into a sound sleep for a while. -It won’t hurt him in any fashion, but it’ll put him -out o’ the game for sure.”</p> - -<p>“But what about Randall?” Bully queried -weakly. “You tried to get him to throw the game -with Franklin, and he got sore. He ain’t the -kind to do this, pop.”</p> - -<p>“Oh, I sized him up pretty well,” chuckled the -elder Carson wickedly. “Now listen, Bully: You -work this right, and I’ll give you ten per cent of -all I win on the game, see? This part of it depends -on you, and you can do it fine.</p> - -<p>“Go to Fardale and get hold of Randall. Talk -to him slow and easy, and get him madder and -madder. He’ll be sore about not getting elected -captain, anyhow. Work on that string. Play -him good and strong, and get him to promise that -he’ll give the stuff to Merriwell. Then we’ve got -him. He’s one o’ them fellers who’ll stick to a -promise, no matter what comes. But you’ll have -to handle it right.”</p> - -<p>“You can trust me for that,” said Bully, with -a growl, as he took the paper.</p> - -<p>His eyes shone with vindictive cunning. He -had tried to injure Merriwell, but vainly. Therefore, -it was quite natural that he should bear bitter -hatred toward the fellow he had tried to injure.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum">[225]</span></p> - -<p>He saw that by working through Randall he -would be freed of all personal responsibility, and -this thought cheered on his little soul. He was -willing enough to do anything for which another -could be made to suffer, and this sort of chicanery -was precisely what he could do well.</p> - -<p>None the less, he did not forget that he wanted -money. He saw that his father’s scheme depended -upon him, and grinned evilly.</p> - -<p>“Now, come across, pop!”</p> - -<p>“Hey?” Colonel Carson glared. “What do -you mean?”</p> - -<p>“Come across, I said!” Bully lolled back negligently -in his chair, and eyed his father coolly. -“I ain’t workin’ for my health.”</p> - -<p>“Confound your insolence!” sputtered the other -angrily. “You’re working for me! I’ll give you -no money to squander, you reprobate!”</p> - -<p>“Nothin’ doing, then, old tightwad,” and Bully -made as if to hand back the folded paper. He -carelessly took his cigarette from his mouth and -exhaled a cloud of vile-smelling smoke.</p> - -<p>“Why—do you mean—do you refuse to go to -Fardale?” Colonel Carson was almost speechless -with rage.</p> - -<p>“Surest thing you know!”</p> - -<p>Colonel Carson reached into his pocket and -drew out two five-dollar bills.</p> - -<p>“Here’s ten dollars—take it or leave it. Go to<span class="pagenum">[226]</span> -Fardale and stay over Saturday. Use this as expense -money.”</p> - -<p>Bully sniffed, and his father exploded:</p> - -<p>“You’ll do what I say! Take this expense -money and work this business, and you get ten -per cent of the winnings. Refuse, and you can -go to the dickens for all o’ me! I’ll not have a -worthless thing like you loafin’ around here any -longer, understand?”</p> - -<p>It was the first time Bully had ever seen his -father aroused against him, and he was cowed. -Reaching out, he took the money and put it in his -pocket with the paper.</p> - -<p>“All right,” he said, “I’ll do it.” But to himself -he muttered sullenly: “And I’ll have a wad -to bet on that game—somehow!”</p> - -<p>“Ah, I thought you’d come around, son!”</p> - -<p>And once more Colonel Carson complacently -tugged at his goatee.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="chapter"></div><!--Page break for ePub--> - -<p><span class="pagenum">[227]</span></p> - - - - -<h2 id="CHAPTER_XXIX">CHAPTER XXIX.<br /> -<span class="cheaderfont">A THOUSAND DOLLARS IN CASH.</span></h2> - - -<p>With eight dollars in his pocket, after purchasing -his railroad ticket, Bully Carson climbed -aboard the express.</p> - -<p>He did not go into a Pullman, for that would -cost more money. Instead, he sauntered up to -the smoking car, rolling a cigarette as he went. -For this occasion he had abandoned his “swellest” -clothes, being simply clad in a black-and-white, -shiny-buttoned suit that shrieked aloud, a plain -orange-and-white necktie, and a pair of patent-leather -shoes with green uppers. Bully desired to -avoid all prominence during his stay in Fardale, -and so had picked out his meekest raiment for -the trip.</p> - -<p>He found the smoking car fairly well filled, and -with his mind still occupied with the subject of -raising some money with which to bet for himself, -he dropped into a seat beside a small, dried-up -little man.</p> - -<p>Now, there are many people who gauge other -people’s importance by their clothes, and who do -so without any regard for taste. Ezra Hostetter -had run a laundry all his life, and he was the -simplest-hearted person that ever ironed a collar. -Being of extremely dull taste as regarded his own<span class="pagenum">[228]</span> -attire, he entertained an unlimited admiration for -those fortunate men who could afford and carry -off gorgeous apparel with perfect ease.</p> - -<p>Consequently, he directed one startled glance at -Bully’s glorious harmony of colors, and was lost. -With honest longing stamped on his face, he directed -sly but highly admiring side looks that -feasted on everything from the green-topped -shoes to the scarlet-and-blue hatband incasing -Bully’s purple felt hat.</p> - -<p>To be sure, the eye patch slightly detracted -from Bully’s appearance. Ezra Hostetter began -to swell with importance at sitting next this ornate -personage. Possibly it was a prize fighter, -or, at the very least, a follower of sports!</p> - -<p>Not being a judge of character, the little man -stole further worshiping glances as Bully grandly -lighted his cigarette and snapped the match away. -Being an excellent judge of character and delighting -in posing, Bully was not slow to detect -the point-blank admiration of his seatmate, and -to delight in it.</p> - -<p>“Fine weather, ain’t it?” he remarked condescendingly. -“Goin’ to Fardale?”</p> - -<p>Ezra Hostetter jumped, then stammered out -an overjoyed assent:</p> - -<p>“Yes, I’m going to buy a laundry there, Mr.—— Mr.——”</p> - -<p>“Carson,” prompted Bully, settling his thumbs<span class="pagenum">[229]</span> -in his vest and leaning back. “Ed Carson, of -Carsonville. I’m glad to meet you, Mr.——”</p> - -<p>“Hostetter, Ezra Hostetter,” said the dried-up -little laundryman.</p> - -<p>Bully positively basked during the next few -moments. He had had little opportunity to do any -basking around home, of late, and the chance was -too good to be missed. And since he could also -be very genial when he chose, he soon fell into -a conversation with Hostetter which was extremely -pleasant on both sides.</p> - -<p>He did not uncase his splendor all at once, however. -Having seen the simplicity of his companion’s -heart, he began to take a keen delight in -letting him discover his grandeur by degrees.</p> - -<p>It seemed that Hostetter had heard of Colonel -Carson, and, upon discovering that he was talking -with that famous man’s son, his admiration -eclipsed all bounds. After a little he ventured a -timid query as to Bully’s profession.</p> - -<p>“I’m a ball player,” announced Bully, with quiet -dignity. “Not a professional, y’ understand, -though I may consider an offer from the Giants -this summer.”</p> - -<p>This was the final straw. Poor Hostetter, -blinded by the limitations of his own experience, -carried away by the glamour of Bully’s wondrous -raiment, positively groveled. And Bully continued -to bask in open-mouthed admiration of<span class="pagenum">[230]</span> -the other, until it occurred to him that he had -better account for his black eye.</p> - -<p>“I got this in my last game,” and he lightly -touched the patch. “I was pitching, and the batter -hit out a liner at me. I tried to stop it, but the -ball broke through my hands and struck my eye. -Even so, I caught it before it reached the ground, -and so won the game.”</p> - -<p>He reeled off this fabrication with amazing -ease. Across the aisle was seated a man who -had got on at Carsonville, and who knew nothing -of how Bully had really obtained that injured -optic. He grinned, and nudged the man beside -him. Bully did not notice it, however.</p> - -<p>Presently the conversation became even more -personal. Bully discovered that his companion -was proceeding to Fardale to invest in a laundry -there, which was for sale. After a cautious -glance around, Hostetter pulled forth a long black -wallet and opened it out.</p> - -<p>“Look at this!” he exclaimed proudly, anxious -to prove to the great man that he, too, had symptoms -of nobility. “There’s a thousand dollars in -cash—in cash, mind you! I’m going to buy that -laundry with it.”</p> - -<p>Bully leaned over. At sight of the ten hundred-dollar -bills his senses reeled, and sparks -danced before his eyes. A thousand dollars in -cash!</p> - -<p>“By glory!” he gasped inwardly. “If I only<span class="pagenum">[231]</span> -had that much, what a clean-up I’d make on this -Fardale game!”</p> - -<p>He was more cautious in expressing his -thoughts aloud, however.</p> - -<p>“Why didn’t you get a draft? You could ’a’ -cashed it at Fardale in the morning. Ain’t you -afraid some one will hold you up?”</p> - -<p>“It’s kind o’ risky,” admitted the little man, replacing -the wallet. “But I don’t like to trust to -banks, Carson. I had a bank bust on me once, -in Chicago, and I ain’t never going to trust ’em -again. I guess no one’s going to hold me up, -though.”</p> - -<p>Bully pulled down his hat over his eyes. He -knew that they were glittering covetously, and -he desired to hide the glitter from his companion.</p> - -<p>A thousand dollars in cash! The words drove -through his brain over and over, and fitted themselves -into a refrain that chimed with the click -and clatter of the wheels underneath him.</p> - -<p>He had visions of himself nonchalantly sauntering -through the grand stand, waving those -hundred-dollar bills and petrifying the Fardale -fans with his grandeur. The more he thought it -over, the more the idea appealed to him, and the -more he mentally condemned his father for a -tightwad.</p> - -<p>“He’s just rolling in money,” he thought sullenly, -“and here I am almost without a cent! I’ll -have to run close to the wind to make this eight<span class="pagenum">[232]</span> -dollars last me, at that. If I only had that thousand -in cash, I guess I’d cut a swath in Fardale!”</p> - -<p>Bitter and black thoughts filled his mind during -the remainder of the journey. Little by little his -mind edged to the conviction that he was a badly -injured person, and that he was quite justified in -resenting the injury in any manner possible. After -all, he had warned his father quite fairly that he -intended to raise some money, and if his father -refused to take the warning—so much the worse -for him!</p> - -<p>“What hotel do you patronize here, Mr. Carson?” -asked Hostetter, as the train was pulling -into Fardale.</p> - -<p>“Me?” responded Bully, with careless magnificence. -“Oh, I usually frequent the Dobbs Hotel. -Are you going there?”</p> - -<p>“Well—well, to tell the truth, I—I think I -will,” said Hostetter. “It ain’t expensive?”</p> - -<p>Bully grinned to himself, fingering his eight -dollars.</p> - -<p>“Not ’specially so. I’d be glad to have your -company, old man.”</p> - -<p>“Thank you!” and the other glanced about -nervously. “You see, Carson, I’d feel a little bit -safer if I had a friend in the vicinity. Of course -there’s no danger, only I can’t transact my business -till the morning, and——”</p> - -<p>“Give your money to the hotel proprietor,” suggested -Bully.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum">[233]</span></p> - -<p>“Not me! I’ll keep it right on me all the time, -and if I lose it, it’s my own fault. I wouldn’t trust -any hotel man that ever lived!”</p> - -<p>“Well, I dunno’s you’re wrong,” said Bully, -nodding sagely. “Come along—we’ll get supper -at a restaurant, if you like, then go up to the -hotel.”</p> - -<p>At this proposal the little man fluttered with -conscious pride. They left the train and entered -a restaurant together. Here, Bully found that -his raiment created a sensation, that was highly -soothing to his spirits. After supper they went -to the Dobbs Hotel and registered, being given -rooms directly across the hall from each other.</p> - -<p>Bully Carson had already sent a message to -Randall, informing him of his arrival and -stating that he wanted to see him that evening -at the hotel. He knew that his cousin would -have little difficulty in evading the academy regulations -about being out of the grounds after -taps.</p> - -<p>However, Bully’s thoughts were still running -on that thousand dollars in cash. Reaching his -room before Hostetter arrived, for the latter had -paused to telephone the men with whom he was -to do business, Bully covertly took the key from -his own door and tried it in that across the hall.</p> - -<p>The key worked both locks!</p> - -<p>A few moments later the little man arrived at -the room which had been assigned to him. He<span class="pagenum">[234]</span> -soon came over and knocked on Carson’s door, -entering with a worried expression on his face.</p> - -<p>“The bolt on my door is broken,” he exclaimed. -“Do you think it’ll be quite safe there, or had I -better get another room?”</p> - -<p>“Oh, you’re all right,” Bully said carelessly. -“Lock the door and put the key in your pocket—don’t -leave it in the door, or it can be turned from -outside. Then shove that wallet under your pillow, -and you’re safer’n if you was locked up in -a vault. It’s a cinch, old man!”</p> - -<p>“Well, I’ll take your advice,” said Hostetter, -with a relieved air. “Much obliged to you, I’m -sure!”</p> - -<p>Saying good night, he vanished. Bully could -hear him lock his door and withdraw the key.</p> - -<p>Carson sat smoking until the room was so full -of smoke that he was forced to open the window, -much against his will. A thousand dollars in -cash! The words seemed to burn into his brain. -He walked up and down, trying to fling off the -black thoughts that filled him, but finally he -paused and brought down one fist on the table.</p> - -<p>“I’ll do it!”</p> - -<p>At that instant there came a soft knock at the -door. Bully started, and swung around. The -door opened.</p> - -<p>“Oh, it’s you!” he cried, and laughed a little. -“Come in, Bob. I was waiting for you.”</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="chapter"></div><!--Page break for ePub--> - -<p><span class="pagenum">[235]</span></p> - - - - -<h2 id="CHAPTER_XXX">CHAPTER XXX.<br /> -<span class="cheaderfont">CRIMINAL WORK.</span></h2> - - -<p>Bob Randall slipped quickly inside, shut the -door swiftly behind him, and stood as if listening.</p> - -<p>On his high, dark, and undeniably handsome -face there was a look of mingled worry and -anger. His eyes seemed haggard, and Bully Carson -chuckled to himself as he recalled what his -father had said about Randall brooding over a -fancied injury. It was quite plain that Randall -was in good shape to be worked on.</p> - -<p>“What’s the matter?” inquired Bully. “What -you listenin’ for?”</p> - -<p>Randall dropped into a chair, wiping his brow.</p> - -<p>“I thought old man Dobbs had seen me come -in,” he explained nervously. “You see, I got -held up at school, couldn’t get away earlier, and -had to sneak past the guards. I came in the hotel -by the back entrance.”</p> - -<p>“How’ll you get back to your room?”</p> - -<p>“Easy,” said the Southerner. “Rope to the -window. I won’t want to be seen around here, -though, or I might get reported. Old Dobbs -knows me by sight.”</p> - -<p>Carson nodded, and flung himself into a chair.</p> - -<p>“I hear you got beaten to the captaincy of the -nine,” he observed. “That kid Merriwell seems -to cop out everything.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum">[236]</span></p> - -<p>Randall’s face flushed.</p> - -<p>“What did you want to see me about?” he said, -with a scowl.</p> - -<p>“About Merriwell,” Bully stated calmly. “Of -course, he’s got you slated to pitch against the -Clippers Saturday?”</p> - -<p>“Yes he has—not!” Randall lost his temper, -and slipped into his Southern dialect as usual -when he became excited.</p> - -<p>“I wouldn’t pitch if he did! I’ve had enough -of these heah Yankee ways! I’m goin’ to leave -Fahdale, Cahson, for wheah a man doesn’t hog -it all because his fatheh is a big athlete! I cain’t -swallow it and I won’t!”</p> - -<p>“Good for you!” said Bully approvingly. “He -has certainly treated you mis’ably, old hoss. You -ought to be captain of the Fardale team right -now! It ain’t fair treatment, I say.”</p> - -<p>“I reckon not! These low-down Yankees -truckle to him abjectly, Cahson. You-all haven’t -any idea of what goes on heah! When we played -Franklin last Satuhday, that fellow held out the -best men on the team until I was beaten. Then -he showed up, put ’em in, and managed to win -with luck.”</p> - -<p>Randall leaned back, trying to collect himself. -Bully chuckled quietly. It was evident that his -cousin had worked himself up into a riotous state -of mind.</p> - -<p>Randall was honestly convinced that his version<span class="pagenum">[237]</span> -of the Franklin game was the true one. Had -he pitched and won, he would have been elected -captain. He pitched, and was being knocked out -of the box when Merry arrived in the ninth inning -and saved the game.</p> - -<p>All Fardale knew that Merriwell had been held -prisoner, and that Clancy and Billy Mac had rescued -him, all three appearing in the nick of time. -Yet Randall only accepted that as a story put -forth by Merry.</p> - -<p>He had brooded by himself, had pointedly -avoided Chip on the baseball field, and gradually -managed to get himself into a badly overwrought -condition. Twisting every little incident, seeing -everything in the light of his jealousy and bitterness, -it was not hard for him to convince himself -that he was the victim of a cleverly executed -plot.</p> - -<p>His state of mind was a bad one, and would -require some severe and sharp correction before -his angle of vision could be straightened. Fortunately -for himself, he had not attempted to convince -any one else on the subject.</p> - -<p>“That’s right,” Bully encouraged him, playing -his cards cunningly. “He’s done you dirt, Bob, -for a fact. You ought to get even with him.”</p> - -<p>“What chance have I?” Randall asked bitterly. -“I’m all alone here.”</p> - -<p>“Oh, I dunno about that. Pop and me, we figure -to stand by our kin, Bob. Didn’t he try to<span class="pagenum">[238]</span> -help you by keepin’ Merriwell out o’ that Franklin -game?”</p> - -<p>Randall nodded, forcing himself into a strained -calmness.</p> - -<p>“Yes, and I want you to thank him for me, old -man. It was no use, though.”</p> - -<p>“Virtue is its own reward,” quoted Bully. “We -done our best. Now, pop would like to see you -pitch against the Clippers on Saturday, Bob. O’ -course, we mean to beat you, but I ain’t goin’ to -be in the game, and pop would like to——”</p> - -<p>“No chance,” broke in Randall, with renewed -bitterness. Then he glanced up, half suspiciously. -“Why is your father so interested?”</p> - -<p>“Because he likes you, Bob.”</p> - -<p>Bully was too wise to persuade Randall along -crooked lines. He sneered at his cousin, in his -own mind, for being a “goody-goody” fellow.</p> - -<p>“I’d like to even up with Merriwell, Bob,” he -went on cautiously. “We’d like to have you pitch -Saturday ’cause you’re a better pitcher than Merriwell. -We’ve got a new pitcher for the Clippers, -and if we beat Fardale at its best, there’ll be all -the more glory in it.”</p> - -<p>“I suppose Colonel Carson intends to do some -betting?” Bob queried keenly.</p> - -<p>“Oh, a little, mebbe. Not much. Now see here, -Bob: This guy Merriwell ain’t used you right, -to my notion. He’s played dirty against you, and -he’s got all Fardale persuaded that he’s a little<span class="pagenum">[239]</span> -tin god on wheels, with a bell to his neck. There -ain’t no use tryin’ to hit back at him fair and -square. We got to use his own methods.”</p> - -<p>Bully worked himself into a virtuous glow. He -almost believed his own words.</p> - -<p>“You tried ’em last Sunday,” retorted Bob -gloomily. “They didn’t work.”</p> - -<p>“We didn’t know just how slick he was, Bob. -He could ’a’ got away from us sooner, only he -wanted to come in at the last minute for a grand-stand -play. He thinks that if he pitches against -the Clippers he’s sure to win. But we’d sooner -have you pitch, ’cause you ain’t crooked. We -want to play a clean game; get me?”</p> - -<p>Randall nodded. Wrapped up in his own -thoughts, he did not even attempt to penetrate -Bully’s sudden show of conscious virtue.</p> - -<p>“That’s right, Carson. And I’d sure like to -hand him one hot one before I leave school!”</p> - -<p>“You’d hand it to him if you pitched against -the Clippers, Bob. I’ll pass it to you on the quiet -that we don’t know much about our new pitcher, -and he might pan out wrong. If he does, you -stand a chance o’ winning the game. Of course, -I want to see the Clippers win, but if you could -beat us square, I’d be satisfied. It’d make this -Merriwell kid squirm ten ways from election.”</p> - -<p>Randall could readily understand that, according -to his notions of Merry’s character.</p> - -<p>“Yes,” he assented, growing excited as the<span class="pagenum">[240]</span> -golden vision arose before him. “Yes, I reckon -yo’ ce’tainly have it doped out. If that could come -about, he’d sho’ learn a bitteh lesson, the low-down -scoundrel!”</p> - -<p>Bully grinned to himself. He could read his -cousin like a book, and was playing on the other -with beautiful precision.</p> - -<p>“Well, Bob, pop and I figgered up a plan. It -ain’t a nice plan, but this is our last chance to -slip one over on Merriwell. He ain’t played the -gentleman in his dealings with you, and we don’t -mind fightin’ fire with fire for once.”</p> - -<p>This amazing display of innocence did not astonish -Randall. He knew little of his precious -relatives, and Bully’s assumed hesitation seemed -quite natural to him.</p> - -<p>“Neither do I!” he growled, in return. “Where -he is concerned, Carson, I’d feel justified in doing -anything!”</p> - -<p>“Then do this, Cousin Bob.”</p> - -<p>While he spoke, Bully took from his pocket the -carefully folded paper that had been given him -by his father. Randall looked at it.</p> - -<p>“Here’s the plan we figgered out, Bob: To get -Merriwell out o’ this here game, we got to keep -him out by force. It ain’t no use appealing to -his fairness. He ain’t got any such thing!”</p> - -<p>“Force won’t work, here at Fardale,” muttered -Bob.</p> - -<p>“But this powder will,” said Bully, leaning forward<span class="pagenum">[241]</span> -and dropping his voice. “Hold on!” he -cried, as Randall gave a quick start. “It ain’t -only a sleepin’ potion, Bob. If you could get -Merriwell to drink it any time Saturday mornin’, -which is to-morrow, he’d sleep clear through till -supper time. They couldn’t wake him up, and if -they did he wouldn’t be no good.”</p> - -<p>Randall flushed, drawing back.</p> - -<p>“It’s a bad business,” he faltered.</p> - -<p>“So’s your losing out for captain, Bob. Go -in and win this game. What if Merriwell does -know you doped him? He can’t prove it. If you -win the game, you’ll show him up for fair. If you -get beat, they’ll say he got cold feet. You win -comin’ and goin’, and we’ll even things up with -him once and for all. What say?”</p> - -<p>Randall still hesitated. Looking at the folded -paper which his cousin held out to him, the criminality -of the thing appalled him. His chivalrous -nature rebelled at the very thought.</p> - -<p>But Bully’s cunning words worked on his mind. -His fancied wrongs loomed up large on his mental -horizon. Once more a flood of bitterness swept -over him, and he felt himself justified in doing -anything.</p> - -<p>“I’ll do it,” he said thickly, and took the paper.</p> - -<p>“Promise?”</p> - -<p>“My word is my promise,” cried Randall, half -angrily. Then he glanced around with sudden -alarm. “Say, I’ve been here too long. See if any<span class="pagenum">[242]</span> -one’s in the hall, so I can get out the back way -to the side street.”</p> - -<p>Bully opened the door and announced that the -coast was clear. On this Randall silently shook -hands with him, then stole off down the corridor -on tiptoe.</p> - -<p>For a moment Bully watched, then his eyes -went to the opposite door. In the silence he could -plainly hear a gentle, regular snore. Still watching -that door, he drew the key from his own -lock.</p> - -<p>Then he snapped off his own light, and in two -quick steps was across the hall. For an instant -he fumbled at the door, with deft fingers that -turned back the lock in perfect silence. Slowly -and cautiously he pressed the knob and opened the -door.</p> - -<p>Half a moment later he reappeared and locked -the door as silently as he had unlocked it. Darting -swiftly into his room, he switched on the light -and drew something from his pocket, examining -it swiftly. His eyes glittered, and he again -snapped off his light and undressed in the darkness, -carefully stowing away the object in his -coat pocket.</p> - -<p>“A thousand dollars in cash!” he murmured, as -he crept into bed. “Pop, if you could only see -me now!”</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="chapter"></div><!--Page break for ePub--> - -<p><span class="pagenum">[243]</span></p> - - - - -<h2 id="CHAPTER_XXXI">CHAPTER XXXI.<br /> -<span class="cheaderfont">BEFORE THE GAME.</span></h2> - - -<p>“How’s everything, Chip?”</p> - -<p>“Great, Mr. Trayne! We’re going to do some -topside playing this afternoon!”</p> - -<p>“Glad to hear it,” said the coach, with a smile. -“Have you decided to keep Kess at second?”</p> - -<p>“If you approve, sir. Lowe at third, Harker -at short, and O’Day in Villum’s place in right. -It’s a new line-up, but I think it’s tremendously -strengthened.”</p> - -<p>Coach Trayne nodded quick assent.</p> - -<p>“You’ve done wonders with those chaps already, -Chip! Crockett was a dandy captain, but -he seemed content to keep the men in their old -positions. This change of yours is going to give -the fans a big surprise.”</p> - -<p>“And a pleasant one, I hope.” Merry’s smile -suddenly died away. “Only I’m not quite certain -about the pitching end.”</p> - -<p>“What!” Coach Trayne’s face expressed sudden -concern. “Aren’t you going in?”</p> - -<p>“I hope so. But I was thinking what would -happen if anything went wrong with me, or if I -got pounded badly. You see, Randall is our best -substitute man, and he’s been acting badly lately. -He refused to come out to practice the last two<span class="pagenum">[244]</span> -days, and virtually announced that he was -through with baseball.”</p> - -<p>“I know,” and the coach looked worried. “Personally, -I’d like to kick him around the block, -Chip! But for the school’s sake we ought to try -to placate him.”</p> - -<p>It was late Saturday morning, the day of the -game with the Carsonville Clippers. Everything -looked bright for Fardale. The Clippers were due -to arrive on the noon train, and, as their reputation -was great, a record crowd was expected. -Word had spread around that this might be Chip -Merriwell’s last game for the season, and excitement -was intense.</p> - -<p>“I wouldn’t worry, though,” advised the coach. -“You’re all right, old man, and those Clippers -will never get to you. We won’t need Randall.”</p> - -<p>“I don’t know, Mr. Trayne. The Clippers are -amateurs, but they’re crack players. Still, I -wasn’t thinking of the game alone. I may go -away next week, and if Randall can only be -brought into a right frame of mind, he’d make a -great captain.”</p> - -<p>Trayne flung him a keen look.</p> - -<p>“Do you mean it? After the way he’s acted -toward you——”</p> - -<p>“Yes,” said Chip soberly, “I think that he’s -merely viewed things wrongly, and I feel now -that he’d make the best captain of any one on -the team. I think I’ll run up to his room right<span class="pagenum">[245]</span> -now, Mr. Trayne. I’ll have a frank talk with him, -and it may be that I can win him around.”</p> - -<p>“That’s not a bad idea, Merriwell. If you can -do so, it’ll surely be a great good thing for Fardale. -We can’t afford to have a man of his caliber -brooding over his imagined wrongs. Good luck -to you, and let me know how he shows up.”</p> - -<p>“I will,” said Chip, and he turned away toward -the barracks.</p> - -<p>As regarded his leaving Fardale, Chip himself -knew very little. He had heard from his father -that they were going West, together with Dick -Merriwell, and that he must hold himself in readiness -to leave when his father sent for him at a -moment’s notice. Therefore, it was possible that -this was his last diamond work for Fardale.</p> - -<p>The cause of this summons was a mystery to -him, but he knew that he would find out in due -course. In fact, he was looking forward to the -trip with no little anticipation. Frank Merriwell, -junior, was a chip of the old block in nickname -and in fact, and he knew that with his father and -his Uncle Dick he was apt to experience a lively -time.</p> - -<p>He quickly made his way to the room in barracks -occupied by Bob Randall. At his knock, -the Southerner’s voice called “Come in!” and -Frank entered.</p> - -<p>“You!”</p> - -<p>Randall came to his feet, fists clenched and eyes<span class="pagenum">[246]</span> -flashing. He had been sitting beside a table, on -which lay a pitcher of water and some books. -Evidently he had been trying to get through some -study.</p> - -<p>“I’d like a talk with you, Bob,” said Merry -quietly. He took no heed of the other’s constrained -attitude.</p> - -<p>“Sit down,” said Randall, his innate hospitality -showing through his anger. “I’m rather surprised -to find you coming here, Merriwell.”</p> - -<p>“I thought you would be,” and Frank coolly -plunged into the discussion, without any false -premises. “I’ve observed that you’re worked up -over something, Randall. More than one fellow -has told me that you’re sore at me over my getting -elected captain, and I wanted to straighten -things out with you if I could.”</p> - -<p>Randall trembled with anger, and seemed on -the point of a violent outburst. Then he made an -effort and curbed himself. Forcing his voice -down, he spoke slowly and with apparent calmness, -which did not deceive Frank.</p> - -<p>“That’s quite right, Merriwell. You fooled me -at the time, but I’ve been thinking it over since -then, and I’ve seen how you jockeyed me out of -that election. Naturally, it looked like anything -but gentleman’s work.”</p> - -<p>Chip flushed a little.</p> - -<p>“I think you’ve made a big mistake, old man,” -he returned. “I thought you understood me better<span class="pagenum">[247]</span> -than that, and I can’t see how you imagine that -I didn’t play fair.”</p> - -<p>“Perhaps you did, from your viewpoint. You -kept Clancy and Billy Mac out of the game and -smashed up the team. Then, when I was beaten, -you sailed on the field, slapped the team together, -and won out. That’s why you got elected. I’d -have won with the whole team behind me, and -you know it!”</p> - -<p>“Keep your temper,” Chip said crisply. -“You’re away off, Bob. I was kidnaped, and -those two fellows pulled me out. If you’d won -the game I’d have been the first to congratulate -you. As it was, I had already proposed you for -captain, if you’ll believe it.”</p> - -<p>“You had?”</p> - -<p>“Yes. Ask Coach Trayne or any of the fellows. -I don’t think you’ve given me a square deal -in this, Bob, and yet I can see how you look at -it. I’m sorry that I didn’t come to you before and -have it out frankly, but I’ve been pretty busy, -and didn’t understand just what was behind it -all.”</p> - -<p>Randall was not at all convinced. He stared -down at the table, and his eye fell on a tiny -folded paper inserted in his Cicero. His cheeks -flushed a trifle, and he gave an imperceptible -start.</p> - -<p>“In that case,” he said slowly, his clenched -hands at his sides in self-repression, “I—I may<span class="pagenum">[248]</span> -have been wrong. But it seemed to me that you -hadn’t been the one to hand out a square deal, -Merry. I was helpless in trying to fight you for -an elective office. Everybody around here seems -to toady to the Merriwells——”</p> - -<p>“Hold on, right there, Bob,” Chip interrupted -quickly, his eyes flashing with a hint of anger.</p> - -<p>“You know that’s not the case. If there’s any -one who hates to be truckled to and toadied to, -I’m the one. I didn’t go after the captaincy, in -this particular instance, and it was handed to me -before I knew it. As to toadying, you ought to -know the fellows too well to lay that charge, -Bob.”</p> - -<p>“Haven’t you everything your own way?” demanded -Randall. His eyes still held to that -folded scrap of paper, and his face looked troubled. -“You run everything around here, and nobody -else gets a look-in——”</p> - -<p>“Old man, for Heaven’s sake get your brain -untangled!” Chip leaned forward earnestly, setting -aside his own irritation. “I don’t want to -run anything. Whatever I have done has been -done for Fardale, and I’ve had nothing further -in view than the best good of the school. Let me -prove this by something which I ought not to tell -you.”</p> - -<p>He found Randall staring at him with a peculiar -look, and fancied that his words were bearing -fruit.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum">[249]</span></p> - -<p>“I was just talking to Coach Trayne about who -will be elected captain if I have to leave school—which -may be at any minute now. I urged you -for the place, since I honestly believe that you’re -the man for it. He could not understand why I -overlooked the way you have acted lately, until I -explained that I hoped to talk it over with you -and straighten things out for the good of Fardale. -I don’t care a whoop about myself, Randall. -I’m only thinking of the school, and I want -you to do the same. Now, slip into your things -and come over to the gym with me. The fellows -will know that the hatchet’s been buried, and you -will leap up at a bound in their estimation, and -everybody will be happy. Will you do it, old fellow?”</p> - -<p>Randall had turned, and was gazing out of the -window. Merriwell could not see the dark flush -of anger that flitted across his face, but after a -moment he heard the low and tense voice of Randall.</p> - -<p>“I’ll do it, Chip. I’m sorry.”</p> - -<p>Randall turned quickly to the closet and pulled -out his shoes, for he had been at work in bath -robe and slippers.</p> - -<p>“Good!” Frank cried, in delight. “Get on your -duds, and we’ll forget it all!”</p> - -<p>He walked over to the window, looking out on -the campus, and stood watching the flitting crowd -below. Randall had come around all right, he<span class="pagenum">[250]</span> -thought, and, with a little careful handling, would -soon be his old self.</p> - -<p>Meantime, however, Randall had given a quick -glance at his back. A crafty smile leaped to his -face, and, while still watching Merriwell’s motionless -figure, he reached out and seized the -folded paper.</p> - -<p>Tearing off one end with a quick motion, he -emptied a flickering white powder into the glass -that stood beside the pitcher. Still covertly eying -Chip, he deftly obtained a second glass from the -closet shelf and placed it on the opposite side of -the pitcher. Then he poured water into both -glasses.</p> - -<p>The white powder dissolved instantly. At the -sound of the pouring water, Merry turned, and -Randall straightened up with a smile that set -queerly on his features.</p> - -<p>“I say, Merry,” he called, with seeming candor, -“let’s drink a toast to the success of the -team to-day, and the continuance of our friendship—a -toast in aqua pura!”</p> - -<p>“Bully!”</p> - -<p>Merriwell stepped forward, with a smile. At -this instant there was a sudden interruption, however.</p> - -<p>The door was flung open, and a panting cadet -orderly appeared as the startled Randall swung -round.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum">[251]</span></p> - -<p>“Mr. Randall! Colonel Gunn wants to see you -at once in his office.”</p> - -<p>This summons could mean only one thing—trouble. -Randall had already slipped into his -clothes, and he seized his hat, instantly forgetting -everything else. Was it possible that his -visit to the village of the previous night had been -discovered?</p> - -<p>“Wait for me, Merry,” he said hastily. “I’ll -probably be right back!”</p> - -<p>“I’ll be here, old man,” Chip assured him, and -Randall left hurriedly with the orderly.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="chapter"></div><!--Page break for ePub--> - -<p><span class="pagenum">[252]</span></p> - - - - -<h2 id="CHAPTER_XXXII">CHAPTER XXXII.<br /> -<span class="cheaderfont">WHO GOT IT?</span></h2> - - -<p>“Too bad we didn’t drink that toast!” murmured -Merriwell, as the echoing steps of the orderly -and Randall died away down the corridor. -“Still, I’m mighty glad that Bob saw fit to come -around. It’ll clear things up wonderfully.”</p> - -<p>He crossed the room and sank into a chair. -Picking up a magazine, he began to turn over its -pages. As he did so, his hand went out to the -nearer of the two glasses, and he brought it to -his lips, sipping slowly.</p> - -<p>With a sigh, he emptied the glass and replaced -it on the table. Five minutes passed, and Merry -flung the magazine back to its place, rising.</p> - -<p>“Wonder what kind of a row Randall has got -himself into now?” he mused, going to the window -and looking down on the campus, with a -frown.</p> - -<p>Colonel Gunn was the principal of Fardale, and -if Randall had been in some kind of a scrape, it -might injure his chances on the diamond. However, -there was a chance that the Southerner had -been guilty of some infraction of the military routine -of the school which would merely get him a -“call-down” and a few black marks.</p> - -<p>Suddenly Chip turned, as a sharp knock -sounded at the door.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum">[253]</span></p> - -<p>“Come in!”</p> - -<p>The door opened. Merry gave a gasp of astonishment, -for framed in the doorway, stood Bully -Carson. The latter turned and shut the door, -not observing him.</p> - -<p>“You came over to see the game?” Merry -asked pleasantly.</p> - -<p>Bully whirled with a swift cry, his face black.</p> - -<p>“You! Why—why—where’s Bob Randall? -Isn’t this his room?”</p> - -<p>The startled surprise of Colonel Carson’s son -was quite evident. In fact, he was wildly disconcerted. -He had expected to see his cousin, and instead -he found Merriwell.</p> - -<p>“Don’t get scared out, Bully,” said Chip. “Bob -will be right back. I was waiting for him myself, -so I hope you won’t mind my company.”</p> - -<p>Merry thoroughly enjoyed the confusion of the -other. He bore Carson no malice, for he knew -that the other had been thoroughly punished for -his wrongdoings. He fancied that Bully’s confusion -sprang from fear at being found in Fardale—fear -of new retribution for the past.</p> - -<p>“Sit down,” he urged pleasantly. “Sit down -and rest your eye, Bully. One of ’em looks pretty -tired. Hot day, isn’t it?”</p> - -<p>Bully growled out something inarticulate and -sank into a chair with a scowl at Merry. Since -he had blundered into it, he was determined to -stick.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum">[254]</span></p> - -<p>As Chip remarked, it was a warm day for that -time of year, and no mistake. Bully Carson was -heated by his walk from the village, and he was -perspiring profusely. He pulled out a handkerchief -of purple silk with red bars, and mopped -at his face, eying Merry furtively. Seeming to -conclude that he was safe for the present, he regained -his composure slowly.</p> - -<p>Chip knew that Carson was a thorough bully -and coward. In fact, he had himself presented -Bully with that black eye, when the other had attempted -to “beat him up” in Carsonville the previous -Saturday. He scanned Bully’s attire with -a humorous twinkle in his eyes.</p> - -<p>“You ought to be more careful, Bully,” he remarked, -with mock solicitude. “If you were seen -on the Fardale streets in those duds, you’d be in -danger of arrest.”</p> - -<p>“Huh? What for?” Bully growled suspiciously. -He looked down at himself.</p> - -<p>“For disturbing the peace,” said Chip, with a -laugh, dropping on the window seat.</p> - -<p>“Think you’re cussed smart, don’t you?”</p> - -<p>“Not a bit of it,” Chip gravely assured him. -He found Bully capital amusement. “I only wonder -at your nerve in coming here!”</p> - -<p>“You should worry,” retorted Bully, with a -scowl. “Ain’t I got a right to visit my cousin?”</p> - -<p>“Sure. Only, if you had another cousin in jail,<span class="pagenum">[255]</span> -you’d have a better right to visit him, seems to -me.”</p> - -<p>“Huh?” Carson turned pale and mopped at -his face again. “What you goin’ to do about it?”</p> - -<p>Chip knew that he could have both Bully and -his father arrested for what had taken place at -Carsonville. This, however, was far from his -thoughts.</p> - -<p>“Nothing. Make yourself right at home, old -man. Only I wouldn’t advise you to light up that -cigarette in here.”</p> - -<p>Bully had started to roll a cigarette. He -paused, looking up quickly.</p> - -<p>“Why not?”</p> - -<p>“It’s not allowed. Go ahead and suck it all you -want to, but don’t light it. We don’t approve of -coffin nails at Fardale, and if the guards smelled -smoke they’d throw you out of here in a hurry.”</p> - -<p>Carson grunted. Nevertheless, he apparently -decided to take Chip’s warning in good part. -There was an undernote to Merry’s voice that -told him the other was not joking this time.</p> - -<p>He finished rolling the cigarette, licked it, and -carefully inserted it into one corner of his mouth. -Then he lolled back in his chair, glanced around, -and favored Chip with a black look.</p> - -<p>“You fellers are goin’ to get the hide licked -off you to-day,” he announced. His confidence -was returning, as Merry made no hostile move.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum">[256]</span></p> - -<p>“Thanks for the news,” said Chip easily. “Are -you going to pitch?”</p> - -<p>“No. We got a new feller named Green. He’ll -show you dubs what real pitchin’ is, and I’m goin’ -to back him to the limit.”</p> - -<p>“I hope he’ll show us more than you did,” and -Frank settled himself among the pillows in the -window seat. “We’re always willing to be -shown, Bully.”</p> - -<p>Bully grunted.</p> - -<p>“You get yours to-day, all right.”</p> - -<p>“Who’s Green?” asked Chip curiously. “Is he -an amateur?”</p> - -<p>“Sure!”</p> - -<p>“And I suppose your father is going to bet on -him, as usual?”</p> - -<p>Bully grinned, and patted his pocket knowingly.</p> - -<p>“Pop’s goin’ to do a little betting, I reckon. -So’m I.”</p> - -<p>“Why don’t you bet on Fardale, for a change?” -Merry queried pleasantly. “It might get you -something, old man!”</p> - -<p>“I suppose you think I’m a piker, hey?” scowled -Bully. “I suppose you think I ain’t got money -myself?”</p> - -<p>“You always were good at supposing,” said -Chip. “This time you hit it dead right.”</p> - -<p>“That shows how much you know! I got a -thousand dollars in cash, right here in my pocket,<span class="pagenum">[257]</span> -and I’m goin’ to meet a feller now and bet on the -Clippers, see?”</p> - -<p>Chip was somewhat amazed at this intelligence, -though he gave no sign of it. He knew that Colonel -Carson himself was a heavy plunger, but from -what he had seen of Bully he had not thought -that the latter was exactly flush with money.</p> - -<p>“You must have bet on Fardale during that -Franklin game,” he murmured gently. “Or has -your respected father become generous?”</p> - -<p>“None o’ your business,” said Bully, with a -growl, finding the subject abruptly distasteful. -“Whew! I’m certainly het up. I guess I’ll run -along and place that bet, then come back here -and find Bob.”</p> - -<p>“Suit yourself,” chirped Merry. “If you’re -warm, take a glass of water. When you get outside, -light that cigarette. Then you’ll get nice and -warm again, and it’ll fur up your tongue.”</p> - -<p>Bully merely grunted at this sarcasm. He -seemed to decide that part of the advice was good, -however, for he caught up the other glass that -Randall had filled and carried it across the table -to his lips.</p> - -<p>“I suppose you’ll pitch to-day?” he inquired, -pausing.</p> - -<p>“Once more your suppositions are correct,” returned -Chip ironically.</p> - -<p>Bully grunted and gulped down the water, replacing<span class="pagenum">[258]</span> -the glass on the table with a deep sigh, -then threw his sleeve across his lips.</p> - -<p>“That certainly tastes good! Well, I hope -you’ll get pounded out of the box, Merriwell. -Green will shut you fellers out without a hit.”</p> - -<p>With this pleasant wish Bully came to his feet -and moved toward the door, inspecting a few pictures -and pennants as he went.</p> - -<p>“Don’t hurry,” pleaded Chip, with mock anxiety. -“You’re not going to tear yourself away so -soon, I trust?”</p> - -<p>“Tell Bob I’ll be back later,” said Bully, with -a grunt.</p> - -<p>“With pleasure. Maybe you’d like to have me -throw the game for you to-day?”</p> - -<p>Carson merely scowled and passed outside, -slamming the door viciously after him. From -the window Frank could see him start across the -campus in the direction of the riding hall, stopping -to light his cigarette.</p> - -<p>“Big brute!” he thought, disgusted. “I wonder -how Randall ever got a cousin like that? But—what -on earth is he doing here? If he and -Bob are getting thick, I feel sorry for Bob.”</p> - -<p>This thought was disquieting to Merry. Could -it be possible that Carson was back of Randall’s -queer actions?</p> - -<p>It seemed improbable, for Randall had been -keeping to himself, and Carson had not been seen -at Fardale previous to this. Yet Frank knew that<span class="pagenum">[259]</span> -Bully possessed a crafty and cunning mind. He -felt disturbed over Carson’s impudence in daring -to show himself about the place.</p> - -<p>“Oh, well, I guess Randall can take care of -himself,” he mused, and dismissed the subject -lightly, and settled himself among the pillows -again.</p> - -<p>He had been up early that morning, and it was -a warm spring day. Consequently, it was only -natural that he should feel drowsy. Taking advantage -of the moment to relax utterly, Merry -put back his head and closed his eyes. Almost -before he knew it, he had dropped off into a light -doze.</p> - -<p>He was roused by a sharp knock at the door, -and sprang up instantly with a shout to enter. -The door swung back and disclosed Colonel -Gunn’s orderly.</p> - -<p>“You’re wanted at the office, Mr. Merriwell,” -said the cadet, with symptoms of flurried haste. -“Colonel Gunn sent me after you on the run.”</p> - -<p>“What’s up?” queried Frank, in surprise. “Is -Randall in trouble?”</p> - -<p>“In up to his neck,” said the cadet. “But I’d -better not say anything about it, I guess.”</p> - -<p>“All right,” and Merry seized his hat. “Come -along!”</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="chapter"></div><!--Page break for ePub--> - -<p><span class="pagenum">[260]</span></p> - - - - -<h2 id="CHAPTER_XXXIII">CHAPTER XXXIII.<br /> -<span class="cheaderfont">ACCUSED OF THEFT.</span></h2> - - -<p>Colonel Gunn was fat, ponderous, and highly -dignified. He owned his military title by virtue -of having been an aid on the governor’s staff, but -none the less he was an extremely capable man.</p> - -<p>Merry had no inkling of what trouble Randall -was mixed up in, for the orderly had wisely refrained -from discussing it. Upon entering the -office of the principal, Chip found Colonel Gunn -seated at his desk. Before him was Randall, -white-faced and evidently badly frightened, -while at one side stood the constable from Fardale -village.</p> - -<p>To judge by the general air of things, the situation -was anything but pleasant for Bob Randall. -Merry came to attention.</p> - -<p>“Ah, Mr. Merriwell,” exclaimed the colonel, in -his ponderous style, “I sent for you at—ah—Mr. -Randall’s request. There is a considerable—ah—difficulty, -and Mr. Randall seems to think that -you can—ah—help matters out. I’m sure I hope -so.”</p> - -<p>“Yes, sir,” returned Frank, quite in the dark -as yet. “I didn’t know that Randall was in any -trouble, sir.”</p> - -<p>“I did not intend to convey that—ah—intelligence,<span class="pagenum">[261]</span> -Merriwell. I merely ventured the—ah—statement -that there was a difficulty. You will -please note that there is not only a technical, but -a moral, difference—I might say a tremendous -difference—between leveling an accusation of—ah—guilt, -or presupposing such a conclusion, and -making a statement of bare and unvarnished -fact.”</p> - -<p>Merry was tempted to smile, but knew better.</p> - -<p>“Yes, sir,” he gravely answered. “I beg your -pardon, Colonel Gunn, for having unintentionally -miscomprehended your prior remark. If I may -be allowed a word with Randall, sir, it might -serve to——”</p> - -<p>“Ah—certainly, certainly!” wheezed the -colonel.</p> - -<p>Merry turned. Until then, Randall had not -dared to break silence, knowing that the principal -was a stickler for discipline. Now he -leaned over the table toward Frank, his face -white and tense.</p> - -<p>“Chip, I swear that I didn’t do it!” he cried -passionately. “I never dreamed of such a thing!”</p> - -<p>“I hope not,” returned Frank, his eyes twinkling. -Then, noting the terrible strain that Randall -labored under, he became serious. “What -is it, old man? What kind of trouble are you -in?”</p> - -<p>“This heah officeh says that I stole a thousand<span class="pagenum">[262]</span> -dollahs last night!” cried out Randall, indicating -the constable.</p> - -<p>Merry smiled. To any one who knew Bob -Randall, the preposterous absurdity of such a -charge was evident. Randall might be a murderer, -but never a thief.</p> - -<p>“Why, old man,” said Frank, “surely there’s -no evidence for such a charge? You have plenty -of money, for one thing. For another, any one -who knows you must believe you incapable of -such a thing.”</p> - -<p>“Yo’ sho’ ahe true blue, Chip!” Randall cried -eagerly. “Of co’se, no one would accuse a Randall -of theft, except a low-down Yankee——”</p> - -<p>Colonel Gunn cleared his throat heavily. His -face looked troubled, and Chip saw that he also -found it hard to reconcile the charge with Randall’s -character.</p> - -<p>“You—ah—are presupposing a good deal, gentlemen,” -he declared ponderously. “In the first -place, allow me to make the assertion that—ah—no -one has accused Mr. Randall of the theft. Is -that not right, constable?”</p> - -<p>“Yes, sir,” said the perplexed officer. “I didn’t -accuse him, exactly. I only wanted to know how -much he knew.”</p> - -<p>“A distinction with a difference,” said the -colonel.</p> - -<p>Frank made a grimace of despair. If he was<span class="pagenum">[263]</span> -going to get to the bottom of this before time -for mess, he would have to wade in.</p> - -<p>“Excuse me, sir,” he exclaimed, “but I know -nothing of the circumstances referred to. I don’t -see how I can help Randall, but if you’ll be good -enough to explain the nature of the difficulty I’ll -be only too glad to tell anything I know, or to do -anything I can to help out matters.”</p> - -<p>“Ah—quite so, quite so, Merriwell!”</p> - -<p>Colonel Gunn swung around in his chair, taking -a paper from the desk before him, and proceeded -to elucidate.</p> - -<p>“Putting up at the Dobbs Hotel in the village, -Merriwell, is a gentleman named—ah—Hostetter, -Ezra Hostetter. It is his assertion that at -some time last night, some person or persons unknown -did feloniously gain admittance to his -room at the hotel, and did—ah—remove from -beneath his pillow a black leather wallet, containing—ah—certain -papers. The wallet also contained -a thousand dollars in hundred-dollar bills.”</p> - -<p>“He must have been pining for adventure, sir, -to carry that much around with him in currency,” -observed Frank. The colonel’s mouth twitched -slightly. “But if the thieves are unknown, where -does Randall come in? He was in barracks last -night, as would be easy to prove.”</p> - -<p>“That is just the—ah—difficulty,” observed -the colonel heavily, fixing his eye on Randall. -“According to the inspector’s report, Mr. Randall<span class="pagenum">[264]</span> -and his roommate were asleep at the proper -time. But when I asked Mr. Randall whether -he had been to the village last night, he admitted -it. Is not that correct, sir?”</p> - -<p>“Of course, Colonel Gunn,” said the Southerner -proudly. “There was a dummy in my bed -to fool the inspector. But when you asked, of -course, I would not lie about it, sir.”</p> - -<p>“A highly proper—ah—sentiment, Mr. Randall,” -said the colonel. He stopped Merry with -uplifted hand. “One moment, sir! Mr. Randall -was seen to enter the hotel in question, and to -leave, each time by the back door, and in a -stealthy manner. When I asked him for an explanation, -he—ah—asked that you be sent for.”</p> - -<p>Merry looked at the Southerner in astonishment. -Randall stood erect, a dark flush in his -cheeks, his eyes desperate. But he had regained -his self-control.</p> - -<p>“I was frightened, Chip,” he said quietly. “Of -course, you know nothing about it, only the evidence -seemed so terribly circumstantial that you -were the first person I thought of.”</p> - -<p>“I’m glad you did think of me, old man,” said -Chip, smiling. “But let’s get this business -straightened out. May I ask who observed Randall’s -entry and departure, Colonel Gunn?”</p> - -<p>“Mr. Dobbs himself,” stated the colonel, referring -to his paper. “But allow me to—ah—mention<span class="pagenum">[265]</span> -that Mr. Randall makes no denial, and -no explanation.”</p> - -<p>Frank glanced again at Randall, in perplexity.</p> - -<p>“What’s the answer, old man?”</p> - -<p>“I received a letter from my cousin, Edward -Carson, the son of Colonel Carson, of Carsonville,” -said Randall. “He asked me to meet him -at the hotel on important business. I was unable -to get away before taps, so I left my room by -means of a rope, and entered the hotel quietly, -hoping to avoid observation.”</p> - -<p>“Ah, Mr. Randall,” wheezed the colonel, “and -what, may I inquire, was the nature of the—ah—important -business to which your cousin referred?”</p> - -<p>“I must refuse to answer, sir,” and Randall -suddenly went white. “I give you my word, sir, -that it was entirely personal and private. More -than that, I cannot say.”</p> - -<p>A little silence ensued. Frank studied Randall, -but could find no trace of guilt in the dark, -handsome features. Nor did he believe the -Southerner guilty.</p> - -<p>“You know nothing of the theft, of course?”</p> - -<p>“Nothing, Chip.”</p> - -<p>“I must say, colonel,” exclaimed Frank, turning -to the principal, “that I do not think Randall -at all guilty. He could have easily lied out of -the whole thing, and the inspector’s report would<span class="pagenum">[266]</span> -have borne him out. The fact that he refused to -do so must surely count in his favor?”</p> - -<p>“Most certainly, Merriwell. It has just—ah—occurred -to me that if we could locate this Carson, -we might thus exonerate Mr. Randall completely. -Such a consummation would be—ah—highly -pleasing to me.”</p> - -<p>“He ain’t at the village,” spoke up the constable. -“Mr. Hostetter was lookin’ fer him, -sir.”</p> - -<p>“Hostetter knew him, then?” inquired Chip -quickly.</p> - -<p>“They was friends,” replied the constable. -Frank turned.</p> - -<p>“Carson was at Randall’s room just before I -left, Colonel Gunn. He departed across the -campus, and he might be easily located, I think.”</p> - -<p>“Ah—by all means!”</p> - -<p>The principal hastily summoned his orderly -and ordered a dozen cadets dispatched in search -of Carson, who could be easily recognized by -means of his black eye and patch. Randall was -looking at the floor, a tumult of emotions in his -face.</p> - -<p>How much Merry knew of the attempt to drug -him, he could not guess. Yet Frank was doing -his best to help him out of his scrape. The -Southerner was smitten with remorse and self-condemnation, -but dared say nothing.</p> - -<p>“We’ll clear you, old man,” said Merry<span class="pagenum">[267]</span> -warmly. “This might be a plot to ruin your character—and -knowing Carson, as I do, I would not -put it past him.”</p> - -<p>He briefly recounted to Colonel Gunn his late -experiences at Carsonville. The principal, however, -did not agree that there could be any plot -against Randall, and Frank himself had only -suggested it as a forlorn hope.</p> - -<p>“Your anxiety for your friend—ah—does you -honor, Merriwell. Yet I would point out that -until Mr. Dobbs volunteered his—ah—information, -Mr. Randall was not thought of in connection -with the unfortunate matter.”</p> - -<p>Poor Randall was miserable enough, and -looked it. He could not doubt Frank’s sincerity -in helping him, and his conscience smote him. -He wondered whether Merry had drank that -glass of water, but Frank gave no signs of being -drugged.</p> - -<p>Going over the facts once more, Merriwell was -forced to admit that things looked black for Randall. -If he should be arrested and brought before -a jury, there was little doubt but that he -would be convicted on circumstantial evidence. -And yet it was incredible that he should have -stolen the money!</p> - -<p>One by one the searchers brought back word -that there was no sign of Carson anywhere about -the grounds, and on telephoning the hotel, Colonel -Gunn found that he had not returned. Randall’s<span class="pagenum">[268]</span> -entire hopes of vindication rested upon his -cousin.</p> - -<p>“I’m sure the constable will be willing that -Randall should remain here in your care, colonel,” -suggested Merry. “Carson is sure to turn -up at the game, and he can be brought over at -once to clear Randall.”</p> - -<p>“Good!” cried the colonel, the constable nodding -assent. “And to express my—ah—belief -and confidence in Mr. Randall, he shall sit in my -box during the game!”</p> - -<p>Randall tried to thank Merry with his eyes, as -the bugles rang out for mess, but Frank departed -with an uneasy feeling that something was certainly -weighing on the Southerner’s mind. Could -he be guilty by any chance?</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="chapter"></div><!--Page break for ePub--> - -<p><span class="pagenum">[269]</span></p> - - - - -<h2 id="CHAPTER_XXXIV">CHAPTER XXXIV.<br /> -<span class="cheaderfont">A MYSTERY.</span></h2> - - -<p>There was no doubt that the Clippers were a -drawing card.</p> - -<p>Although their team was one of the best in the -Amateur League, the rumor had spread abroad -that it had been largely reconstructed by Colonel -Carson for this game, and the near-by towns -had sent their contingents of fans, in no little expectation.</p> - -<p>Fardale field was crowded long before the time -for the game. Before two o’clock the grand -stand was sold out. There was no overflow -crowd, since the long bleachers were full able to -handle every one, but automobiles were parked -by the score at all available points, and it looked -as if ground rules would have to go into effect.</p> - -<p>There had been a big shift in the Fardale team, -also. News of this had leaked out, and consequently -both cadets and baseball fans were eager -to see what Captain Merriwell had done in the -way of a shake-up.</p> - -<p>Man after man purchased a score card, and -then gazed at it in blank amazement. If he happened -to be a Fardale rooter, the amazement was -tinctured with dismay. If he was a Clipper fan, -he stared at his card in perplexity, and began to -ask questions of the men around him.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum">[270]</span></p> - -<p>This was the line-up that caused the crowd so -much confusion:</p> - -<div class="center"> -<p class="displayinline" style="margin-right:2em"> -<span class="smallfont" style="padding-left:1em">FARDALE.</span><br /> -Lowe, 3d b.<br /> -O’Day, r. f.<br /> -Kess, 2d b.<br /> -Clancy, 1st b.<br /> -Merriwell, p.<br /> -Harker, ss.<br /> -McQuade, c.<br /> -Chester, l. f.<br /> -Lang, c. f. -</p> - -<p class="displayinline" style="margin-left:2em"> -<span class="smallfont" style="padding-left:1em">CLIPPERS.</span><br /> -Ironton, ss.<br /> -Murray, 2d b.<br /> -Green, p.<br /> -Smith, 1st b.<br /> -Olcott, c.<br /> -Johnson, r. f.<br /> -Craven, 3d b.<br /> -Runge, l. f.<br /> -Merrell, c. f. -</p> -</div> - -<p>“That’s a queer proposition,” said a Clipper -fan, turning to the man behind him. “Who’s this -fellow Green? And Smith?”</p> - -<p>“Search me. All we got left o’ the old Clippers -is short and second.”</p> - -<p>Over in the Fardale bleachers there was little -short of a sensation, for Chip’s line-up had not -been made public before the game.</p> - -<p>“We’re gone!” groaned one man despairingly. -“With Kess on second and O’Day out in the -field, it’s ‘good night’ for us!”</p> - -<p>“Merriwell must be crazy,” exclaimed another. -“That blundering Dutchman can’t hit beans! -And Lowe and Harker switched around, and a -substitute in left field! I wish Ted Crockett had -remained captain, by thunder!”</p> - -<p>“Oh, pickles!” scoffed a plebe derisively. “Who<span class="pagenum">[271]</span> -left the door open for you to get in? You wait -and see what happens to those Clippers!”</p> - -<p>None the less, Fardale was anxious. So were -the Clipper sympathizers. When the time for -practice drew near, the crowd was literally on -its toes, watching for the first sight of the players. -Both teams were an unknown quantity, in -their present shape, and the only comfort remaining -to Fardale was that Merriwell was slated -to pitch. The umpires were two Yale men, specially -obtained for the occasion.</p> - -<p>Frank was forced to dismiss his worry over -Bob Randall, as the time for work drew near. -Nothing had been seen of Bully Carson, and -Randall was due to witness the game from the -principal’s box—partly as a guest, partly under -surveillance. The village constable was somewhere -about the field, hunting for Carson.</p> - -<p>Colonel Carson himself was in evidence in the -grand stand, laying as many bets as he could -find Fardale takers. Most of these latter were -out-of-town men, for there were few among the -cadets themselves who cared to do any gambling. -The colonel knew nothing of his son, it appeared, -and had not seen him that day.</p> - -<p>“I’ve heard a lot about this Merriwell guy,” -stated a Fardale fan to the world at large. “Has -he got anything?”</p> - -<p>“Has he!” A fat man below him turned -around, brandishing a fan in one hand and a pop<span class="pagenum">[272]</span> -bottle in the other. “Say, ever see the old Frank -Merriwell pitch?”</p> - -<p>“Uh-huh, once.”</p> - -<p>“Well, the kid is a chip of the old block, take -it from me!”</p> - -<p>“I guess I’ll not let Colonel Carson slide past -me, then,” and the Fardale rooter took out his -pocketbook.</p> - -<p>Finally a tremendous burst of cheering started -in the bleachers and gradually spread around the -field. The two teams had arrived for practice -work! Every head was craned to look, and a -howl of expectation rose as the Clippers took the -field first.</p> - -<p>The howl rose to a roar of applause as the ball -began to whip around. The new Clipper infield -was a wonder! Their precision was magnificent, -and the way they put the sphere to the bases made -Fardale gasp.</p> - -<p>With Coach Trayne, Merry stood watching -them work. Off to one side, Green was limbering -up with his catcher, Olcott. He was a tall, slender, -wiry man with a very brown face and terrific -speed to his practice ball.</p> - -<p>“Chip, that fellow is a tartar!” murmured the -coach. “Watch how easily he puts those sizzlers -down, eh? He moves as if every muscle was run -by clockwork!”</p> - -<p>“He certainly is a beautiful pitcher,” Frank -said admiringly. “And look there—see that fellow<span class="pagenum">[273]</span> -Craven pick up that hot one! Ironton and -Murray are the only infielders left from their old -team, but I guess Colonel Carson knew his business!”</p> - -<p>Wild cheers went up as Craven picked a sizzler -from the ground, darted to his base, and sent the -ball across to third like a bullet. Just then a bat -boy touched Merry’s arm.</p> - -<p>“A man in one of the boxes wants to speak to -you, Chip.”</p> - -<p>Frank followed his guide back to the grand -stand. A keen-eyed man with a long black cigar -in his mouth was standing by the netting, and -beckoned.</p> - -<p>“You wanted me?”</p> - -<p>“Yes. Say, Merriwell, do you know that fellow -Green—the Clippers’ pitcher?”</p> - -<p>“Why, no,” returned Chip, smiling. “He looks -mighty good, though.”</p> - -<p>“Well, I’m a traveling man, but I’m rooting for -Fardale. Did you ever hear of Southpaw -Diggs?”</p> - -<p>“Often. He’s one of the best pitchers in the -country, if he’d let booze alone. What’s on your -mind?”</p> - -<p>“That fellow Green is a dead ringer for Diggs, -Merriwell! He ain’t got Diggs’ big rainbow -mustache, but I’ve seen Diggs work too often not -to recognize that wind-up.”</p> - -<p>Frank looked up at the man, startled.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum">[274]</span></p> - -<p>“Impossible, my friend! The Clippers are all -amateurs——”</p> - -<p>“Oh, rats! I know too much about the game -to swallow that talk, Merriwell, especially when -Colonel Carson talks it.”</p> - -<p>Merry looked troubled. He knew Carson was -crooked as a corkscrew, but it was incredible that -such a barefaced thing could be attempted.</p> - -<p>“If you can swear that Diggs and Green are -one and the same,” suggested Frank, frowning, -“we could protest him.”</p> - -<p>“No,” returned the traveling man regretfully. -“I never seen Diggs close up, but I could recognize -that wind-up a mile away. I couldn’t swear -to it very well, though.”</p> - -<p>“Then the game has to go on,” said Frank.</p> - -<p>At this point the man next to his informant, -who had been listening, chipped in the conversation.</p> - -<p>“Old man Carson is betting all kinds of money, -Merriwell. If that fellow is really Diggs, would -it queer the bets?”</p> - -<p>“Not exactly,” said Merry. “If we could prove -it, of course, the bets would be off, and so would -the game. But I see no chance of proving it.”</p> - -<p>“Well, I’m backin’ your crowd,” went on the -man anxiously. “I had a bet at even money with -the colonel’s son, but he must have got cold feet. -He ain’t showed up.”</p> - -<p>“Was it much of a bet?” asked Frank.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum">[275]</span></p> - -<p>“A thousand even.”</p> - -<p>“You’d better keep your money in your pocket,” -advised Chip, turning away. “Betting is mighty -poor business, especially where the Carson crowd -is mixed up in it.”</p> - -<p>He stood looking across the field, suddenly -thoughtful. A thousand dollars—and Bully Carson -also had boasted that he had a thousand in -cash to bet—and Hostetter had been robbed of -exactly that amount!</p> - -<p>“That’s a mighty queer coincidence,” reflected -Merry, worried. “Hostetter and Bully were -friends, according to Colonel Gunn. Could it be -possible that Carson did steal that money? But -where is he now?”</p> - -<p>That was a mystery. Evidently Bully had -failed to meet the man with whom he was to bet, -yet he had left Randall’s room for that express -purpose.</p> - -<p>“I believe he can explain that theft,” muttered -Frank. “And I’ll make it my business to find -him after the game.”</p> - -<p>Returning to Coach Trayne, he repeated the -information given him by the traveling man, and -Trayne watched Green closely.</p> - -<p>“He does resemble Diggs in general outline,” -admitted the coach. “And his wind-up and delivery -are exactly similar. Chip, I’ve a good notion -to stop this game now!”</p> - -<p>“You’ve no proof, Mr. Trayne. The Clippers<span class="pagenum">[276]</span> -are vouched for as amateurs by their owner, and -even if he has put in a few ringers, that can’t hurt -our standing, if we play them. And it would be -a bad business to start something we can’t finish.”</p> - -<p>Trayne saw the justice of this argument, and -Merry caught up his glove, as the bell rang, and -ran out. While he was warming up with Billy -Mac, the other Fardale men began to work, and -Merry’s judgment was soon vindicated by the -fans, except in the case of Villum Kess.</p> - -<p>The Dutch lad seemed awkward. He committed -no glaring errors, but it seemed to the crowd -that any one would have been better at second -than he. However, Fardale was now committed, -and every rooter hoped for the best as -the Fardale yell began to ring out: “Ha, ha, ha! -’Rah, ’rah, ’rah! Rigger-boom! Zigger-boom! -All hail—Fardale! Fardale! Fardale!”</p> - -<p>The Clipper sympathizers had no regular yell, -but they made good with a thunder of feet stamping, -and a roar of shouts and yells. For an instant -these fell silent while the two umpires announced -the batteries, then they rose again into -a wild storm as the Fardale nine trotted out and -took the field.</p> - -<p>“Play ball!” cried the strike umpire, adjusting -his mask. Ironton stepped out.</p> - -<p>The game was on.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="chapter"></div><!--Page break for ePub--> - -<p><span class="pagenum">[277]</span></p> - - - - -<h2 id="CHAPTER_XXXV">CHAPTER XXXV.<br /> -<span class="cheaderfont">THE FIGHT OF HIS LIFE.</span></h2> - - -<p>“Ve vos all pehind you, Chip!” squawked Villum -Kess, capering around second.</p> - -<p>“Take your time, old man,” advised Clancy.</p> - -<p>“Let this boob hit it,” grinned Billy Mac, as -Ironton stepped into the box.</p> - -<p>Frank paused. He had seen clearly that Green -was a whirlwind, and decided to hold his best -ball, the jump, in reserve. If Green was really -Diggs, then he had his work cut out for him.</p> - -<p>“Get on to that guy on second!” yelled a fan.</p> - -<p>Villum Kess had come to rest plumb on his -bag, and stood waiting.</p> - -<p>“Play off there, you lobster!” shrieked another -rooter frantically.</p> - -<p>“Blay off yourselluf,” returned Villum hotly. -“Shud oop und say less. Make a glam of yourselluf -if I vas a lopster yes, no! Yaw! You vait -till you show me!”</p> - -<p>Frank nodded to Billy, and put over a low, -straight ball. Ironton waited.</p> - -<p>“Strike—one!”</p> - -<p>The Clipper shortstop was a wicked hitter, as -Merry knew. Seeing that he stood up close to the -plate, Chip put over a sharp inshoot, and again -the umpire called a strike, as Ironton swung -vainly.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum">[278]</span></p> - -<p>He refused to bite at two teasers, however, -and again Merry used his in. As if sensing the -ball, Ironton pulled back and chopped.</p> - -<p>Crack!</p> - -<p>Merry reached after the hot liner in vain. It -went straight toward the position that Kess -should have been playing, while Ironton dug -down toward first, amid wild whoops from the -bleachers. Then Villum did a surprising thing.</p> - -<p>Flinging himself out toward the ball, he lost -his balance and slid forward, whirling around. -He came down in a cloud of dust.</p> - -<p>“By glory, he sat on it!” yelled the fans.</p> - -<p>Villum reached beneath himself and pulled out -the ball, staring at it in mild astonishment.</p> - -<p>“Put it over, you boob!” shrieked Clancy.</p> - -<p>Kess looked up, saw the runner nearing first, -and scrambled to his feet. With astonishing precision, -he sent the ball to Clancy, and the umpire -motioned Ironton out.</p> - -<p>“It was an accident!” cried Craven, on the -coaching line. “He’s an idiot!”</p> - -<p>“Go avay mit yourselluf!” squawked Villum, -brushing the dust from his shirt. “Vait till I vos -shown you how you don’d blay, yes, no!”</p> - -<p>Murray advanced to the plate, and with evident -determination to hit. After trying to connect -with three sharp curves, Murray slung away -his bat and yielded up his place to Green.</p> - -<p>Frank saw the wiry pitcher pull down his cap<span class="pagenum">[279]</span> -and dust his hands, and the quiet confidence of -the man went far to show that he was no amateur. -Grimly resolving to fan him, Chip wound -up for the double shoot, and the ball hummed -down.</p> - -<p>Green did not attempt to strike. Then a swift -look of astonishment overspread his lean brown -face. Merry had changed from his right to his -left hand!</p> - -<p>“Great Scott!” gasped Green. “It’s impossible!”</p> - -<p>“Go on and knock it over the fence,” chuckled -Billy Mac.</p> - -<p>Green tried to, but the double shoot fooled him -completely. With a smile, Frank delivered a -sharp out with his left hand, and Green reached -for it in vain.</p> - -<p>“We’ve got ’em!” whooped Clancy as he ran -in. “One, two, three!”</p> - -<p>“Easy money,” cried Billy, and Chip touched -his cap to the yelling grand stand as the Fardale -cheer ripped out.</p> - -<p>Fardale’s hopes received an abrupt shock, however. -Smiling a little, but saying nothing, Green -put over nine pitched balls, and retired Lowe, -O’Day, and Kess!</p> - -<p>“He can’t pitch anything but strikes!” gasped -Clancy.</p> - -<p>“Don’d you see dot sbeed!” muttered Villum. -“Dot pall a pullet vos, so hellup me!”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum">[280]</span></p> - -<p>“We’re up against something pretty hard, fellows,” -said Chip, as they went out. “Everybody -pull together, now, and we’ll win.”</p> - -<p>His confidence had been sorely shaken, however. -Smith strode out and landed on Frank’s -first ball for a foul that went up over the grand -stand. Twice more he fouled, but the double -shoot retired him finally.</p> - -<p>“They’re all bad actors,” cried Lowe from -third. “Let ’em hit it, Chip!”</p> - -<p>Olcott, the new Clipper catcher, was a short -man, with tremendously wide shoulders. Chip -tried him with a low fadeaway, but Olcott chortled -with glee and fell on it. The ball rose and -began to travel for the right-field fence.</p> - -<p>O’Day raced back, then stopped short. The -crowd hooted, for the ball seemed certain to go -far beyond him. The fans had forgotten the -wind, however, and, when the sphere came down -it nestled into O’Day’s glove, and stuck there. -Johnson fanned, and the Fardales went to bat.</p> - -<p>That is, they went to bat technically. Clancy -was the first up, and although usually a slugger, -he was retired on three pitched balls. Merry -took his place, with the bleachers screaming for -a hit.</p> - -<p>Green studied him a moment, then changed his -position abruptly. He used something that he -had hitherto held in reserve—a remarkable spit -ball. Frank guessed it, but could not hit.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum">[281]</span></p> - -<p>Again Green used the same thing, and again -Merry missed it. He touched the third one for a -high foul, however, that cleared the grand stand. -With a new ball thrown out to him, Green deliberately -put over three balls that were wide of -the plate.</p> - -<p>“Put it over!” snapped Chip. “You’re scared -to put it over, Green!”</p> - -<p>Green looked at him, and grinned tantalizingly. -Then he calmly sent over the ball, ten feet wide -of the plate. Frank angrily flung his bat away, -and walked.</p> - -<p>The Fardale rooters went wild, but Chip was -not fooled. He knew that this was a deliberate -effort to rattle him, and that Green had meant to -show his contempt. This was proved when Harker -was sent down on three pitched balls, though -Green again held his spit ball under cover.</p> - -<p>His curves were wonderful, and would have -fooled better men than Fardale owned. Seeing -that he was marooned on first, Chip made a -desperate attempt, and stole second, but only got -there safely because Murray dropped a terrific -ball, that Olcott placed perfectly. Billy Mac immediately -struck out, and the inning was over.</p> - -<p>“That man Green is beyond anything I ever -saw!” cried Coach Trayne, as Chip came in to -confer with Billy. “Watch out for Craven, -Merry!”</p> - -<p>Frank nodded toward the bench. Craven was<span class="pagenum">[282]</span> -a slender, lanky fellow with a large jaw. He -was chewing tobacco, and carried his bat easily.</p> - -<p>Using his right hand once more, Merry resorted -to the double shoot, refusing Billy’s -agonized plea to use the jump ball. Craven -fanned twice, seeming to be awkward at the plate, -but on the third ball he struck too quickly, -whirled, and the ball hit him between the shoulders.</p> - -<p>He went down to first, apparently badly hurt. -But Chip caught a quick grin from him, and -realized angrily that the umpire had been -“worked” very neatly. He fanned Merrell, then -Runge, but Craven romped down to second without -hindrance, exchanging compliments with the -enraged Villum, as he did so.</p> - -<p>Ironton again was at bat. Chip sent the ball -sizzling over for two strikes, but Ironton had -solved the double shoot. He connected with the -next ball and dropped it over second for a neat -single—the first hit of the game. Craven went -to third, with the crowd frantic, and Murray -was up.</p> - -<p>Chip switched hands in desperation, and Murray -fanned twice. Then Ironton tried for second, -and Billy Mac made a wretched throw that Villum -barely hung on to, a yard from the sack. -When Frank put the ball down again, Murray -cracked a liner at Lowe—and Lowe fumbled it, -booting it across the infield to Harker.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum">[283]</span></p> - -<p>The crowd came to its feet, as Craven raced -over the rubber. Harker lost his head and made -a throw ten feet wide of the plate. Billy went -after it, but Ironton came in like a whirlwind. -Frank ran in and put the ball on him as he slid, -but the umpire called him safe, and the Clippers -had secured two runs, with Murray on third -and Green up.</p> - -<p>“For Heaven’s sake use the jump!” implored -Billy desperately, conferring with Chip. But -Merry, grim-lipped, refused.</p> - -<p>“I’ve got to hold it, Billy. This game is only -three innings old.”</p> - -<p>He walked back, determined to retrieve the -errors that had overwhelmed his team. Green -faced him with a wide grin, the Clipper fans -howling for a hit to bring in Murray. And -Green was confident of getting it. Murray’s lone -hit had started things.</p> - -<p>Frank did the very last thing Green expected. -With a lengthy preliminary, he sent in a fast -straight ball over the heart of the plate. Green -had watched his fingers, and expected a drop, -striking a foot beneath the ball.</p> - -<p>“That got him!” yelled Clancy.</p> - -<p>“Another of the same,” cried Billy.</p> - -<p>“Sure, give me another,” begged Green.</p> - -<p>Chip smiled. He knew that Green would now -be certain of a swift curve. So, making as if<span class="pagenum">[284]</span> -to throw an out, Chip sent down another straight -ball.</p> - -<p>“Strike—uh—two!”</p> - -<p>“That’s headwork, old man!” cried Harker.</p> - -<p>“Led him dood it!” cried Villum. “Ve vos all -behind you, Frankie!”</p> - -<p>Merry stood quietly. He refused Billy’s signals -time after time, knowing that Green was -watching him like a hawk, until the crowd yelled -for action. In desperation Billy tried the signal -for another straight ball, and Merry nodded.</p> - -<p>Again he wound up carefully. This time he -cut loose with every ounce of speed at his command, -and the ball went down fairly scorching. -Green hit, but hit too late, and Billy was taken off -his feet by the speed of the ball. None the less, -he held on to it; Chip had fanned his rival with -three straight balls!</p> - -<p>Not only those in the grand stand, but the -bleachers had also noted the fact, and there was -a deep roar of cheers as Fardale came in. Merry -passed Green, and the latter gave him a quick -smile.</p> - -<p>“Merriwell,” he said quietly, “I take off my hat -to you! That was magnificent.”</p> - -<p>Chip looked at him, found sincerity in the wrinkled -eyes, and warmed instinctively.</p> - -<p>“Thanks,” he said significantly. “Coming -from you, that means a good deal, Mr. Diggs!”</p> - -<p>Green started, gave him one keen glance, then<span class="pagenum">[285]</span> -passed on with a laugh. But in that moment -Chip knew that he now knew his man.</p> - -<p>“That man is Diggs, right enough,” he said to -Coach Trayne, as his next three men proceeded -to fan. “But he’s not beaten us yet.”</p> - -<p>“Yaw!” squawked Villum from behind. “Dot -vos right, Chip! Two runs don’d a pasepall game -make, you pet me! Vait till I dood it!”</p> - -<p>For the second time, Green retired Fardale on -nine pitched balls.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="chapter"></div><!--Page break for ePub--> - -<p><span class="pagenum">[286]</span></p> - - - - -<h2 id="CHAPTER_XXXVI">CHAPTER XXXVI.<br /> -<span class="cheaderfont">THE JUMP BALL.</span></h2> - - -<p>The fourth inning started off badly, Smith -beating out a bunt to first, but he held on while -Merry tightened and fanned the next two men -with the double shoot. At this Smith went down -to second, where Villum was standing on the sack -as usual.</p> - -<p>Billy Mac sent down a perfect throw from the -plate, but Villum appeared not to see it, for he -was staring at Smith.</p> - -<p>“Jump, you chump!” yelled Smith, and flung -himself down in a beautiful fall-away slide.</p> - -<p>For the second time that day, Villum sat down -suddenly. The ball plunged into the cloud of -dust, and a groan from the bleachers. When the -dust cleared off, Villum was seen to be smiling -blandly at Smith, holding the ball against the latter’s -chest; Smith’s leg was hooked about Villum’s -waist, and the Clipper was staring up with -wild astonishment.</p> - -<p>“You vas oudt,” exclaimed Villum. “You vos -hooked me aroundt vhere I down sit, und you -thought it vos der pase, yes, no?”</p> - -<p>“Well, I’m jiggered!” gasped Smith.</p> - -<p>The crowd roared with laughter at this evidence -of Villum’s playing, but it fell into somber<span class="pagenum">[287]</span> -silence once more as Fardale came to bat -and O’Day struck out.</p> - -<p>Then Villum came up to the plate, and, in trying -to hit the first ball over, he lost his balance -and was hit himself. The umpire hesitated, then -motioned him to first, and Olcott’s protest went -unheeded.</p> - -<p>“Yaw!” triumphantly blatted the Dutch lad, as -he trotted down. “I toldt you I’d dood it! Britty -soon der ball vill hit Chip a home run vor, you -pet me!”</p> - -<p>“Sacrifice, Clan,” ordered Merry quietly. “You -can’t hope for a hit.”</p> - -<p>“Why not?” said Clancy, pausing as he was -going forth.</p> - -<p>“Because we’re up against Southpaw Diggs. -Bunt it.”</p> - -<p>The red-haired chap tried hard to obey, but -failed. Villum went to second, however. Murray -stood square on the base line, trying to block -him off, and Villum arrived at about the same -time as the ball. He flung himself straight at the -sack and Murray went down amid a cloud of -dust, from which the ball was seen to roll. Instantly -Villum jumped up and went tearing -toward third, regardless of Lowe’s orders to hold -second. Murray pegged the ball down to Craven, -but made a poor throw. It was a close decision, -but Villum got the benefit of the doubt.</p> - -<p>“Bring him in, Chip,” said Clancy.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum">[288]</span></p> - -<p>For the second time, Merry faced his rival, and -for the second time Green resorted to his wonderful -spit ball. Once Chip fouled, and once -struck in vain, then at the last instant he choked -his bat and met the third ball for a bunt.</p> - -<p>The slippery ball twisted along toward first, -and Merry sped after it like a deer. Green went -for it, but Chip beat out the throw, and Villum -was safe with the first run for Fardale. Harker -fanned, and the inning was ended.</p> - -<p>“Well, that showed that they aren’t invulnerable, -fellows,” said Merry cheerfully. “We’ll even -up pretty soon!”</p> - -<p>“You’re the only one of us who has a hit so -far,” said Billy Mac.</p> - -<p>“And that was a bad scratch,” chuckled Merry. -“Well, go to it!”</p> - -<p>Craven, the dangerous third baseman, was -again up. He could not solve the double shoot, -however, and Merrell and Runge went down, -also. Merry had repeated Green’s feat of retiring -the side with nine pitched balls.</p> - -<p>As he walked in and met Billy, however, he -shook his head doubtfully.</p> - -<p>“I’m using that ball too much,” he said, in a -low voice. “I don’t want to use the jump unless -I have to, but I can’t throw the double shoot all -the time, Billy.”</p> - -<p>“Change arms, then.”</p> - -<p>“I have. Well, let’s see what happens.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum">[289]</span></p> - -<p>Billy, Chester, and Lange went down in regular -order to the smiling Green, although Lange -managed to send up a pop fly that was gathered -in by Murray. The sixth started with the heavy -end up, and Ironton came out confidently.</p> - -<p>Frank tried to avoid using the double shoot, -with the result that Ironton poled a hot liner -toward third. Lowe made a beautiful stop that -drew an admiring yell from the bleachers, but -dropped the ball, and Ironton beat it out.</p> - -<p>The next man up was Murray, and Chip handled -him carefully, forcing him to put up an infield -fly, that Villum easily absorbed. Then -Green strode out, smiling.</p> - -<p>Chip gathered every energy. He put over the -double shoot, reversing from an in to an out, -and Green fanned. Then, using his left hand, he -reversed the shoot, and once more Green struck -in vain, Ironton going down to second. Knowing -that it was useless to attempt luring Green, Frank -once more threw every effort into a terrifically -swift, straight ball—and again Green fanned.</p> - -<p>The speed of that ball was too much for Billy, -however. It went through him and rolled back -to the grand stand, while Green tore to first and -Ironton to third. Both were safe, and Smith -advanced to the plate. Frank signaled to Billy to -come up.</p> - -<p>“It’s no use, old man,” he said quietly.</p> - -<p>“I’m sorry, Chip,” and Billy was almost in<span class="pagenum">[290]</span> -tears. “They can’t touch you, and if you only -had a decent catcher——”</p> - -<p>“None of that,” said Merry. “You’re all right, -Billy. But I daren’t use the double shoot again. -I’ve pitched nothing else, and I can’t give away -the jump ball just yet. I’m going to try the spit -ball, so watch out for bad ones.”</p> - -<p>The almost constant use of the double shoot -had been a tremendous strain on Frank’s arm, -and Billy was forced to assent. Merry did not -half like using the spit ball, as he had not practiced -it for some time, but the need was imperative.</p> - -<p>In fact, his first two balls went wide of the -plate, and nearly let in a run. Then he found -himself, and Smith fanned twice, Billy vainly -trying to catch Green at second. By sheer good -luck, Smith connected and walloped out a beauty -to the left garden, which Chester gathered. But -Ironton beat the ball to the plate for the third -tally.</p> - -<p>“He’s gone!” came a voice from the grand -stand that Frank recognized for that of Colonel -Carson. “Knock him out of the lot! He’s -gone!”</p> - -<p>“I’ll show you something, you old scoundrel!” -muttered Chip angrily, as Olcott pounded the -rubber and begged for a good one.</p> - -<p>He seemed unable to fulfill his prediction, however, -for Olcott bunted the first ball to Harker,<span class="pagenum">[291]</span> -the shortstop made a poor throw to first, and Olcott -was safe. Johnson came up, but ended the -inning by popping a foul, that Billy Mac neatly -garnered.</p> - -<p>“Four to one,” said Lowe, with a groan, as -they came in. “We’re done!”</p> - -<p>“We’re not,” said Clancy warmly. “Chip -hasn’t begun to pitch yet.”</p> - -<p>Merry smiled faintly, and stared aghast as -Green again put over nine pitched balls and retired -Fardale. The man seemed made of iron!</p> - -<p>In the first half of the seventh it seemed that -only luck saved Fardale. Chester dropped Craven’s -fly, and Merrell let the ball hit him. Runge -fanned, and Ironton came up with second and -third filled, and one out. He knocked a hot one -to Villum, who promptly dropped it; while every -one yelled at him, the Dutch lad stared at the -runners in astonishment.</p> - -<p>Then he picked up the ball and slammed it to -third, catching Merrell, and Lowe snapped it to -Billy for a double play that retired the Clippers.</p> - -<p>“Get a hit, Clan,” said Merry quietly. “Green’s -weakening.”</p> - -<p>Clancy brightened up perceptibly, and though -Green showed no sign of weakening, Clancy was -hit by the ball, and went to first. Merry came up, -made a quick guess that Green would give him an -in, and swung with all his strength. He hit the -ball on the nose.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum">[292]</span></p> - -<p>“Wow!”</p> - -<p>A shrill yell went up from every fan as the ball -sailed out, cleared the fence, and was no more -seen. As Merry jogged in from third he grinned.</p> - -<p>“All luck, Green,” he cried.</p> - -<p>Frank had netted two runs with that homer, -but the eighth opened with the score four to -three in favor of the Clippers, and Craven at -bat. He grounded out to Clancy, Merrell fanned, -and Runge flied to Lowe. Green again fanned -three men, leaving Kess up, and the ninth inning -was on.</p> - -<p>“All right, Billy,” said Chip quietly. “Every -ball a jump.”</p> - -<p>“Hurray!” yelled Billy, in delight. “Nine -balls, Merry!”</p> - -<p>Ironton was up. Merry put the first ball down -to him right in the groove, and he swung viciously -at it. The ball seemed to leap over his -bat into Billy’s glove.</p> - -<p>“Hey!” cried Ironton, amazed. “What’s the -matter with that ball?”</p> - -<p>“Take another look,” said Chip, with a grin.</p> - -<p>Again he sent it squarely over the plate, and -again Ironton failed utterly to find it. The -third ball looked even better, and with wondering -desperation Ironton brought around his bat.</p> - -<p>“Out!”</p> - -<p>“What kind of a ball is that?” demanded Ironton -savagely.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum">[293]</span></p> - -<p>“Plain straight ball,” chuckled Billy. “Couldn’t -you see it?”</p> - -<p>The grand stand began to appreciate a change -in Merriwell’s pitching as Johnson came into the -box and proceeded to strike out also.</p> - -<p>“He’s using a new ball!” yelled the traveling -man who had recognized Green-Diggs.</p> - -<p>“Look at Johnson swing!” shrieked another -fan excitedly. “Where’d he get that ball? What -is it?”</p> - -<p>Johnson watched the third one come, and tried -helplessly to find it. He was motioned out, and -flung his bat away heatedly.</p> - -<p>“There’s some crooked work here!” he cried.</p> - -<p>“And it smells like Southpaw Diggs,” chirped -Clancy, as Green came out swinging two bats. -He flung one away and stepped into the box.</p> - -<p>The Fardale fans began to pluck up hope. -They roared out hoarse entreaties to fight it out, -and as he glanced at the grand stand Merry saw -Colonel Gunn standing up and excitedly waving -his hat, dignity utterly forgotten, while Randall -clutched him around the neck and yelled like a -crazy man.</p> - -<p>“Here’s a nice straight one for you, Green,” -said Chip.</p> - -<p>Green evidently believed him, for he swung at -the ball wickedly. But the sphere took a queer -upward jump into Billy’s mitt, and Green stepped -back with a single gasp of amazement.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum">[294]</span></p> - -<p>“What you got on that ball?” he queried wonderingly.</p> - -<p>Smiling, Merry sent down another, square in -the groove. This time Green stood back and -watched it, then grinned.</p> - -<p>“Let her come!” he cried, and Chip knew that -he had solved the jump.</p> - -<p>With that, he sent down a straight ball. Green -grinned again, struck a foot above it—and was -out!</p> - -<p>But the Clippers were still one run to the good.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="chapter"></div><!--Page break for ePub--> - -<p><span class="pagenum">[295]</span></p> - - - - -<h2 id="CHAPTER_XXXVII">CHAPTER XXXVII.<br /> -<span class="cheaderfont">A DESPERATE FINISH.</span></h2> - - -<p>Fardale field was a pandemonium.</p> - -<p>Grand stand and bleachers alike were crazy -with excitement. The band, unheard, blared -forth amid the din. Men shouted and shrieked -for the score to be tied, begged Merry to crack -out another homer, hit each other over the head, -and threatened to smash the stands with their -frenzied stamping.</p> - -<p>With suddenness that was almost appalling, -the din died away as Villum Kess was seen walking -out to the plate. The rooters held their -breath.</p> - -<p>“That settles it,” groaned a man near Colonel -Gunn’s box. “That dunderhead will be the first -out—it’s all over.”</p> - -<p>“Confound your impertinence, sir!” roared the -irate colonel, twisting about and threatening the -fan with personal violence. “It’s not—ah—all -over till the last man has—ah—gone down!”</p> - -<p>Then he turned and sent another roar at the -field.</p> - -<p>“Get a hit! Get a hit!”</p> - -<p>The crowd took up the swinging words. “Get -a hit! Get a hit!” rose the thunder of many -voices, pierced by the shrill yells of the Clipper -fans, who implored Green to “Hold ’em down!”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum">[296]</span></p> - -<p>Then Kess stepped into the box, and instantly -the silence fell anew.</p> - -<p>“Yaw!” squawked the Dutch lad, his voice -sounding distinctly all over the field. “Didn’t I -toldt you I vos goin’ to dood it! You vos a -skinch, so hellup me!”</p> - -<p>“You’ll get skinned, all right,” yelled Olcott. -“Let the Dutchman hit it, old man! He’s easy!”</p> - -<p>“Shut oop mit your mouth!” retorted Villum, -turning angrily.</p> - -<p>As he did so, Green unwound and the sphere -came down like a bullet. Villum tried to strike, -but overreached himself and fell forward, sitting -on the plate.</p> - -<p>“Vot der matter vos?” he inquired blankly. -“Vhere vos der pall?”</p> - -<p>“Get up or you’ll have another strike called,” -said Olcott.</p> - -<p>Villum scrambled to his feet. His actions disgusted -the excited crowd, however, and a storm -of objurgation began to rain upon him.</p> - -<p>“Take him out! Send in a ball player!”</p> - -<p>“Get the hook! Get the hook!”</p> - -<p>“By Yimini, you shoot oop!” roared Villum, -waving his bat at the grand stand. “How vos I -to hear der pall coming vhen you vos making such -a yelling?”</p> - -<p>Green smiled and once more put the ball across -while Villum was glaring at the crowd. He -whirled around as the ball plunked home.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum">[297]</span></p> - -<p>“Vot vos dot?”</p> - -<p>“Strike—two!” called the umpire.</p> - -<p>“Vell, by shinks!” gasped Villum angrily. -“You vos der advantage oof me dake, yes, no?”</p> - -<p>“Watch out,” advised Olcott, with a wide grin. -“Here it comes again.”</p> - -<p>Villum spat on his hands, pounded the plate, -and settled down. Even the nonchalant Green -was laughing, but his laugh ended suddenly.</p> - -<p>For, as the ball came glinting down, Villum -gathered together, swung mightily, and connected!</p> - -<p>“He’s done it!” shrieked the fans, coming to -their feet with a howl.</p> - -<p>The ball went sizzling along the ground to Craven, -while Villum Kess labored toward first. The -third baseman was so astonished at his hit that -when he scooped up the ball he fumbled it. Then -he picked it up again and whipped it to first.</p> - -<p>“Look oudt!” yelled Villum. “I vos coming!”</p> - -<p>He came, too, in an unheralded slide. Smith, -the semipro, had probably never seen any one -slide for first before in all his life. He was so -startled at the action that he missed the ball, -which went past him.</p> - -<p>Instantly Villum gained his feet and plunged -toward second, repeating his bull-head effort of -the fourth inning. While Smith chased the ball -the crowd began to yell encouragement at him, -remembering that he had scored the first tally.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum">[298]</span></p> - -<p>On reaching second, Villum took a look over -his shoulder and started for third. Smith had -gained the ball, and was sending it across the diamond -to Craven, but none the less he pounded -on, head down and elbows working.</p> - -<p>He was only halfway from second when Craven -picked up the ball and started for him with -a grin. Villum never slacked up, despite the -frantic yells that were directed at him. Just as -Craven reached out to tag him, however, he -stumbled over his own foot and fell like a shot, -headfirst.</p> - -<p>He struck squarely against Craven’s knees. -The latter’s hand was distinctly seen to fly out, -while the ball dropped and rolled away. Out of -the whirling arms and legs emerged Villum, -bounced to third, and turned toward home.</p> - -<p>“I toldt you I vos a home run got!” he bellowed.</p> - -<p>This time, however, this amazing luck seemed -to have deserted him. Craven rolled over and -got the ball, and quickly snapped it home. Olcott -stepped out to get it, flinging aside his mask, and -a groan swelled out from the crowd.</p> - -<p>“He’s done for!”</p> - -<p>“Nefer!” roared Villum, bouncing along desperately.</p> - -<p>Once more he shot to earth, just as the ball -came whizzing along over him. Olcott took the<span class="pagenum">[299]</span> -ball and fetched it down, but Villum had already -come to a stop, hands outstretched before him.</p> - -<p>“Shudgement!” he squawked at the umpire. -“You pet me dot I vos safe!”</p> - -<p>He had the tips of his fingers on the plate—and -had effected a home run without making a hit!</p> - -<p>“Yaw!” he shrieked, in delight. “Vot vos I -toldt you! You pet me der score she vos died, -yes, no?”</p> - -<p>“Right you are, Villum,” laughed Chip, escorting -the Dutch lad to the bench in mingled wonder -and joy. “Take off your hat!”</p> - -<p>Villum did so, then looked at it curiously. His -eyes went to Chip’s face, then to the grand stand, -and for the first time he seemed to realize that -the crowds were yelling at him in frantic madness. -He bowed, stumbled, stood on his head, -and vanished under the players’ shed.</p> - -<p>As Clancy walked out, Green seemed to lose -his composure for the first time.</p> - -<p>“Wake up, you boneheads!” he shouted -wrathfully at his amazed team, who were still -trying to find out what had happened. “They’ve -got four runs on us, with only two hits. And -Merriwell got them both! Wake up and play -the game!”</p> - -<p>“Here’s where we get another hit, Southpaw -Diggs,” said Clancy merrily, as he danced into -the box. “Put her over, old sox!”</p> - -<p>Green obeyed, and the ball had so much speed<span class="pagenum">[300]</span> -that Clancy merely leaped backward in actual -terror.</p> - -<p>“Hey!” he cried. “You don’t need to kill a -fellow!”</p> - -<p>Green smiled, having regained his lost poise, -and brought out his spit ball in this emergency. -Clancy swung at it vainly.</p> - -<p>“Strike—two.”</p> - -<p>Once more the ball sped down like a white -streak. This time Clancy connected with a crack -that fetched the crowds up standing. But the -roar was followed by a groan, as the ball lifted -into deep center field and Merrell went after it.</p> - -<p>Merrell was more intent on the ball than on -the ground, however. Clancy was running along -to first and watching him when Merrell stumbled -and fell. The ball came down a yard beyond -him, and O’Day sent Clancy on to second, while -once more the roar swelled out from the -bleachers.</p> - -<p>“Green’s blown up! Merry to bat!”</p> - -<p>“A hit, Merriwell! Get a hit! Get a hit!”</p> - -<p>“One run wins the game! Get a hit!”</p> - -<p>That fly, which fell well within Merrell’s territory, -and should have been fielded easily, went -as an error instead of a hit. Therefore, in spite -of the fact that Fardale had four runs, Merry -was the only one who had so far been able to hit -Green. One of his two hits was a scratch, and -the other was a lucky jab by his own admission.<span class="pagenum">[301]</span> -Therefore, as he came up to the plate, he was -anything but confident.</p> - -<p>He had already given Clancy the hit-and-run -signal, for he himself had little hope of making -another decent hit. As he stepped in the box and -faced Green, he saw the man’s lean brown face -smiling at him, and knew that the other was even -cooler than he himself.</p> - -<p>For the second time, Green read danger in -Merry’s eyes and resolved to take no chances. -He sent down a wide one, and Chip lashed out -at it in order to give Clancy a chance.</p> - -<p>The red-haired chap went to third, safe by a -narrow margin. After that, Green sent down -no more wide ones, but instead he placed them -so high that Olcott was forced to get on his toes -to reach them. Yet they never went too high -for him; Green was a perfect master, and his control -was absolute.</p> - -<p>Three of them sang past, while Merry waited -desperately. He knew perfectly well that Green -intended to pass him, in order to strike out the -next three men.</p> - -<p>“I’d sooner die fighting than be left at the -post,” he muttered grimly, taking a firm grip on -his bat.</p> - -<p>Again Green smiled, scarcely taking the trouble -to wind up for the throw. He sent the ball -down to Olcott, far too high for a good strike, but<span class="pagenum">[302]</span> -Chip was past caring whether it was good or -not.</p> - -<p>With an effort, he swung up and reached for -it. There was a crack, and the sphere shot out -over second base—for his third hit off Green!</p> - -<p>Merrell made a hard run in for the ball, secured -it on the first bounce, and relayed in a beautiful -throw to Olcott. Clancy was tearing for -home, and he ran along as he had never run before. -Glancing around, he saw the ball almost -even with him, and as he neared home he went -down in a desperate slide.</p> - -<p>Olcott received the ball perfectly, and there -was a moment of suspense as the dust rose and -hid the play. Then the umpire’s figure emerged, -hands down.</p> - -<p>Fardale had won on Merry’s hit—the closest -finish ever seen on Fardale field.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="chapter"></div><!--Page break for ePub--> - -<p><span class="pagenum">[303]</span></p> - - - - -<h2 id="CHAPTER_XXXVIII">CHAPTER XXXVIII.<br /> -<span class="cheaderfont">CAUGHT WITH THE GOODS.</span></h2> - - -<p>“It’s Merry’s game, all right!”</p> - -<p>“I’m not so sure of that, fellows,” said Merry, -as he entered the dressing room and heard Lowe’s -remark; “I’d say that it’s Villum’s game. Didn’t -he get the run that tied, and get it without assistance?”</p> - -<p>A roar of laughter went up. As Merry went -to his locker, however, he was approached by -Colonel Gunn’s orderly, who shoved hastily -through the crowd.</p> - -<p>“Come outside, Mr. Merriwell!” cried the -cadet. “The constable wants you!”</p> - -<p>“Tell him I’ll be dressed in a minute,” returned -Chip.</p> - -<p>“No, get a move on right now!” insisted the -other excitedly. “Colonel Gunn is waiting, too.”</p> - -<p>“That’s a horse of another color, then,” said -Chip, and made haste outside.</p> - -<p>He found the constable, who greeted him -eagerly.</p> - -<p>“Say, Merriwell, come along over to the riding -hall. Colonel Gunn’s gone over, and said to bring -you along.”</p> - -<p>“Me? What for?”</p> - -<p>Merry had forgotten all about the affairs of -Randall in the excitement.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum">[304]</span></p> - -<p>“Why, they found that feller Carson, and he -seems to be drunk, or hurt, or something,” explained -the constable hurriedly, as they started -out. “One o’ the boys phoned over to the grand -stand just before the game ended.”</p> - -<p>“That’s bad,” commented Merry. “You don’t -know any more?”</p> - -<p>The constable did not, except that he had seen -Colonel Carson slinking away from the grounds -in woeful plight. It was said that the colonel had -lost a large sum of money on the game.</p> - -<p>With the orderly, they hastened to the riding -hall. Grouped in the rear, they found a small -crowd of cadets, in the midst of whom stood -Colonel Gunn and Randall, while a motionless -figure could be made out on the ground.</p> - -<p>“Ha—Merriwell!” cried the principal, who had -recovered his momentarily lost ponderous manner. -“Here is the—ah—individual of whom we -were in search. He appears to have been in this -posture for some little time.”</p> - -<p>Merry and the constable pushed through, to -see Bully Carson lying on the ground. He was -motionless, and was breathing stertorously. Although -his one good eye did not open, he seemed -dimly conscious that others were around him.</p> - -<p>“Go ’way!” he muttered thickly. “Go ’way!”</p> - -<p>“He don’t look drunk, exactly,” observed the -constable, “and he ain’t hurt.”</p> - -<p>“No, he does not—ah—appear to be under the<span class="pagenum">[305]</span> -influence of liquor. Perhaps he is merely—ah—reposing -in the arms of Morpheus.”</p> - -<p>“No, Murphy was lookin’ for him to-day,” rejoined -the constable, referring to his assistant. -Colonel Gunn’s lips twitched.</p> - -<p>“See if you can resuscitate him, Merriwell. -The sooner we could—ah—relieve Randall of the -unfortunate difficulties surrounding him, the -better.”</p> - -<p>Merry knelt over Bully and raised his head, -shaking his shoulders in no very gentle fashion. -Bully grunted and opened his eyes in a dazed -manner. At the same instant a small, very much -flustered man pushed through the group.</p> - -<p>“Hello, here’s Hostetter now,” announced the -constable. “Colonel Gunn, this is him.”</p> - -<p>“I heard that Carson had been found,” exclaimed -Hostetter. “Nothing has happened to -him, I trust?”</p> - -<p>Bully answered for himself. Sitting up suddenly -and pushing Merry away, he glanced -around with dull and yet frightened eyes.</p> - -<p>“Who’s that?” he muttered thickly. “Where’s -Hostetter?”</p> - -<p>“Right here, old man,” cried the little laundryman -fervently. “Have you managed to locate -my pocketbook? You know you said this morning -that you might be able to get a clew.”</p> - -<p>“Nothin’ doin’,” said Bully thickly. “I must<span class="pagenum">[306]</span> -’a’ been asleep—it was that there glass o’ water, -I’ll bet a dollar!”</p> - -<p>He tried to get to his feet, Chip assisting him, -but stumbled and fell back. As he did so, a long -black object fell from his pocket. Hostetter -pounced on it with a shrill yell.</p> - -<p>“My wallet! How——”</p> - -<p>As he examined it feverishly, Bully once more -came to life. He clapped a hand to his pocket, -then staggered up.</p> - -<p>“Where’s my wallet!” he growled, clutching -for support.</p> - -<p>“Your wallet!” cried Merry. “You mean Hostetter’s -wallet. Where’d you get it, eh? Are you -the one that stole it?”</p> - -<p>Bully seemed to shrink suddenly into himself, -muttering and mumbling.</p> - -<p>“Who says I stole it?” he grunted defiantly, -only half conscious yet. He gave a lurch and -caught at Merriwell for support. “Hostetter—durned -little fool——”</p> - -<p>“What do you mean?” exclaimed Merriwell -sharply. Bully tried to rouse himself. “Here, -one of you fellows get a bucket of water, will -you?”</p> - -<p>“Lemme go,” grunted Bully, trying to reel -away. “I got to place bet—thousand-dollar bet—little -fool Hostetter handed me his money——”</p> - -<p>“That’s a lie!” snapped Hostetter suddenly. “I -believe you stole that money, Carson!”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum">[307]</span></p> - -<p>“I believe so, too,” said Merry dryly. “Constable, -you’d better get ready to take charge of -him when—ah, here’s the water now!”</p> - -<p>One of the grinning cadets arrived with a pail -of water. Bully had already relapsed into slumber, -and Merry took the water and soused it over -his head.</p> - -<p>A second later Bully was on his feet, shaking -his head and bellowing in fury.</p> - -<p>“That’s enough out o’ you,” said the constable, -tapping him on the shoulder. “I guess you can -come along to the lockup, my man.”</p> - -<p>Bully let out a yell of fear.</p> - -<p>“What fur!” he wailed, as the constable -gripped him firmly. “I ain’t done nothin’! Take -your hands off’n me!”</p> - -<p>“For the theft of Mr. Hostetter’s pocketbook,” -said Colonel Gunn, in his most military voice, -facing the astounded Bully. “You, sir, have been—ah—apprehended -with the stolen property on -your person. While still in a condition of semi-coma, -you made certain admissions which most -undoubtedly will—ah—be put to service in the -cause of justice.”</p> - -<p>“I’ll give it back!” wailed Bully. “It was only -a joke—I didn’t mean——”</p> - -<p>“Constable, remove the—ah—prisoner!”</p> - -<p>The constable did so. The last that was seen -of Bully Carson, he was trailing along and tearfully<span class="pagenum">[308]</span> -expostulating. Colonel Gunn turned to -Randall.</p> - -<p>“I congratulate you, Mr. Randall, on being thus—ah—exonerated -of all the faint suspicion which—ah—clung -to your footsteps, in a manner of -speaking. You will kindly report at my office -Monday morning to state why you should not be -punished for leaving your room and the school -grounds without permission last evening. Gentlemen, -I bid you good day! Oh—one moment, -Merriwell! That—ah—that was the most remarkable, -I think I may say the most spectacular, -game of baseball I ever witnessed. Sir, I heartily -congratulate you on your playing!”</p> - -<p>And with a stiff bow, Colonel Gunn beckoned -his orderly and strode away.</p> - -<p>Merry looked after him, then turned to Randall -with a smile, his hand out.</p> - -<p>“It’s all right, old man!” he said. “Come along -over to the gym while I get into my clothes, will -you? I’ve got something I want to say.”</p> - -<p>Randall gave him a half-frightened look, but -merely nodded assent. The two walked to the -gym together, and more than one cadet looked -after them significantly, with the remark that -Randall had been fetched around, after all.</p> - -<p>“What do you suppose was the trouble with -Bully?” queried Chip, as they entered the gymnasium -building. “It looked to me rather as if -he had been drugged, Bob!”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum">[309]</span></p> - -<p>Randall flushed.</p> - -<p>“Maybe he had,” he said bitterly. “I knew -that he was pretty bad, but I never suspected that -he could stoop to being a thief.”</p> - -<p>“I guess there are a whole lot of things about -your cousin that you never suspected,” returned -Merry dryly.</p> - -<p>They found the dressing room almost deserted, -the members of the team having disappeared long -since. Merry had his shower and rubdown, and -returned to his locker where Randall was waiting.</p> - -<p>“That was a great finish to-day, Chip,” said -the Southerner, rather awkwardly. “And your -pitching showed me a whole lot I had never even -guessed. If I had been in your place, they’d have -pounded me off the mound in two innings, Chip.”</p> - -<p>“Not much,” said Chip. “Luck broke with us, -that was all. By the way, their pitcher was -Southpaw Diggs, Bob. Some credit in beating -him, eh? I was almost gone in the seventh, for -a fact.”</p> - -<p>“Diggs!” Bob gasped. “I guess you had -mighty little luck in that game, Chip, and a whole -lot of good playing! I heard a fellow near us -saying that he thought the first baseman was a -semipro player from Buffalo.”</p> - -<p>“Likely enough,” said Chip thoughtfully. “I -wouldn’t be surprised if Colonel Carson had got -professionals all the way through, because he expected -to clear up a big wad. It must have cost<span class="pagenum">[310]</span> -him a lot, even besides what he lost! Well, that -only goes to show that a fellow gets exactly what -he gives, Bob. Your attitude toward the world -will be bound to be reflected back at you from -the world.”</p> - -<p>“I suppose that’s about right,” and Randall’s -handsome face clouded.</p> - -<p>“By the way,” said Chip suddenly, “I may -leave Fardale almost any time now, old man. I -had a notion of having a team meeting to-night -or Monday, and putting it up to them about electing -you captain——”</p> - -<p>“Hold on a minute, Chip,” broke in Randall, -his eyes fixing those of Merry in a peculiar fashion. -“Did you and Carson drink those glasses of -water I had poured out?”</p> - -<p>“Eh?” Merry’s thoughts went back swiftly -to the scene in Bob’s room. “Why, yes!”</p> - -<p>“Then that’s what’s the matter with Bully,” -and Randall faced Merry, white-faced but firm. -“I had doped one glass of water, hoping to put -you out of the game for the afternoon. He got -it by mistake. I pretended to be placated by your -words this morning, Chip, and—well, I began to -see differently later, that’s all. Now go ahead -and do anything you want to—I’m glad that I’ve -made a clean breast of it.”</p> - -<p>“So am I,” said Chip quietly. “As I was saying, -I hope you’ll be elected the captain, to succeed -me when I leave, Bob.”</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="chapter"></div><!--Page break for ePub--> - -<p><span class="pagenum">[311]</span></p> - - - - -<h2 id="CHAPTER_XXXIX">CHAPTER XXXIX.<br /> -<span class="cheaderfont">CONCLUSION.</span></h2> - - -<p>“You what!” gasped Randall, staring. “You’re -joking with me!”</p> - -<p>“Not a bit of it,” said Merry. “I suppose Bully -persuaded you to dope me?”</p> - -<p>“Well, he had a little to do with it,” admitted -Randall, too proud to cast the blame where it -rightly lay. “I can only apologize, Chip, and -you——”</p> - -<p>“Why, old man, forget all about it!” exclaimed -Merry, catching the other about the shoulders -and turning toward the door. “There was nobody -damaged in any way except Bully.”</p> - -<p>He broke off suddenly, and laughed.</p> - -<p>“Look here, Bob! He tried to make you the -goat to put me out of the way, see? He probably -figured that Southpaw Diggs could handle -either one of us, but without the double shoot -Fardale would get pounded. Then he got hold of -that stuff by accident and it laid him out. Except -for that, you might still be under suspicion of -stealing Hostetter’s money! It was only his -being doped that really saved you!”</p> - -<p>“That’s right, Merry!” and Randall’s eyes -flashed. “I believe he’d have let me suffer for -it, too, the cowardly cur! Look here, old man, -will you take my hand and accept my apologies?”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum">[312]</span></p> - -<p>“Great Scott, how often do you want me to -tell you so?” returned Chip, with mock despair. -He wrung the Southerner’s hand heartily.</p> - -<p>“Now let’s get out into the open air. I’m about -ready for something to eat, if you want to know -it!”</p> - -<p>They left the building behind and started -across the campus for the barracks. It still being -some time before assembly and mess. As they -neared the barracks, they were approached by a -tall figure neatly clad in a dark-blue suit. He -gave them a keen glance, then stopped them -quietly.</p> - -<p>“This is Mr. Merriwell, isn’t it?”</p> - -<p>Merry flung him a look, and started.</p> - -<p>“Hello! It’s Green—or I should say Diggs!”</p> - -<p>“Yes, Southpaw Diggs,” and the other smiled -as he held out his hand. “I just want to congratulate -you on winning a remarkably fine -game, Merriwell—one of the best I ever saw, in -fact. If you’d only consider big-league work -and——”</p> - -<p>“No, thanks,” said Merry. “I’ve had a sample -of professional ethics this afternoon, when you -and your friends masqueraded as amateurs. -That’s one reason, though I don’t blame you as I -do Colonel Carson.”</p> - -<p>“What can a fellow do when he needs the -money?” and Diggs shrugged his shoulders good-naturedly.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum">[313]</span></p> - -<p>“He can get busy and make it cleanly,” retorted -Chip, watching the other. With a quick -impulse he added: “And if he’d cut out the booze, -Diggs.”</p> - -<p>Diggs flushed and his eyes kindled. Then he -smiled again and nodded.</p> - -<p>“Right you are, Merriwell, and I know you -mean me. Well, I’m only twenty-four, and if I -brace up I’d have a few years ahead of me of -baseball. I’ve been thinking it over, and, to tell -you the truth, I’ve not had a drink for a good -while. I was testing my nerves out on you fellows -to-day, for one thing.”</p> - -<p>“I hope they suited you?” said Merry.</p> - -<p>“Oh, mine were all right until you pulled that -last bag of tricks. Well, so long, son, and good -luck go with you!”</p> - -<p>“And the same to you, Diggs,” said Merry -earnestly.</p> - -<p>He walked on with Randall, neither speaking. -At the door of the barracks they came upon -Clancy and Billy Mac, who immediately met them -with wide grins.</p> - -<p>“Buried the hatchet, you two?” queried Clan.</p> - -<p>“I think so,” said Chip. “By the way, I’d like -to ask a special favor of you fellows, sight unseen. -Will you grant it?”</p> - -<p>“Surest thing you know,” returned Clancy.</p> - -<p>“Anything you want, old man,” said Billy -Mac.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum">[314]</span></p> - -<p>“Well, I’m thinking of proposing Bob for captain -in my place, and I want you two fellows to -second it. How does it strike you?”</p> - -<p>Clancy looked at Randall, and grinned.</p> - -<p>“Sure,” he said. “Only I’ll give you a run for -your money, Bob, because I’m going after that -job myself. I’ll second you, just the same.”</p> - -<p>“Same here,” said Billy. “But I guess I can -see right now where Carrot-top Clancy gets -snowed under about two miles! Shake, Cap -Randall!”</p> - -<p>Merry smiled.</p> - -<p class="center">THE END.</p> - -<p class="p1">No. 233, the next title of the <span class="smcap">Merriwell -Series</span>, is entitled “The Merriwell Company.” -This story, from the pen of Burt L. Standish, has -to do with several of the most prominent characters -in this popular series of books.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<div class="chapter"></div><!--Page break for ePub--> - -<p><span class="pagenum">[15]</span></p> - -<p class="center largefont">NICK CARTER STORIES</p> - -<p class="xxlargefont center" style="margin-top:-0.15em">New Magnet Library</p> - -<p class="largefont center" style="margin-top:-0.3em"><em>Not a Dull Book in This List</em></p> - -<p class="center largefont">ALL BY NICHOLAS CARTER</p> - -<div class="boxtop"> - -<p class="p-1">Nick Carter stands for an interesting detective story. The fact -that the books in this line are so uniformly good is entirely due to -the work of a specialist. The man who wrote these stories produced -no other type of fiction. His mind was concentrated upon the creation -of new plots and situations in which his hero emerged triumphantly -from all sorts of troubles and landed the criminal just where -he should be—behind the bars.</p> - -<p>The author of these stories knew more about writing detective stories -than any other single person.</p> - -<p>Following is a list of the best Nick Carter stories. They have been -selected with extreme care, and we unhesitatingly recommend each of -them as being fully as interesting as any detective story between cloth -covers which sells at ten times the price.</p> - -<p>If you do not know Nick Carter, buy a copy of any of the New -Magnet Library books, and get acquainted. He will surprise and delight -you.</p> -</div> - -<p class="center"><em>ALL TITLES ALWAYS IN PRINT</em></p> - -<div class="boxlist"> -<p class="nitem3">901—A Weird Treasure</p> -<p class="nitem3">902—The Middle Link</p> -<p class="nitem3">903—To the Ends of the Earth</p> -<p class="nitem3">904—When Honors Pall</p> -<p class="nitem3">905—The Yellow Brand</p> -<p class="nitem3">906—A New Serpent in Eden</p> -<p class="nitem3">907—When Brave Men Tremble</p> -<p class="nitem3">908—A Test of Courage</p> -<p class="nitem3">909—Where Peril Beckons</p> -<p class="nitem3">910—The Gargoni Girdle</p> -<p class="nitem3">911—Rascals & Co.</p> -<p class="nitem3">912—Too Late to Talk</p> -<p class="nitem3">913—Satan’s Apt Pupil</p> -<p class="nitem3">914—The Girl Prisoner</p> -<p class="nitem3">915—The Danger of Folly</p> -<p class="nitem3">916—One Shipwreck Too Many</p> -<p class="nitem3">917—Scourged by Fear</p> -<p class="nitem3">918—The Red Plague</p> -<p class="nitem3">919—Scoundrels Rampant</p> -<p class="nitem3">920—From Clew to Clew</p> -<p class="nitem3">921—When Rogues Conspire</p> -<p class="nitem3">922—Twelve in a Grave</p> -<p class="nitem3">923—The Great Opium Case</p> -<p class="nitem3">924—A Conspiracy of Rumors</p> -<p class="nitem3">925—A Klondike Claim</p> -<p class="nitem3">926—The Evil Formula</p> -<p class="nitem3">927—The Man of Many Faces</p> -<p class="nitem3">928—The Great Enigma</p> -<p class="nitem3">929—The Burden of Proof</p> -<p class="nitem3">930—The Stolen Brain</p> -<p class="nitem3">931—A Titled Counterfeiter</p> -<p class="nitem3">932—The Magic Necklace</p> -<p class="nitem3">933—’Round the World for a Quarter</p> -<p class="nitem3">934—Over the Edge of the World</p> -<p class="nitem3">935—In the Grip of Fate</p> -<p class="nitem3">936—The Case of Many Clews</p> -<p class="nitem3">937—The Sealed Door</p> -<p class="nitem3">938—Nick Carter and the Green Goods Men</p> -<p class="nitem3">939—The Man Without a Will</p> -<p class="nitem3">940—Tracked Across the Atlantic</p> -<p class="nitem3">941—A Clew from the Unknown</p> -<p class="nitem3">942—The Crime of a Countess</p> -<p class="nitem3">943—A Mixed-up Mess</p> -<p class="nitem3">944—The Great Money-order Swindle</p> -<p class="nitem3">945—The Adder’s Brood</p> -<p class="nitem3">946—A Wall Street Haul</p> -<p class="nitem3">947—For a Pawned Crown</p> -<p class="nitem3">948—Sealed Orders</p> -<p class="nitem3">949—The Hate that Kills</p> -<p class="nitem3">950—The American Marquis</p> -<p class="nitem3">951—The Needy Nine</p> -<p class="nitem3">952—Fighting Against Millions</p> -<p class="nitem3">953—Outlaws of the Blue</p> -<p class="nitem3">954—The Old Detective’s Pupil</p> -<p class="nitem3">955—Found in the Jungle</p> -<p class="nitem3">956—The Mysterious Mail Robbery</p> -<p class="nitem3">957—Broken Bars</p> -<p class="nitem3">958—A Fair Criminal</p> -<p class="nitem3">959—Won by Magic</p> -<p class="nitem3">960—The Piano Box Mystery<span class="pagenum">[16]</span></p> -<p class="nitem3">961—The Man They Held Back</p> -<p class="nitem3">962—A Millionaire Partner</p> -<p class="nitem3">963—A Pressing Peril</p> -<p class="nitem3">964—An Australian Klondike</p> -<p class="nitem3">965—The Sultan’s Pearls</p> -<p class="nitem3">966—The Double Shuffle Club</p> -<p class="nitem3">967—Paying the Price</p> -<p class="nitem3">968—A Woman’s Hand</p> -<p class="nitem3">969—A Network of Crime</p> -<p class="nitem3">970—At Thompson’s Ranch</p> -<p class="nitem3">971—The Crossed Needles</p> -<p class="nitem3">972—The Diamond Mine Case</p> -<p class="nitem3">973—Blood Will Tell</p> -<p class="nitem3">974—An Accidental Password</p> -<p class="nitem3">975—The Crook’s Double</p> -<p class="nitem3">976—Two Plus Two</p> -<p class="nitem3">977—The Yellow Label</p> -<p class="nitem3">978—The Clever Celestial</p> -<p class="nitem3">979—The Amphitheater Plot</p> -<p class="nitem3">980—Gideon Drexel’s Millions</p> -<p class="nitem3">981—Death in Life</p> -<p class="nitem3">982—A Stolen Identity</p> -<p class="nitem3">983—Evidence by Telephone</p> -<p class="nitem3">984—The Twelve Tin Boxes</p> -<p class="nitem3">985—Clew Against Clew</p> -<p class="nitem3">986—Lady Velvet</p> -<p class="nitem3">987—Playing a Bold Game</p> -<p class="nitem3">988—A Dead Man’s Grip</p> -<p class="nitem3">989—Snarled Identities</p> -<p class="nitem3">990—A Deposit Vault Puzzle</p> -<p class="nitem3">991—The Crescent Brotherhood</p> -<p class="nitem3">992—The Stolen Pay Train</p> -<p class="nitem3">993—The Sea Fox</p> -<p class="nitem3">994—Wanted by Two Clients</p> -<p class="nitem3">995—The Van Alstine Case</p> -<p class="nitem3">996—Check No. 777</p> -<p class="nitem3">997—Partners in Peril</p> -<p class="nitem3">998—Nick Carter’s Clever Protégé</p> -<p class="nitem3">999—The Sign of the Crossed Knives</p> -<p class="nitem4">1000—The Man Who Vanished</p> -<p class="nitem4">1001—A Battle for the Right</p> -<p class="nitem4">1002—A Game of Craft</p> -<p class="nitem4">1003—Nick Carter’s Retainer</p> -<p class="nitem4">1004—Caught in the Toils</p> -<p class="nitem4">1005—A Broken Bond</p> -<p class="nitem4">1006—The Crime of the French Café</p> -<p class="nitem4">1007—The Man Who Stole Millions</p> -<p class="nitem4">1008—The Twelve Wise Men</p> -<p class="nitem4">1009—Hidden Foes</p> -<p class="nitem4">1010—A Gamblers’ Syndicate</p> -<p class="nitem4">1011—A Chance Discovery</p> -<p class="nitem4">1012—Among the Counterfeiters</p> -<p class="nitem4">1013—A Threefold Disappearance</p> -<p class="nitem4">1014—At Odds with Scotland Yard</p> -<p class="nitem4">1015—A Princess of Crime</p> -<p class="nitem4">1016—Found on the Beach</p> -<p class="nitem4">1017—A Spinner of Death</p> -<p class="nitem4">1018—The Detective’s Pretty Neighbor</p> -<p class="nitem4">1019—A Bogus Clew</p> -<p class="nitem4">1020—The Puzzle of Five Pistols</p> -<p class="nitem4">1021—The Secret of the Marble Mantel</p> -<p class="nitem4">1022—A Bite of an Apple</p> -<p class="nitem4">1023—A Triple Crime</p> -<p class="nitem4">1024—The Stolen Race Horse</p> -<p class="nitem4">1025—Wildfire</p> -<p class="nitem4">1026—A <cite>Herald</cite> Personal</p> -<p class="nitem4">1027—The Finger of Suspicion</p> -<p class="nitem4">1028—The Crimson Clew</p> -<p class="nitem4">1029—Nick Carter Down East</p> -<p class="nitem4">1030—The Chain of Clews</p> -<p class="nitem4">1031—A Victim of Circumstances</p> -<p class="nitem4">1032—Brought to Bay</p> -<p class="nitem4">1033—The Dynamite Trap</p> -<p class="nitem4">1034—A Scrap of Black Lace</p> -<p class="nitem4">1035—The Woman of Evil</p> -<p class="nitem4">1036—A Legacy of Hate</p> -<p class="nitem4">1037—A Trusted Rogue</p> -<p class="nitem4">1038—Man Against Man</p> -<p class="nitem4">1039—The Demons of the Night</p> -<p class="nitem4">1040—The Brotherhood of Death</p> -<p class="nitem4">1041—At the Knife’s Point</p> -<p class="nitem4">1042—A Cry for Help</p> -<p class="nitem4">1043—A Stroke of Policy</p> -<p class="nitem4">1044—Hounded to Death</p> -<p class="nitem4">1045—A Bargain in Crime</p> -<p class="nitem4">1046—The Fatal Prescription</p> -<p class="nitem4">1047—The Man of Iron</p> -<p class="nitem4">1048—An Amazing Scoundrel</p> -<p class="nitem4">1049—The Chain of Evidence</p> -<p class="nitem4">1050—Paid with Death</p> -<p class="nitem4">1051—A Fight for a Throne</p> -<p class="nitem4">1052—The Woman of Steel</p> -<p class="nitem4">1053—The Seal of Death</p> -<p class="nitem4">1054—The Human Fiend</p> -<p class="nitem4">1055—A Desperate Chance</p> -<p class="nitem4">1056—A Chase in the Dark</p> -<p class="nitem4">1057—The Snare and the Game</p> -<p class="nitem4">1058—The Murray Hill Mystery</p> -<p class="nitem4">1059—Nick Carter’s Close Call</p> -<p class="nitem4">1060—The Missing Cotton King</p> -<p class="nitem4">1061—A Game of Plots</p> -<p class="nitem4">1062—The Prince of Liars</p> -<p class="nitem4">1063—The Man at the Window</p> -<p class="nitem4">1064—The Red League</p> -<p class="nitem4">1065—The Price of a Secret</p> -<p class="nitem4">1066—The Worst Case on Record</p> -<p class="nitem4">1067—From Peril to Peril</p> -<p class="nitem4">1068—The Seal of Silence</p> -<p class="nitem4">1069—Nick Carter’s Chinese Puzzle</p> -<p class="nitem4">1070—A Blackmailer’s Bluff</p> -<p class="nitem4">1071—Heard in the Dark</p> -<p class="nitem4">1072—A Checkmated Scoundrel</p> -<p class="nitem4">1073—The Cashier’s Secret</p> -<p class="nitem4">1074—Behind a Mask<span class="pagenum">[17]</span></p> -<p class="nitem4">1075—The Cloak of Guilt</p> -<p class="nitem4">1076—Two Villains in One</p> -<p class="nitem4">1077—The Hot Air Clew</p> -<p class="nitem4">1078—Run to Earth</p> -<p class="nitem4">1079—The Certified Check</p> -<p class="nitem4">1080—Weaving the Web</p> -<p class="nitem4">1081—Beyond Pursuit</p> -<p class="nitem4">1082—The Claws of the Tiger</p> -<p class="nitem4">1083—Driven from Cover</p> -<p class="nitem4">1084—A Deal in Diamonds</p> -<p class="nitem4">1085—The Wizard of the Cue</p> -<p class="nitem4">1086—A Race for Ten Thousand</p> -<p class="nitem4">1087—The Criminal Link</p> -<p class="nitem4">1088—The Red Signal</p> -<p class="nitem4">1089—The Secret Panel</p> -<p class="nitem4">1090—A Bonded Villain</p> -<p class="nitem4">1091—A Move in the Dark</p> -<p class="nitem4">1092—Against Desperate Odds</p> -<p class="nitem4">1093—The Telltale Photographs</p> -<p class="nitem4">1094—The Ruby Pin</p> -<p class="nitem4">1095—The Queen of Diamonds</p> -<p class="nitem4">1096—A Broken Trail</p> -<p class="nitem4">1097—An Ingenious Stratagem</p> -<p class="nitem4">1098—A Sharper’s Downfall</p> -<p class="nitem4">1099—A Race Track Gamble</p> -<p class="nitem4">1100—Without a Clew</p> -<p class="nitem4">1101—The Council of Death</p> -<p class="nitem4">1102—The Hole in the Vault</p> -<p class="nitem4">1103—In Death’s Grip</p> -<p class="nitem4">1104—A Great Conspiracy</p> -<p class="nitem4">1105—The Guilty Governor</p> -<p class="nitem4">1106—A Ring of Rascals</p> -<p class="nitem4">1107—A Masterpiece of Crime</p> -<p class="nitem4">1108—A Blow for Vengeance</p> -<p class="nitem4">1109—Tangled Threads</p> -<p class="nitem4">1110—The Crime of the Camera</p> -<p class="nitem4">1111—The Sign of the Dagger</p> -<p class="nitem4">1112—Nick Carter’s Promise</p> -<p class="nitem4">1113—Marked for Death</p> -<p class="nitem4">1114—The Limited Holdup</p> -<p class="nitem4">1115—When the Trap Was Sprung</p> -<p class="nitem4">1116—Through the Cellar Wall</p> -<p class="nitem4">1117—Under the Tiger’s Claws</p> -<p class="nitem4">1118—The Girl in the Case</p> -<p class="nitem4">1119—Behind a Throne</p> -<p class="nitem4">1120—The Lure of Gold</p> -<p class="nitem4">1121—Hand to Hand</p> -<p class="nitem4">1122—From a Prison Cell</p> -<p class="nitem4">1123—Dr. Quartz, Magician</p> -<p class="nitem4">1124—Into Nick Carter’s Web</p> -<p class="nitem4">1125—The Mystic Diagram</p> -<p class="nitem4">1126—The Hand that Won</p> -<p class="nitem4">1127—Playing a Lone Hand</p> -<p class="nitem4">1128—The Master Villain</p> -<p class="nitem4">1129—The False Claimant</p> -<p class="nitem4">1130—The Living Mask</p> -<p class="nitem4">1131—The Crime and the Motive</p> -<p class="nitem4">1132—A Mysterious Foe</p> -<p class="nitem4">1133—A Missing Man</p> -<p class="nitem4">1134—A Game Well Played</p> -<p class="nitem4">1135—A Cigarette Clew</p> -<p class="nitem4">1136—The Diamond Trail</p> -<p class="nitem4">1137—The Silent Guardian</p> -<p class="nitem4">1138—The Dead Stranger</p> -<p class="nitem4">1140—The Doctor’s Stratagem</p> -<p class="nitem4">1141—Following a Chance Clew</p> -<p class="nitem4">1142—The Bank Draft Puzzle</p> -<p class="nitem4">1143—The Price of Treachery</p> -<p class="nitem4">1144—The Silent Partner</p> -<p class="nitem4">1145—Ahead of the Game</p> -<p class="nitem4">1146—A Trap of Tangled Wire</p> -<p class="nitem4">1147—In the Gloom of Night</p> -<p class="nitem4">1148—The Unaccountable Crook</p> -<p class="nitem4">1149—A Bundle of Clews</p> -<p class="nitem4">1150—The Great Diamond Syndicate</p> -<p class="nitem4">1151—The Death Circle</p> -<p class="nitem4">1152—The Toss of a Penny</p> -<p class="nitem4">1153—One Step Too Far</p> -<p class="nitem4">1154—The Terrible Thirteen</p> -<p class="nitem4">1155—A Detective’s Theory</p> -<p class="nitem4">1156—Nick Carter’s Auto Trail</p> -<p class="nitem4">1157—A Triple Identity</p> -<p class="nitem4">1158—A Mysterious Graft</p> -<p class="nitem4">1159—A Carnival of Crime</p> -<p class="nitem4">1160—The Bloodstone Terror</p> -<p class="nitem4">1161—Trapped in His Own Net</p> -<p class="nitem4">1162—The Last Move in the Game</p> -<p class="nitem4">1163—A Victim of Deceit</p> -<p class="nitem4">1164—With Links of Steel</p> -<p class="nitem4">1165—A Plaything of Fate</p> -<p class="nitem4">1166—The Key Ring Clew</p> -<p class="nitem4">1167—Playing for a Fortune</p> -<p class="nitem4">1168—At Mystery’s Threshold</p> -<p class="nitem4">1169—Trapped by a Woman</p> -<p class="nitem4">1170—The Four Fingered Glove</p> -<p class="nitem4">1171—Nabob and Knave</p> -<p class="nitem4">1172—The Broadway Cross</p> -<p class="nitem4">1173—The Man Without a Conscience</p> -<p class="nitem4">1174—A Master of Deviltry</p> -<p class="nitem4">1175—Nick Carter’s Double Catch</p> -<p class="nitem4">1176—Doctor Quartz’s Quick Move</p> -<p class="nitem4">1177—The Vial of Death</p> -<p class="nitem4">1178—Nick Carter’s Star Pupils</p> -<p class="nitem4">1179—Nick Carter’s Girl Detective</p> -<p class="nitem4">1180—A Baffled Oath</p> -<p class="nitem4">1181—A Royal Thief</p> -<p class="nitem4">1182—Down and Out</p> -<p class="nitem4">1183—A Syndicate of Rascals</p> -<p class="nitem4">1184—Played to a Finish</p> -<p class="nitem4">1185—A Tangled Case</p> -<p class="nitem4">1186—In Letters of Fire</p> -<p class="nitem4">1187—Crossed Wires</p> -<p class="nitem4">1188—A Plot Uncovered</p> -<p class="nitem4">1189—The Cab Driver’s Secret<span class="pagenum">[18]</span></p> -<p class="nitem4">1190—Nick Carter’s Death Warrant</p> -<p class="nitem4">1191—The Plot that Failed</p> -<p class="nitem4">1192—Nick Carter’s Masterpiece</p> -<p class="nitem4">1193—A Prince of Rogues</p> -<p class="nitem4">1194—In the Lap of Danger</p> -<p class="nitem4">1195—The Man from London</p> -<p class="nitem4">1196—Circumstantial Evidence</p> -<p class="nitem4">1197—The Pretty Stenographer Mystery</p> -<p class="nitem4">1198—A Villainous Scheme</p> -<p class="nitem4">1199—A Plot Within a Plot</p> -<p class="nitem4">1200—The Elevated Railroad Mystery</p> -<p class="nitem4">1201—The Blow of a Hammer</p> -<p class="nitem4">1202—The Twin Mystery</p> -<p class="nitem4">1203—The Bottle With the Black Label</p> -<p class="nitem4">1204—Under False Colors</p> -<p class="nitem4">1205—A Ring of Dust</p> -<p class="nitem4">1206—The Crown Diamond</p> -<p class="nitem4">1207—The Blood-red Badge</p> -<p class="nitem4">1208—The Barrel Mystery</p> -<p class="nitem4">1209—The Photographer’s Evidence</p> -<p class="nitem4">1210—Millions at Stake</p> -<p class="nitem4">1211—The Man and His Price</p> -<p class="nitem4">1212—A Double-Handed Game</p> -<p class="nitem4">1213—A Strike for Freedom</p> -<p class="nitem4">1214—A Disciple of Satan</p> -<p class="nitem4">1215—The Marked Hand</p> -<p class="nitem4">1216—A Fight with a Fiend</p> -<p class="nitem4">1217—When the Wicked Prosper</p> -<p class="nitem4">1218—A Plunge into Crime</p> -<p class="nitem4">1219—An Artful Schemer</p> -<p class="nitem4">1220—Reaping the Whirlwind</p> -<p class="nitem4">1221—Out of Crime’s Depths</p> -<p class="nitem4">1222—A Woman at Bay</p> -<p class="nitem4">1223—The Temple of Vice</p> -<p class="nitem4">1224—Death at the Feast</p> -<p class="nitem4">1225—A Double Plot</p> -<p class="nitem4">1226—In Search of Himself</p> -<p class="nitem4">1227—A Hunter of Men</p> -<p class="nitem4">1228—The Boulevard Mutes</p> -<p class="nitem4">1229—Captain Sparkle, Pirate</p> -<p class="nitem4">1230—Nick Carter’s Fall</p> -<p class="nitem4">1231—Out of Death’s Shadow</p> -<p class="nitem4">1232—A Voice from the Past</p> -<p class="nitem4">1233—Accident or Murder?</p> -<p class="nitem4">1234—The Man Who Was Cursed</p> -<p class="nitem4">1235—Baffled, But Not Beaten</p> -<p class="nitem4">1236—A Case Without a Clew</p> -<p class="nitem4">1237—The Demon’s Eye</p> -<p class="nitem4">1238—A Blindfold Mystery</p> -<p class="nitem4">1239—Nick Carter’s Swim to Victory</p> -<p class="nitem4">1240—A Man to Be Feared</p> -<p class="nitem4">1241—Saved by a Ruse</p> -<p class="nitem4">1242—Nick Carter’s Wildest Chase</p> -<p class="nitem4">1243—A Nation’s Peril</p> -<p class="nitem4">1244—The Rajah’s Ruby</p> -<p class="nitem4">1245—The Trail of a Human Tiger</p> -<p class="nitem4">1246—The Disappearing Princess</p> -<p class="nitem4">1247—The Lost Chittendens</p> -<p class="nitem4">1248—The Crystal Mystery</p> -<p class="nitem4">1249—The King’s Prisoner</p> -<p class="nitem4">1250—Talika, the Geisha Girl</p> -<p class="nitem4">1251—The Doom of the Reds</p> -<p class="nitem4">1252—The Lady of Shadows</p> -<p class="nitem4">1253—The Mysterious Castle</p> -<p class="nitem4">1254—The Senator’s Plot</p> -<p class="nitem4">1255—A Submarine Trail</p> -<p class="nitem4">1256—A War of Brains</p> -<p class="nitem4">1257—Pauline—A Mystery</p> -<p class="nitem4">1258—The Confidence King</p> -<p class="nitem4">1259—A Chase for Millions</p> -<p class="nitem4">1260—Shown on the Screen</p> -<p class="nitem4">1261—The Streaked Peril</p> -<p class="nitem4">1262—The Room of Mirrors</p> -<p class="nitem4">1263—A Plot for an Empire</p> -<p class="nitem4">1264—A Call on the Phone</p> -</div> - -<div class="boxtop"> -<p>In order that there may be no confusion, we desire to say that the -books listed below will be issued during the respective months to -New York City and vicinity. They may not reach the readers at a -distance promptly, on account of delays in transportation.</p> -</div> - -<div class="boxlist"> -<p class="center">To be published in July, 1929.</p> - -<p class="nitem4">1265—Nick Carter’s Convict Client</p> -<p class="nitem4">1266—The House of the Yellow Door</p> -<p class="nitem4">1267—Nick Carter’s Round-up</p> - -<p class="center p1">To be published in August, 1929.</p> - -<p class="nitem4">1268—A Masterly Trick</p> -<p class="nitem4">1269—For a Madman’s Millions</p> - -<p class="center p1">To be published in September, 1929.</p> - -<p class="nitem4">1270—The Four Hoodoo Charms</p> -<p class="nitem4">1271—The Man in the Auto</p> - -<p class="center p1">To be published in October, 1929.</p> - -<p class="nitem4">1272—The Jeweled Mummy</p> -<p class="nitem4">1273—The Vanishing Emerald</p> - -<p class="center p1">To be published in November, 1929.</p> - -<p class="nitem4">1274—A Live Wire Clue</p> -<p class="nitem4">1275—The Vampire’s Trail</p> - -<p class="center p1">To be published in December, 1929.</p> - -<p class="nitem4">1276—The Crimson Flash</p> -<p class="nitem4">1277—The Vanishing Heiress</p> -</div> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<div class="chapter"></div><!--Page break for ePub--> - -<p><span class="pagenum">[26]</span></p> - -<div class="boxtop"> - -<p class="center largefont">BOOKS THAT NEVER GROW OLD</p> - -<p class="center xxlargefont" style="margin-top:-0.15em">Alger Series</p> - -<p class="ir0 largefont" style="margin-top:-0.75em">Clean Adventure Stories for Boys</p> - -<p class="center largefont">The Most Complete List Published</p> - -<p>The following list does not contain all the books that Horatio Alger -wrote, but it contains most of them, and certainly the best.</p> - -<p>Horatio Alger is to boys what Charles Dickens is to grown-ups. His -work is just as popular to-day as it was years ago. The books have -a quality, the value of which is beyond computation.</p> - -<p>There are legions of boys of foreign parents who are being helped -along the road to true Americanism by reading these books which are -so peculiarly American in tone that the reader cannot fail to absorb -some of the spirit of fair play and clean living which is so characteristically -American.</p> - -<p>In this list will be included certain books by Edward Stratemeyer, -Oliver Optic, and other authors who wrote the Alger type of stories, -which are equal in interest and wholesomeness with those written by -the famous author after whom this great line of books for boys is -named.</p> -</div> - -<p class="center"><em>ALL TITLES ALWAYS IN PRINT</em></p> - -<p class="center largefont">By HORATIO ALGER, Jr.</p> - -<div class="boxlist"> -<p class="nitem1">1—Driven from Home</p> -<p class="nitem1">2—A Cousin’s Conspiracy</p> -<p class="nitem1">3—Ned Newton</p> -<p class="nitem1">4—Andy Gordon</p> -<p class="nitem1">5—Tony, the Tramp</p> -<p class="nitem1">6—The Five Hundred Dollar Check</p> -<p class="nitem1">7—Helping Himself</p> -<p class="nitem1">8—Making His Way</p> -<p class="nitem1">9—Try and Trust</p> -<p class="nitem2">10—Only an Irish Boy</p> -<p class="nitem2">11—Jed, the Poorhouse Boy</p> -<p class="nitem2">12—Chester Rand</p> -<p class="nitem2">13—Grit, the Young Boatman of Pine Point</p> -<p class="nitem2">14—Joe’s Luck</p> -<p class="nitem2">15—From Farm Boy to Senator</p> -<p class="nitem2">16—The Young Outlaw</p> -<p class="nitem2">17—Jack’s Ward</p> -<p class="nitem2">18—Dean Dunham</p> -<p class="nitem2">19—In a New World</p> -<p class="nitem2">20—Both Sides of the Continent</p> -<p class="nitem2">21—The Store Boy</p> -<p class="nitem2">22—Brave and Bold</p> -<p class="nitem2">23—A New York Boy</p> -<p class="nitem2">24—Bob Burton</p> -<p class="nitem2">25—The Young Adventurer</p> -<p class="nitem2">26—Julius, the Street Boy</p> -<p class="nitem2">27—Adrift in New York</p> -<p class="nitem2">28—Tom Brace</p> -<p class="nitem2">29—Struggling Upward</p> -<p class="nitem2">30—The Adventures of a New York Telegraph Boy</p> -<p class="nitem2">31—Tom Tracy</p> -<p class="nitem2">32—The Young Acrobat</p> -<p class="nitem2">33—Bound to Rise</p> -<p class="nitem2">34—Hector’s Inheritance</p> -<p class="nitem2">35—Do and Dare</p> -<p class="nitem2">36—The Tin Box</p> -</div> - -<div class="boxtop"> -<p>In order that there may be no confusion, we desire to say that the -books listed below will be issued during the respective months in -New York City and vicinity. They may not reach the readers at a -distance promptly, on account of delays in transportation.</p> -</div> - -<div class="boxlist"> -<p class="center">To be published in July, 1929.</p> - -<p class="nitem2">37—Tom, the Bootblack</p> -<p class="nitem2">38—Risen from the Ranks</p> - -<p class="center p1">To be published in August, 1929.</p> - -<p class="nitem2">39—Shifting for Himself</p> -<p class="nitem2">40—Wait and Hope</p> - -<p class="center p1">To be published in September, 1929.</p> - -<p class="nitem2">41—Sam’s Chance</p> -<p class="nitem2">42—Striving for Fortune</p> - -<p class="center p1">To be published in October, 1929.</p> - -<p class="nitem2">43—Phil, the Fiddler</p> -<p class="nitem2">44—Slow and Sure</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum">[27]</span></p> - -<p class="center p1">To be published in November, 1929.</p> - -<p class="nitem2">45—Walter Sherwood’s Probation</p> -<p class="nitem2">46—The Trials and Triumphs of Mark Mason</p> -<p class="nitem2">47—The Young Salesman</p> - -<p class="center p1">To be published in December, 1929.</p> - -<p class="nitem2">48—Andy Grant’s Pluck</p> -<p class="nitem2">49—Facing the World</p> -</div> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<div class="chapter"></div><!--Page break for ePub--> - -<p class="center">NOW IN PRINT</p> - -<p class="center largefont">By EDWARD STRATEMEYER</p> - -<div class="boxlist"> -<p class="nitem2">98—The Last Cruise of <em>The Spitfire</em></p> -<p class="nitem2">99—Reuben Stone’s Discovery</p> -<p class="nitem3">100—True to Himself</p> -<p class="nitem3">101—Richard Dare’s Venture</p> -<p class="nitem3">102—Oliver Bright’s Search</p> -<p class="nitem3">103—To Alaska for Gold</p> -<p class="nitem3">104—The Young Auctioneer</p> -<p class="nitem3">105—Bound to Be an Electrician</p> -<p class="nitem3">106—Shorthand Tom</p> -<p class="nitem3">108—Joe, the Surveyor</p> -<p class="nitem3">109—Larry, the Wanderer</p> -<p class="nitem3">110—The Young Ranchman</p> -<p class="nitem3">111—The Young Lumberman</p> -<p class="nitem3">112—The Young Explorers</p> -<p class="nitem3">113—Boys of the Wilderness</p> -<p class="nitem3">114—Boys of the Great Northwest</p> -<p class="nitem3">115—Boys of the Gold Field</p> -<p class="nitem3">116—For His Country</p> -<p class="nitem3">117—Comrades in Peril</p> -<p class="nitem3">118—The Young Pearl Hunters</p> -<p class="nitem3">119—The Young Bandmaster</p> -<p class="nitem3">121—On Fortune’s Trail</p> -<p class="nitem3">122—Lost in the Land of Ice</p> -<p class="nitem3">123—Bob, the Photographer</p> -</div> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<div class="chapter"></div><!--Page break for ePub--> - -<p class="center largefont">By OLIVER OPTIC</p> - -<div class="boxlist"> -<p class="nitem3">124—Among the Missing</p> -<p class="nitem3">125—His Own Helper</p> -<p class="nitem3">126—Honest Kit Dunstable</p> -<p class="nitem3">127—Every Inch a Boy</p> -<p class="nitem3">128—The Young Pilot</p> -<p class="nitem3">129—Always in Luck</p> -<p class="nitem3">130—Rich and Humble</p> -<p class="nitem3">131—In School and Out</p> -<p class="nitem3">133—Work and Win</p> -<p class="nitem3">135—Haste and Waste</p> -<p class="nitem3">136—Royal Tarr’s Pluck</p> -<p class="nitem3">137—The Prisoners of the Cave</p> -<p class="nitem3">138—Louis Chiswick’s Mission</p> -<p class="nitem3">139—The Professor’s Son</p> -<p class="nitem3">140—The Young Hermit</p> -<p class="nitem3">141—The Cruise of <em>The Dandy</em></p> -<p class="nitem3">142—Building Himself Up</p> -<p class="nitem3">143—Lyon Hart’s Heroism</p> -<p class="nitem3">144—Three Young Silver Kings</p> -<p class="nitem3">145—Making a Man of Himself</p> -<p class="nitem3">146—Striving for His Own</p> -<p class="nitem3">147—Through by Daylight</p> -<p class="nitem3">148—Lightning Express</p> -<p class="nitem3">149—On Time</p> -<p class="nitem3">150—Switch Off</p> -<p class="nitem3">151—Brake Up</p> -<p class="nitem3">152—Bear and Forbear</p> -<p class="nitem3">153—The “Starry Flag”</p> -<p class="nitem3">154—Breaking Away</p> -<p class="nitem3">155—Seek and Find</p> -<p class="nitem3">156—Freaks of Fortune</p> -<p class="nitem3">157—Make or Break</p> -<p class="nitem3">158—Down the River</p> -<p class="nitem3">159—The Boat Club</p> -<p class="nitem3">160—All Aboard</p> -<p class="nitem3">161—Now or Never</p> -<p class="nitem3">162—Try Again</p> -<p class="nitem3">163—Poor and Proud</p> -<p class="nitem3">164—Little by Little</p> -<p class="nitem3">165—The Sailor Boy</p> -<p class="nitem3">166—The Yankee Middy</p> -<p class="nitem3">167—Brave Old Salt</p> -</div> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<div class="chapter"></div><!--Page break for ePub--> - -<div class="center"> -<table class="toc" border="0" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="0" summary="Books and authors."> -<tr><td class="tableft">175—Fighting for Fortune</td><td class="tableft">By Roy Franklin</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tableft">176—The Young Steel Worker</td><td class="tableft">By Frank H. MacDougal</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tableft">177—The Go-ahead Boys</td><td class="tableft">By Gale Richards</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tableft">178—For the Right</td><td class="tableft">By Roy Franklin</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tableft">179—The Motor Cycle Boys</td><td class="tableft">By Donald Grayson</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tableft">180—The Wall Street Boy</td><td class="tableft">By Allan Montgomery</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tableft">181—Stemming the Tide</td><td class="tableft">By Roy Franklin</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tableft">182—On High Gear</td><td class="tableft">By Donald Grayson</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tableft">183—A Wall Street Fortune</td><td class="tableft">By Allan Montgomery</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tableft">184—Winning by Courage</td><td class="tableft">By Roy Franklin</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tableft">185—From Auto to Airship</td><td class="tableft">By Donald Grayson</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tableft">186—Camp and Canoe</td><td class="tableft">By Remson Douglas</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tableft">187—Winning Against Odds</td><td class="tableft">By Roy Franklin</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tableft"><span style="padding-right:2em">188—The Luck of Vance Sevier</span></td><td class="tableft">By Frederick Gibson</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tableft">189—The Island Castaway</td><td class="tableft">By Roy Franklin</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tableft">190—The Boy Marvel</td><td class="tableft">By Frank H. MacDougal</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tableft">191—A Boy With a Purpose</td><td class="tableft">By Roy Franklin</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tableft">192—The River Fugitives</td><td class="tableft">By Remson Douglas</td></tr> -</table></div> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<div class="chapter"></div><!--Page break for ePub--> - -<div class="boxtop"> -<p class="center xxlargefont boldfont">READ</p> - -<p>When you want real recreation in your leisure hours, read! Read -the <span class="smcap">Street <span style="font-size:1.5em">&</span> Smith Novels</span>!</p> - -<p>They are the cheapest and the most interesting reading matter published -in America to-day. No jazz—no sex—just big, clean, -interesting books. There are hundreds of different titles, among which -you will find a lot of exactly the sort of reading you want.</p> - -<p>So, when you get tired of rolling around in your Lady Lizzie or -listening to the blah-blah of your radio, hie yourself to the nearest -news dealer, grab off a copy of a good detective, adventure or love -story, and then READ!</p> - -<p>Read the <span class="smcap">Street <span style="font-size:1.5em">&</span> Smith Novels</span>. Catalog sent upon request.</p> - -<p class="xlargefont boldfont center">Street & Smith Corporation</p> - -<p class="largefont boldfont center"><span style="padding-right:2em">79 Seventh Avenue</span> -<span style="padding-left:2em">New York City</span></p></div> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<div class="chapter"></div><!--Page break for ePub--> - -<div class="transnote"> -<h2 id="TN_end" style="margin-top: 0em">Transcriber’s Notes:</h2> - -<p>Burt L. Standish is a pen name for William George “Gilbert” Patten.</p> - -<p>Punctuation has been made consistent.</p> - -<p>Variations in spelling and hyphenation were retained as they appear in -the original publication, except that obvious typographical errors -have been corrected.</p></div> - - - - - - - - -<pre> - - - - - -End of Project Gutenberg's Frank Merriwell's Diamond Foes, by Burt L. Standish - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK FRANK MERRIWELL'S DIAMOND FOES *** - -***** This file should be named 60463-h.htm or 60463-h.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/6/0/4/6/60463/ - -Produced by David Edwards, Craig Kirkwood, and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United -States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. Special rules, set forth in the General Terms of Use part -of this license, apply to copying and distributing Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic works to protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm -concept and trademark. 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