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+
+*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 75400 ***
+
+
+
+
+
+THE BOYS OF COLUMBIA HIGH ON THE DIAMOND
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration: FRANK GAVE NO SIGN OF THE EXCITEMENT THAT THRILLED HIS
+EVERY NERVE.--_Frontispiece._
+
+  _Columbia High on the Diamond_         _Page 32._]
+
+
+
+
+  THE BOYS OF COLUMBIA
+  HIGH ON THE DIAMOND
+
+  OR
+
+  Winning Out by Pluck
+
+  BY
+  GRAHAM B. FORBES
+
+  AUTHOR OF “THE BOYS OF COLUMBIA HIGH,” “THE BOYS OF COLUMBIA HIGH
+  ON THE DIAMOND,” ETC.
+
+  _ILLUSTRATED_
+
+  NEW YORK
+  GROSSET & DUNLAP
+  PUBLISHERS
+
+
+
+
+The Boys of Columbia High Series
+
+BY GRAHAM B. FORBES
+
+_12mo. Cloth. Illustrated. Price, per volume, 50 cents, postpaid._
+
+
+  THE BOYS OF COLUMBIA HIGH
+    Or The All Around Rivals of the School
+
+  THE BOYS OF COLUMBIA HIGH ON THE DIAMOND
+    Or Winning Out by Pluck
+
+  THE BOYS OF COLUMBIA HIGH ON THE RIVER
+    Or The Boat Race Plot That Failed
+
+  THE BOYS OF COLUMBIA HIGH ON THE GRIDIRON
+    Or The Struggle for the Silver Cup
+
+  THE BOYS OF COLUMBIA HIGH ON THE ICE
+    Or Out for the Hockey Championship
+
+
+  GROSSET & DUNLAP
+  PUBLISHERS          NEW YORK
+
+  COPYRIGHT, 1911, BY
+  GROSSET & DUNLAP
+
+  _The Boys of Columbia High on the Diamond_
+
+
+
+
+CONTENTS
+
+
+  CHAPTER                                 PAGE
+
+      I ON THE WAY TO THE GAME               1
+
+     II A WARM BEGINNING FOR CODDLING       11
+
+    III A GAME WORTH SEEING                 22
+
+     IV THE RALLY THAT CAME TOO LATE        32
+
+      V A THUNDERBOLT IN THE SCHOOL         43
+
+     VI THE VINDICATION                     54
+
+    VII THE IMPRINT IN THE CLAY             65
+
+   VIII TOEING THE MARK                     74
+
+     IX A STUNNING SURPRISE                 85
+
+      X ON THE RIVER ROAD                   94
+
+     XI A TIME FOR QUICK THINKING          106
+
+    XII THE OLD PRINCETONIAN’S ADVICE      115
+
+   XIII LED BY A KINDLY FATE               124
+
+    XIV SAM SMALLING MAKES A PROMISE       133
+
+     XV “PLAY BALL!”                       142
+
+    XVI MAKING A GOOD START                150
+
+   XVII NEARING THE END                    159
+
+  XVIII AN UNFORTUNATE HIT                 167
+
+    XIX WHAT UNCLE JIM KNEW                176
+
+     XX TWICE A PRISONER                   185
+
+    XXI RALPH HEARS SOMETHING              194
+
+   XXII A PLAIN TALK WITH BILL KLEMM       203
+
+  XXIII WHEN CODDLING WEAKENED             211
+
+   XXIV WINNING AN UP-HILL GAME            220
+
+    XXV CONCLUSION                         224
+
+
+
+
+THE BOYS OF COLUMBIA HIGH ON THE DIAMOND
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I
+
+ON THE WAY TO THE GAME
+
+
+“Give it again, fellows! For the honor of old Columbia--now, once more,
+with a will!” shouted the cheer captain, Herman Hooker.
+
+“Ho! ho! ho! hi! hi! hi! _veni, vidi, vici!_ Columbia!”
+
+“Cast off there, somebody.”
+
+“Start your engine, Frank, old boy!”
+
+“Hurrah! we’re afloat on the raging Harrapin at last!”
+
+“Got any life preservers aboard, fellows?”
+
+Amid all this uproar and confusion Frank Allen, cool and collected,
+gave a whirl to the crank to turn his engine over; and immediately a
+succession of rattling reports testified to the fact that as master of
+ceremonies he had given the expedition a good send-off.
+
+Then he handed over the engine to the charge of Abner Gould, the man
+employed regularly by Commodore Adams, to whom the launch belonged.
+
+The _Geraldine_ had been loaned to the members of the Columbia High
+School baseball team for this special occasion, by the owner, just then
+away on business.
+
+Accompanied by several members of the Columbia band, they were now
+on their way down the Harrapin river, to play their first game with
+the Bellport High School nine, and enthusiasm waxed furious over the
+prospect ahead.
+
+A peculiar condition of the weather had sadly disarranged the schedule
+of the Harrapin River League. Three clubs composed the organization,
+representing Bellport, Clifford and Columbia; and it had been agreed
+that each was to play a trio of games with both opposing teams. The one
+who came out ahead would, of course, be given the pennant, and hailed
+as the champion for the year, an honor greatly coveted, since the three
+towns were keen rivals in all athletic matters.
+
+While Columbia and Bellport had each played three games thus far, they
+had all been with the third member of the league, Clifford.
+
+What seemed still more singular was the fact that in each of these
+series Clifford had won one game and lost two. Consequently, Columbia
+and Bellport were now _tied for first place_, with three games to be
+played, while Clifford was out of the race completely.
+
+To-day was to see the first game between these two giants. And the
+choice of ground had fallen upon Bellport.
+
+As this enterprising town lay quite a number of miles down the river,
+it had been suggested that the Columbia nine journey that way by means
+of Commodore Adams’ launch, which, with the services of his man, had
+been gladly offered for the day.
+
+Of course the two towns were connected by a trolley, owned principally
+by the father of Lef Seller, a junior in the school, and just now in
+bad odor on account of some pranks he had played a short time before.
+Special cars had been brought into use on this gala day to accommodate
+the crowds desiring to witness the struggle that must accompany the
+first meeting of the rival nines.
+
+With the flags of the Harrapin River Boat Club floating from stem and
+stern, and the band tooting away gaily, the little launch left the
+float, and started merrily down-stream.
+
+A roar from the crowd on the bank testified to the fact that, while all
+Columbia could not journey over to Bellport to witness this impending
+game, the sympathies of those compelled to remain at home were with
+the boys who represented the honor of the High School on this occasion.
+
+“Say, this is what I call going to battle in style,” said Lanky
+Wallace, the tall first baseman, as he shoved alongside Frank on the
+crowded seat, and threw an arm around the other with the air of a chum.
+
+“I was just speculating on how we will return--with shouts and cheers,
+or dolefully telling each other just how it happened,” remarked Frank;
+but his smiling face was evidence of the fact that he had little fears
+on that score as he looked around at the enthusiastic countenances of
+his comrades.
+
+“If your arm’s in prime condition, as you say, I’m not worrying any on
+that score, Frank. Coddling may be a wonder, just as they claim, but
+once we get on to his curves there’s going to be some smashing work
+done. I feel that I’m in for business at the old stand myself, to-day,”
+returned Lanky, with a positive shake of his head.
+
+“Glad to hear you say it. A pitcher needs confidence in the ability of
+his men to get runs, as well as field like a machine. We’ve just _got_
+to do that crowd up to-day, and that’s all there is to it.”
+
+“And we will, never fear, Frank,” observed Roderic Seymour, who,
+leading senior though he was, considered it an honor to serve as
+captain, and play second with the snappy nine Columbia had put into
+the field this year.
+
+“Are we on time?” demanded Buster Billings, always afraid of getting
+left, although worrying did not seem to reduce his abundant flesh so
+that it could be noticed.
+
+“Yes, with a margin to spare, if the boat shoves along as she is doing
+right now,” replied Lanky Wallace.
+
+Lanky, of course, covered first, and few balls ever passed through his
+territory when he was feeling fit.
+
+Lef Seller was aboard the boat, since he was a member of the team,
+though under a cloud temporarily, and forbidden by the faculty from
+taking part in any baseball game during the season. This severe
+punishment sprung from his action in playing an unusually mean prank
+upon Frank, whom he chose to regard as his mortal enemy; and which
+circumstance, together with many other interesting events, has been set
+forth in full in the preceding volume of this series, called: “The Boys
+of Columbia High; or, The All Around Rivals of the School.”
+
+Lef tried to join with his mates and appear jolly, but it was a great
+effort, when his heart was sore on account of being listed as the black
+sheep of the flock, to be shunned by self-respecting fellows.
+
+He had his own followers, who toadied to him on account of the money he
+spent so freely; but none of them happened to be aboard the boat, so
+Lef felt that he was in one sense out of his element.
+
+The beautiful home town faded out of sight up the river, and all eyes
+began to be turned toward the bow, as they anticipated catching a
+distant glimpse of Bellport at any moment.
+
+“Better save your wind until later, Herman!” called out Tom Budd, the
+lithe shortstop, and a fellow who was a natural acrobat, doing stunts
+in and out of season; so that no one was ever surprised to see him
+spring into the air, catch a liner, turn completely over, and come up
+smiling, with the ball held up for the umpire to take notice.
+
+“Plenty more left,” laughed the “best yeller Columbia ever had,” as he
+waved his megaphone in the air, and led the boys in another song.
+
+It was a glorious day in June, and not one aboard that boat but felt
+the inspiration of the magical sunshine and soft air.
+
+Half of the distance separating the rival towns had been covered by
+this time, and the gallant little launch was making fine speed down the
+current.
+
+“Looks like Clifford meant to be represented at the game, too,”
+remarked one of the boys, pointing to the shore.
+
+Clifford was above Columbia, and on the other bank of the river. A
+road led down to the vicinity of Bellport, where a ferry took farm
+wagons across. And on this road a cloud of dust told that all sorts
+of vehicles had been impressed into service to carry the baseball-mad
+people to the scene.
+
+Fine cars shot along, blowing their horns, and steady-going farm
+horses trotted evenly by the side of the road, all heading in the one
+direction. It was enough to thrill the boys belonging to the team to
+realize that all this excitement in the county was caused by their
+crossing bats with the Bellport High nine.
+
+“Poor old Clifford never got a peep in this year,” mocked Jack Comfort,
+said to be the best chaser after flies the school had ever known, and
+who guarded center field.
+
+“Well, they had hard luck. The game they won from us showed that there
+was cracking good stuff on the team. I never saw a better game in my
+life, with the score tied in the ninth. Wow! that was some exciting!”
+exclaimed Lanky, his eyes sparkling at the recollection.
+
+“It would have been our game if Ben Allison could have held that fly
+out in left. He made a big effort, but dropped the ball,” remarked
+Captain Seymour, sadly.
+
+“Well, I reckon that failure just knocked poor Ben out. He’s been no
+good to the team ever since, and here we have to put our extra pitcher
+in right garden just to fill in, because he’s a crackerjack pinch
+hitter!” grumbled Buster.
+
+“That’s all right, boys, and I’m only too glad of the chance to play at
+all. A freshman doesn’t often get on the team, and it’s mighty fine for
+you to boost me up this way,” Ralph West hastened to remark.
+
+Ralph did not live in Columbia, being one of the pay students. He was
+anxious for an education, and a fortunate chance had allowed him to
+come to the thriving river town at the beginning of the school year. He
+and Frank had become good friends, and the latter was deeply interested
+in certain strange features connected with Ralph’s fortunes.
+
+“I think it’s a poor rule that keeps freshmen off the team so much.
+They are better fitted to take part in sports then than later on, when
+filled with ambition to excel in their studies,” said Jack Eastwick,
+one of the juniors, and a substitute on the team.
+
+At this there was a universal howl, for Jack was notoriously averse to
+studying under any and all circumstances, and depended upon a system of
+“cramming” just before examinations to carry him through.
+
+“Now, there’s a wide difference of opinion on that question. For my
+part, I fully agree with Coach Willoughby, who says----” but Buster
+was seldom allowed to tell what this wonderful instructor, whom the
+boys really believed existed only in the imagination of the fat right
+fielder, had to say.
+
+As usual, a shout cut him short, and with an injured stare at the
+laughing group, he relapsed into disdainful silence.
+
+“Where are their grounds located?” asked Ralph, who had never as yet
+had an opportunity for visiting the Bellport field.
+
+“Half a mile below the town. Bellport is something of a manufacturing
+place, and there’s going to be more or less of a rough element at the
+game, for the factories have shut down for a half holiday, beginning
+this Saturday, and the hands are sure to be out in force.”
+
+Frank looked a trifle anxious as he spoke, for truth to tell he had
+more than once wondered whether a sense of fairness would animate that
+rough element, or the desire to see Bellport win at any cost.
+
+“Listen! I thought I heard a roar just then. The wind is coming up the
+river, and it must have been shouts from the ball field,” and Seymour
+held up his hand to ask for silence.
+
+It was while they were thus straining their ears to catch the sounds
+from below that all at once the familiar “pop-pop” of the exhaust
+connected with the motor boat ceased, and soon their rapid progress
+fell off.
+
+Immediately everybody started to shout at once, wanting to know what
+had gone wrong. Frank sprang over to where Abner Gould bent over the
+little motor. The man lifted a troubled face toward him.
+
+Every eye was glued on Frank as he started to examine the engine, for
+they knew he had more of a practical knowledge of such things than any
+one aboard, unless it might be the man hired by Commodore Adams to run
+his launch.
+
+“What ails the thing, Frank?” demanded Buster, as the other raised up.
+
+“Yes, this isn’t the time for playing pranks. We’re nearly due now on
+the field, and don’t want to be called shirks!” exclaimed Lanky, warmly.
+
+“Boys, I’ve got some bad news for you,” announced Frank.
+
+“What is it? Don’t keep us in suspense, old warhorse!” cried “Bones”
+Shadduck, who played third on the team.
+
+“The motor has broken down, and we’re in a bad box!” declared Frank,
+seriously.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II
+
+A WARM BEGINNING FOR CODDLING
+
+
+A groan went up from full twenty throats, at this dismal announcement.
+
+“What shall we do? We can’t just float down like this. It would look
+as if we were whipped before we began to play!” sang out Jack Comfort,
+almost in a whine.
+
+“We’ve just got to swim for it, that’s all! Me for the cool drink!”
+said Lanky, pretending to poise on the bow of the boat as if for a
+plunge.
+
+Frank looked serious indeed, but it was something more than the fact of
+the breakdown that worried him. He had reason for suspecting that Abner
+Gould must have done something to bring about this condition of affairs!
+
+Still, he said nothing about it, not being sure. But he could not help
+remembering that this man had a brother who was known as something of
+a sport, and made himself conspicuous at many of the baseball games by
+his disposition to bet upon the result, something that the faculty of
+the several schools very much objected to, though unable to stop fully.
+
+Dimly Frank could see how there might be some connection between this
+circumstance and their sudden delay. If Watkins Gould had been wagering
+heavily against the Columbia team winning, everything that helped
+disconcert them, and make them unduly anxious, was to his credit. And
+Abner did not have a face that Frank thought could be trusted.
+
+“Don’t worry, boys,” he said, as the others crowded around, “there are
+more ways than one for getting to Bellport. If necessary we could go
+ashore and take the trolley.”
+
+“You might if they let us climb on the roof, for every car is loaded
+down with people,” observed Paul Bird, Frank’s chum and catcher.
+
+“All right. Here comes Mr. Garabrant in his launch. Possibly he may be
+glad to give us a tow.”
+
+Frank, as he spoke, kept his eyes on the face of the man who had
+charge of the motor. He felt positive he saw a sudden look of keen
+disappointment come upon it, though Abner, upon noticing that he was
+being observed, tried to look pleased.
+
+“He did it, I’m dead certain!” was what Frank was saying to himself, as
+a thrill of indignation passed over his frame.
+
+He could stand honest defeat, but when trickery was brought into play
+it made him angry. At the same time he did not dream for a moment that
+any one on the opposing team could have had a hand in this mess.
+
+Herman Hooker immediately got his megaphone into service.
+
+“Ahoy there, Mr. Garrabrant! Will you kindly head this way?” he shouted.
+
+The other launch immediately changed its course and approached. There
+was quite a little company aboard, and evidently the party was headed
+for the athletic field of Bellport, to witness the great game.
+
+“What’s wrong here?” asked the gentlemanly owner, as he stood up, the
+better to see.
+
+“A breakdown, and we have really no time to monkey with repairs. Could
+you give us a tow, sir?” asked Frank.
+
+“Only too glad, boys. It’s very evident that unless I do there would be
+small chance for a game to-day. Hand us a painter, and we’ll make fast
+to a cleat at our stern,” replied the Columbia business man, readily.
+
+This being quickly adjusted, progress was once more resumed. Perhaps
+they did not move quite so fast as before, but that was a matter of
+small moment. Once more the cheer captain led in vigorous shouts that
+rang over the water, and brought answering cries from either shore.
+
+“There’s Bellport!” said Frank, directing the attention of Ralph to
+the numerous tall chimneys that marked the manufacturing town; but they
+were belching out no smoke this afternoon, for the plants lay idle,
+with the vast majority of the busy workers in holiday attire heading
+toward the athletic field.
+
+A landing was made, and jumping ashore, the boys gathered their
+material of war, after which the march was taken up for the scene of
+battle.
+
+And when they turned a bend in the road, with the fine field spread
+before them, every fellow was thrilled to note the tremendous throng
+that had gathered to see the game, and shout for their respective team.
+
+“Whew! where did they all come from?” gasped Lanky, as he gaped at the
+host of waving handkerchiefs and hats that greeted their arrival.
+
+“The whole country is baseball mad, that’s what,” remarked Paul, as he
+strode along at the side of the pitcher.
+
+“It’s a grand sight, and ought to spur every fellow to doing his level
+best,” remarked the other, drawing in a big breath, for he had never
+before known such a gathering to greet the Columbia High team, at home
+or abroad.
+
+As usual, some of the boys began to pass balls as they moved across the
+diamond. This was done to wear away any nervousness that the sight of
+the immense crowd might have aroused.
+
+The Bellport team had been practicing for some time now, and were
+ready to give up the diamond to the visitors. As the time for the
+commencement of the game was not far away, Captain Seymour sent his men
+out, and started Frank to warming up.
+
+The grandstand fairly swarmed with people, and the bleachers were
+packed. Indeed, ropes had to be used to keep the crowd off the diamond,
+and hundreds sat beyond the right field, where there happened to be
+some shade.
+
+It sounded like Bedlam broke loose, what with the various school yells,
+the cat-calls and shouts, and now and then a song breaking above the
+clamor. Herman Hooker had hurried over to where his shouting clan
+awaited him. They had kept a seat for him in the front row, where he
+could jump up at the proper time, and lead the cheering with that
+astounding foghorn voice of his.
+
+Frank noticed as he passed the ball in to Paul that Watkins Gould was
+present, and apparently boldly seeking bets on the game. The bleachers
+were occupied for the most part with the factory workers, a rough
+crowd, and many of them ready to take a chance on their favorite team.
+
+When finally the Columbia boys came in after a strenuous practice
+covering about a quarter of an hour, the many-colored flags fluttered
+from the hands of those in the grandstand until the structure looked
+like a great bunch of flowers; while from hundreds of lusty throats
+rose the various class and school cries, blending in a surge of sound.
+
+Then Bellport took the field, their going out being the signal for a
+tremendous ovation, for they had the full support of their town.
+
+Roderic Seymour had changed the batting list somewhat since the last
+game played with Clifford. To Ralph was given the honor of leading off,
+since he was playing in place of Ben Allison. The order ran in this
+fashion:
+
+  Ralph West--Left field.
+  “Bones” Shaddock--Third base.
+  Jack Comfort--Center field.
+  Lanky Wallace--First base.
+  Buster Billings--Right field.
+  Tom Budd--Shortstop.
+  Roderic Seymour--Second base.
+  Paul Bird--Catcher.
+  Frank Allen--Pitcher.
+
+Ralph was a fair batter, but a better waiter. For this latter reason he
+had been given orders to take his time, and as he faced the opposing
+pitcher, Coddling, who was said to be the best twirler Bellport had
+ever turned out, he assumed a position of eagerness and expectancy, as
+though burning with anxiety to strike.
+
+Coddling had never played against any of these fellows before. He was
+therefore forced to depend entirely on what his catcher signaled. And
+Clay, while on the team the preceding year, knew nothing about the
+weaknesses of this new batter.
+
+Consequently Ralph got his base, after two strikes had been called on
+him, one of which was really a miss at an outcurve.
+
+Of course the excitement began at once. A hum went around the field,
+and Columbia stock arose, with mocking cries hurled at the local
+adherents.
+
+Shaddock was a good hitter as rule. He had made something of a record
+on the team the preceding year. The best he could do now, after
+knocking three fouls, was to send one into the hands of the shortstop,
+who failed, however, to double Ralph at second on account of a fumble.
+
+Intense interest was taken in the coming to bat of Jack Comfort.
+
+“Lace one out, old boy!” howled the Columbia bunch in the center of the
+bleachers, where they had gathered to fairly split the atmosphere with
+their shouts.
+
+“You can do it if you try! Over Lacy’s head, Jack!”
+
+Jack thereupon did try. Three times he swung on the ball, and as often
+it came with a dull, sickening thud in the catcher’s big mitt, while
+the grin on the face of Smith, Sr., the tall first baseman, was most
+exasperating.
+
+A roar went up as Jack walked back to the bench shaking his head.
+Those elusive “spit” balls of Coddling had him guessing, and silently
+he stared at the slim pitcher who had proved his right to the name of
+wizard, as if trying to fathom where his own efforts fell short.
+
+Now came Lanky Wallace. He was warmly greeted by friend and foe alike,
+for somehow everybody knew the elongated Columbia first baseman always
+did his level best, and played a clean, square game.
+
+Lanky was more fortunate than Jack, for he hit the second ball Coddling
+floated up, hit it with a vim that sent the sphere whistling out toward
+left, much to the surprise of the pitcher, and the delight of the crowd.
+
+As a man the entire mass swung to their feet to follow the course of
+the ball. Smith, Jr., so called to distinguish him from his brother,
+was covering ground at a great rate, in the hope of getting his hands
+upon the flying horsehide ere it went past.
+
+“He’s got it!” whooped the Bellport enthusiasts, as the left fielder
+made a fine leap in the air, and apparently snatched the ball down.
+
+“Not much he has! Go it, both of you! He knocked the ball down, but
+never held it! Run, you lazybones. Make a homer of it, Lanky!”
+
+It seemed as though two thousand people were madly shrieking as the
+runners sped around the bases. Smith, Jr., had recovered the ball, and
+was relaying it home in the effort to catch Ralph at the plate. A great
+slide, however, allowed the Columbia man to get his run. Meanwhile,
+Lanky had reached third, and was held on that bag by the coach.
+
+With two out and a man on third Buster Billings swung his bat as if
+ready to put the ball over the head of Snodgrass in right field.
+
+“Give me an easy one, Mr. Pitcher. I’m only learning how to swing on
+’em. Coach Willoughby says----” and then Buster hit it!
+
+The ball took an awkward turn, so that although both the pitcher and
+second baseman made a dive at it neither was fortunate enough to fork
+the elusive sphere. Amid a frightful clamor the fat Columbia student
+managed to get to first, where he presently stood, wiping his red face
+with a bandana.
+
+Of course Lanky easily came in, and the score had been raised to two,
+which was an encouraging start for the visitors, considering who was
+doing the pitching.
+
+Tom Budd proved an easy victim, however. Coddling took a brace, and
+although the Columbia shortstop certainly tried his best to connect
+with one of the bewildering drops which were handed up to him, he
+never touched the ball.
+
+So the inning ended for Columbia, and they took the field. Confidence
+had, however, been installed in their hearts, for it seemed as if the
+terrible Coddling might after all not be so very hard to get at.
+
+Frank had been up against most of these fellows before. He knew that
+they had a reputation as heavy hitters, and once started were hard to
+stop.
+
+Snodgrass, the first man up, usually managed to draw his base. His very
+attitude at the plate bothered a pitcher, which was just what he meant
+it to do.
+
+But Frank was determined that he should strike, and sent swift balls
+directly over until he had managed to get the other just where he
+wanted him. Then a well directed outcurve deceived Snodgrass. He went
+back to the bench amid the groans of the crowd.
+
+Then up rose Hough, the doughty second baseman, who was playing in
+place of Captain Cuthbert Lee, on the sick list, with his trusty bat.
+He knocked imaginary dirt from the soles of his shoes and took his
+place. Hough had a good batting eye, and could pick one out all right.
+
+Two balls and one strike had been called when he swung viciously. The
+sound of the connection was like a rifle report, and instantaneously
+the immense crowd gave a howl of delight.
+
+Again was there an upheaval, as every eye tried to follow the flight of
+the rapidly shooting ball.
+
+It was headed for the territory of Buster, and the fat fielder was
+straining every nerve to get within reaching distance of the flying
+sphere!
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III
+
+A GAME WORTH SEEING
+
+
+“See the ice wagon move!”
+
+“It’s got an engine attached to it somewhere, fellows!”
+
+“Will he get it--maybe, maybe not!” whooped Jack Eastwick.
+
+“It’s a balloon, that’s what it is!” howled one Bellport enthusiast.
+
+They saw Buster glancing over his shoulder once or twice as he ran. It
+was a perfect wonder that he did not stumble and fall flat, for on more
+than one former occasion that was what had happened to the apparently
+clumsy fielder.
+
+But Frank had high hopes. He knew that Buster could rise to an
+emergency, and really accomplish the impossible--for such stockily
+built fellows of his class. He held his breath as the fielder turned
+squarely around and threw up one of his hands. Hough was already
+shooting down toward second in wild haste. If Buster made a mess of it
+the hit was likely to count a home run, for it had enough steam behind
+it to carry far afield.
+
+“He did it, Buster did it!” cried dozens of voices, as though the
+speakers had considerable difficulty in believing their own eyes.
+
+Then a fierce wave of sound went surging over the field. It was a fine
+play that appealed to the sportsmanlike spirit of an American crowd,
+so that even the warmest adherents of Bellport High joined in the
+tremendous cheer that awoke the echoes in the hills near by.
+
+And Hough walked in from second, shaking his head, and looking back
+toward the plump fielder as though he felt that he had been robbed.
+
+Two out! It was a splendid beginning, and nerved Frank to keep up the
+good work. If the balance of the boys only did their duty as Buster had
+shown how, the game would turn out to be a one-sided affair at best.
+
+But Frank knew the vagaries that attach to baseball, which serve to
+give it its greatest charm. No game is won until the last man is put
+out. A rally can cause a winning team to go all to pieces, so that
+their opponents fairly “shoot holes through their ranks.”
+
+“Banghardt next!”
+
+“He’s the boy who can do it, else why his name?”
+
+“Watch him knock the cover off the ball! See the fielders move out.
+Oh! Allen knows this chap. He’s the swift bunch, all right!”
+
+After all this boasting it must have been a bit humiliating to the
+Bellport boosters to see their idol strike out; but that was what
+the mighty Banghardt did. Three separate times did he send that
+wagon-tongue bat of his whistling through the air, each occasion being
+marked with a distinct grunt as it met only vacant space, for the ball
+was not where he believed it to be.
+
+“Better luck next time, Tony! Taking his measure are you?” yelled a
+Columbia boy, derisively, as the fielder threw his bat savagely away,
+and started out to attend to his territory, for the inning was over.
+
+Coddling took a brace after that first unfortunate affair, and the next
+three visitors who faced him were mowed down in regular order. His
+curves were most exasperating, his speed terrific, and he could mix a
+few fadeaway balls with the others in a fashion that kept the batter
+guessing all the time.
+
+So once more Frank went into the box to face the hard-hitting Bellport
+men.
+
+“Promises to be a warm game,” remarked a man who happened to be sitting
+beside Lef Seller on the bleachers.
+
+“Oh! I don’t know,” replied the disgruntled Columbia student, a pitcher
+of no mean merit himself, and who, but for his own misconduct, might
+have been serving on the team as a substitute. “That Coddling is a
+marvel sure, and they say he gets better right along, finishing strong.
+It’s different, with Frank. You see he starts well, but any little
+thing is apt to rattle him badly, so that he goes to pieces.”
+
+This was not so, as Lef well knew, but he could never resist the
+temptation to give the boy he hated a sly and underhand dig.
+
+The gentleman looked at his hat-band curiously.
+
+“You’re from Columbia, too, I believe, judging from the purple and gold
+ribbon you wear?” he remarked, with a slight sneer.
+
+“Oh! yes, I used to pitch for them last year, but the faculty jumped on
+me for some foolish little thing I did, and refused to let me take part
+this season. Frank does his best, we all know, but he isn’t just as
+steady as he might be,” continued Lef, brazenly.
+
+“That’s queer. I had an idea Frank was about as cool a player as I had
+ever seen in my old days at Princeton. If that’s the reputation he has
+then I’ve made the poorest play of my life, and I used to be considered
+a judge. Buster gave me to understand differently.”
+
+“Then you know Buster Billings?” asked Lef, quickly and uneasily.
+
+“Why, I’m stopping at his house just now,” came the reply.
+
+“Oh! then I can understand how it comes you think so highly of Frank,
+because he has a few chums always ready to sneeze when he takes snuff.
+There are some others in Columbia, and I own that I’m one of the gang,
+who believe Frank Allen to be a greatly overrated athlete. There! did
+you see him pass that man. He never pitched near the plate. I told you
+he could be easily rattled!”
+
+“Wait, my boy. Many a pitcher, as you know, does that, when he feels
+it in his bones that the batter is able to hit the ball. Besides,
+perhaps he knows that the next man is an easy mark for him,” remarked
+the gentleman, who seemed to be quite at home with regard to the fine
+points of the game.
+
+“That Smith, Jr., is the left fielder, and I have seen him send the
+ball out of sight. But his brother is no pie either, and if Frank
+thinks he’s going to mow him down he has another guess coming,”
+muttered Lef, eagerly watching, and ready to howl should the batter
+connect.
+
+“One strike!” announced the umpire, though the man had not swung at all.
+
+With the next ball he did strike viciously, but the merry plunk as the
+horsehide sphere settled comfortably in the big mitt of Paul Bird told
+that he had failed to properly gauge the line of its rifleball flight.
+
+After that came a foul and two balls. Frank believed he had his measure
+taken, and it was with the utmost confidence that he sent in one of his
+tantalizing out-curves.
+
+“You’re out!” shouted the umpire.
+
+The man on first had not dared run down, for he knew Frank’s battery
+mate was a remarkably accurate thrower to second; and that only on rare
+occasions had any opposing player purloined that sack while Paul Bird
+stood behind the plate.
+
+“Only one down!” shouted the coach near first, dancing about in an
+effort to divert the pitcher’s attention from his business; but Frank
+was up to all such stale tricks, and paid no attention to Snodgrass,
+his eye being on Lacy at the bat, and Smith, Jr., on the initial sack.
+
+Lacy was reckoned the dude of Bellport High. He always seemed as though
+“walking on eggs,” as some of the Columbia fellows said, and his manner
+of dressing in the very latest style had gained him the name of being a
+dandy. But when it came to covering that short field he had few peers
+among the school teams in that part of the country.
+
+He could also lace them out on occasion, too, having that very
+desirable quality in a successful player, called a “batting eye.”
+
+Frank knew him of old, and played him cautiously. In spite of his care,
+however, Herb reached out and tapped one of his outshoots. The ball
+went plunging in the direction of short, and the crowd gasped to see
+how that acrobatic Tom Budd did his part of the business.
+
+He threw himself headlong at the passing ball, as though his legs
+were unable to carry him fast enough. They saw him turn a complete
+somersault and land on his feet like an acrobat in the circus.
+
+“Wow!” howled the amazed Bellport players, as Tom whirled and sent the
+ball to Seymour on second, who instantly relayed it to Lanky just in
+time to cut off the leaping Lacy while he was yet in the air.
+
+“A double! What do you think of that for playing?” shrieked the
+Columbia crowd, standing on their feet, and waving the colors of their
+school as if frenzied.
+
+“What sort of a human hinge have you got out there in short?” asked the
+gentleman alongside Lef; “I’ve seen some clever plays in my time, but
+that certainly beat them all out. Can that chap play baseball standing
+on his head?”
+
+“Oh! that’s Tom Budd, and he’s always doing stunts. Sometimes he
+succeeds, but more often makes a muss of it,” grunted Lef, who had
+felt disgusted to see Bellport mowed down so easily when things looked
+bright for a run.
+
+“I’m glad I happened to see him when he succeeded, then. That was worth
+ten times the price of the admission. I came to see a baseball match,
+but this is as good as a circus,” laughed the other.
+
+Lef moved away. Somehow or other he felt that he would be in more
+congenial atmosphere among some of the Bellport rooters, and listening
+to derogatory remarks concerning the fellow he detested.
+
+It was Ralph at the bat again, and this time he went out on a fly that
+Snodgrass captured after a hard run. Shadduck fanned after knocking
+about seven fouls that gave Clay a number of hard runs without any
+success at corraling one. And while Jack Comfort managed to lift one
+that landed him on first, he perished on the way to second, owing to
+Clay’s straight shoot to the bag.
+
+In their half of the third, Bellport managed to put one run over.
+Shaddock fumbled a hot liner that came his way, allowing the stout
+Bardwell to gallop to first. Then Clay lifted a fly that, while caught,
+gave the other a chance to land on second.
+
+“Play the game, fellows!” shouted the eager watchers, as the pitcher
+took his place to bat.
+
+Coddling bunted, and while out at first the chance was given Bardwell
+to settle himself comfortably on third.
+
+This compelled Snodgrass to hit, something he seldom did, preferring to
+get his base on balls. With a lucky little pop fly that neither Lanky
+nor Buster could reach before it fell, he brought his man in.
+
+Hough went out on a long fly to Comfort, so that the score was now two
+to one in favor of Columbia.
+
+Frank, when coming in, glanced up toward the grandstand. He knew very
+well just where his sister and Minnie Cuthbert were seated, and nodded
+his head with a smile in answer to the furious waving of the little
+purple and gold banners both girls carried. It was an inspiration to
+him to know that they were watching his work.
+
+Then he looked up at the beautiful pennant that floated over the field,
+offered by the same Mr. Garabrant who had towed their disabled launch,
+to the club winning the greater number of games in this tri-school
+league series of battles on the diamond.
+
+“You’ll get it, Frank, never fear!” shouted some one from the
+bleachers, seeing that look he gave.
+
+“Don’t count your chickens before they’re hatched,” jeered a Bellport
+rooter.
+
+“It’s a bully good fight, all right,” admitted a Clifford man, “and
+we’re only sorry to be out of it up our way. But most of our people
+want Columbia to win.”
+
+Three more innings saw no change in the score. Several hits were made
+off each pitcher, but good fielding, and a tightening up all around,
+prevented any damage resulting from such isolated cases.
+
+So the seventh commenced, with the strain greater than ever.
+
+“Hold them down, Frank! You’ve got it, if you do!”
+
+“But do some little batting yourselves, boys. Get at him! Coddling’s
+easy when you just know how!” jeered the other side.
+
+When Paul Bird stepped up to the plate to take his turn at the
+beginning of the seventh some one started to sing, “Columbia, the Gem
+of the Ocean.” A score of voices instantly joined in, followed by
+hundreds of others, until there was so much noise that the decisions
+of the umpire could not be heard above it, and he had to depend on
+gestures entirely.
+
+And while the uproar was at its height Paul was sent to first on balls!
+
+“Coddling is getting rattled, boys! Keep it up!” shrieked a dozen
+frantic Columbia fellows, waving their ribbon bedecked hats wildly.
+
+“Watch Frank bring him in with a three-bagger! He can do it, all
+right!” sang the crowd, as the pitcher stepped quietly up to the plate.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV
+
+THE RALLY THAT CAME TOO LATE
+
+
+Frank gave no sign of the excitement that thrilled his every nerve. He
+realized that possibly a fortunate hit on his part right then and there
+would eventually win the game.
+
+Despite the furious racket that kept up on every hand, he faced
+Coddling, and prepared to do his very best to at least advance the
+runner.
+
+As a rule pitchers are not reckoned good batters, but Frank Allen had
+always been known to hit well. Coddling therefore tightened up, and
+determined to put his rival out of the running by tempting him with
+some of his astonishing assortment of curves and drops, for his swift
+ball had already cost him dear, so that he was afraid to use it often.
+
+Frank even allowed a strike to be called on him before he picked out
+one that seemed to his liking. What he did to that ball was a caution.
+It sailed away out in right, and Snodgrass had the run of his life to
+chase after it.
+
+Paul, reaching second, paused, an instant, for if the ball were caught,
+he would have some difficulty getting back to first in time.
+
+“Go on, Paul!” bellowed the coach through his hands.
+
+The noise had broken out worse than ever, so that each player had to be
+a law unto himself just then.
+
+“He muffed it! Run! run! run!” whooped everybody who had the interest
+of Columbia at heart, while the Bellport adherents looked dismal enough.
+
+It was an excusable error, for the fielder had fallen headlong at
+the instant his fingers touched the ball. He was up like a flash and
+chasing after it. Paul circled the bases and easily came home, but the
+coach held Frank at third, as the ball was coming in when he reached
+there.
+
+Nevertheless, it had been a three-bagger, despite the mess Snodgrass
+had made of his effort to capture the fly, and a run had resulted.
+Frank had reason to feel satisfied with himself as he crouched there
+and panted for breath.
+
+He knew that the chances were he would be a little off in his work
+unless this inning lasted for some time. That was one reason why his
+fellow players tried to delay matters as best they could within reason.
+Ralph tied his shoe, and then knocked three fouls, finally going out on
+one that Clay managed to get after a furious rush among the crowd to
+the right, and which brought him much hand-clapping.
+
+Then Bones Shadduck tried his hand. He wanted to bring Frank in, and
+struck savagely at what he considered fair balls; but Coddling had him
+guessing, and finally put him to sleep with a fadeaway that had not
+even reached the plate when the batter tried to knock it out of sight,
+and “fell all over himself,” as Lanky said, while doing so.
+
+In their half of this inning the Bellport boys seemed to awaken from
+the trance that had been binding them. There was a hustle and an energy
+to their play that told Frank he had better take care, or a batting
+rally would set in under which Bellport would speed to victory as on
+former occasions.
+
+Bardwell opened with a hit that bounded off the shins of Seymour. When
+the captain and second baseman of Columbia managed to snatch up the
+ball it was too late to head the runner off, though Bardwell was a
+clumsy man on bases.
+
+He pretended to limp around as though he had been spiked or something.
+The trick is, of course, as old as the hills. It only happens when
+a better runner is wanted on the initial bag. Seymour nodded his
+head when the Bellport captain called out, and accordingly Lacy was
+substituted for the elephantine Bardwell.
+
+Clay tried to bring him in with a big hit away out in center, but
+Comfort was on his job in that territory, and managed to corral the
+ball after backing out, even though he could not keep Lacy from taking
+second.
+
+Then came Coddling. He was no great batter, but there are times when
+baseball is full of surprises, and Frank was taking no chances.
+
+“Fan him, Frank!” shouted an excited rooter from the grandstand.
+
+“Let him hit it! Encourage a hard-working man a little!” called another.
+
+Coddling tried his level best, but that did not seem good enough,
+for he presently walked back to the bench, with three strikes marked
+against his record.
+
+Snodgrass waited, and got his base, though Frank considered that the
+umpire was unusually severe with him in calling balls, when he cut the
+plate with at least one of those that counted against him.
+
+“Now, Hough, you know what to do!”
+
+“Yes, Hough, lam it good and hard over old Billings’ head. He’ll never
+get another like he did that first one. That was an accident!”
+
+“You’ve got him up in the air, boys! Lead that horse into the stable!”
+
+Dozens of like cries sounded everywhere. It is a part of the game to
+try and rattle the pitcher when such an emergency arises.
+
+Still, that faint smile remained on the face of Frank Allen, as he
+prepared to take the measure of this hard-hitting Bellport player, who
+had broken the reputation of at least one promising pitcher.
+
+With two out, and men on first and third, Hough certainly had reason
+to do everything in his power to make a hit. Then came the sharp shock
+as the bat met one of Frank’s curves on the nose, and the ball went
+shooting down toward third.
+
+Shadduck stopped the speedy one as best he could, but it was coming
+like a comet, and he could not hold it. Jumping after the ball, he
+snatched it up. The chances of getting it to Paul were rather meagre,
+but it was his business to try, and he shot it for home.
+
+No doubt the very rapidity of the play unsettled him, so that he failed
+to send the ball exactly where it would have cut the runner off. Paul
+had to reach out after it, and then tag the sliding runner.
+
+“Safe!” shouted the umpire, who was there on the spot to see.
+
+Meanwhile Paul had tossed the ball back to Shadduck, for there was
+danger of Snodgrass coming down from second while all this was going
+on; in fact, he had to be driven back with threatening gestures.
+
+With two men on bases and two out, the inning still had possibilities,
+and loud waxed the exultant cries of the Bellport rooters as they sang
+their school song and made a great demonstration.
+
+“Got him up in a balloon! He’s ascending, all right, boys! Give him
+another push, Tony!”
+
+Banghardt stepped up full of confidence, and faced the pitcher with
+determination in his eye. Just two minutes later he dropped his bat and
+trotted out toward center, for the umpire had said that three balls
+which sailed past him were along the strike order--and the umpire
+belonged to Bellport, too, so that there could be little doubt but what
+he was right.
+
+So the eighth began with Columbia still one run to the good, and
+Bellport just as positive as ever that they could not only make the
+lone tally necessary to tie, but add a few more for good measure.
+
+Comfort, Lanky Wallace and Billings tried to accomplish something while
+they remained for a fleeting space of time on deck, but Coddling seemed
+to have taken a new lease of life, and they were unable to connect with
+a single one of his elusive benders.
+
+Frank shut his teeth hard as he went into the box in turn. He was not
+given to weakening, despite all that the envious Lef had declared; and
+his arm felt just as good at that minute as in the second inning.
+
+All Smiths looked alike to him, judging from the way he struck the two
+brothers out, one after the other.
+
+Herb Lacy managed to work him for a free pass to first, but after all
+it did him little good, for the next batter, Bardwell, lifted a foul
+that Paul gathered in against the grandstand, to the accompanying
+cheers of the occupants.
+
+This brought affairs down to the ninth, and all over the field there
+was intense excitement.
+
+“This is the lucky Bellport inning!” shouted one fellow, encouragingly.
+
+“Watch them run the game out right here!”
+
+“Will they? Maybe, maybe not!” answered Jack Eastwick.
+
+Herman Hooker had jumped to his feet as Columbia went to bat for the
+last time. Up to the present he had been content to play a minor part,
+but now his time had come.
+
+“Give it to them, boys--give them the slogan we love, good and strong.
+Hi! hi! hi! ho! ho! ho! _veni! vidi! vici!_ Columbia! Siss! boom! ah!”
+
+Amid such a pandemonium Tom Budd struck out, though he died trying to
+find one of those balls which Coddling seemed to be twining around his
+neck. Seymour was somewhat more fortunate. He raised a fine fly, but
+unfortunately it landed in the outstretched hands of Smith, Junior, who
+did not seem to stir a yard.
+
+Paul Bird made a lucky hit that should have been an out, but the
+players were so nervous by this time that Lacy actually fumbled the
+ball. Frank, with all the encouragement that might accompany such
+backing as could spring from the “best yeller Columbia ever had,” as he
+jumped up and down, and waved his megaphone violently, sent a hot liner
+straight at Hough on second that nearly took him off his feet, though
+he held it.
+
+And then Bellport came to the bat. Every man looked grimly confident.
+Clay made a hit out of the first ball that came along, reaching out and
+stealing what was meant to be a wide one.
+
+How those Bellport rooters did shriek and jump! It seemed as though
+they would go crazy as they begged and implored Coddling to win his own
+game by advancing the runner by a little bunt.
+
+“He just can’t do it, boys!” called one fellow, after Coddling had
+twice thrust out his bat and failed to even touch the speeding ball.
+
+“Give him a pair of smoke glasses; the sun’s in his eyes!”
+
+“Three times and out, Coddling--take care, old hoss!”
+
+This time Coddling, in despair, struck savagely, and perhaps to his own
+surprise, tapped the ball smartly toward second.
+
+“Double ’em up!” arose the howl like a flash, for the average baseball
+rooter can see the possibilities of a play as soon as a player.
+
+And that was just what happened. Seymour snatched the ball from
+the ground with one hand, leaped over to his sack, and as his foot
+touched the same he threw for Lanky on first. Coddling was caught ten
+feet away, and a mighty groan attested to the strain under which the
+Bellport crowd was resting.
+
+Snodgrass again found that he just had to strike, for Frank was putting
+them over on purpose now, having full confidence in the men back of
+him. Smash! went the ball. Lanky fell over very much like a ten pin
+that has been caught by a rapidly moving ball, but as he sat there he
+held up his hand to prove that he had forked the sphere out of the air
+and gripped it tight!
+
+The game was over, and it had been a heartbreaking one all around.
+Immediately the great crowd flooded the ground, and the players were
+swallowed up in groups of admiring rooters. Herman Hooker led his
+gallant band in another cheer, in which the defeated Bellport team came
+in for a share of the shouting; after which there was a wild rush for
+all means of transportation whereby the thousands could hope to reach
+their homes in the neighboring towns.
+
+When the Columbia players reached the river they found that during
+their absence Abner Gould had succeeded in repairing the motor, so
+that it was now in condition to take them back home. Frank could not
+be sure that his suspicions were well founded, and hence he decided to
+say nothing about the matter. If the man had been hired by his sporting
+brother to delay the Columbia team, and annoy them so that they would
+go upon the field nervous and unstrung, he had been caught in his own
+trap.
+
+Ralph West seemed anxious to speak to Frank in private. They were on
+the way up the river, and most of the boys had stretched out, talking
+over the various thrilling events of the great game, when Ralph dropped
+down beside Frank.
+
+“I’ve been wanting to say a few words to you ever since we left
+Columbia, but couldn’t get the chance,” he said in a low tone.
+
+Frank could see that he was unduly excited, and he did not believe that
+this came wholly from his clever work in the recent game.
+
+“All right, Ralph; what is it?” he asked encouragingly, for they had
+been good friends for some time, and Frank knew all about certain
+strange events connected with the past life of the freshman who had
+made good on the Columbia nine.
+
+“I went to the post-office just before we started out,” commenced Ralph.
+
+Frank started, and looked at him eagerly.
+
+“This is just after the first of the month, and that mysterious letter
+with the money enclosed used to always come at such a time. Well, what
+happened?” he asked.
+
+“I got the letter,” replied Ralph, drawing a long breath.
+
+“With the money in it?”
+
+“Yes, just as before,” answered the freshman, gulping hard as something
+seemed to choke him; “and not a single word. Frank, it’s all opened up
+again, and I must know who is sending me this money. You promised to
+help me, and I’ll never rest easy until I learn who I am!”
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V
+
+A THUNDERBOLT IN THE SCHOOL
+
+
+“Let me see the envelope, Ralph,” Frank said, soothingly.
+
+“Here it is, and it comes from your uncle’s office, as before.”
+
+“That’s a fact, and I’m going to ask Uncle Jim again to tell us what
+he knows of this queer arrangement. Somebody wants you to get an
+education, and takes this strange way of supplying the money. It’s been
+coming ever since last summer, hasn’t it, Ralph?”
+
+“Yes. And you know that Mr. and Mrs. West, whom I always believed to
+be my parents, until lately, admitted that I was only adopted by them,
+taken from the poorhouse. Then there was that poor Ben Davis. It looked
+to me that he might be the one; but we saw him before he died, and he
+denied that he knew anything about me. Oh, this is a terrible fix for a
+fellow to be in!”
+
+“Cheer up, old chap. Come around to-night, and I’ll get father to take
+a hand in the game. Perhaps he can induce Uncle Jim to explain who
+sends this money on the sly through him. He said he had promised not
+to tell, but dad may influence him some way. I wouldn’t say anything
+more about it now. The fellows are looking over this way, as though
+wondering.”
+
+So Ralph tried to change his look of anxiety and gloom to one that
+corresponded more nearly with the uproarious delight that caused the
+others to break out in almost continuous cheering under the inspiring
+influence of Herman Hooker.
+
+That energetic individual was as hoarse as a crow by this time,
+however, and had to give a rest to the “best yelling voice that
+Columbia ever knew,” taking it out in gestures that were almost tragic.
+
+And so in the evening of that never-to-be-forgotten day they arrived
+home, to find the town gaily decked in bunting, and crowds of students
+parading the streets cheering and singing.
+
+Columbia promised to be painted red that night of the great victory
+over the strong Bellport team. Even the girls joined in the cheering
+and singing; while an old cannon was made to do duty on the green, with
+a salute to the boys who had carried the colors of Columbia High to
+victory that day.
+
+One returning pilgrim saw nothing to boast about in the snatching of
+this close game from Bellport. That was Lef Seller. All the way back
+he had been in more or less of a wordy war with various enthusiastic
+rooters on the trolley, and his remarks had been of a nature that
+almost caused him to be tossed overboard.
+
+“His father may own this road, but that doesn’t excuse him for running
+down his own school!” declared one of the old graduates of Columbia
+High, in disgust.
+
+Lef was in a very bitter frame of mind. To see Frank come out a winner
+was like gall and wormwood to his envious spirit. He racked his brain,
+with the idea of finding some way of “pulling that climbing duck down a
+peg,” as he muttered to himself.
+
+As a rule, when Lef Seller set about discovering some means of playing
+a “trick,” as he called it, upon a school mate, he usually managed to
+get there, even though the gun he held sometimes kicked worse at the
+butt than it did damage from the muzzle.
+
+“Be sure and come around after supper, Ralph. I’d ask you to go home
+with me now, but I know you want to wash up and get into some other
+duds. I’ll look for you,” remarked Frank, as the crowd went ashore and
+walked into the town.
+
+“I’ll be there. This matter is a mighty serious one with me, and if
+your father will only give me a little help I’d be obliged,” and Ralph
+shook the hand of his friend warmly.
+
+“Poor chap,” said Frank to himself, as he walked away and cast a glance
+over his shoulder to note that the other had dropped his chin upon his
+breast as though lost in sad thought. “It must be a nightmare of a time
+not to know who you are. And then there’s this money that comes every
+month from some unknown source. Whoever can it be sending it? Uncle Jim
+_must_ tell, that’s all there is to it.”
+
+Uncle Jim meant Judge James Decatur Allen, away down in New York. Frank
+had already appealed to him, but the lawyer in reply had said he did
+not feel able to explain the mystery, since he had given his word to
+his unknown client.
+
+That night there was a council of war. Mr. Allen heard the whole story,
+and was deeply interested in the fortunes of poor Ralph.
+
+“I’ll write to Jim to-morrow, and explain things. No matter if he has
+promised, he ought to take pity on you, Ralph, and give you a hint. If
+you knew it wasn’t your relatives who were sending this money, your
+mind would be at ease, I suppose?” was what the gentleman had said.
+
+“I might refuse to accept another cent of it in that case,” replied
+Ralph, sturdily.
+
+“While I can understand how you feel about that, let me caution you
+to go slow about looking a gift horse in the mouth. An education is
+priceless, and even if the money came from some distasteful source, you
+could still receive it and make up your mind to positively return it
+some day.”
+
+“Thank you, sir; that is what I meant to do, anyway,” said Ralph.
+
+“Meanwhile say nothing about this. When I hear from Jim I’ll have
+another talk with you. Perhaps he may see fit to confide enough to me
+so that I can at least ease your mind. And, Ralph, consider that this
+is something of a second home to you. We have all grown to like you
+very much, my lad.”
+
+Ralph could not reply, for he seemed too full of sentiment for
+utterance; but he squeezed the hand Mr. Allen gave him, and his look
+was eloquent enough.
+
+On the following week there was little talked of at school but that
+wonderful game at Bellport. The next one, on the following Saturday,
+would be played on the Columbia grounds; and the third as dictated by
+fortune in the way of a tossed coin.
+
+Lef Seller was green with envy at the praise he heard concerning the
+masterly way Frank had pitched.
+
+“Just as if nobody ever won a game before. Huh! there are half a dozen
+to my credit, and some of ’em as hot as that one. But did you ever hear
+of the old school going crazy over my work. I guess not! But that
+Allen--oh, splash! I get sick hearing the mention of his name!”
+
+That was the way he talked to his two cronies. Bill Klemm and Tony
+Gilpin, after school was out, about the middle of the week.
+
+Lef was sure of sympathy in this quarter, and it did much to bolster up
+his resolution to get even with Frank, no matter what happened.
+
+“Course you couldn’t ’spect to be looked at in the light of a hero.
+It’s only the fellers what strut around and try to look like tin gods
+on wheels that gets the ribbons. Look at them gals talking to him now.
+He ain’t any better lookin’ than you, Lef, but he’s just got Minnie
+dead struck after him,” remarked Tony, with his usual disregard for all
+the rules of grammar.
+
+“Aw, let up on that, won’t you? Want to rub salt in a feller’s cuts, I
+guess. Don’t I see it all, and ain’t I just boiling with madness. She
+used to think somethin’ of me before she got going with that conceited
+little Helen Allen, and Frank, he butted in. I never will forgive him
+for that, and it won’t be long before he’ll get his, all right!” and
+Lef nodded his head as he spoke, in a suggestive way those cronies of
+his understood meant fight.
+
+But the tactics of Lef were never along that order which brought about
+an open rupture. Fight he would, if he could get the object of his
+hatred alone, and have backing of his own, so that the odds were three
+to one; but Lef had too much respect for the strong muscles and agility
+of Columbia’s crack athlete to risk a solitary meeting with him.
+
+No matter what he had in his mind he would not confide in either of the
+others. When they asked him he simply put his tongue in his cheek and
+grinned, which signs they understood meant trouble for Frank Allen.
+
+On Thursday morning, after the exercises in the assembly hall, the
+principal of the school, instead of dismissing the various classes
+to their rooms, asked them to remain, as he had a communication of
+importance which he wished to make.
+
+Expectation was on tiptoe immediately.
+
+Crafty Tony Gilpin, stealing a side look over toward Lef, caught a
+fleeting glow of expectancy in his eyes, while his manner of leaning
+forward indicated that he might know what was coming.
+
+“He’s gone and done it!” was Tony’s prompt inward declaration, and
+immediately his admiration for his chief was increased tenfold.
+
+Every eye was fastened upon Professor Parke as he stood up facing them.
+The ordinarily genial teacher looked very sober, and this fact caused
+many a heart to beat with apprehension, as various lads imagined that
+some prank in which they were concerned had been found out, and public
+disgrace was to follow.
+
+“Young ladies and gentlemen,” began the professor, who was always in
+the habit of addressing the students in this dignified way, just as
+though his training as a college man would allow of nothing else, “I
+have a very painful duty to perform this morning, and one I never
+thought would devolve upon me here at Columbia, though I have heard of
+it happening elsewhere.”
+
+You could have heard a pin drop as he stopped for a moment. Two hundred
+and fifty hearts were thrilled by his words. Every one present, save,
+possibly, one, wondered what it could be the professor was about to
+say. Tony was still shooting those fugitive glances across the room,
+and each time he observed the actions of his comrade he kept repeating
+to himself:
+
+“Lef knows! He’s in this game, all right. He said he’d do _something_,
+and I just reckon he has, all right. Bully for Lef!”
+
+The professor spoke again, and his voice carried to the furthest point
+in that large room, so that every one could hear what he said.
+
+“I repeat that I have had a shock. I did not believe there could be a
+student under my charge so dishonorable as to attempt anything so small
+and mean as this seems. And I am sure that every one here, save the
+miscreant who is guilty, will agree with me in saying that, when you
+hear how he planned to take advantage of the rest of you.”
+
+Lef was licking his lips now, and trying hard to hide the grin that
+seemed to want to creep over his face. He had all the appearance of
+one who was enjoying a delightful treat, and yet who, for diplomatic
+reasons, did not want other eyes to note the fact.
+
+“Yesterday afternoon,” continued the Head, slowly, while his eyes roved
+around the room, “I received the first batch of examination papers from
+the printers, far in advance of the usual time. I counted them three
+times, and marked the number on a slip, so that I could always be sure
+none were missing.”
+
+A half suppressed sigh seemed to pass over the room. Most of the
+students could begin to guess at what was coming. They understood now
+what the professor intended to convey when he spoke of every one being
+cheated by the work of the malefactor.
+
+“Something called me away just then, and I did a very unwise
+thing--thrust the packet of papers into my desk, and left the latter
+open; but I never dreamed that any one in this school could be guilty
+of stealing the questions that mean the promotion of the juniors in
+this year’s classes.
+
+“I was away about half an hour. Upon returning, something seemed to
+tell me that my desk had been entered, since things were plainly
+disturbed. And when I recounted the packet _I found just one paper
+short_!”
+
+Again he paused, and the entire assemblage seemed to catch its breath,
+waiting.
+
+“When I had made sure that one of the papers was gone, my pleasure over
+the fine showing of Columbia in the week just passed fled. I knew that
+unless that stolen paper were found, the entire batch would have to be
+destroyed, for fear lest it be passed around, and make our examination
+a mockery.
+
+“This morning I received a singular communication from an unknown
+party, who claims that he dares not sign his name, because it would
+make him enemies; but he affirms that he saw a certain student coming
+out of the office during yesterday afternoon, and that following him
+up, he discovered him looking at a piece of paper which seemed to him
+to be a set of questions used in our yearly examinations.
+
+“As a rule, I seldom take any notice of anonymous communications, but
+in this case I feel it a duty I owe the entire junior class to do
+everything in my power to discover the guilty one. The name mentioned
+in this communication was one that stunned me; but since it has been
+brought before my attention, there seems to be nothing for me to do
+but request the person in question to plead guilty or innocent.”
+
+Then he swept his eyes around, while many a lad shivered in mortal
+fear, until finally, they came to a pause, and the professor exclaimed:
+
+“Frank Allen, come forward, please!”
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI
+
+THE VINDICATION
+
+
+“Oh!”
+
+It seemed as though a score of voices framed that one word. A few of
+the students looked pleased because suspicion seemed to have alighted
+upon a shining mark, but the vast majority were shocked and stunned.
+Helen turned as white as a little ghost, while Minnie Cuthbert half
+rose from her seat, and stared at the principal as though she thought
+he had surely taken leave of his senses.
+
+Frank stood up quickly. He could not help it if his face burned
+just then, for any one would naturally be confused at so sudden an
+accusation.
+
+Almost as quickly the color left his face, and he flashed a defiant
+look around, as if to discover who it was chuckled, for it appeared
+that Lef could not wholly contain himself.
+
+Frank walked directly in front of the professor, and looked him
+straight in the face. He bore himself proudly, as might an innocent lad
+upon whom unjust suspicion had been cast. If some enemy had done
+this, Frank did not intend to let him have the satisfaction of seeing
+how it hurt.
+
+[Illustration: FRANK WALKED DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF THE PROFESSOR, AND
+LOOKED HIM STRAIGHT IN THE FACE.
+
+  _Columbia High on the Diamond._      _Page 54._]
+
+“Frank, were you in my office alone at any time yesterday afternoon?”
+asked Professor Parke steadily, as he gazed at the lad before him,
+and those who knew anything about reading expression would have seen
+readily enough that it was more like a look of sincere affection that
+he gave the boy than one of accusation or doubt.
+
+“I was not, sir,” came the immediate response, clear-cut and ringing.
+
+“This communication, which, as I said before, has no name attached to
+it, states that you probably have that examination paper in your pocket
+at this moment. Is there any truth in that assertion, Frank?” went on
+the principal.
+
+“So far as I know, sir, there is not. I am perfectly willing to have
+any one search me over. In fact, sir, after what has been said I
+_demand_ that it be done,” said the student, indignantly.
+
+“Suppose you do it yourself, Frank. Place everything in your pockets on
+my desk here, please.”
+
+With a smile Frank started to obey. Of course, every eye followed each
+of his movements, and Lanky Wallace, who happened to be just behind
+Lef, wondered why the fellow gripped his desk and partly arose, as his
+lips kept forming unuttered words, and he trembled all over.
+
+Suddenly Frank’s smile faded. He had a troubled look on his face as he
+slowly drew something out, took one swift glance at it, and then handed
+it up to the professor.
+
+“It’s the paper!”
+
+“Oh, he had it after all!”
+
+“How did it ever happen? I don’t believe he ever took it!”
+
+“Isn’t it dreadful, girls?” this last from Emily Dodsworth, who had
+often tried to interest Frank Allen in her own simpering self, but
+without success.
+
+Frank stood there, looking straight up into the eyes of the principal.
+
+“This is indeed the missing examination paper. The unknown party to
+whom we are so heavily indebted certainly told the truth when he said
+it would be found in your pocket, Frank. Are you willing to answer me
+one question?”
+
+“I will answer as many as you ask me, sir,” replied the boy, without
+quailing.
+
+“Have you ever seen this paper before, Frank?”
+
+“I give you my word for it, sir, that I never set eyes on it until
+I drew it out of my pocket just now. I don’t know how it got there,
+unless some fellow put it there for fun, or to injure me.”
+
+A few smiled disdainfully. They were the ones who had always been
+envious of Frank Allen’s popularity in the school, and rejoiced to see
+him even temporarily under a cloud.
+
+But there were ten to one who looked terribly stunned, and found it
+hard to realize that the boy they had all admired as a shining example
+of honesty and candor could even be accused of so despicable a thing as
+this, the smallest, meanest cheat of which any student could be guilty.
+
+“I wish to state right here, Frank, that I believe you are speaking the
+exact truth,” said the professor, with one of his rare smiles; “and I’m
+going to explain just what I mean by that, if you will all sit back in
+your seats and listen.”
+
+The silence became profound. Even Lef had drawn within his shell, so
+to speak, at this unexpected remark from the Head, as if he might
+have been a cautious old tortoise. He scented trouble from afar, and
+was preparing to put on an innocent look. When Lef was really on his
+guard, it would require a keen eye indeed to detect guilt in his face.
+He could stare any one in the countenance and lie out of any hole
+deliberately and vehemently.
+
+“In the first place,” went on the principal, “I have always set it
+down as an absolute fact that in nine cases out of ten an anonymous
+communication is the work of a sneak, a coward, and generally a
+criminal, who wants to throw dust in the eyes of possible pursuers, so
+as to effect his own escape. Either that, or else it is his intention
+to ruin the reputation of the party he accuses.
+
+“It might give me more or less embarrassment, though not anxiety, in
+the premises, Frank, on account of this paper being found on your
+person, only for one thing. And that was just where circumstances
+conspired to make the wretch who could so miserably plot to harm a
+fellow student, overreach himself.
+
+“After I had placed those papers in my desk, I went straight to the
+gymnasium, where you were practising, and called you aside. In my
+company you went to ascertain about certain matters that you had called
+to my attention, and where repairs were absolutely necessary. And I
+wish to state emphatically that during the half hour I was from my room
+Frank Allen was actually at my side every minute of the time until I
+stepped into my office again!”
+
+He paused, as if to let the effect of his statement sink into the minds
+of the whole assemblage. Then there came a ripple that immediately
+broke into a deluge of cheers, until the entire building seemed to
+vibrate with the tremendous volume of sound.
+
+Nor did Principal Parke raise a hand to assuage the voluntary tribute
+to the popularity of the boy who had been under so unjust a suspicion!
+Mr. Amos Wellington, one of the other men teachers, raised a hand
+feebly, but who cared for his protest when the Head, by his silence,
+gave tacit consent to the shouts.
+
+Then Professor Parke bent over and offered his hand to Frank, which
+action was the occasion for more cheers and a tiger, as well as the
+school yell. There certainly had never been such an extraordinary
+spectacle seen in old Columbia High during the twenty years of its
+existence.
+
+And Lef shouted just as loudly as the rest! He did not dare hold
+back, lest suspicion be turned his way. He was trembling in his shoes
+even then as the enormity of his iniquity burst upon him. What if
+the janitor, Soggy Dolan, had glimpsed him when he slipped out of
+the office, for the latter had gone past with a step ladder on his
+shoulder, and might have turned his head, unknown to the culprit.
+
+Lanky thought it queer that Lef should seem so pleased over the
+vindication of one toward whom he was known to bear only ill will. He
+imagined that this sudden change of heart on the part of Lef might be
+placed in the same category as the suspicion said to attach to the
+Greeks bearing gifts.
+
+And so, after all, the incident that had been planned as calculated to
+attach infamy to Frank’s name only served to raise him still further in
+the estimation of his schoolmates, and the teachers of Columbia High.
+
+And it was certainly a pleasure to have them all swarm around him
+later on, to declare their satisfaction and delight at his complete
+vindication.
+
+Frank was far from satisfied.
+
+It was a dreadful thought to realize that he had an enemy in the school
+vindictive enough to do such a terrible thing as this, simply to crush
+him.
+
+“Ten to one I could guess who he is,” said Lanky, angrily.
+
+“Have you any proof of it?” asked Frank.
+
+Lanky was forced to admit that his declaration was only grounded on
+certain suspicious circumstances. He would have told of Lef’s queer
+actions, but Frank declined to listen.
+
+“I’m going to try and find out the truth for myself, Lanky; but
+whatever I do, I won’t accuse any one until I can pin him down with
+indisputable proof,” he said.
+
+“And then what, Frank?”
+
+“Well, I won’t say, but the miserable coward who would try to strip a
+fellow of his reputation hadn’t ought to be allowed to go free,” and
+had Lef seen the flash in the eyes that accompanied these words, he
+would very likely have trembled more than ever, and tried to walk a
+chalk-line.
+
+Frank sought the principal after school. He found the professor in his
+office, and the other welcomed him with a warm smile.
+
+“What can I do for you, Frank? You understand that not for a single
+minute did I dream that you were guilty. I had remembered the
+circumstances of your being in my company every bit of the time while
+I was out of here, and the thief crept in to rob my desk. But I would
+give a good deal to be able to find out who played so mean a trick upon
+you.”
+
+“Will you let me see the paper you received, sir?” asked Frank.
+
+“That you will find in my waste-paper basket yonder. Now that you
+mention it, I can see that it was unwise of me to toss it aside
+contemptuously. Have you found it, my lad?”
+
+“Yes, sir,” said Frank, bending over.
+
+“I see, you think it possible to recognize the writing. But in this
+case the scoundrel followed the usual custom with all anonymous letter
+writers, for he simply printed the words,” remarked the principal.
+
+“Yes, sir, I notice he did. And the paper seems to be just what is used
+by every student in school, as the supplies come from you,” observed
+Frank, still examining the crumpled sheet.
+
+“I’m afraid that we may never know who did it, unless through some
+accident.”
+
+“Where did you find this note, sir?” continued the boy, eagerly, as
+though a sudden idea had struck him.
+
+“Slipped under my door here when I opened it this morning. You know
+Mr. Dolan does not open my office save on Saturdays, when he cleans.
+Whoever put the paper under the door chose a time when no one was
+likely to see him.”
+
+“You threw this in the basket as soon as you read it, sir?”
+
+“Yes, for, as I remarked, I was indignant,” replied the professor,
+curiously wondering what all these questions implied.
+
+“And at that early time I don’t suppose you were using your ink at all,
+sir?”
+
+“Certainly not, Frank. What makes you ask that, lad?”
+
+Frank spread the paper, which he had smoothed out, before the gentleman.
+
+“You see, sir, whoever wrote this used ink; and in some way or other he
+must have gotten a certain small amount on his fingers and thumb. Look
+here, and you will see where there is a very plain imprint of a thumb,
+and from the other marks that accompany it, I should say that it is the
+_left_ thumb, too!”
+
+“You interest me amazingly, my boy. And it is all just as you say. I
+do declare, it must be the left thumb that has left an imprint here.
+I see what you have in mind, Frank. Go your own way about it. If you
+discover the guilty one, I leave it to you entirely whether you bring
+him before me or not. This is your especial affair, and you can manage
+it as you please.”
+
+“Well, I happened to be reading lately how they take the imprint of
+criminals’ thumbs over in France, and that no two are exactly alike.
+With other measurements, it is called the Bertillon system, and has
+been found to work well. There, I have made an impression of my left
+thumb, and you can see, sir, that the lines are very much unlike this
+one.”
+
+“Frank, you are correct, and I give you credit for so much acumen.
+But do you want me to call every boy in school in here and take an
+impression of each left thumb, so that we can discover the one rascal?”
+smiled the principal.
+
+“Oh, no, sir, but I thought I’d like to try on my own hook, to see if I
+could land him,” exclaimed Frank.
+
+“All right, go ahead. I give you free permission, and wish you luck.
+And, Frank, perhaps you have already some idea as to what direction
+you mean to hunt first of all,” this last with uplifted eyebrows and a
+questioning look.
+
+“Well, sir,” said Frank, as he turned to depart with the precious paper
+safe in his pocket, “I suppose I have suspicions, but they may be
+unjust toward a certain party, and I wouldn’t mention them to any one.
+Thank you, Professor, for helping me. If I succeed, perhaps I may bring
+the proof to you. It all depends upon circumstances.”
+
+“Ah, yes,” murmured the professor, after he found himself alone; “I can
+understand what that means. If the rascal pleads only strong enough
+that generous lad will even go so far as to forgive him, and hush the
+ugly matter up, for the honor of Columbia. Would that there were more
+like him!”
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII
+
+THE IMPRINT IN THE CLAY
+
+
+“I don’t believe in it, that’s all!” said Lanky Wallace, with a shake
+of his head.
+
+“Well, now, for my part, I’m not so hard to convince. Just because
+they look alike at first glance is no reason why it would be so if you
+put our hands under a magnifier. I kind of side with Frank,” observed
+Buster Billings.
+
+They were gathered in a group in the gymnasium, and chattering like
+magpies. A dozen or more boys had dropped in after school Thursday
+afternoon, as a drizzling rain prevented any outdoor work, and there
+were many temptations for lovers of athletics in that well equipped gym.
+
+“Do you mean to tell me,” burst out Lanky, with a look of scorn, “that
+everybody’s two hands differ, and that yours are entirely unlike mine.
+I just fail to see it, and I’m not the only one, either.”
+
+“That’s so,” remarked Jack Eastwick; “as for me, I side with Lanky.
+You’ll have to show me, Frank, before I’ll back down.”
+
+Others of the boys began to gather around, attracted by the animated
+discussion, just as Frank had been hoping they would. He had noted the
+fact that Lef Seller was in the place, not doing much in the way of
+exercise, for he had been debarred from competing in the track team or
+taking part in any athletic rivalry for the balance of the term, and
+could only look on and make sarcastic remarks.
+
+But, somehow, there seemed to be an attraction to Lef in the person
+of Frank Allen. Perhaps it may have been on a par with the fatality
+that draws the silly moth to the flame of the candle. He had tried to
+wrong the other terribly, and, the plot having failed, he seemed eager
+to catch anything that was said concerning the matter by Frank or his
+chums.
+
+So, among the rest, he lounged over to the spot where Frank sat,
+upon the edge of a little table, idly swinging his leg to and fro.
+Apparently Frank never paid the slightest attention to the presence of
+Lef; but, truth to tell, he was keenly alive to the fact.
+
+“What’s all this talk about over here?” demanded Seymour, pushing into
+the group.
+
+Lanky took it upon himself to explain.
+
+“Why, Frank was springing a joke on the lot of us. He says that our
+two hands are totally unlike--that if an impression was made of each
+fellow’s right and left, he’d never dream they belonged to the same
+body. What do you think of that, Rod. It’s going some, for Frank, eh?”
+
+The captain of the nine looked thoughtful.
+
+“You may smile at it, fellows, but really I’m inclined to side with
+Frank. I’ve read some strange things along that line lately, and
+believe there’s considerable truth in it,” he marked, soberly.
+
+At this Lanky laughed jeeringly. He had been taken into the scheme far
+enough by Frank to know how to play his part. And out of the corner
+of his eye he saw that Lef Seller had hung to the outskirts of the
+crowd, listening with some show of interest to what was said. Lef, as
+a rule, had been frowned upon of late when he came around, and as no
+one noticed him now, he felt encouraged to remain. No boy likes to feel
+that he is an outcast among his schoolmates.
+
+“Prove it, Frank!” scoffed Lanky.
+
+“Yes, make your assertion good, old chap!” echoed Buster, encouragingly.
+
+“Well, why not? And here’s a splendid chance to make the test,”
+declared Frank, jumping down from his seat.
+
+He strove to act as though badgered into the exposition of his belief,
+when to tell the actual truth, the stage had all been set beforehand
+for just this opening.
+
+“What’s he going to do, boys?” asked Jack Eastwick.
+
+“Oh, I get on to his curves. See there, on that window seat are a dozen
+little boxes. You know what they contain, fellows?” cried Lanky.
+
+“The modeling clay Mr. Oswald uses in his geographic lectures!” said
+Tom Budd, as he placed his hands on the table Frank had just vacated,
+gave a hitch to his lower extremities, and after a whirl through the
+air like a cart wheel, once more calmly alighted on his feet.
+
+“That’s just what. I’ve seen him show the topography of a dozen
+countries with that stuff. It’s a fad of Ossie’s. But what can Frank
+want with it? Is he going to manufacture some artificial hands to prove
+his words?” asked Jack, the doubter.
+
+“Now, look here, you fellows who doubt my assertion. I’m going to make
+good; not only in my own case, but every one of you have got to be
+convinced by seeing how your own hands differ in a dozen ways. Each
+fellow take one of these trays, just as I am doing. Are you game to
+try?” asked Frank.
+
+“I’m ready for the test, and I’m not giving back a word. Convince me,
+and I’ll own up, but I’ve got to be shown,” declared Lanky.
+
+“Me, too!” echoed Jack, seizing a little box and leveling the clay with
+a pad used for the purpose, until it was perfectly smooth.
+
+And Lef took the last tray! Frank chuckled when he saw that, for he
+felt that there was some hope at least that his neat little plan might
+not fall down in the start through the suspicion of the one at whom it
+was aimed.
+
+“Bless the little innocent’s heart!” whispered Lanky in Frank’s ear.
+
+“First of all, every fellow write his name on the tablet in front of
+his tray, so we’ll know which is which,” said Frank, earnestly.
+
+“That’s so,” grinned Buster, “for I declare, if I’d want to stand
+sponsor for some of the paws other fellows own.”
+
+“The sentiment is kindly returned, Buster. You are welcome to a
+monopoly of your own kind of paws. Now, what, Frank?” queried Seymour.
+
+“All got your signature down? Well, pad the stuff until it’s just as
+smooth as the ice was last winter on the Harrapin, up near Rattail
+Island.”
+
+“Or as smooth as Lanky here when he’s got his Sunday duds on,”
+suggested Buster, with a chuckle.
+
+“Now be very careful how you press your right hand gently down in the
+clay on that side of the tray. Lift it out quietly, so as to leave a
+positive impression. Got that, everybody?” Frank went on, suiting the
+action to the words himself.
+
+“I’m on, all right!” called out one.
+
+“Me, too, and it’s just a dandy impression I made!” declared Buster,
+exultantly.
+
+“You always do, especially when you take a header over the handlebars
+of your wheel. I’ve seen it!” spoke up Lanky, ready to get back at his
+chum for the various sly digs he had received.
+
+Frank had his eyes about him. He knew that Lef was following up the
+little experiment just as eagerly as any of the others. It kept him
+near them, and thus he could hear what they might be talking about. If
+suggestions were offered concerning the identity of the unknown who had
+tried to get Frank into trouble, Lef was yearning to know the drift of
+the sentiment.
+
+“Now, do the same with the left hand,” Frank went on calmly, though
+his heart was undoubtedly beating faster than its wont; “and be mighty
+careful not to let it overlap the imprint of the right. How about that,
+fellows?”
+
+“Mine is a perfect success!” declared Lanky, triumphantly.
+
+“And mine’s a blooming failure. What shall I do about it, Frank?”
+called out Buster, in disgust.
+
+“Smooth it off and try again, until you’re satisfied you’ve got a
+perfect impression of each hand,” answered the master of ceremonies.
+
+“What comes next?”
+
+“Lay the trays down here on the table so we can all get around.
+Wait just a minute, fellows. I’ve sent up to borrow Mr. Oswald’s
+big magnifier. That is going to prove my assertion so that even the
+scoffers will have to admit its truth. And here comes Alfred with the
+glass.”
+
+Frank took one look at the contents of the tray upon which he had
+written his own name. Then he handed the glass to Buster.
+
+“Examine closely. Note first that there is a considerable difference in
+width. Then measure the same finger on each hand and you will see they
+differ in length. Next pay attention to the peculiar markings. No two
+fingers are alike in that respect, not even your own. Well, is it so,
+Buster?” asked Frank.
+
+“Wow! I’m a misfit all right! Somebody must have got my other hand in
+the shuffle. The worst of it is, how am I to tell which one really
+belongs to the Billings family?” lamented the fat student, sighing in
+pretended distress.
+
+So the glass went around. Frank stood still while Lanky followed the
+movement of the magnifier until every one had taken a look, and was
+ready to admit the truth of what Frank had said.
+
+“No two alike in the whole bunch. I never would have believed it,”
+admitted Lanky, who had been peering at every impression.
+
+Without appearing to do so, he had managed to crowd several of the boys
+away from the table, and among them Lef; but having seen the wonders of
+the magnifying glass proven, like most of their type they had suddenly
+lost interest in the matter, and were already turning their attention
+toward the parallel bars, the swinging hoops and the punching bags.
+
+Left alone at the table, Frank made a pretense of arranging the trays
+just as he had found them, now and then taking a look through the
+magnifier. He had his eye on Lef and waited until the other was engaged
+in some stunt at which he excelled.
+
+At first Lef had been debarred even the privileges of the gymnasium
+on account of his playing a miserable trick upon Frank as the editor
+of the Columbia monthly paper; but after a bit this order had been
+rescinded, so that now he was allowed to join his fellows in their
+muscle-building work.
+
+When Frank presently saw the name of Lef Seller written on the white
+tab of a moulding tray, and discovered that the imprints of the other’s
+hands were plainly stamped there before him, he eagerly held his glass
+over the box. At the same time he drew out the paper that had come to
+Professor Peake, and compared the delicate tracery of lines on the
+thumb with that which Lef had left behind him in the moulding clay.
+
+There could be no possible mistake!
+
+The same thumb had made both impressions beyond a possibility of doubt!
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII
+
+TOEING THE MARK
+
+
+“So it was that cur, just as I expected!”
+
+Frank felt a glow of indignation pass over him at the conviction that
+he had by this simple but positive means of identification discovered
+the thief who had not only stolen the examination paper, but tried to
+rob him of his good name.
+
+He and Lef had always been at war. Bitter rivals in all things, they
+had on many occasions faced each other on opposite sides. And because
+Frank usually managed to win in these contests Lef hated him bitterly.
+
+Frank was puzzled as to what he should do. His first thought was to
+hasten to the principal’s office and show him the proof of the charge
+he could make. Then he shook his head. Somehow that seemed to be too
+severe, for it would possibly result in the expulsion of the other
+student of Columbia High. And Frank hardly fancied having such a
+responsibility thrust upon his shoulders.
+
+“I’ll charge him with it, and if he says he’s sorry, let the matter go.
+Anyhow, the mischief’s done. Those papers will have to go back, and
+others be sent on. The little experiment has afforded me more or less
+amusement, and that counts for something. If I can only get Lef over
+here alone.”
+
+A bright thought struck Frank even while he was puzzling over this
+matter.
+
+“That’s the idea--I can slip into the lunch room, and coax him there.”
+
+First of all he carried the tray of moulding clay through the
+convenient door. Mrs. Louden, who had charge of the lunch counter, was
+still busily engaged. She made it a rule to linger when a bunch of the
+boys were working in the adjacent gymnasium, since that sort of thing
+developed enormous appetites, and many an extra dollar found its way
+into her till through this afternoon source.
+
+After doing this Frank passed outside again.
+
+“How?” remarked Lanky, as he sidled up alongside his friend.
+
+But this was not intended to be an Indian salutation. Lanky was deeply
+interested, and wanted to know.
+
+“I was right,” said Frank.
+
+There was no exultant strain to his voice such as one might expect.
+Truth to tell, he felt only indignation and disgust because of the fact
+that any fellow who had the home training Lef Seller enjoyed should
+descend so low as to endeavor to ruin a companion’s reputation.
+
+“Then soak him, pard! Show the measly skunk no mercy! He ought to be
+kicked out of Columbia, and that’s the truth!” gritted the other.
+
+Lanky knew his chum’s tenderness of heart, and was afraid that Frank
+might be too easy with the culprit.
+
+“Don’t forget what you promised me when I let you in on this!”
+
+“Oh! yes, you tied my hands good and hard, so that I couldn’t let out
+even one measly little squawk. But my word is as good as my bond. Have
+it your own way, but I certainly hope you’ll finish that fellow’s
+loping so that he’ll never try any more of his funny business on you
+again,” grumbled Lanky.
+
+“That would be almost too good,” laughed Frank; “and now, while I go in
+the lunch room will you manage to tell Lef that some one wants to see
+him there?”
+
+“Sure I will,” grinned the other.
+
+“And try to keep the boys out for a little while, will you, Lanky?”
+
+“If it’s possible, but you know as long as any fellow has a nickel in
+his jeans, and the spirit moves, he can’t be kept away from Mother
+Louden’s grub corner with a derrick. But I’ve just thought of a funny
+story I’ll tell ’em after Lef has gone to the block.”
+
+Lanky hurried away, while Frank passed through into the other room.
+
+Two minutes later Lef hurried into the place and looked around. He
+seemed disappointed, and frowned. Possibly the conceited fellow may
+even have imagined from the air of mystery that Lanky assumed when
+telling him some one wanted to see him, that one of the girls, even
+Minnie herself, was there with a message.
+
+Frank beckoned to him, earnestly. He saw Lef’s face turn red at once,
+but since no one could ever accuse the fellow of a lack of nerve, it
+was not strange that he started toward the corner where Frank was
+standing hiding something behind him.
+
+When Lef reached the other he was sneering as he said:
+
+“Was it _you_ sent for me? If I’d known it, I wouldn’t have taken the
+trouble to come, and you understand that, or you wouldn’t have had
+Lanky make me believe it might be Minnie.”
+
+Frank flushed a trifle at the mention of that name, for he and Lef had
+long been competitors for the favor of the prettiest girl in Columbia.
+
+“That would have been too bad, for you, Lef,” he said, quietly.
+
+“Oh! say you so. Perhaps you’ll take the trouble to tell me why?”
+observed the other, apparently as bold as ever, though Frank could
+detect a little uneasiness about his manner that told of newly awakened
+fears.
+
+“Because if you hadn’t come I’d have taken the matter up with Professor
+Parke,” and Frank looked him straight in the eye as he spoke.
+
+“Matter--what matter?” demanded Lef, shivering at the same time.
+
+Frank stepped aside, and in so doing exposed upon the table one of the
+little trays used by Mr. Oswald when instructing his pupils in the art
+of the mapmaker.
+
+“That’s your tray, Lef; it has your own signature on the tag to make
+certain.”
+
+“Oh! I don’t deny it. But what under the sun are you driving at,
+Frank Allen? I’m beginning to believe that all the praise that’s been
+showered on the mighty factor in saving that punk game last Saturday
+has gone to his head, and that you’re getting ratty.”
+
+“Wait and see. There’s the imprint of your left hand as plain as day.
+You heard me say that no two fingers in the world would make the
+same impression, or thumbs either for that matter. Well I’m going to
+show you that the _same thumb_ can and always will make a similar
+impression; and many a rascal has gone to jail just because of it.”
+
+With a quick motion Frank flirted a paper before the astonished eyes
+of the boy who stood there. Lef turned as white as a ghost, and had to
+grit his teeth to keep from having them chatter with his sudden fright.
+
+Had the ground opened and threatened to swallow him just then he could
+hardly have been more astonished and dismayed. It is the feeling of the
+rogue whenever his own handiwork arises unexpectedly to confront and
+confound him.
+
+“I guess you know that paper, Lef, all right,” said Frank, meaningly.
+
+Lef pretended to lean forward to read it, but in reality he was trying
+to shield his face until he could screw up a little of his ordinary
+courage and brazen assurance.
+
+“Rats!” he exclaimed at length, though his voice trembled almost
+piteously, and instead of the customary fire in his eyes they seemed
+to be filled with a dumb entreaty; “I see that you’ve got the paper
+the professor said came to him. What of it? I ain’t got anything to do
+with that, and nothing you can say will make anybody believe it, Frank
+Allen!”
+
+“But you signed it yourself, Lef, as plain as day!” declared Frank.
+
+“What’s that? Think I’m a fool, do you? Sign nothing! The fellow who
+wrote that scribble was wise enough to make only his mark,” sneered
+Lef.
+
+“Well, in this case his mark is as good as his name,” went on Frank.
+
+Lef began to tremble. He realized that there was something terrible
+back of these words, so calmly spoken by the boy he had come to fear
+more than any one he had ever known.
+
+“Tell me how?” he demanded, with one more futile attempt at bluster.
+
+Frank pointed to the blur on the edge of the sheet, where a thumbmark
+was plainly visible in ink.
+
+“That’s your signature, Lef! You never thought when by accident your
+thumb made that blur that you were signing your name here, but that’s
+just what you did. The proof lies in that little drawer where you made
+the impression of your left hand. Alike as two peas they are, Lef. That
+would convict you in any court. It stamps you as the low, mean cur that
+you are, who would try to ruin a companion’s reputation just to gratify
+his love of revenge!”
+
+Lef stared at the small tray of moulding clay in which the plain
+impression of his hands could be seen.
+
+“You--did--that as a trap!” he gasped.
+
+“Well, just as you will. If it was a trap you fell into it neatly
+enough, and you’re caught now. The evidence is there, and if I showed
+it to Professor Parke I guess we wouldn’t be bothered with you at
+Columbia High much longer,” went on Frank, sternly.
+
+“Say, you wouldn’t be mean enough to do that, Allen, I hope? I
+acknowledge the corn about this thing. I did do it, but more to get
+you knocked off the baseball team than anything else,” said Lef, in
+pretended humility.
+
+All the while he was edging toward the table; but if Frank suspected
+his design he took no measures to stop the other.
+
+“What good would that do you?” demanded the one Lef had injured.
+
+“I used to pitch for Columbia, yes, and won many games for them up
+to the time you knocked me out. I’ve never got over being sore for
+that. Lots of times I’ve tried to get even. You know how. Sometimes
+I succeeded in giving you a jolt; but more times the shoe was on the
+other foot. This seems to be one of that sort. I never thought the old
+man had you with him all the time he was out of his den.”
+
+“But you haven’t answered my question--how would it profit you even if
+I was dropped from the team?” continued Frank, persistently.
+
+“Why, I had some hope that when the team was left without a pitcher
+enough influence might be brought to bear on the Head to let me take my
+old place in the box again. That’s all I did it for; Frank; I give you
+my word.”
+
+“I suppose you look at such things differently from the way others do;
+and perhaps you even now believe it wasn’t such a dirty trick after
+all. I’m just wondering whether I’d better accept an apology from you
+and let it go at that, or take the matter before Professor Parke.”
+
+Lef made a sudden movement of his hand, and the little tray was dumped
+from off the table, depositing its contents in a mass upon the floor.
+
+“What did you do that for?” demanded Frank.
+
+“Destroying the evidence, that’s all. I guess you’ll have some
+difficulty now about proving the ridiculous assertion you just made. Of
+course I never dreamed of playing such a mean trick as stealing that
+paper, and hiding it on you! And, Mr. Smarty, my word ought to be as
+good as yours, any day!”
+
+He thrust his face out as he spoke, in his usual disagreeable way,
+thinking he had played a clever trick on the other.
+
+“You’re wrong there. Although you’ve destroyed that little print you so
+kindly made me you can’t very well get rid of the original so easily,”
+said Frank, pointing down at the left hand of the other.
+
+And Lef fell back in sheer dismay. He had forgotten that it was the
+mark of his thumb to which Frank referred.
+
+“The professor could easily insist upon you convicting yourself by
+stamping another thumb-print alongside this one. He asked me if I
+wanted to have every fellow in Columbia make his mark, so that the
+right one could be found; and I told him I preferred going about it in
+my own way.”
+
+“Then--he knows?” asked Lef, in new alarm.
+
+“About the imprint on the paper, yes. He admitted that it was a
+possible way for identifying the one who had taken it out of his desk,”
+was Frank’s answer.
+
+“And you’ve got to tell him then?” with a groan, and a sinking of his
+head on his chest.
+
+“No, he said he’d leave that to me entirely; but that, if I succeeded,
+and gave him the proof he’d do the rest!”
+
+Like all cowards caught in their own toils, Lef was not beneath playing
+upon his emotions in order to secure immunity. To the surprise of Frank
+the other suddenly grasped his hand and there seemed to be a look of
+sincere agony on the face that was thrust close to his.
+
+“Then I hope you’ll be above giving me away, Frank. I’ve been a cur.
+I admit it, and don’t deserve to be let down easy; but I’d hate to be
+expelled from school, because, you know, my mother has set her heart
+on my graduating, and going to college. It would break her all up. I
+haven’t been what I ought to be, but this is going to be a lesson to
+me, sure it is!”
+
+Frank deep down in his heart believed the fellow was a hypocrite; but
+under the circumstances what could he do, now that Lef had brought his
+mother into the affair? Frank knew her well, and believed she was an
+estimable lady who certainly deserved to have a better son than fortune
+had given her.
+
+“I don’t know whether to believe you or not, Lef; but at any rate I
+guess I’ll keep my own counsel, for a while at least,” he said.
+
+And as Lef moved away, he was secretly laughing in his heart at the
+easy way he had tricked his rival.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX
+
+A STUNNING SURPRISE
+
+
+“Everybody report on the field this afternoon for practice!” called
+Lanky.
+
+It was on Friday morning, and most of the members of the nine chanced
+to be within hearing distance of his shout.
+
+“Bellport will be over here to-morrow, and with their teeth set to drop
+us down a peg,” remarked Jack Eastwick, who, while no ball player of
+moment, always manifested the greatest interest in the success of the
+team.
+
+“Hope the weather keeps on as fine as it is to-day,” said Tom Budd,
+as he turned a few flipflaps around the group; but the boys were so
+accustomed to his antics that they paid little attention to them,
+although a stranger would have stared with amazement to see his really
+wonderful stunts.
+
+“And that Frank’s arm is as full of ginger as it was last Saturday. My!
+but he did shoot them in. I heard some of the Bellport players talking
+about it after the game. They’re afraid of Frank, fellows, actually
+afraid!”
+
+Lef Seller, who was hanging near, turned his head away to conceal the
+sneer that persisted in settling upon his face when he heard Buster
+make this announcement.
+
+It was like gall and wormwood to Lef to hear any one say good things of
+Frank Allen. Every time this happened it seemed as though he were being
+robbed of something that by right should belong to him.
+
+When they gathered that afternoon on the diamond, Lef was around to
+watch and criticise as the humor seized him. And Tony Gilpin also made
+his appearance, although seldom seen of late on the athletic field.
+
+“No show this afternoon to get it, Lef,” he remarked, as he threw
+himself down near the other on the grass under a tree that grew outside
+the confines of the grounds.
+
+“Rotten luck! Of course he wouldn’t carry it in his baseball uniform.
+That means we’ll have to wait our chance. And till I get my fingers on
+that paper I don’t dare so much as peep for fear that he shows me up,”
+grunted Lef.
+
+From which it may be readily understood that he was even then laying
+plans looking to another robbery, this time in order to destroy all
+evidence of his participation in that other offense. So one crime
+often leads to another, after the first step has been taken along the
+broad way.
+
+The boys were soon batting and throwing, while waiting for the arrival
+of enough fellows to make up the scrub team.
+
+Captain Seymour was a clever manager and he had noticed just where the
+team had seemed a bit weak during that great game with Bellport. It
+was now his aim to strengthen those lame spots as best the short time
+allowed.
+
+Those who had made errors of judgment were to be put through a course
+whereby they might reasonably remedy that defect. If a fielder had
+shown wavering in the matter of running in on a fly or backing away, he
+was to be bombarded with high, vaulting ones until he seemed perfect.
+
+And so it went on. Columbia just then had no regular coach, since the
+instructor at the school, who had played that benevolent part with
+them earlier in the season, had been called away by the illness of his
+father.
+
+“Who’s missing?” called Seymour, as he began to pick out his men, and
+arrange with the captain of the scrub for the opening of a little
+five-inning game.
+
+“All here but Buster Billings!” announced some one.
+
+“And there he comes toddling along now!” another called out.
+
+“Buster never would hurry if the world was coming to an end,” said
+Lanky.
+
+“You wrong him there. Send a fly out in his territory and see him go.
+Once he makes a start and he can whoop things up like a wild broncho on
+the plains. The only trouble with Buster is he can hardly stop after he
+gets wound up. I saw him knock down a whole section of a board fence
+once,” laughed Frank.
+
+“Who’s he got with him?” asked “Bones” Shadduck.
+
+“It’s a gentleman stopping at his house. I saw him come last night,”
+one of the boys answered quickly.
+
+“Mr. Billings is having lots of company lately. I met another gentleman
+at the game last week who said he was visiting at their house,”
+remarked Jack Eastwick.
+
+Buster came puffing up, his face rosy as ever, and a set grin upon it.
+
+“Hello! fellows, a little late, am I? Well, Rome never was built in a
+day. Plenty of time to do all the practicing we want. And since we’re
+going to have a real hot game of it why I thought I’d bring an umpire
+along!”
+
+He pointed to the gentleman at his side, who was smiling as if pleased
+to be among such a lot of happy-go-lucky young athletes.
+
+“Reminds me of my salad days at Princeton, boys. As George here says
+I’ll be only too glad to prove of any assistance to you, either in the
+way of umpiring, or giving you a few pointers,” the tall man remarked.
+
+Buster threw out his chest, and the light of a long-delayed triumph
+shone in his eyes as he exclaimed:
+
+“Fellows, allow me to introduce my friend, Coach Willoughby!”
+
+“What!”
+
+More than a dozen pairs of dilated eyes stared first at Buster and then
+toward the smiling and bowing gentleman with the athletic build, who
+began throwing off his coat as though anxious to get down to business.
+
+For a long time past Buster had been quoting Coach Willoughby as an
+authority on all manner of sports in the gymnasium and on the field.
+By degrees his comrades had grown to look upon this personage as an
+imaginary party, and it had of late become a regular habit with them to
+shout every time Buster started to quote what his patron saint would
+advise under such and such circumstances.
+
+Imagine their amazement, then, to have him not only prove the truth
+of this wonderful man’s existence, but to actually have him there on
+their humble athletic field to coach them in their work!
+
+“Hurrah! three cheers for Buster!” whooped Jack Comfort, as though by
+that means they might in some measure atone for all the indignities
+they had heaped upon the head of the fat student in times past.
+
+“And three for Coach Willoughby!” echoed Paul Bird, throwing up his
+catcher’s mitt.
+
+They were given with a will, while the object of the attention, Buster,
+assumed an attitude, and allowed a beautiful smile to light up his
+good-natured face.
+
+Ralph was to pitch for the scrub. Taken in all there was a pretty good
+set of players back of him, and Frank knew that he would have to do his
+best unless the regulars wanted to take chances of being beaten, which
+would have a demoralizing effect upon the team just at the threshold of
+their second struggle with Bellport.
+
+Ralph never pitched better. He had that wonderfully elusive ball of his
+working in a way that deceived the heaviest batters most alarmingly.
+
+Coach Willoughby proved his thorough knowledge of the game right from
+the start. He gave Paul several little pointers that opened the eyes
+of the catcher to some of his faults and weak places. More than this,
+he frequently called the players of the batting team about him and
+explained how certain plays could be made with far greater chances for
+success than by the older methods they were following.
+
+“Sure Coach Willoughby is right up to date,” grinned Buster, when one
+of his mates remarked that the old Princeton player must have kept
+track of the game ever since leaving college.
+
+When the fourth inning had ended, with just one more to play, for the
+afternoon was waning, the score was very close, being just five to
+four, in favor of the regulars, and most of these runs had been the
+result of errors rather than a weakness on the part of either pitcher.
+
+In this inning Frank put on every ounce of steam he could muster. The
+result was the complete discomfiture of the enemy, who could not even
+manage to connect with the ball.
+
+“Fine work, my boy!” complimented the coach and umpire; and Frank
+blushed, since it must mean something to be spoken to in this way by so
+old and experienced a Princeton graduate as Coach Willoughby.
+
+Not to be outdone, Ralph, too, exerted himself in this inning. One
+little pop fly that was gathered in by the first baseman was the result
+of his labor; and the scrub team came in, perspiring freely, but
+grinning with the chase they had given the regulars.
+
+“Columbia High has reason to be proud of possessing two such clever
+young twirlers as these boys. I’m going to see that game to-morrow,
+if I have to break an important engagement to do so,” declared the
+gentlemanly umpire, earnestly, as he walked with several of the players
+through the town on his way to Buster’s house.
+
+Buster was apparently the happiest fellow in town. Every time he looked
+at the sun-burned gentleman he seemed to be saying:
+
+“Maybe you’ll believe me now, fellows--maybe you’ll listen when I quote
+my favorite authority. This day has seen my complete revenge, and I’m
+satisfied!”
+
+“By the way, do we pass the post-office, George?” asked Coach
+Willoughby; “for you see I forgot to tell them at the office to address
+me here in care of your father, and there might be an important letter
+waiting for me.”
+
+“We can stop in and see, sir,” remarked Frank, eagerly; but Buster did
+not notice that he was more than ordinarily interested.
+
+“Then let’s do so, please, for here is the building. Wait for me boys,
+or will you come in?” and with Buster and Frank at his heels the old
+Princeton player pushed through the doors.
+
+He stepped up to the window where Harvey Brooks waited upon the
+patrons of the general delivery department.
+
+And then Frank heard him say in a matter of fact tone of voice:
+
+“Anything here for Mr. Pliny Evans Smith?”
+
+“Yes, sir, one letter for you!” came the answer.
+
+The gentleman athlete received it, tore the end off and was speedily
+devouring the contents. Frank looked at Buster, who turned as red as a
+turkey gobbler, and then gave a hysterical little gurgle.
+
+The evidence seemed plain that this wonderful Coach Willoughby had been
+stamped a fraud of the first water!
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER X
+
+ON THE RIVER ROAD
+
+
+“Hello! boys, what’s wrong here?”
+
+Coach Willoughby looked first at Buster’s glowing and confused face,
+and then toward Frank’s smiling countenance.
+
+Buster simply pointed to the envelope which had fallen to the floor. As
+the truth broke upon the mind of the other he laughed heartily.
+
+“Out of their own mouths are the wicked conspirators condemned. See
+what a nice mess you’ve coaxed me into, George! Here I am apparently
+unmasked before this fine, mettlesome prize pitcher of yours.”
+
+He turned to Frank, and assumed a little more serious look as he
+continued:
+
+“My name is Willoughby, only that and nothing more. I am a Princeton
+graduate, and, as you have seen, I’ve been something of an all-around
+athlete in my day, too. Recently I have been doing some umpiring in a
+minor league, and as my wife doesn’t like the idea of seeing my name
+printed in such a connection I use the one of Pliny Evans Smith. That’s
+all there is to it boys, I assure you.”
+
+“You’ve done wonders for our team this afternoon, sir, and if we only
+had the benefit of such advice oftener it would be greatly to our
+benefit,” declared Frank.
+
+“Thank you for the compliment, my lad. My heart is always with the
+boys, and I believe I’d stop to witness a good game of ball even though
+it threatened to cost me a slice of my fortune. And Frank, once upon a
+time I _was_ a pitcher; even if I did go to the well once too often,”
+the visitor laughed.
+
+“I wish you had shown me a few more tricks about pitching, Mr.
+Willoughby,” said Frank.
+
+“Oh! I will, gladly,” said the ex-Princeton man, readily enough,
+“although most of the games I knew have been outlawed by time.”
+
+Some of the girls were playing basket-ball upon the school green. The
+sight appealed to Coach Willoughby, and he expressed a wish to stop
+over a brief time to witness the conclusion of the fiercely-contested
+game.
+
+Among the rest, Helen Allen and Minnie Cuthbert were doing pretty good
+work for the side they happened to be on.
+
+The visitor applauded certain plays, and almost before any one knew it
+he was suggesting others that opened the eyes of the girls to the fact
+that they had an authority on sports with them.
+
+So Buster was called upon to introduce his father’s friend, and for
+half an hour Coach Willoughby entered into a free lecture of advice
+connected with the fascinating exercise of basket-ball.
+
+And when finally the lesson came to an end, Frank walked down the
+street with both the girls, nor did he turn in at his own gate, but
+continued on until Minnie had been safely escorted to her home.
+
+He was conscious of the fact that Lef Seller saw him, for they met face
+to face; but Lef assumed a pleasant look and acted as though he was the
+last fellow in Columbia to think of bearing malice.
+
+If Frank could have seen how he pounded the pillows about when once
+safe up in his own room at home, muttering wild threats as to what
+he would do sooner or later to the fellow who had cut him out of all
+the good things in life, he might not have whistled so cheerily as he
+hurried back home for supper.
+
+It was the night before the big battle with Bellport on the home
+grounds of Columbia High. The whole town seethed with anticipation of
+what the following afternoon might bring forth. Hundreds of anxious
+eyes scanned the bright heavens, and tried to predict the weather that
+was to be meted out to them.
+
+Even the girls were adding their prayers to the clerk of the weather
+so that he would grant them a fine day like the preceding Saturday had
+been. There was so very much at stake in connection with that game.
+If Columbia won, the championship pennant was theirs for the year; if
+she lost, then another game must be played to decide the matter, thus
+prolonging the agony a whole week!
+
+There was to be no more practice in the morning, for Seymour believed
+his men were all in apple-pie condition, and that too much work might
+make them “go stale.”
+
+Hence they would be allowed to do whatever they pleased during
+the morning, providing every one turned out at three sharp in the
+afternoon, for the game was to begin at three-thirty.
+
+It was in the morning that Frank appeared at the house where Ralph
+boarded. The other saw him far down the street, and was out on the
+stoop by the time Frank arrived. He looked eagerly at the visitor, as
+though a hope had flashed into his mind that the other brought news.
+
+“How are you feeling this morning, Ralph? How’s that arm? Hope you
+didn’t try it out too hard yesterday afternoon. There’s no telling,
+you know, and perhaps you might be called on to do your duty to old
+Columbia to-day.”
+
+Ralph looked at his friend, and his eyes began to show anxiety.
+
+“Oh! I hope you’re not going to say something has happened to knock you
+out, and this such an important game, too?” he exclaimed.
+
+“Now I should have known that you’d jump to such a conclusion, and it
+was silly of me to put it that way. No, there’s not the slightest thing
+the matter with me that I know of, Ralph. My arm feels just fine, and I
+think I’m fit to pitch the game of my life; but as they say, you can’t
+most always sometimes tell. Perhaps they may knock me out of the box
+to-day,” laughed Frank.
+
+“I don’t believe it can be done,” declared Ralph. “Why, there were only
+three clean hits made off you last week; and from the way you put them
+in yesterday, I firmly believe you’re ten per cent stronger now than
+you were a week ago.”
+
+“But they may have gauged my delivery then, and be on to most of my
+little tricks, you see. Besides, I heard that during the week they have
+had that Clifford pitcher, Gus Hartigan, tossing them up every p. m.,
+and our boys say that he is a ringer for a certain Frank Allen in his
+style of delivery.”
+
+Ralph looked surprised at hearing this. Nevertheless he would not
+confess that he entertained the least doubt about the ability of the
+boy he admired to make the heavy batters of Bellport “look small.”
+
+“I only hope nothing happens to make me break into that game. I’m
+afraid that I’m too green as yet to go up against such seasoned
+veterans as those fellows,” he observed, with a shake of the head to
+emphasize his fears.
+
+“You’re too modest, old fellow, by half. Don’t you call our regular
+nine just as well seasoned, and didn’t you hold us down to five hits
+yesterday, and one of those a base scratch? I’d just like to see those
+hustling batters from the smoky town breaking their backs trying to get
+up against that fine healthy ball you throw, that’s all,” and Frank
+felt of the muscle in the arm of his comrade, at the same time raising
+his eyes as if in wonder.
+
+“But you didn’t come here to tell me just that, Frank?” continued
+Ralph! “there’s something more, isn’t there?”
+
+“Why, yes, to tell the truth, I wanted to have a quiet little chat with
+you.”
+
+“All right. Will you come up to my room?” eagerly asked Ralph.
+
+“I hate to stay indoors this beautiful June morning. Get your cap and
+let’s walk out along the river road. We can be alone there, and at the
+same time enjoy what both of us love--Nature.”
+
+“All right, Frank. Wait up just a minute, will you?”
+
+In a short time they had left the confines of the town behind them, and
+found themselves under the trees along a favorite drive that followed
+the course of the picturesque Harrapin river.
+
+The spring rains had come rather late, and the water was unusually
+high for the time of year. It was boiling along at quite a merry pace,
+gurgling, and in some places creating quite a furore.
+
+“Now, what was it you wanted to tell me, Frank?” asked Ralph, when they
+had been walking briskly along for a mile or so, with Frank so busied
+in his thoughts that he had apparently quite forgotten the real reason
+for their morning exercise.
+
+“Why, to be sure. Excuse me for seeming to neglect it so, old fellow.
+Truth is, I was bothering my head over a personal matter, and wondering
+what influence that fellow Lef Seller could bring to bear that would
+ever induce Minnie to go out riding with him; for I saw them start off
+as I was on the way to your house.”
+
+Frank possibly turned a bit red as he spoke; but then every one knew
+just how much he thought of Minnie; and it had stabbed him to the
+quick to see her seated in that fine vehicle of the Sellers, with the
+grinning Lef at her side.
+
+Cudgel his brain as he would, Frank could remember no cause he had
+given her for treating him this way. They had parted on the preceding
+evening with a laugh, and Minnie had seemed just as much pleased to be
+in his society as ever. And yet she had bowed to him rather frigidly,
+he thought, as he met them; while Lef could not for the life of him
+restrain that contemptuous grin.
+
+Ralph understood. They must have driven up the river road, then. That,
+in a measure, would explain just why Frank chose to walk that way. Upon
+the freshman’s face a look of real sympathy gathered; but he was too
+wise to attempt to express it in words.
+
+“I can see the tricky hand of that Lef Seller somewhere back of this
+thing, and you can bet he’s said something or other to set her against
+you, Frank,” he did manage to remark.
+
+“I wonder if he would dare, knowing that I can break him if I choose,”
+muttered Frank, as he mechanically put his hand into his inner coat
+pocket.
+
+Then he began to feel more hastily, a look of concern coming over his
+face. By the time he had covered every pocket in his garments he smiled
+grimly.
+
+“Well, a fellow has to get up bright and early in the morning to keep
+ahead of that cunning old fox!” he said, bitterly.
+
+“What’s the matter, Frank?” demanded his companion, who had been
+surveying his actions with wonder written all over his face.
+
+“I had something that seems to have taken wings and flown away, that’s
+all.”
+
+“But you act as though it concerned Lef,” Ralph kept on.
+
+“It did, though I don’t doubt that he’s burned the paper before now.
+Just how it was taken bewilders me. I was out last night, yes, and in
+a bunch of fellows at the class meeting. You know we’re getting up
+something of a surprise on the seniors, in the shape of the annual
+supper and dance which the juniors give to the graduating class. Lef
+was there, but he avoided me all night. The only fellow I could suspect
+would be that sneak, Asa Barnes, who seemed to want to be unusually
+confidential with me. And doubtless he swiped the paper at some time
+when I wasn’t paying much attention; for I’ve been told that he can
+play all the sleight of hand tricks of a magician.”
+
+“Paper--you keep saying that, and I don’t understand?” expostulated
+Ralph.
+
+“No more you do, Ralph. And I’m going to tell you now, only it’s to be
+a dead secret between us.”
+
+“I’ll never repeat a word of it without your permission,” remarked
+Ralph; at the same time thinking how strange it was that his companion
+kept pushing this matter forward ahead of the affair that concerned
+him, Ralph, so deeply.
+
+“You remember Professor Parke telling about the anonymous note he
+received?”
+
+“Why, of course; and is that the paper you mean? What were you keeping
+it for, and why should Lef want to get hold of it?” asked Ralph,
+quickly.
+
+“Oh! you’re a little too rapid. Listen. On that paper was a little
+blur. I made it out to be the mark of some one’s left thumb, and the
+professor agreed with me.”
+
+“What! did that have anything to do with what you were telling us
+Thursday afternoon in the gym about finger prints, and all that stuff?”
+flashed the astonished freshman.
+
+“Everything to do with it, since that was only a little dodge of mine
+to get Lef Seller to make a plain impression of his left thumb. And,
+Ralph, it corresponded exactly with the mark on the paper!”
+
+“Well, I declare, you do wonderful things, Frank! I never heard of
+anything quite so clever as that. Did you accuse him of it when he went
+in the lunch room?”
+
+“Yes. Of course he denied it first. Then I told him how I knew. He
+knocked the tray that carried the imprint of his hands, on the floor,
+and defied me; but I simply stated that he could be made to show the
+print of his thumb at any time by the Head!”
+
+“Good! What did he do then?” continued the eager Ralph.
+
+“Knuckled down and pleaded with me not to give him away. Promised to
+turn over a new leaf and all that,” said Frank, shrugging his shoulders.
+
+“But you surely didn’t believe him?”
+
+“No, but you see I couldn’t find it in me to tell on him, as it would
+mean his being expelled. But Lef knew that he was in my power just so
+long as I held that paper with the thumb-print on it.”
+
+“I see. And, slippery customer that he is, he hired that other scamp to
+steal it out of your pocket. That was an easy thing for Asa to do, if
+all they say about his palming is true. Then it’s gone, as you say!”
+dolefully remarked Ralph.
+
+“It seems so. And that accounts for his perky airs this morning. He was
+laughing at me, partly because he felt he could snap his finger in my
+face, and then because Minnie had gone riding with him. Oh! well, I’m
+not going to bother my head about Lef Seller and his evil fortunes. If
+Minnie--but the least said about that the soonest mended, I guess,” and
+Frank closed his lips resolutely.
+
+“Then perhaps you won’t mind going back to my affairs again, eh?”
+insinuated the freshman.
+
+“I declare I must ask you to forgive me again, Ralph, for being so
+neglectful of your interests. I only wanted to see you to say that
+father has heard from Uncle Jim, and that he writes he is coming up
+here to Columbia and will see you personally. Uncle Jim also says
+that----”
+
+But what the New York lawyer wrote was fated not to reach the ears
+of the party so deeply interested, just then at any rate. A scream
+smote the air, coming from some point around the nearest bend of the
+river road, and accompanying this the boys heard a wild voice, and the
+confused trample of a horse’s hoofs!
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XI
+
+A TIME FOR QUICK THINKING
+
+
+“What is that, Frank?” cried Ralph, in excitement.
+
+“Sounds like a horse running away!” replied the other.
+
+Ralph saw his comrade’s face turn ashy white. Then he remembered
+something Frank had said only a short time before.
+
+“Oh! what if it is Lef’s horse!”
+
+Frank only groaned, and shut his teeth hard together. But at the same
+time he started to run forward. He had only taken half a dozen paces,
+when something shot around the bend.
+
+“There it is, Frank!” shouted Ralph, ready to do anything in his power
+to assist his friend, yet hardly knowing just what to attempt first.
+
+He thought of swinging his arms above his head wildly, of waving his
+hat, as he had read of cowboys doing when they wished to turn runaway
+steers; but then the river road at this point was narrow, and if the
+frightened animal ever swerved, it was almost certain to topple over
+into the water, which was both deep and swift.
+
+“It’s them--Lef and Minnie!”
+
+The white lips of Frank formed these words as he still staggered
+onward, though there was little need of this. Surely the plunging
+horse, mad with terror, would reach him before he could take half a
+dozen breaths.
+
+What could he do to bring the beast to a halt? He saw Lef half standing
+up and sawing wildly at the lines, dragging the horse’s head from side
+to side with the energy of his action. But what almost froze the blood
+in Frank’s veins was the sight of that pitiable, shrinking figure
+cowering down in the seat just behind.
+
+How well he remembered that bright red dress. He had thought the girl
+never looked so pretty as the day she first wore that; and he mustered
+up courage enough to tell her so, too. And now--Frank gulped something
+down that threatened to choke him, and tried to set his muscles for a
+mad spring when the runaway horse came up with him.
+
+“Get out of the way! You’ll scare him into the river!” howled the
+badly-rattled Lef, as he continued to saw away at the lines as if for
+dear life.
+
+That was just what Frank thought would be the best thing that could
+happen. As it was, an upset might cost one or both lives, if the
+occupants of the swaying vehicle were hurled upon the rocks at the side
+of the road.
+
+Instead of getting out of the way, as Lef seemed to want, he stood as
+if rooted there. He even did more, for he snatched off his hat and
+waved it in order to make the horse sheer.
+
+“Stop that, you fool!”
+
+Lef fairly shrieked these words. He evidently thought Frank had taken
+leave of his senses, and would bring about a disaster. On the contrary,
+the boy in the road had calculated wisely, and saw that there was a
+chance of bringing that wild race to a halt without a terrible smash.
+
+It turned out exactly as Frank had figured. The animal, startled at
+seeing this figure in the middle of the road, with wildly waving arms,
+and uttering hoarse shouts, jumped to one side.
+
+There was the hill to the right, and hence the only way in which the
+beast could leave the road was in the direction of the river.
+
+It lay close to the thoroughfare at this point; indeed, passersby
+had always been in the habit of pulling up right there to admire the
+magnificent view up and down the romantic looking stream.
+
+[Illustration: HE WAVED HIS HAT IN ORDER TO MAKE THE HORSE SHEER.
+
+  _Columbia High on the Diamond._      _Page 108._]
+
+Horse and vehicle shot over the bank, and with a terrific splash
+vanished in the swirling water. It seemed too bad that necessity
+compelled the sacrifice of that much admired red dress, Frank
+thought, but there was no other way.
+
+“They’ll drown! Oh! my, what a splash! Frank, run! run!”
+
+It was folly for Ralph to shout after this fashion, for his companion
+was on the jump even before the horse had touched the surface of the
+river. Frank had eyes for only one thing, and that the figure of Minnie.
+
+As he ran he saw the vehicle behind the swimming horse. Lef was hanging
+to it desperately, as badly frightened a boy as ever lived; for,
+strange to say, he could not swim a stroke, having a mortal dread of
+water.
+
+He was trying to yell something, but had swallowed so much of the
+river that his words were next to unintelligible. But Frank had by now
+discovered another struggling figure a little back of the vehicle and
+horse.
+
+“It’s Minnie!” was what his white lips framed as he madly jumped down
+the bank, tearing off his coat as he went. How he ever managed to free
+his feet from the low shoes he was wearing, Frank never knew, for he
+had not the faintest recollection of doing anything of this sort.
+
+Now he was in the river, and swimming with all his power toward that
+splashing form which, because of the glimpses he had of the bright
+color, he knew must be the imperiled girl. Her dress seemed to be
+helping her to keep afloat, though this would only last for a minute or
+so, when it must become soaked, and serve to drag her down.
+
+The water was very deep at this point. Moreover, the current had a full
+swing, and swept along rapidly. On the other hand, fortunately, Minnie
+was only a comparatively few yards away from the shore, so that the boy
+did not have to cover any great distance before reaching her.
+
+As he swam Frank was shouting hoarsely, his strained eyes fastened upon
+the object of his intense solicitude.
+
+“Keep it up, Minnie! Fight hard! I’m coming to you! It’s all right!”
+was the burden of his encouraging cries.
+
+Then he reached her, and began to tow her toward the bank. The girl was
+almost hysterical with fright, so that Frank was put to it to avoid
+having her arms wrapped about his neck. Dragging her thus, and all the
+time trying to soothe her by encouraging words, he gained foot after
+foot.
+
+“Here! this way, Frank!”
+
+Ralph had waded into the water until it was up to his waist. He also
+held out a stout stick he had snatched from the ground. And when the
+fingers of the swimmer closed upon the knob at the end of this friendly
+club he knew it was over.
+
+In another minute he had emerged from the water, still holding fast to
+the form of Minnie. But the girl did not faint. Far from it; she was
+now filled with indignation toward the wretched Lef, who had been drawn
+out of the river by the horse, and was even then dripping on the low
+shore. The subdued animal made no effort to continue his mad flight;
+the cold water had taken all this desire out of him, and he looked
+about as dejected as his master.
+
+Frank was immediately engaged trying to wring some of the water out of
+the girl’s skirt, and at the same time seeking to cheer her up, for she
+was now sobbing hysterically after her recent double fright.
+
+Lef, finding that his horse would stand, now pushed toward the group.
+His teeth still chattered, more from recent fear than anything else. At
+the same time he was full of anger toward Frank, who had as usual been
+on the spot to win the laurels while the husks came his way.
+
+“What did you do that for? The whole thing’s your fault, Frank Allen!
+Minnie can blame you for her ducking; and you might have cost one of
+us a life. I believe you did it just to have a chance to play the hero
+part you’re so fond of!”
+
+So Lef sputtered as he shook his hand in front of Frank’s face.
+
+The stooping boy looked up. There was a smouldering fire in his own
+eyes, for he believed that only for the cowardly nature of Lef and his
+inability to manage the horse this thing need not have occurred.
+
+“Look there, _you_!” he said, sternly, pointing down the road.
+
+Lef, looking, saw a furniture van coming along. It took the entire
+width of the narrow river road, and was at a spot where cruel rocks
+abounded on either side.
+
+“You must have met that thing. The horse would have dashed to one side,
+and the buggy been overturned among those rocks. And you can understand
+what must have followed. That’s why I made him shy! I knew it was ten
+times safer for you both to be dragged into the river than thrown out
+down the road!”
+
+Lef was mute with horror. He realized that this quick-witted boy had
+sized up the situation in a second, and acted promptly.
+
+After all, there was no damage done save to their ruffled feelings, and
+Minnie’s lovely red dress. But the girl would not speak to Lef, even
+when he asked her if she would get into the vehicle again.
+
+“Frank, you’ll walk home with me, won’t you?” she said, turning to him,
+with the same old glow in her blue eyes.
+
+“Only be too glad; and besides, I think the exercise would be the best
+thing for you after your ducking. Ta! ta! Lef. The next time you ask a
+girl to go out riding be sure you take a horse you can manage.”
+
+Lef could not make any reply. He was too full of anger to speak, and
+turning away he went back to his horse. After the furniture van had
+passed he jumped in and sped the animal, now tractable enough, down the
+road. The three pedestrians stepped aside to let him pass; but not a
+word was said, although Ralph did wave a hand mockingly after him, as
+if speeding his homeward flight.
+
+“What caused the runaway, Minnie?” asked Frank, as they walked on,
+after Ralph had secured Frank’s coat and shoes, the warm sunshine and
+air rapidly drying the water-soaked garments of the party.
+
+“I really hardly know. Something I said must have made Lef angry, for
+he began to whip the horse unmercifully, although I told him it was
+cruel. We had turned to come back, you see. Oh! I was so frightened!
+I’ll never go riding with him again. I only hope my mother will never
+know,” she said, entreatingly.
+
+“She won’t from me, and I can answer for Ralph here,” said Frank,
+promptly.
+
+Half an hour later the boys parted from Minnie and turned toward
+Frank’s house.
+
+“What’s the matter with your arm, Frank?” asked Ralph, who had been
+noticing that the other kept feeling of it every now and then.
+
+“I’m afraid I bruised it against a rock when I jumped in; and, hang the
+luck, of course it happens to be my pitching wing. You may have to get
+in that box to-day, after all, Ralph, and fight for the glory of Old
+Columbia,” the other said, soberly.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XII
+
+THE OLD PRINCETONIAN’S ADVICE
+
+
+“Oh! I hope not!” exclaimed Ralph, in dismay, as he eagerly pounced on
+the arm Frank had been rubbing.
+
+“Come in with me, and I’ll see what some liniment can do for it,”
+remarked the other, calmly; but it was evident from his manner that he
+believed there might be something more serious the matter than a slight
+bruise.
+
+When Frank had stripped, so that his arm could be examined, it was
+found that he had a nasty black and blue mark as a result of coming in
+contact with a rock in his impetuous dash into the river.
+
+“The worst of it is that the muscle is affected. Every time I close
+my hand it causes intense pain. I couldn’t do that hundreds of times
+during the afternoon. Ralph, it’s positively up to you to-day!” he
+said, finally.
+
+Ralph sighed deeply.
+
+“I’m awful sorry. Not that I won’t do my level best to take your
+place; but only for this I believe we would have won that pennant
+to-day. It’s fortunate there’s another game to follow,” he said, trying
+to cheer up.
+
+“We’ll get this game, all right, don’t worry about that. Before the sun
+goes down perhaps every fellow will be shouting the praise of the new
+pitcher. I’m just anxious to see those Bellport batters try to size up
+that spit ball of yours.”
+
+“That’s mighty white of you to say so, Frank. And you can depend on it
+I’ll do my level best,” returned the other, firmly.
+
+“No fellow can do more. And now, suppose we return once more to that
+affair of yours. Twice we were interrupted when I started in to tell
+you,” and Frank pushed his guest down into a comfortable sleepy-hollow
+chair.
+
+“Oh! yes. Do you know I’d forgotten that entirely, with so much other
+excitement going on. You said your uncle wrote he intended paying your
+folks a visit soon, and would meet me. I hope he makes up his mind to
+tell me all he knows. It means everything to me, you see,” returned
+Ralph.
+
+“I intend to make him tell. He just can’t go back to the city again
+without letting either father or else myself know all he does. But
+perhaps that may not amount to much after all, Ralph.”
+
+“What do you mean, Frank?”
+
+“Why, you see, perhaps this mysterious person who wants to do you some
+good, and yet hide his, or her, light under a bushel, may have taken
+measures to send the money each end of a month to my uncle, and that he
+doesn’t know himself who really hands it over to him,” Frank continued;
+for he feared that his friend might allow his hopes to soar too high,
+only to meet with grievous disappointment.
+
+Ralph sighed and shook his head.
+
+“I see what you mean, and I’ll try not to be too sanguine. But I do
+hope something will come up soon to relieve this awful suspense. And
+now I want to forget all about that, and remember only the game--and
+Columbia High!”
+
+“Good boy, Ralph! You’re made of the right stuff. And never let it
+occur to you once that we’re going to lose this game, no matter if
+the score is five to one at the end of the seventh inning. Depend on
+the boys to do their part in slamming out the ball, while you pitch
+steadily away like a machine.”
+
+Ralph soon took his departure.
+
+The news would soon creep around Columbia, and many of the enthusiastic
+supporters of the school team must feel a quiver of apprehension when
+they learned that reliable Frank Allen could not pitch that afternoon.
+
+His enemies would crow over the fact. Doubtless some of them, inspired
+by the malicious tongues of Lef and his cronies, might even whisper
+that Frank had been overtaken with a case of “cold feet,” and shirked
+his duty.
+
+Ralph went straight to the home of Paul Bird.
+
+The morning was still young and there would be plenty of time for the
+new battery to practice together, and arrange all needed signals. Ralph
+had not as yet played a regular game with Paul behind the plate, so
+that it was necessary they should come together, since so much depended
+on their acting in concert.
+
+As it happened, Buster was out walking with the visitor at his house,
+and seeing a couple of boys hard at work in a lot, they drew near. To
+his surprise he discovered that it was Ralph and Paul.
+
+“Here, what does this secret work mean? Going to spring a surprise on
+the enemy when they show up this p. m.?” he demanded.
+
+“Then you haven’t heard?” asked Paul, eagerly.
+
+“About what? Goodness gracious! don’t go telling me that anything’s
+happened to Frank!” ejaculated Buster.
+
+“He won’t be able to pitch this afternoon, and Ralph has to go in.
+That’s why we are tossing a few here, so as to get in touch,” replied
+the catcher.
+
+“What happened? Has Frank fallen sick? Did he get waylaid last night
+on the road home from the meeting. I’ve known pitchers to be pounded
+in order to keep them out of a game. Tell me, won’t you, fellows? I’m
+quivering like a bowl of jelly with eagerness. This _is_ a nasty mess.”
+
+“Oh! I don’t know,” returned Paul, with a smile at Buster’s anxiety,
+and the look of grief on his red face, “it might be worse. Frank’s a
+dandy pitcher, but I guess he has little on Ralph here. If he gets that
+spit ball of his working right it’s going to be one, two, three for
+Bellport.”
+
+“But is Frank hurt; I must know?” insisted the other.
+
+“He got a bruise on his arm this morning while we were out walking.
+Nothing serious, but it interferes with his muscles when he grips a
+ball. He is going to be on the field, and if they knock me out of the
+box, why, Frank will have to go in, no matter how he feels. But I hope
+it won’t be so bad as that,” smiled Ralph.
+
+“Well, suppose you let my friend, Coach Willoughby, give you a few
+pointers that may be useful. He’s seen a lot of pitchers in his time,
+and used to throw them in for the Tiger once himself,” suggested Buster.
+
+“Oh! if he only would, I’d be ever so much obliged. You see, Mr.
+Willoughby, I’m only a tenderfoot at this thing, and I’ve got heaps to
+learn!” cried Ralph.
+
+“No doubt of that, my lad, but if yesterday’s performance is a fair
+sample of your ability to puzzle the batter, I rather think you’ll
+have some of these heavy Bellport hitters knocking holes out of the
+atmosphere this afternoon. What you need fear most of all is lack of
+confidence. Get it in your head that you _can_ do a thing, and that
+you’re just _going_ to do it, and nine times out of ten you _will_ do
+it.”
+
+And then the old Princeton “grad” began to put the young battery
+through a course of instruction that delighted their hearts. He even
+took a turn in the box himself and sent some sizzling hot ones down
+that rather staggered Paul.
+
+“You may be a ‘has-been’ as you say, sir, but I wouldn’t like to stand
+up before you if you were in your prime,” remarked the catcher, as he
+blocked a ball that nearly took him off his feet.
+
+“Thank you, Paul. That’s as sincere a compliment as I ever received.
+And now, Ralph, one more turn here in the box and I think you will have
+exercised that wing of yours quite enough for this morning. Be careful
+of it, so that you don’t take cold between now and ball time. I’m
+satisfied that the good people of Columbia will see a game worth the
+price to-day.”
+
+Ralph felt ten per cent. better after having this talk and work with
+the veteran player. He knew that he could carry out his end of the
+arrangement if he only managed to keep up his courage and confidence.
+
+So it was in that frame of mind he ate his lunch, and later on dressed
+for the expected game.
+
+Although it was hardly yet half-past two o’clock, a steady stream of
+people had commenced to pour out in the direction of the big field
+where the Columbia sports were carried on, from baseball and running,
+to football in the autumn.
+
+This level tract was at a considerable distance from the town. Being
+between Columbia proper and the town of Bellport down the river, it
+could be reached by the trolley, or vehicles. As many people did not
+care to ride, and the walking was good, the mile of road was covered
+with pedestrians, many of them boys in squads, all earnestly discussing
+the coming contest, and the chances of victory.
+
+Hundreds were also pouring into the place from Clifford above. Cheated
+out of a show in the contest by a perverse fate, the fans of that town
+were just as anxious to see which of their rivals would come out ahead
+in the series.
+
+Ralph was a very modest boy. He purposely took a roundabout course to
+the ball field, when starting forth, as he wished to avoid meeting
+with the crowds that thronged the trolley cars and the main road.
+
+He knew he could easily make the grounds in good time, though his
+detour would cause him to pass over two miles instead of one. And just
+then Ralph really wanted to have a little more time by himself to brace
+up for the exciting event that was before him.
+
+So, making a turn, he walked through the woods. The smell of the cool,
+shady spots under the trees seemed to soothe his nerves, and he was
+rapidly getting the firm grip on himself that he wanted, and which
+would be so essential to the success of his contemplated work.
+
+He had no thought of anything happening to detain him on the way.
+Frank might have enemies bitter enough to attempt such mean tactics,
+but thus far Ralph did not know of any person who would have an object
+in keeping him out of the game, unless it might be that undesirable
+character, Watkins Gould, who staked his money on Bellport that other
+day, and lost.
+
+So Ralph had covered about half of the distance, and was aiming for a
+spot where, emerging from the thick woods, he knew he could strike a
+road leading directly to the athletic field.
+
+“What was that?” he asked himself, suddenly stopping in his quick walk,
+for he thought he had caught a sound not unlike the sobbing of a child.
+
+It seemed to well up from the thicket on his right. Perhaps Ralph may
+have had one fleeting suspicion that there could be a trick connected
+with the matter; but when he heard the piteous cry a second time he
+plunged straight toward the spot.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIII
+
+LED BY A KINDLY FATE
+
+
+“Well, I declare!”
+
+Ralph West stood rooted to the spot for a couple of seconds, as he
+allowed this exclamation to escape from his lips.
+
+Perhaps he had half expected to have a couple of fellows pounce upon
+him as he pushed the branches aside; which would account for the manner
+in which his fists were clenched, and his teeth set.
+
+What he saw was an entirely different spectacle. A little girl was
+seated on a hummock, rocking to and fro, with her childish face
+tear-stained, and full of bodily anguish.
+
+The blood upon her hand told that she must have fallen and hurt herself
+badly. No doubt it was the sight of the blood that frightened her even
+more than the pain.
+
+Ralph sprang forward, and the tear-stained face was turned up to him
+eagerly.
+
+“What’s happened to you, little one?” asked the boy, as he bent down.
+
+Already had he taken a clean handkerchief out, and shaken it from its
+folds. Thank goodness he had supplied himself liberally, with a hot
+game before him. Picking up the mangled hand, he saw that it was in
+need of immediate attention, as possibly a heavy rock had fallen on the
+fingers.
+
+Ralph began to tenderly wrap his handkerchief about the torn fingers,
+at the same time speaking soothingly to the child. She had ceased
+crying and was looking at him wonderingly. Doubtless his baseball
+uniform astonished her greatly.
+
+“It fell on me,” she managed to say, pointing to something near by; and
+Ralph saw that his surmise had been correct in so far as it concerned a
+stone.
+
+“But what are you doing here; where do you live?” he asked, anxiously.
+
+The child should not be left here in these woods with so serious a
+wound as the crushed fingers would likely prove. And yet his time was
+not wholly his own, since he must be on the field presently in order to
+practice before the calling of the great game.
+
+“I’m Mary Smalling,” said the child, with utmost confidence and
+simplicity, as if every one ought to know after that.
+
+Ralph had caught sight of a dinner pail on the ground near by. It was
+empty, too, which fact gave him the impression that the little girl
+might have been on the way home after carrying a noonday meal to her
+father.
+
+He had an indistinct recollection of hearing the name before. Perhaps
+it was in connection with a new family that had come to live on the
+outskirts of the town; but just then in his confusion of ideas he could
+not for the life of him tell whether it had been on the other side
+along the river road, or to the west.
+
+“Where does your father work?” he asked, on a hazard.
+
+“For Mr. Gregg,” came the immediate answer.
+
+“At the mill, the flour mill?” asked the boy, quickly.
+
+A nod of the little auburn-crowned head answered him. Then Ralph knew
+what his duty was. He remembered that the mill was only a quarter of
+a mile away from the spot where they were at that moment. Perhaps the
+child’s home might be even closer, but he could not take the chances of
+hunting for it.
+
+“I’m going to carry you to your father, Mary. You’re not afraid of me,
+are you?” he asked, bending down again; for some one ought to get her
+to a doctor without much delay, so that it might be discovered whether
+any bones had been broken by the cruel fall of that heavy stone.
+
+“Me? Oh! no,” she said, instantly, which pleased Ralph more than he
+cared to say, for it told him his manner had inspired confidence in the
+little maid.
+
+So he gathered the wee mite of humanity up in his arms, and having
+decided upon which direction he should take, strode off.
+
+“But--my dinner pail! Daddy won’t like me to lose it!” wailed the
+child, after they had gone fifty paces.
+
+Nothing would do but that Ralph must return in order that she might
+clutch it in her one well hand. Then again he made a start. It was
+provoking that an accident like this should delay him just when minutes
+were of so much value. But Ralph could not have had the heart to leave
+that innocent child crying there alone in those dense woods even though
+a dozen ball games depended on his showing up at a certain time.
+
+The little one proved more of a load than he had anticipated. Several
+times he would have been glad of a chance to rest and put her down; but
+the passage of time kept staring him in the face.
+
+Ralph hoped that this encounter would not prove to be his undoing.
+He had grave fears that the strain of carrying the child so great
+a distance might shake his nerves in a way he would feel to his
+disadvantage during the progress of the game.
+
+Little did the boy realize how a benevolent fortune was playing
+directly into his hands, and that the very thing he feared might be a
+calamity was fated to be but another stepping stone on the road to good
+luck.
+
+The little girl had stopped crying. He could see her bright eyes
+looking up into his face every time he glanced down. As he staggered
+along Ralph kept talking in his cheery way, and no doubt that had
+considerable to do with her appearance of contentment.
+
+At last, when Ralph feared he could hold out no longer, he heard the
+familiar whirr of the big water wheel, and caught a glimpse of the mill
+through openings in the trees.
+
+“We’re almost there, Mary, and you will soon be with your father,” he
+said, smiling down at her.
+
+“That will be nice. I’m glad you came,” the child answered; and Ralph
+believed there was enough of genuine gratitude in those simple words to
+repay him doubly for all his trouble.
+
+All he begrudged was the time it had taken. Only for that he would not
+have cared had the distance been thrice as long, for it was certainly a
+pleasure for this lad to do a service to a helpless little creature in
+trouble.
+
+He reached the road over which the supplies of the flour mill were
+carried, as well as the milled product hauled away. It was easier
+going now.
+
+“There’s my daddy!” exclaimed Mary, struggling up in his arms.
+
+Her voice must have reached the ears of a man who was working just
+outside the door of the mill, for he turned hastily and looked toward
+them. A moment later and he started on a run toward Ralph.
+
+The boy could see that his face betokened alarm. It was not exactly a
+bad face, though there were the marks of dissipation upon it, showing
+that Mary’s father had not always led the best sort of a life.
+
+“What’s the matter. What’s happened to the child?” he cried, hoarsely,
+as he came closer to the boy, who had stopped in his tracks now.
+
+“Anyhow, he loves the little girl, that’s sure,” thought Ralph, as he
+saw the look of agony that made the man’s face turn white.
+
+“She’s hurt her hand quite badly. I think a rock must have fallen on it
+while she was picking wild flowers, or reaching into the burrow of a
+chipmunk. Be careful, sir, it’s bleeding a lot,” said Ralph, as the man
+took her from his arms.
+
+“But I didn’t lose the bucket, daddy, like you said I would!” cried the
+child, still gripping the tin tightly.
+
+“Never mind the bucket, darling; it’s your hand I’m thinking about
+now. Where did you find her, my boy?” asked the man, eagerly.
+
+Ralph was almost panting after his long and tiresome walk, burdened as
+he had been. He was only waiting to get his breath, so as to say that
+the little girl ought to be taken to a doctor without delay, and then
+expected to start in a hurry for the athletic field.
+
+“About a quarter of a mile from here, and in the woods. I think she
+must have been on the way home. I was taking a roundabout way to the
+baseball field, you see, where I have to pitch a game for Columbia this
+afternoon,” Ralph explained, seeing the man look inquiringly at his
+suit.
+
+“And you turned out of your way to carry my child all the way here!
+It was kind of you to do that, my boy, and I won’t forget it in a
+hurry. This girlie is everything in the world to me, I tell you. Thank
+you a thousand times for your trouble, and any time Sam Smalling can
+do anything to return the favor you just call on him, hear?” and he
+squeezed Ralph’s hand with emphasis.
+
+“Oh! that’s all right. I wouldn’t have minded it a bit, only I was
+afraid I might be late for the game,” said Ralph, preparing to go.
+
+“And everything depends on the pitcher, I know. That makes it all the
+kinder of you, turning aside as you did. I hope you’ll stop in and
+see us some time, my boy. We live in the Grant cottage, on the road
+to Menhaven. The girl will be glad to see you, and her mother, too, I
+wager.”
+
+“I’ll try to, some time later. But I hope you can get her in to town to
+let a doctor look at those fingers without delay. If a bone is broken
+it ought to be set, you know,” said Ralph, over his shoulder, for he
+had started off.
+
+“Hold on a minute, my boy. There’s our wagon and horse right handy.
+I’ll speak to the boss, and take the rig to drive to town right away.
+And by jumping in you can get to the baseball grounds quicker than if
+you walk; besides having a little rest. Wait up a minute. You haven’t
+told me your name, either, you see.”
+
+Halted by these words from the father of Mary, Ralph turned on his
+heel. He saw that what the other had said was true, and that by waiting
+a bit he could ride with advantage to himself.
+
+“I guess that’s a fact, and if you’re going right away I’ll hang on
+behind. To tell the truth, I’m a little mixed up in my bearings, and
+might get lost if I went without a guide. You see, I’ve only lived
+about here since last fall. My name’s Ralph West! Why, what’s the
+matter, sir?” for the man had started back while he was speaking, and
+stared at him as if suddenly given a shock.
+
+“Ralph West? Do you mean to tell me that _you_ are the boy, then? And
+that some fatality has brought _you_ to do a favor for me and mine?
+This is the last straw on the camel’s back. I was weakening before; now
+I don’t see how I can hold out!”
+
+And hearing these muttered words, Ralph realized with a thrill that Sam
+Smalling, the father of the child he had assisted, must know something
+about his mysterious past!
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIV
+
+SAM SMALLING MAKES A PROMISE
+
+
+For the time being Ralph forgot all about the fact that he was nearly
+due on the baseball field that afternoon. Sam Smalling’s words seemed
+to indicate that he might be in possession of some knowledge concerning
+the things which the boy was fairly wild to know.
+
+“Oh! what do you mean?” he asked, in trembling tones, as he came back
+to clutch the sleeve of the man’s shirt eagerly, and fasten a pair of
+anxious eyes on his face.
+
+Smalling was visibly shaken. He tried to avoid the gaze of Ralph at
+first, and looked down at his feet in the manner of a man whose sins
+had suddenly arisen to confound him.
+
+“You must know something about me, Mr. Smalling, or you wouldn’t have
+said what you did. I’ve only recently learned that I was adopted by
+the people I’ve always believed to be my own parents; and ever since
+that time I’ve been just wild to learn who I am. Do you know?” demanded
+Ralph.
+
+The other moved uneasily, and his rather shifty eyes still refused to
+meet the penetrating gaze of the boy.
+
+“Mebbe I do, and again mebbe I don’t. Come and see me again, boy, and
+perhaps I can help you find out what you want,” he muttered, with a
+shake of the head, as if not wholly satisfied to speak more plainly
+off-hand.
+
+“But why not now? Oh! if you only knew how I lie awake nights wondering
+and wishing, I’m sure you’d tell me all you know, sir. It’s a terrible
+thing to be ignorant of who you are! No matter what my parents may have
+been, I’d rather know than keep on this way. Please tell me!” Ralph
+pleaded.
+
+“Not just now. It comes on me too sudden like. I must have time to
+think it over and see just where I stand. There’s more than one thing
+to be considered. But I’ll tell you this, Ralph, after what you’ve done
+for my little girl to-day I’m mighty much inclined to break my word,
+and speak soon.”
+
+“Then I suppose I’ll just have to wait, Mr. Smalling; but I do hope
+you’ll not be too long. When can I come to see you about it, sir?”
+Ralph went on, meaning to strike while the iron was hot.
+
+“Come to-night, then. And I reckon you can expect to hear something
+that will do you good. But we must get off now. I’m anxious to get Mary
+to town, so a doctor can look after her hand; and as for you, the
+sooner you drop in on that baseball game the better, I reckon,” said
+the man, hurrying over to where the owner of the flour mill seemed to
+be working.
+
+Then Ralph remembered that his time was not his own--that there would
+by now be a tremendous crowd assembled on the athletic grounds,
+watching the snappy work of the rival teams, and his absence must be
+causing the Columbia High players considerable anxiety, to say the
+least.
+
+Some of the spectators, who happened to know that Ralph was slated to
+go in the box in place of Frank Allen, would even be cruel enough to
+declare that the novice must have been attacked with a case of stage
+fright, and retreated from the grounds after seeing the immense throng
+which he would have to face.
+
+So Ralph tried to forget all his personal affairs for the time being,
+and think only of his duty toward his school.
+
+Now that she had found her father again, Mary seemed to be satisfied.
+Ralph used another spare handkerchief to make a loop in which the
+injured hand could be suspended; and the little girl thanked him with
+her bright eyes.
+
+By the time this had been done Smalling came up with the team. Ralph
+lifted the girl to the seat beside her father.
+
+“Come up here with us; plenty of room, Ralph,” said the man; and seeing
+that he spoke truly, Ralph hastened to comply, although he had been
+about to swing himself up behind, with his feet dangling over the
+tailboard.
+
+Consulting his watch, a little nickel affair costing but one dollar,
+he discovered that he should have been on the field before this.
+The rescue of Mary, and carrying her all this way, had consumed
+considerable time.
+
+Smalling urged the horses to do their best. He was naturally anxious
+about his child, and, moreover, knew that minutes were exceedingly
+precious to the boy who had stepped aside to do this kindly act.
+
+“I reckon you won’t be sorry for what you did, boy,” he said, turning
+his head as they pushed forward over the country road.
+
+His words gave Ralph the keenest sort of satisfaction. He was thrilled
+with the thought of how his good star must have been in the ascendent
+when it urged him to investigate the meaning of those apparent sobs in
+the bushes.
+
+“And to think how near I came to passing by, thinking it might only be
+some fellow trying to trick me,” was what Ralph was saying to himself
+all the while.
+
+The man who drove seemed to be consumed with a desire to learn
+something more about the other, for he began to ask questions.
+
+“Did the old folks treat you white, Ralph?” was his first demand.
+
+“If you mean Mr. and Mrs. West,” replied the other, quickly, “I can
+say yes, perhaps far better than I deserved, since I was none of their
+flesh and blood. I think I’ve always looked on them just as other boys
+do their own parents--up to lately, when money started to come to me
+every month from an unknown source, and then doubts began to awaken in
+my head, for I saw them talking together often as though trying to make
+up their minds to tell me something.”
+
+“Money--how was that?” asked Smalling looking deeply interested.
+
+“Why, along last summer I got a letter from the office of a New York
+lawyer. It had forty dollars in it, and just a couple of lines saying
+that I was to accept the gift with the idea of getting an education,
+and that the same amount would come every month.”
+
+“Phew! Looks like something had touched his heart after all! Forty
+dollars, eh? And has it always come, Ralph?” asked the driver, keeping
+his eyes fixed upon the horses’ heads, as if unwilling to meet the
+boy’s questioning gaze.
+
+“Yes, always. That was how I came to Columbia to attend the high
+school, for I was wild to get an education,” replied Ralph, soberly.
+
+“Just so, and naturally, too. You come by that desire all right, I
+guess,” muttered Smalling, who seemed to be more or less embarrassed.
+
+A strange thought came into Ralph’s mind. What could this confusion on
+the part of the other signify? He looked eagerly into the face of the
+little girl sitting beside him. Truth to tell, he was wondering if it
+could possibly be that Mary might turn out to be his sister!
+
+And, as if something had told Smalling what was flitting through the
+brain of the boy, he turned his head and looked at him.
+
+“Oh, no, it ain’t that, Ralph. You’re nothing to me. I’ve been a bad
+man in my day, but I give you my word I’d never desert a kid that
+belonged to me. Drink has been at the bottom of all my evildoing,
+though it is my own fault. Latterly, I’ve managed to get a grip on
+myself, and p’raps it ain’t too late to wipe out some of my past. You
+come to see me this night, lad, and don’t fail. I reckon I’ll be in a
+frame of mind to let a few things drop. I ought to, I know. There’s
+something more than accident in our meeting up in this way. It means
+Fate, that’s what!”
+
+“I’ll be there, without fail, sir. How could I keep away? And, oh,
+I hope and pray you won’t change your mind between now and night,”
+faltered the boy, as he put his hand out and touched that of the driver.
+
+Perhaps it was that confiding touch that did it, or possibly Smalling’s
+eyes chanced to fall upon the neatly bandaged hand of Mary just then,
+and he was overwhelmed by a sense of the debt he owed this lad.
+
+At any rate he impulsively grasped that extended hand and squeezed it
+warmly.
+
+“I’m going to do more than give a half promise, Ralph. Take my word
+for it, that when you come to-night I’ll clear up pretty much all this
+affair about who and what you are. And, lad, you needn’t worry any
+more, because it’s goin’ to be all right,” was what he said.
+
+“Oh, thank you ever so much for that promise! It will give me heart to
+do my level best to-day; and I have need of such a spur, I assure you,
+Mr. Smalling. There, I had a glimpse of the baseball field just then;
+and listen, what can they be shouting for?” asked Ralph, as a mighty
+cheer came rolling toward them.
+
+“Some feller has made a star play in practice, I reckon. I’m some keen
+on ball myself, and calculated on getting over later to the game.
+P’raps I’ll stop off on the way out from town, though the girl had
+better be took home to her ma.”
+
+“Your wife is living, then?” asked Ralph, even while he was trying to
+steady his nerves for the sight that would soon break upon his vision
+as he entered the big enclosure where Columbia High boys usually met to
+enjoy baseball, football, and most outdoor sports.
+
+“Oh, yes, and Mary has several brothers and sisters. But she always
+wants to be the one to fetch my dinner,” and from the way he looked
+down at the girl it was evident that she must be his favorite.
+
+“Here’s where I must jump out, sir,” said Ralph, suiting the action to
+the word as they came opposite a big open gate.
+
+“Then I’ll look for you to-night?” asked Smalling, his eyes ranging
+up and down the clean built figure of the lad approvingly, and with a
+light kindling in his eyes.
+
+“Unless they do me up so well this afternoon that I can’t walk, I’ll be
+there,” replied the other, smilingly.
+
+“Goodby, Ralph,” said the little girl, holding out her well hand. “I
+won’t forget how nice you was. And I’m going to do up these for you,
+too,” pointing to the several handkerchiefs Ralph had used to bind up
+her hand, and make a sling.
+
+“All right. That’ll be fine. Goodby, both of you, until to-night!”
+
+He turned away with a sigh. It seemed almost too good to be true that
+he was going to hear great news so very soon. Ralph could hardly
+believe that he was not dreaming.
+
+And then as he entered through the gate vehicles used, he saw the
+athletic field and the tremendous throng that packed it.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XV
+
+“PLAY BALL!”
+
+
+“Who’s the umpire, Lef?” demanded Bill Klemm.
+
+“Name’s Willoughby. Used to be a pitcher for Princeton away back, they
+say.”
+
+“What they got him in for? Where’s Grigson, the regular umpire?”
+continued Bill, as though his comrade might be an information bureau.
+
+“Laid up, I hear. Captain Seymour says this feller beats Grig all
+hollow. Guess they’ve got it all rigged up to throw the game for
+Columbia. I wouldn’t put it past that Frank Allen and his bunch of
+toadies,” growled Lef, still sore after his experience of the morning.
+
+“But they say Frank ain’t going to toss ’em over to-day. Got hurt this
+morning in some way. One fellow told me he jumped in the river and
+hauled Minnie Cuthbert out. Nobody seems to know just what happened,
+but his arm’s black and blue where he hit a rock,” went on Bill, at the
+same time eyeing his friend closely, for he had heard Lef chuckle as
+though quite tickled.
+
+“So that’s what happened to little Frankie, was it? Served him right.
+He ought to mind his own business. I reckon I’d tamed that hoss down
+soon if he hadn’t cut in when he did,” grumbled Lef.
+
+“What’s that?” demanded Bill, suspiciously, and showing keen interest.
+
+“Never you mind. Tell about it another time. I know just what Frank
+Allen did. He’s always playing to the gallery, you know. Then who’s
+going to pitch for Columbia?” asked the other, turning the question
+aside.
+
+“They say Ralph West,” replied Bill.
+
+“That country kid. Why, these heavy batters of Bellport will just eat
+him alive. It’s a pity they can’t give _me_ a chance to show what I can
+do. I’m better by long odds than I was last year, and I held ’em down
+to three hits one game. Remember that, don’t you, Bill?”
+
+“Course I do. But I’m lookin’ for that come-on. Why ain’t he showin’
+up and doin’ some practicin’? P’raps he’s got the big head, and thinks
+he don’t need to work out any before the game?” suggested Bill,
+maliciously.
+
+“I kind of guess it’s just the other way, Bill,” laughed Lef.
+
+“You mean he’s got cold feet, and won’t show up at all. Well, that
+would be a joke now. What d’ye suppose they’d do in such a case, Lef?”
+
+“Either the wounded hero would have to go in and be slaughtered, or
+else they’d have to temporarily lift my suspension, and let me toe the
+mark.”
+
+“I reckon you’re fit, all right, Lef. I’ve been ketchin’ you for a
+week, and I never thought you had so many cute tricks in you. And
+speed, why it’s there to burn. I hope they do let you have a chance,”
+remarked Bill.
+
+Lef uttered a grunt of disgust.
+
+“It’s all off,” he said, with a shrug of his shoulders.
+
+“What d’ye mean?” asked Bill.
+
+“Look yonder at that wagon stopping on the road by the gate. A feller’s
+jumped out, and he’s got a baseball suit on, too. It’s that sneak
+Ralph, as sure’s you’re born. I’m on to his curves, all right. He just
+wants to keep the crowd in suspense, you know, and then get the cheers
+when he shows up. Bah! he makes me tired, that’s what.”
+
+Lef judged others by himself. Under similar conditions that was just
+what he would have done, for applause was sweet in his ears.
+
+When Ralph was seen running across the field there was a rippling cheer
+that advanced into a positive roar. The boy’s face flamed, for he was
+not accustomed to being in the limelight. Still, he paid no attention
+to the shouts that greeted his coming, but hastening over to where the
+boys were still practicing he met Captain Seymour.
+
+“Glad you’ve turned up, Ralph. The boys were beginning to get a little
+worried about you, and Frank just said he’d go in if necessary, though
+his arm is in a bad way, and he might injure it for keeps. We want him
+for the last game--if there is going to be another,” said Roderic,
+looking closely at the other, as if to make up his mind whether Ralph
+had brought his nerve with him.
+
+“The delay was entirely unavoidable. I had to carry a little child half
+a mile. She had crushed her hand. That is her father in the wagon with
+her, on the way to the doctor’s. Hello! Frank! better late than never.
+Send her in, Paul! How long can I have to warm up, Captain?” said
+Ralph, as he caught the ball, and began to return it, quietly at first,
+but with increasing pressure as his muscles responded to the demand
+made upon them.
+
+“The umpire says that the time is almost up; but on account of your
+coming late he will postpone calling the game ten minutes. Now, do your
+prettiest, Ralph. I hope you get that trick ball working handily this
+afternoon,” returned the other, who was plainly more or less nervous.
+
+“I’m feeling in fine shape, Captain. If they knock me hard it will be
+because I’m out of my class, I expect,” was the confident rejoinder he
+received.
+
+For fully ten minutes then the young pitcher was the center of
+observation. Friends and foes alike commented upon his style of
+delivery. When he sent in an extra swift one a murmur of admiration
+bubbled forth.
+
+“I guess he’s the right sort,” called the sanguine Columbia adherent.
+
+“If only he don’t lose his head when those hard hitters begin to reach
+his ball a little. They’ve sent more than one horse to the stable to be
+blanketed,” declared another, less confident.
+
+Many secretly sighed because Frank Allen was temporarily out of the
+game.
+
+“Hope he’ll be all right by next Saturday, then. We can afford to lose
+this game, boys. It’ll only square things, and make it all the more
+interesting,” cried still another skeptic.
+
+“Give the boy a chance, will you?” demanded a man near by; “you talk
+like he’s thrown this game away already. I tell you he shows up well,
+and perhaps some of you croakers will get a surprise yet!”
+
+“That’s the talk; encourage the boy!” called another spectator.
+
+“He needs it all right,” jeered a Bellport rough; “why, what our
+fellows will do to that kid will be a shame. It’s like takin’ candy
+from the baby, that’s what!”
+
+And all these floating exclamations came to the ears of Ralph as he
+stood there near the end of the bleachers and continued to send them in
+to Paul. He had his teeth set, and was, as far as outward appearances
+went, as cool as a veteran.
+
+Coach Willoughby, ready for the fray, gave him a signal just then. It
+signified that there had been sufficient practice, and that he was
+about to call the start in another minute or two; so Ralph drew on his
+sweater, not wishing to catch cold, for despite the hot sun there was a
+cool breeze blowing.
+
+Frank wanted to have a last brief talk with his friend. He knew more
+about the peculiarities of the Bellport team than Ralph possibly could,
+and was able to tell him just how some of them could be coaxed to
+strike at an impossible ball.
+
+“Notice that their captain, Cuthbert Lee, is on his old job to-day at
+second, in place of Hough. He’s a hard hitter, Ralph, but from what I
+know of him I think your teaser ball will fetch him. Only don’t use it
+too often. And if he ever gets on a base keep your eye on him. He’s the
+fastest runner they have, and can steal bases to beat the band, while
+the pitcher is winding up.”
+
+“Glad you told me, Frank. After the game wait up for me. I’ve got
+some grand news to tell you,” observed the pitcher, getting up and
+discarding his sweater as the loud voice of the old Princeton player,
+now serving as umpire, was heard saying:
+
+“Play ball!”
+
+Frank took one look at the sparkling eyes of his friend.
+
+“Tell me, is it about that thing?” he asked, eagerly, and Ralph,
+turning as he started to walk off, nodded his head in the affirmative.
+
+“Bully! You just make up your mind you’re going to win, Ralph. I seem
+to feel it in my bones you are!” Frank said, confidently.
+
+Ralph picked up the new ball which the umpire had tossed into the box,
+and sent a few sizzling ones to first base while the balance of the
+team hurried to their places in the field.
+
+The crowd had become strangely silent now. Every eye was glued upon the
+new pitcher, and of course anxiety made many a Columbia heart nervous,
+for Ralph was as yet an untried quantity against a regular team. Many
+had faith in him, or professed to have, though secretly even his
+boldest adherents found themselves wondering how he would act if those
+Bellport fellows ever began to bombard his curves as they had been
+known to do to more than one phenomenon in the past.
+
+The lineup of the Bellport team was just the same as on the preceding
+Saturday, with the one exception of second base. Here the familiar
+figure of Cuthbert Lee was to be seen, and his cheery words gave
+confidence to his men.
+
+The batting order of the visitors ran as follows:
+
+  Snodgrass--Right field.
+  Lee--Second base.
+  Banghardt--Center field.
+  Smith, Jr.--Left field.
+  Smith, Sr.--First base.
+  Lacy--Shortstop.
+  Bardwell--Third base.
+  Clay--Catcher.
+  Coddling--Pitcher.
+
+As usual, Snodgrass could be depended upon to work the pitcher for
+a free ticket to the initial sack, if it was within the range of
+possibilities. He was a good waiter, and a fine judge of balls.
+
+“Put ’em over for this beanery waiter!”
+
+“Make him hit her out, West!”
+
+“Don’t forget you’ve got eight other fellows back of you, boy!”
+
+“Now, soak it to him, youngster. You know!”
+
+Ralph suddenly shot the ball at the batter like a flash. It passed
+straight over the plate as though it cut the same in two equal parts.
+
+“Strike--one!” shouted the umpire, even as Snodgrass jumped back,
+pretending that he had to dodge, though he grinned at the same time.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVI
+
+MAKING A GOOD START
+
+
+Through the grandstand and over the field a wave of enthusiasm went.
+
+Ralph paid no attention to the various shouts that greeted his first
+delivery. He tried to see how he could work his wonderful “spit” ball
+next, and while Snodgrass struck he never came within inches of a hit.
+
+Derisive cries began to be heard.
+
+“Get Snodgrass his glasses!”
+
+“Put him out to pasture; he’s outlived his usefulness!”
+
+Trust the ingenuity of schoolboys to invent scores of cries calculated
+to unnerve the batter. But Snodgrass only grinned and waited, crouching
+there as though ready to annihilate the next ball that came along.
+
+Ralph thought it policy to try a couple of outshoots, and as the batter
+failed to strike they were called balls. It was time now to take his
+measure again, and Snodgrass knew what was coming.
+
+“Three strikes--batter is out!” followed a wicked sweep which the
+Bellport right fielder made at the erratic “spit” ball that Ralph
+handed up.
+
+Lee stood there calmly awaiting his turn. There was something in his
+attitude to tell Ralph he had more to fear from the captain of the
+rival team than any other man on it.
+
+Twice Lee struck at elusive balls. Then he managed to connect with one
+and sent a screamer at “Bones” Shadduck on third, which that worthy
+succeeded in knocking down, though recovering the ball just too late to
+catch the swift runner.
+
+“Now we’re off!” howled the coach, as he came running up to take his
+place near the man on first.
+
+Hardly had he spoken than the ball came plunk into the hands of Lanky,
+who had been expecting such a thing. Lee had danced off, as was his
+usual custom. He made a desperate plunge for the bag, but Lanky got him.
+
+“You’re out!” shouted the umpire, waving his hand suggestively.
+
+Such a whoop as went up! It seemed as though the crowd had gone wild.
+Bellport supporters looked each other in the face.
+
+“What’s this we’ve struck?” said one, blankly.
+
+“He caught Cuthbert napping, sure! I never knew that to happen before!”
+
+“He’s a wonder at throwing that ball to first. Guess we ain’t going to
+steal many sacks on that kid to-day, you hear me?” exclaimed another.
+
+“Oh! rats! you give me a pain! That was only an accident. He couldn’t
+do it again in a year of Sundays!” ejaculated one of the Bellport
+players who was lounging near the bleachers.
+
+“Perhaps not,” laughed a Columbia graduate, “but all the same he’s got
+you fellows guessing, and you’ll cut your leads short at bases while
+he’s in the box.”
+
+Banghardt, after knocking three fouls, also struck out. This record
+against such known heavy hitters delighted the crowd. A rattling cheer
+and much hand-clapping greeted the incoming of Ralph. Of course he had
+to doff his cap, and smile; but at the same time he did not appear to
+be excited.
+
+The umpire was watching him curiously, for Ralph had interested the
+veteran Princeton player very much.
+
+“I think he’s going to do himself proud to-day. These fellows may win,
+but not through that boy going up in the air. He knows how to master
+himself,” was what he said to Frank Allen, as he took a drink from the
+water bucket.
+
+“I knew he had it in him; and I’m rather pleased that an accident kept
+me out of the box to-day. It may be the making of Ralph,” replied the
+other; and hearing such warm, generous words, the umpire nodded his
+head in appreciation.
+
+He had doubtless known so much shallow envy among ball players that
+such an exhibition of pure devotion to the interests of the school
+pleased him greatly.
+
+The lineup of Columbia had been altered somewhat, on account of Ralph
+taking the place of Frank as pitcher. This threw him last on the
+batting order. Ben Allison, the regular right fielder, was fortunately
+able to occupy that place, and consequently he faced Coddling first.
+
+By the way Coddling threw a few to his first baseman it was evident
+that he had felt the defeat of the previous Saturday keenly, and was
+there with blood in his eye, determined to retrieve that disaster.
+
+“Look at that, will you? Ain’t he got speed to burn to-day? I’m sorry
+for Columbia, boys,” called a Bellport student, with the colors of his
+school on his hat.
+
+“Get out your wipers, boys. It’s sure going to be a funeral!” mocked a
+boy who boasted of the famous orange and purple.
+
+“Let up, you fellows. He’s going to pitch one now!” shouted a man near
+by; and again the interest was centered upon the pitcher’s box.
+
+Coddling wound up and shot one over. Allison promptly struck, but his
+bat only whistled through the air, for the excellent reason that the
+ball was not within six inches of where he supposed it to be.
+
+“Say, Mister Coddling is some at that sort of thing, you see!” howled
+a delighted Bellport supporter, jumping up and addressing the bleacher
+crowd.
+
+“Sit down!”
+
+“Hire a hall and take a day off!”
+
+“Watch him send another disappearing ball down the line, boys!”
+
+Coddling did. He had Allison guessing right from the start. Perhaps
+that was because the right fielder had not faced him as yet this
+season, and his enforced layoff had rather weakened his batting eye,
+for usually Ben was a reliable hitter.
+
+When he struck for the third time, and the umpire waved him away,
+Allison only grinned and trotted back to the bench, shaking his head
+humorously.
+
+“Bones” Shadduck took his place, and was immediately greeted with a
+series of entreaties to accomplish something.
+
+“Hit her out, even if you are caught!” his admirers yelled.
+
+Shadduck made ready to do his best. One strike was called, and as yet
+he apparently had not gauged the delivery of the wizard pitcher, who
+faced him with that tantalizing smile on his face.
+
+Then he bunted, and was off for first like a shot. Coddling made a wild
+dash for the ball, which had started to roll along the line toward the
+sack. It looked as though it would go foul, and perhaps that was what
+kept the agile pitcher from trying to snatch it up. When he did, it was
+too late, for Bones had galloped over first, and was safe.
+
+Jack Comfort’s business was to sacrifice him down along the line. He,
+too, bunted, and while easily out himself, Bones had seen his signal,
+and got a lovely start, so that he found himself squatting on second.
+
+“That’s the way to do it! Play the game! Now, Lanky, you’re IT!”
+
+Lanky managed to knock a grounder that landed him on first, and
+Shadduck on third.
+
+“Coddling, take a brace and put ’em over!”
+
+Then stepped up Buster Billings. His appearance always created a ripple
+of amusement, on account of his ponderous calves. Buster only winked
+knowingly at the yelling crowd and raised his bat, waving it to and
+fro, cautiously.
+
+“Why, the feller thinks he can bunt now. Say, don’t you know there’s
+two out?”
+
+“Let Buster alone. He knows his business, you’ll see? That’s only his
+gentle way.”
+
+“And he can bat some, fellers, believe me!”
+
+Buster heard this last remark.
+
+“Thank you awfully for that kindness!” he remarked.
+
+“One strike!” said the umpire.
+
+“Hey, was that a baseball or a cannon ball that whizzed past?” demanded
+Buster, pretending to be greatly astonished when he heard the thud of
+the horsehide sphere in Clay’s old mitt.
+
+And then he smote the very next ball that came spinning along, smote it
+with so much energy that it sailed away toward center field, with Tony
+Banghardt running like a wild broncho in the endeavor to get under.
+
+Of course Shadduck was away at once, since there were already two out.
+Looking over his shoulder as he bolted like a frightened deer, he saw
+Banghardt make a gallant effort to spear the descending ball with
+extended hand; but he lacked a few inches of being in a position to
+accomplish this.
+
+Bones came home and the batter managed to land on second, whereas
+another player might have reached third, while Lanky perched on third,
+unable to get home. Still, the crowd forgave Buster for his slow
+running and assured him he was all right.
+
+It would have made no difference at any rate, for Tom Budd struck out,
+after he had knocked up four fouls and quite tired Buster with false
+starts.
+
+One inning had been played. The score stood one to nothing, in favor of
+Columbia.
+
+“Good boy! Do it some more, West!”
+
+Ralph went into the box for that second inning, resolved to continue
+his cool methods, and not allow anything to rattle him.
+
+His first man he managed to get with considerable effort. Smith, Jr.,
+was possessed of a good batting eye, and could not be easily fooled
+with fade-aways and such. Still, he fell before that wonderful spit
+ball that had such an erratic course, and the umpire finally announced
+that the sizzling straight one that burned over the plate was the
+signal for him to go into retirement.
+
+After that Smith, Sr., stood up to give an account of himself. He never
+appeared without his usual grin, and even the taunts of the crowd did
+not change his expression an iota.
+
+“Smash!”
+
+That was Smith, Sr.’s bat connecting with the ball.
+
+“Run!” shrieked scores of voices, as the bleachers arose to a man to
+see just where the ball had gone.
+
+Allison was after it, and making rapid progress over the stubby grass
+in left.
+
+“He can get it--good old Ben is on the spot!” yelled one well wisher.
+
+“Will he--maybe, maybe not!” sang out Jack Eastwick, mockingly.
+
+Allison did his best to get there; but there was too much steam to that
+hit, and it escaped him, while Smith cantered home amid a salvo of
+frenzied shouts.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVII
+
+NEARING THE END
+
+
+The game moved along slowly.
+
+Seven full innings had been played, and the score was still low. It had
+swung around until it stood in favor of Bellport, four to three.
+
+“It’s anybody’s game yet!” shouted several.
+
+“Get into harness, boys! Put on another wrinkle and win out! You can do
+it, Columbia!”
+
+“Where’s Herman Hooker? Get that voice of yours working just now. Give
+the boys encouragement. That’s all they want to pull out! Start her up,
+Herman!”
+
+“Yes, tune up, Herman!”
+
+And as Bellport came to bat for the beginning of the ninth, with no
+change in the score as yet, Herman marshalled his cohorts in the
+bleachers, and with that strident voice of his to lead, began to cheer
+in concert, bleat out the famous school cry, and sing “Columbia, the
+Gem of the Ocean,” the immense crowd joining in until the volume of
+sound might have been heard a mile away.
+
+“Careful, Ralph; this is a crisis!” Frank Allen had said as his friend
+picked up his glove and started toward the box.
+
+Ralph looked perfectly cool. Indeed, many who saw him, and knew that
+this was his first game in big company, prophesied that he would turn
+out to be the greatest pitcher Columbia had ever known, given a little
+more experience.
+
+He had just sent one over, and smiled to hear the umpire instantly
+call a strike, when there arose a medley of voices from the point just
+beyond the termination of the bleachers.
+
+Ralph had accepted the ball from his catcher, and held it gripped in
+his hand as he took a step back into his box. Naturally his attention
+was directed toward the spot, where he saw a tremendous commotion had
+started, with men and boys swarming back.
+
+“A fight! A fight!” was the first cry that passed around to the
+grandstand, and hundreds immediately stood up to see, their interest in
+the game for the moment forgotten.
+
+But they immediately discovered that it must be something else that had
+caused this stampede, for the runners appeared to be frightened. What
+could it be? Frank shouted to Police Chief Hogg, and the latter started
+on the run for the scene of disturbance.
+
+Every man, woman and child was now standing up and craning necks to
+find out the truth. They saw people running, women showing symptoms of
+terror, and even men trying to put space between themselves and some
+mysterious danger.
+
+Then a shout went up, for upon the field had suddenly appeared a bull,
+showing symptoms of anger, and evidently in a mood to launch himself
+at the crowd, many of the ladies wearing gaily-colored garments that
+appeared to arouse the fighting spirit of the animal.
+
+Some of the boys of Columbia recognized the bull as one belonging to
+a farmer who owned the property adjoining the athletic field on the
+right, and back of the grandstand. A high fence shut off this pasture,
+but perhaps some of the boards may have fallen down. At any rate, there
+was the bull trotting straight toward the diamond, with hundreds of
+frantic people going into a panic.
+
+“He wants to toss a few over! Give the bull a chance!” shouted a funny
+fellow from the safety of the grandstand; but had he been out there on
+the field doubtless he would ere this have been taking to his heels,
+like the majority of the alarmed spectators.
+
+Frank immediately suspected that some thoughtless scamp who loved a
+prank without counting the cost may have coaxed the bull to the opening
+made in the fence, by waving a red handkerchief, and then dodging when
+he had accomplished his purpose.
+
+“Get bats, fellows; we’ve got to chase him back to cover!” he shouted,
+suiting his action to his words.
+
+Other players also snatched up some of the war clubs, and thus armed
+they bore down on the object of their solicitude. Meanwhile the bull
+had trotted straight for Ralph in the box. It looked as though the
+animal meant to follow up the advice of the joker in the grandstand,
+and ascertain whether he could knock the pitcher out of the box.
+
+Ralph stood his ground. Indeed, he hardly knew what to do, such was the
+tremendous clamor all around him.
+
+“Soak him one, you!” howled a fellow who stood on the top seat of the
+bleachers, and waved his arms.
+
+It was so easy to tell another what to do just then, especially when in
+an apparently safe place himself.
+
+“Yes, hit him in the eye, Ralph! Here’s your chance to win your own
+game!”
+
+“Shoo the bully old boy away! He’s interfering, with our game!”
+
+“It’s a set-up job of Columbia when they’re getting licked, that’s
+what!”
+
+Ralph heard everything that was said. At the same time he drew back
+his arm, with the intention of delivering as swift a ball as he
+possibly could. Of course, it could hardly be expected that such a puny
+thing as a baseball would be sufficient to drive the bull away; but it
+was all Ralph could do--and he did it to the best of his ability.
+
+“Straight to the bull’s-eye, Ralph!” came a last shout, just as he let
+go; and somehow it gave the boy more or less satisfaction to know that
+he had indeed done as directed.
+
+The hard ball struck the animal with tremendous force on the side of
+the head, and, bounding off, fell upon the diamond. Perhaps the blow
+astonished the unwelcome visitor at the game. He seemed to stop a few
+seconds as if trying to figure just where the new assault had come from.
+
+“At him, boys!” shouted Frank, enabled to come up because of this
+little delay.
+
+A dozen lads, Bellport players as well as those of Columbia, had armed
+themselves with bats. They were close at Frank’s heels when he started
+in to belabor the bull on the flanks vigorously.
+
+One assailant the big fellow might have attacked, but the multitude
+cowed him. Possibly he was not a very vicious animal after all. Be that
+as it might, the boys surrounded him like a wall, and forced him to
+trot off toward the broken fence. He was last seen kicking up his heels
+as he went through the gap, and his bellow a few seconds afterward
+announced that while he may have thought it prudent to retreat before
+superior numbers, his spirit was not crushed.
+
+Frank, while the others returned toward the diamond, winded a little
+from their efforts, took a look at the fence as he was temporarily
+fixing up the several boards that lay upon the ground.
+
+“These were all right before the game started. Either some fellows
+knocked them off to get in without paying, or else it was a set-up job
+to give trouble.”
+
+This last idea made him instantly think of the fellow most likely
+to engineer a miserable game like this--Lef Seller. He remembered
+seeing the bully over on the field at the end of the bleachers some
+little time before, and several of his cronies with him. Could he
+have possibly taken advantage of every eye being riveted on the close
+game to play this dangerous prank? Some one might have been seriously
+injured by the coming of the bull.
+
+“What’s this.”
+
+Just before putting up the last plank Frank had thrust his head through
+the opening to see what had become of the baffled bull. His eye had
+fallen on something red lying in the rank grass close to the fence.
+
+“It’s a red bandana handkerchief, and a new one, too, that has never
+even been in the wash. And that was what they used to lure Mr. Bull in
+here. Well, perhaps a fellow may think that a joke, but if half a dozen
+women or children had been gored he might have gone to prison for it.”
+
+He looked at the gaudy thing again.
+
+“Perhaps I may be able to find out who owns this. Looks like it must
+have been bought this very day. Anyhow, ‘finders keepers,’ and I’m in
+one stunning red bandana blower,” and, laughing as he stowed it away,
+he returned to see the continuation of the close game.
+
+Smith, Sr., was on deck, with his bat making little circles as he
+waited for his chance to whack the ball. He had a peculiar “crouch”
+that amused the crowd; but as the elongated first baseman was a natural
+hitter, much could be forgiven him. In baseball a batting eye is like
+the mantle of charity, since it covers a multitude of sins.
+
+Smith, Sr., did hit it, too, though he should have been an easy out,
+only that the ball took an unexpected bounce just as Seymour had set
+himself to gobble it, and shot over his head.
+
+“Oh!” came in a groan from all over the field, though every one who
+knew the game understood it was none of the second baseman’s fault,
+since he never even touched the ball.
+
+Smith reached first, and made a grand bluff of galloping down toward
+second to draw the throw, but without success.
+
+Lacy was a shrewd one, and sacrificed himself for the good of the
+cause, advancing his comrade nicely to second. Bardwell tried the same
+thing, but tapped the ball too hard. Consequently it went quickly to
+Ralph, who snatched it up, hurled it like a cannon ball to third,
+catching the runner; and then it was shot across the diamond in time to
+just double up the stout Bardwell as he jumped for the first sack.
+
+“Now, what do you think of that?” shrieked the local boys in chorus,
+led by the “best yeller Columbia ever had.”
+
+“Never could do it again in a hundred years. Bardwell stumbled, as he
+generally does. Luck was against us!” answered one of the Bellport
+shouters, promptly.
+
+Bellport had finished their side of the game. Columbia still had an
+inning to play, with one run to tie, and two to win!
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVIII
+
+AN UNFORTUNATE HIT
+
+
+“Who’s up?” demanded Paul Bird, as he tossed his mask and chest
+protector aside, wiped his steaming face, and picked up a bat.
+
+“You are, and if ever you made a base hit get one in now!” said Captain
+Seymour.
+
+“Yes, everything depends on this inning. We can do it if we try,
+fellows!” exclaimed Ben Allison, also selecting his favorite piece of
+ash.
+
+Once again the crowd settled down, though the anxiety felt was plainly
+depicted on the faces all around.
+
+The noise had broken out again worse than ever. Even the voice of the
+brazen-throated Princeton man could not be heard, and he depended on
+signals to announce whether it might be a ball or a strike. Not one of
+those boys but whose nerves thrilled with the intense strain. And it
+can easily be understood how Coddling must have suffered as he toed
+the slab once more to try and mow the Columbia boys down, so as to
+prevent a run.
+
+“You know how to do it, Coddling. Give them some of your famous
+teasers, and see ’em break their backs trying to connect!”
+
+“Yes, Coddling, one, two, three for yours, now. And start right in with
+this guy of a catcher!”
+
+“What have you got on him, hey? Did he let a ball pass him like your
+feller? He ain’t so hefty, but he’s the stuff they make champions out
+of!” declared a Columbia backer, a brawny blacksmith, whose appearance
+alone was enough to inspire respect, so that the Bellport man dared
+make no answer.
+
+Paul waited. He did not want to appear too anxious. He knew that the
+man who was hurling that ball over was just as nervous as they make
+them, and he hoped to profit by this. Still, he could not hold off when
+he felt sure he saw a ball coming within his reach.
+
+Too late after he struck he learned that it was one of Coddling’s
+shrewd outshoots, and that it had jumped beyond his reach.
+
+“Get a pole, sonny!” advised some one from the crowd.
+
+“He felt for it that time; now he’s going to take some!” shouted
+another.
+
+“Strike two!” came the voice of the umpire, though Paul had not tried
+to connect; and that was one of Coddling’s equally clever inshoots
+which had seemed as if about to miss the plate by a foot, yet took a
+sudden turn and shot in.
+
+If one were only a mind reader, Paul thought, and could guess every
+time what the pitcher intended to do, how easy it would all be.
+
+Suddenly changing his hold upon his bat, Paul thrust it out with the
+intention of bunting. He managed to connect, and was off like a flash,
+though doubtful as to his chances for reaching first, for he felt that
+he had not made as neat a drop of the ball as he had hoped.
+
+Still, the ball player to be successful must try to the utmost, no
+matter how discouraging the prospect, always hoping that some little
+luck may turn things his way--a dropped or fumbled ball has given many
+a base that was not earned.
+
+“Run, Paul! Harder and you’ll get there!” shrieked Herman through his
+megaphone, and the sound seemed to spur the catcher to even greater
+exertions.
+
+Runner and ball seemed to arrive at the same second. Some shouted that
+he was out, and partisans of Columbia cried that he was safe. The
+umpire steadied his hand. That meant the runner had the benefit of the
+doubt, and should remain where he was on first.
+
+Then Bedlam seemed to break out! Even though every fan from Bellport
+knew deep down in his heart that the decision was just, still he felt
+it incumbent on him to howl at the umpire, and the ancient word,
+“robber!” was heard right and left.
+
+The old Princeton man only smiled, and turned his attention to the
+game. Doubtless he chuckled at hearing the old familiar outbursts
+to which he had listened many a time himself, and perhaps joined in
+shouting at the referee.
+
+By degrees the excitement began to ooze out, as attention became
+riveted on the next man at bat. This was Ralph.
+
+They had failed to rattle him while in the box, but that did not
+prevent the Bellport legions from indulging in a most astonishing din.
+Ralph never noticed what was going on. His eye was on Coddling. He
+wanted to guess what sort of a ball the clever Bellport twirler meant
+to dish up to him.
+
+“Watch that feller! He’s going to win the game if you let him hit it!”
+
+“Strike him out, Coddling. He’s dead easy!”
+
+“Hey, Ralph, old boy, you know what I told you? Nothing less than
+a three-bagger will do! Hear me?” called one fellow, who did not
+even know the batter to speak to; but on the ball field astonishing
+familiarity becomes the rule.
+
+Ralph had his teeth set hard. If it depended on him to win the game
+he meant that they should not be disappointed. He watched Coddling
+eagerly, yet with every muscle set for instantaneous work.
+
+Whack!
+
+“He done it! I told you so!”
+
+Ralph was jumping for first, while Paul had run down to second. The
+third baseman had knocked the ball down, but had to chase it, so that
+Coddling rushed over to cover third as in duty bound, in case Paul
+attempted to come along.
+
+But he went back to second, quite contented. Columbia stock rose just
+about then; and Herman again led his crowd whooping in concert:
+
+“Ho! ho! ho! hi! hi! hi! _veni! vidi! vici!_ Columbia! Sis boom, ah!”
+
+“Once more, fellows! You can do it! They’re going to pieces! See ’em
+creeping in, expecting to make a double play. Over the second base, and
+win the game, Ben, and the pennant!”
+
+Allison meant to do that same thing. He took a firm grip on his bat,
+and settled in his box to strike. Since that first time he had faced
+Coddling three times, and on every occasion had connected with the
+ball, though twice he went out, once at first and again when trying to
+stretch a fine hit into a triple, much to the disgust of his backers.
+
+The noise died away as if by magic. Every one was holding his or her
+breath, in the expectation of giving vent to a whoop when Allison had
+either done what he set out to do or passed out.
+
+Seymour stepped out and whispered to the batter.
+
+“He’s telling him to bunt!” cried a few, expecting that this would be
+the program; and not realizing that with the infield playing short it
+was next to suicidal to attempt anything along this order, and meant
+double play.
+
+Both basemen were playing well off, because they had nothing to fear.
+Excitement was keyed up to top notch.
+
+“Look out for Banghardt!” shrieked a coach; and Paul found that the
+center fielder had crept in, so that he came near being cut off from
+his bag.
+
+Again Coddling wound up to pitch. Allison let the sphere pass.
+
+“One ball!”
+
+The next time it came the batter smote it full “on the nose” and the
+sound of the collision electrified that entire assemblage like a shock
+from a gigantic battery. But alack and alas! as sometimes happens,
+while he drove the ball directly in the line he had marked out, it
+chanced to be just a few feet too low!
+
+To the horror of the Columbia adherents it landed full in the eager
+hands of the second baseman, who held it fiercely for just a second,
+when he sent it with all his might to Bardwell on third, but not
+before touching his own base.
+
+Was it a triple? There was a wild upheaval on the part of the entire
+mass of spectators. Paul had thrown himself headlong for the bag, but
+that swiftly-sent sphere was there just before him!
+
+The umpire made a sweeping motion of his hand. Paul was out, and
+consequently Bellport had won the game by making a wonderfully clever
+triple in the last inning!
+
+Bedlam broke loose right then and there, and the crowd surged over the
+field, whooping and howling their various class yells. Herman led in a
+volcanic cheer for the clever players who had managed that remarkable
+play; and followed this with shouts for both teams. Then songs were
+sung, and the boys fraternized.
+
+It had been a splendid exhibition of work on both sides. No one need be
+ashamed of having lost such a game as that, as Frank hastened to assure
+Ralph, who was naturally feeling a little sore over such a sudden
+downfall to his high hopes.
+
+“The fortune of the game, old chap! Got to get used to it. Why, just
+before Ben knocked into that triple it looked as if we had ’em dead
+easy. Oh! why couldn’t he have pulled off one of his favorite little
+flies just over second! But what’s the use crying over spilt milk? You
+did great work in the box! Every one is saying we picked up a prize
+when we came across you, Ralph.”
+
+By this time Ralph could himself smile a little.
+
+“After all, I came out twice as well as I expected. If you don’t think
+my work was the cause of the defeat I ought to be satisfied. I thought
+that bull coming on the field broke me up a little. But, then, they
+didn’t make another run,” he said.
+
+Frank threw an arm around his friend and walked away with him. He
+wanted to get out of the crowd so that they could talk. He had heard
+what Ralph told Captain Seymour, and was naturally curious to learn
+about the little adventure that had delayed the arrival of the new
+pitcher.
+
+Besides, there had been those thrilling words spoken by Ralph in
+connection with something that bore upon his own tangled fortunes. What
+could have happened?
+
+“Now, you know I’m just burning up with curiosity to hear what’s been
+going on, Ralph. What about this little child you carried home after
+she hurt her hand; and how does that happen to have any connection with
+your own matters?” he remarked, when they found themselves removed
+to some degree from the crowd that was swarming along the road back
+to Columbia, some to take the trolley for Bellport, others river
+conveyances for Clifford and beyond.
+
+Ralph turned a glowing face upon his friend.
+
+“Oh! Frank, I can hardly believe it even now, it seems so very strange!
+Just to think, because I wouldn’t believe some fellows were trying to
+get me in the bushes, where they could keep me from showing up, I’m
+going to hear the truth about the past, and who I really am!”
+
+“Hurrah! that’s great news you’re telling me, and I’m sure as glad as
+if I’d found another dad myself!” exclaimed Frank.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIX
+
+WHAT UNCLE JIM KNEW
+
+
+“Of course you are, Frank! Don’t I know what an interest you’ve taken
+in this affair?”
+
+Ralph looked into the face of his friend as he spoke, and there was
+sincere affection in his expression.
+
+“But tell me what happened, for I’m just wild to know, Ralph.”
+
+The other had looked around several times while they walked away from
+the field that had so lately been the arena for that fiercely-fought
+battle of the bats.
+
+“There’s some one following us, Frank,” he said, uneasily.
+
+“Oh! come, you’re nervous after all this strain, and imagining things.
+I guess it’s only some fellow who happens to want to go the same way we
+do.”
+
+But when Frank had turned his head, to the surprise of his comrade he
+gave vent to an exclamation.
+
+“Well, I declare if I don’t believe it is him!” he ejaculated, and his
+face took on an expression of pleasure.
+
+“Who is it?” asked Ralph, eagerly.
+
+“Why, who but my uncle Jim!” was the reply.
+
+Ralph went a little white. Really things were happening very rapidly,
+once they had taken a start. He observed with deepest interest the big
+man who was breathing hard as he managed to overtake them; and Ralph
+took especial note of the fact that he seemed to have a very genial
+face.
+
+“Hello! there, Frank; I thought it was you; but you boys walk so fast I
+had more or less trouble in overtaking you, and as to getting through
+that crowd to speak to you on the field, it was utterly impossible! How
+are you, my boy?” and the big man from New York held out his hand to
+his nephew.
+
+“Glad to see you, Uncle Jim. And it’s plain that you are just as fond
+of baseball as ever. Sorry you saw Columbia go down in defeat, though,”
+said Frank.
+
+“Oh! that comes to every club sooner or later; and in this case it was
+one of those accidents that can never be avoided. I saw the last few
+innings, and that triple play took my breath away. I give you my word
+that contest was the equal of any I’ve seen this year among the big
+leagues. And isn’t this the game little pitcher who held them down so
+well?” with a curious glance at Frank’s companion.
+
+“Sure it is, and he would have won his game only for that streak of
+tough luck. Uncle Jim, let me introduce to you my friend, Ralph West!”
+
+The lawyer started and looked closer than ever at the second boy.
+
+“Glad to meet you, Ralph. And, to tell the honest truth, it was to
+see you that I’ve journeyed up here just at a very busy time in my
+practice.”
+
+He still kept his eyes fastened on the face of the boy, which of course
+he could see had gone white.
+
+“I’m glad to meet you, sir; and it’s mighty nice for you to say such
+kind things about my work. I’m green at it yet, but hope to do better
+after more practice,” Ralph managed to say.
+
+“No doubt of that, not a bit. You’ve got all the earmarks of a ‘comer’
+in that line. But, Ralph, I wish I were bringing you better news than I
+am able to. I’ve been convinced by my brother that it is only right to
+tell what little I know in connection with that money, regardless of my
+promise. I’m only sorry I happen to know so little, that’s all. But it
+may start you along the right road.”
+
+“Thank you, sir. Every little must help. I’ve been fortunate enough
+to-day to meet a man who seems to know something about the mystery of
+my life; and he’s promised to tell me all this very night. So that
+good luck seems to be swinging around my way just now.”
+
+“Yes, Ralph seems to have been able to have done this man a great
+favor. As near as I can make out he found a little child in the woods
+with her hand crushed. She was crying bitterly. Ralph was on his way
+by a roundabout route to the ball-grounds when this happened; yet he
+carried that child a long distance to her father. And it seems that
+the man recognized Ralph, or on hearing his name, I don’t know which,
+only that he promised to tell him something to-night,” remarked Frank,
+eagerly.
+
+“Fine! couldn’t be better all around,” said the lawyer, enthusiastically.
+“I see that to have been of any assistance I should have turned up
+earlier. But I had some very important cases on the docket; and was not
+quite sure that I ought to break my word until I received an urgent
+letter from Frank’s father here. I can tell you just what I know in a
+very few words, if you want me to, Ralph?”
+
+“I am wild to hear, sir, and was just wondering how I could hold out
+several hours until night came along. Please start right now, Judge
+Allen!” exclaimed the boy.
+
+“Well, I am a man of very few words, which you will admit is singular
+in a member of the legal profession. The facts in the case are these:
+Last summer there walked into my office a gentleman whose card I have
+here with me.”
+
+Ralph glanced at the bit of pasteboard, and was strangely thrilled to
+read the name “Arnold Gregory Musgrove.”
+
+“Musgrove!” he repeated to himself several times, as though it seemed
+to find a singular response somewhere in the cells of his brain.
+Oh! could it be possible that his name was the same as that of the
+mysterious gentleman?
+
+The keen-eyed lawyer knew instinctively what must be passing in his
+young mind, for he shook his head seriously.
+
+“It may be just possible, Ralph, but until you hear what this other
+party has to say I wouldn’t build up too many hopes in that direction.
+What I have to tell you will not put you in possession of the positive
+facts. But to resume. This gentleman first of all asked me if, in the
+line of my business, I would undertake a little charitable work for
+him, and I, of course, said I was there for any position of trust
+connected with estates or otherwise; for you know, Frank, that much of
+my income consists of remuneration received from the care of property,
+as I am what is called an estate lawyer.
+
+“Well, he told me that he had had a dear friend who had died in abject
+poverty years back, and left a boy who had been taken to the poorhouse
+away up in the country. The truth had only come to him of late, and
+he wanted to do something for that lad, but secretly, so that his name
+might never be known in connection with the matter.”
+
+Ralph gripped the hand of Frank convulsively at hearing this; but he
+did not utter one word, only kept his glowing eyes fixed upon the
+lawyer’s sympathetic face.
+
+“Upon investigating he had found that the lad had been taken into their
+home by a couple named West, living in the village of Scardale. He
+also seemed to know that the boy was keenly desirous of securing an
+education, from which he was now debarred by the lack of means of his
+supposed parents.
+
+“And so after binding me to secrecy he explained his plan of action.
+I was to act as his intermediary, sending a stated sum the first of
+every month, and never letting a single hint fall as to whence it came.
+Sitting there at my typewriter, Mr. Musgrove himself wrote those few
+lines accompanying the first remittance. And I have never seen him
+since that day, though I learned he was in Europe traveling with a
+widowed sister.”
+
+Ralph sighed heavily.
+
+“I wonder if it can be true? And if it is, why shouldn’t he want to
+tell me just who my father and father were? If I could only meet him
+face to face I would ask him that, and expect an answer,” he said,
+slowly.
+
+“Well,” said the lawyer, with a little laugh, “from what I saw of this
+Musgrove I’m afraid you wouldn’t meet with great success. I didn’t
+wholly like his looks. There was something shifty in his eye, although
+he was rather a handsome gentleman, and evidently accustomed to the
+best in the land.”
+
+Frank spoke up just then.
+
+“I can guess that you’ve been considering the whole strange affair
+since you got my letter, Uncle, and have arrived at some sort of
+conclusion yourself. Won’t you tell us what you suspect, please?” he
+said, urgently.
+
+“That’s a hard thing to put up to a lawyer, accustomed to dealing only
+in stern facts, and eliminating fiction from his figuring. But since
+meeting Ralph here I’ve made up my mind to turn to his side of the
+case. In fact, before coming up I wrote to the address Mr. Musgrove
+left me, informing him that I must throw up his affairs, since business
+was too pressing. That leaves me free-handed; and I can assist your
+young friend, Frank, without stultifying myself.”
+
+“I knew you would, Uncle Jim. And now tell us what you think!” cried
+Frank.
+
+“Just this: I have a suspicion that Mr. Arnold Musgrove may have had
+a hand in some business in the past that would not bear inspection.
+In other words, that he was responsible for that boy being left at
+the door of the poorhouse! That is a bold assertion to make, without
+positive proof, and I would hardly like to stand sponsor for it in
+court; but I am only telling you this in secret.”
+
+“Yes, go on, please,” said Frank, throwing an arm again around Ralph’s
+shoulders, for he knew the other was trembling violently with emotion.
+
+“And as the years rolled on he must have kept informed about what
+happened, for he knew all about how Ralph had been adopted by the
+Wests; yes, even to his ambition for an education. I imagine the man’s
+conscience has begun to reproach him as he grows older; and that it has
+finally forced him to do something to compensate in a small way for his
+action!”
+
+After the lawyer had ceased talking there was silence for a full
+minute, broken finally by Frank, saying:
+
+“Well, perhaps he may know it all to-night. I’ve got my suspicions
+already, but I’m not going to say anything yet. But I tell you I won’t
+sleep a wink to-night until I’ve heard what Ralph has to report. By
+the way, did you ever find out what the name of Mr. Musgrove’s widowed
+sister was?”
+
+“Yes, I had that much curiosity. It is Mrs. John Langworthy, and her
+husband was a very smart and wealthy lawyer years ago,” replied Uncle
+Jim, with a knowing smile.
+
+“H’m; Langworthy, eh?” and Frank looked meaningly at Ralph, as he
+echoed the name.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XX
+
+TWICE A PRISONER
+
+
+It was a peculiar coincidence that the freshman spread was to come off
+this same night that meant so much to Ralph.
+
+The sophomores had been wild to glean the particulars, so that they
+might in some fashion manage to break up the feast, either by kidnaping
+some of the first-year students, get possession of the president of the
+class, or else purloin the good things that had been laid in for the
+spread.
+
+Ralph had intended going, for it promised to be great fun. This new
+turn to his own private affairs, however, knocked the notion out of his
+head. Indeed, he forgot about it entirely.
+
+The minutes dragged terribly, and yet he knew that he ought to wait a
+decent time to allow Sam Smalling and his little family a chance to eat
+their supper.
+
+About a quarter to eight he could hold back no longer. It was getting
+dark, but he had asked questions of Frank, and knew just where to find
+the cottage in which the Smallings lived.
+
+To reach it he must walk almost a mile around the town; but that, he
+expected, would be a matter of only ten or fifteen minutes at most.
+
+So wrapped up was Ralph in his own affairs that he never once thought
+of looking around him when he stepped out of the gate and started off.
+Had he done so he would have discovered several dusky figures dogging
+his footsteps in a very suspicious manner.
+
+They kept just so far in his rear until the town had been left behind,
+and the country was at hand. Of course these were sophs bent upon
+keeping the new favorite of the freshies from attending that dinner,
+which was doubtless to be spread in some isolated barn far beyond the
+confines of Columbia, in order to lessen the chances of the second
+class interrupting the feast.
+
+Suddenly Ralph’s sober thoughts were interrupted. He found himself
+pounced upon and borne to the ground. In vain he struggled, for three
+proved too much for even the athletic hero of that afternoon game.
+
+At first he was amazed at what was happening, and thoughts of some
+rascals boldly playing the part of highway robbers flitted through his
+mind.
+
+Then a face was thrust close to his, and a voice said:
+
+“Your goose is cooked, freshie. No fine spread in yours this night.
+Instead, you will occupy a dungeon until the midnight hour has struck.
+And if our plans carry right we’ll have gobbled your class grub long
+before then.”
+
+Of course the truth flashed through Ralph’s mind now. He knew that
+he had fallen into the clutches of the watchful sophomores, eager to
+capture all the leading lights of the lower class, and spoil the long
+anticipated treat.
+
+It was exasperating to say the least. Of course none of them would
+believe him if he declared that he had no idea of attending the dinner,
+and was bent on private business of the utmost importance.
+
+Just as he expected, when he started to speak of this they only jeered
+him.
+
+“Tell that to the marines, freshie. Don’t we know that they expect to
+elect you the president of the class to-night, in place of Rud Kipling,
+who went home last week sick? Oh! no, you don’t get loose until the
+clock strikes twelve, so save your breath. Tie his hands, boys, and
+bring him along. I know a cot beneath the hill, and there we’ll chuck
+him in to ruminate, while we hike after that grub.”
+
+They assisted him to his feet after his hands had been rudely lashed.
+Through a woods they walked, whispering at times. Ralph was really
+angry at this unexpected bit of hard luck. If the boys only knew what
+it meant to him to have his liberty they could not have the heart to
+hold him a prisoner in this way.
+
+Coming to an old cabin, once the home of charcoal burners, but long
+deserted, they thrust him inside and, closing the door, fastened it in
+some manner.
+
+When the mocking voices of the sophomores had died away in the
+distance, and Ralph found himself alone, he set about trying to effect
+his escape. Had it been the dinner alone that was the inducement
+he might have taken it philosophically, and simply laughed at his
+predicament; but while he remained there, precious minutes were
+passing, and the story of his mysterious past waiting to be told.
+
+He struggled with the cord they had wrapped about his wrists. The sophs
+were far from being experts in tying up a prisoner, so that there was a
+chance for Ralph to work his hands free. Force would not accomplish it,
+but by manipulating his right hand he was presently able to draw it out
+of the bonds.
+
+There remained only the door between him and liberty. He examined this
+part of the structure, to find, as he suspected, that it was just as
+flimsy as the rest of the old cabin. Consequently, when he threw his
+weight against it, after several attempts, the door gave way with a
+crash.
+
+Striking a light, Ralph found that all this had only taken just fifteen
+minutes. It was now eight o’clock plus seven minutes; and he was free
+to go his way.
+
+Another thought came into his mind. Loyalty to his class struggled with
+this wild desire on his part to hasten to the home of Sam Smalling, so
+as to hear all he had to say.
+
+Was he not in duty bound to warn his fellows in some manner? From what
+words the sophomores who had captured him had let drop, it was evident
+that they knew where the spread was to take place, and that a raid was
+being organized, looking to the stealing of the dainties provided for
+the freshman dinner.
+
+Ralph thought it over, even as he was hurrying along. After all, it
+seemed up to him to do something to save his class the mortification of
+being made the laughing stock of the vindictive second-year boys, who
+were evidently abroad in force, bent on breaking up the spread.
+
+Now that he came to consider the matter, the place of secret meeting
+was in the same direction. No wonder his captors were positive that he
+had been heading for the rendezvous when overtaken with disaster.
+
+“I might go out of my way enough to meet some of the boys, and put
+them on their guard,” he said, finally.
+
+That was Ralph’s nature all over, ever ready to sacrifice his own
+interests in order to benefit those with whom he was associated. It
+was the spirit instilled in the souls of the Delta Pi members--loyalty
+first of all to the school, and next to one’s class.
+
+So Ralph made his way along cautiously. He was in mortal fear lest he
+be pounced upon at any moment by others of the prowling sophs, and held
+once more a prisoner.
+
+In this fashion he drew near the farm where stood the barn hired for
+the occasion by the freshmen. No doubt it was completely surrounded
+by a cordon of eager sophs, anxious to accomplish their work of
+retaliation, for the freshmen had effectually broken up their
+entertainment earlier in the season.
+
+Hearing voices coming along the road, indicating a large company of
+boys and girls, Ralph knew that the main body of his fellow class
+members must be approaching, having gathered in town somewhere, since
+the girls refused to attend unless suitably protected.
+
+Of course the sophomores would not dare attack this group. Indeed,
+their plans covered a different field entirely, since they contemplated
+making way with the provisions that were being carried to the spread.
+
+Ralph waited until they were exactly opposite.
+
+“Watchman, what of the night?” he asked, suddenly appearing among them.
+
+Several of the freshmen, thinking that an attack was about to be sprung
+on them, had started to grapple with the single figure. The passwords
+spoken by Ralph, however, reassured them.
+
+“Don’t mention my name, anybody,” said Ralph, in an impressive
+whisper; “for some of the sophomores are hiding near by. They think
+I’m a prisoner in the old hut of the charcoal burners in the woods. I
+escaped and came here to tell you that they know all about the place of
+meeting.”
+
+“Then somebody leaked, that’s all,” grumbled one of the boys, angrily.
+
+“I suppose so. But they mean to get a chance to steal your grub. Look
+out for them, fellows. Keep a good watch out,” said Ralph, impressively.
+
+“Hey! hold on, where are you going to?” demanded one of the group as
+Ralph started to slip away.
+
+“Sorry, but I can’t be with you to-night, fellows. Some mighty
+important business of a private character chains me down,” explained
+the other.
+
+“No, you don’t now. You’re needed at the spread more than any other
+fellow; and we don’t mean to let you off this time. Private matters
+must wait when the class of Umty Fourteen has the call. Duty before
+pleasure, you know. Besides, you’re IT to-night, and we just won’t get
+on without you. Come on!”
+
+Ralph thus found himself in another fix, and could well exclaim to be
+delivered from his friends. First the enemy had captured him and tried
+to keep him a prisoner until midnight. And now the fellow members of
+his class, having determined to elect him president for the balance
+of the season, seemed equally bent on preventing him from keeping his
+appointment with Smalling.
+
+He said nothing further, but walked along with the crowd. All the
+while he was keeping his eyes open in the hope of seeing a chance to
+drop out, and giving his classmates the slip. He could not bear the
+thought of postponing the interview with Sam Smalling that might mean
+everything in the world to him.
+
+They had reached the barn before he found his opportunity. A number of
+freshmen had come on at dusk to guard the place, so that their enemies
+might not take possession unawares, and shut them out.
+
+While the two divisions were fraternizing Ralph saw his chance, and
+dodged aside.
+
+“Here, where’s Ralph West gone to? We mustn’t let him slip away,” said
+a voice.
+
+“He was here a minute ago, but now he’s gone!” cried Helen Allen, in a
+plaintive voice; and Ralph felt doubly sorry that he was compelled to
+forego a pleasant evening in the company of Frank’s sister.
+
+Scurrying through the end of the barn, he reached the open air.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXI
+
+RALPH HEARS SOMETHING
+
+
+Ralph had become cautious by this time.
+
+“Two narrow squeaks, and the third time may see me held tight,” he said
+to himself, as he crouched there, looking around.
+
+He knew positively that the anxious sophomores were hiding everywhere
+about, their eyes on the barn where the freshmen had vanished, bearing
+their dinner with them. How to creep away undetected was a question for
+the lad to solve. He found where the darkness lay most heavily, and
+laid out his line of retreat accordingly.
+
+He was just about to rise when he thought he had crept far enough away,
+when he heard a fluttering of the bushes near by.
+
+“Are the birds all in the coop?” asked an unseen crouching figure.
+
+Ralph knew that he had been taken for one of the second-year boys. His
+ready wit came to the front, so that he instantly replied:
+
+“Yes. And the captain wants you all to creep in closer. I’m rounding
+the gang up. Move along!”
+
+He came near laughing aloud to see not one, but three shadowy forms
+crawling off in the direction of the barn, and leaving the path free
+for the escaping freshman.
+
+“Ta! ta! and many thanks!” whispered Ralph, as he waved a hand after
+the last of these figures.
+
+Then he started away, and it must be a pretty clever sprinter who could
+overtake him now, once he made a break. In several directions he heard
+low voices calling, as though the hidden sophomores wondered who it
+could be running along the road. But there was no pursuit made, for
+which the already weary Ralph felt glad.
+
+He had gone through with a tremendous amount of mental and physical
+strain that day, and had no desire to continue with another series of
+adventures.
+
+So he presently arrived in the near vicinity of the cabin home of Sam
+Smalling.
+
+“There’s a light in the window,” he muttered, as he drew near; “and
+that looks as if he expected me.”
+
+Ralph was shivering, not with the cold, or even because of his double
+adventure that night, but with apprehension. He dreaded lest a
+disappointment might await him. Perhaps, after all, the story Smalling
+had to tell might not shed any particular light on his history.
+
+Another thing that had begun to give him anxiety. He wondered whether
+he might not be the child of that same Arnold Musgrove, and that from
+some cause or other his father was ashamed to own him!
+
+Bracing himself, he stepped up to the door of the humble cabin.
+
+Hardly had he knocked before the door was opened.
+
+“Glad to see you, Ralph. I began to think you wasn’t going to turn up,
+it was getting so late,” said the man, holding out his hand and drawing
+him inside.
+
+“I was delayed on the way. Our class is giving a spread to-night, and
+the sophs got hold of me, making me a prisoner. I had some trouble
+breaking away. Then I had to go and warn the fellows so they might
+not be taken by surprise. But after all it isn’t much after half-past
+eight, sir.”
+
+Ralph while speaking was looking around.
+
+“Surprised to see me alone here? Well, to tell the truth I was ashamed
+to let the missus know what a mean thing I done aways back, and I got
+her to take all the kids and go over to stay with a neighbor to-night.
+The woman’s sick, and my wife can make herself useful there. I wanted a
+clear field, because I’ve got something to say I’m mighty much ashamed
+of,” said Smalling, slowly.
+
+“Before you tell me anything I think I ought to let you know what’s
+happened to me since I met you this afternoon.”
+
+So saying, Ralph rapidly narrated what the New York lawyer had told
+him. The man listened eagerly, though his manner was rather moody.
+
+“Yes,” he said as Ralph finished, “it all seems to agree with what I
+know, only I wasn’t so sure about them names. The man called himself
+Andrew Jackson when he hired me to help him out years back. Money
+tempted me; and besides, at that time I hadn’t met the woman that
+helped me get the better of my drink habit. Mind, I ain’t makin’
+excuses for what I done. It was a low game, and I’ve often thought
+about it since, wondering what had come of the baby I helped kidnap!”
+
+“Oh!”
+
+Ralph could not keep back that one exclamation. It seemed to him
+that he must either be dreaming, or else deep in some romance. That
+these matters were connected with his own life seemed bordering on an
+absurdity.
+
+“You must be about fourteen now, Ralph, I judge. It was nigh that time
+back that I fell in with a gentleman who seemed to have plenty of
+money, and wanted some one to help him play a little game. As I said,
+at that time I was drinking hard, and conscience seldom bothered me; so
+I joined forces with him, and together we did the business.
+
+“He brought the baby to me in the night. It was a boy about three
+months old, and even if he had dressed it in ragged and dirty clothes,
+I knew that it must have come from some family away up in life. It had
+the looks of an aristocrat.
+
+“I obeyed orders, and carried that kid far away from New York. Up
+here in the country I left it in charge of an old woman for a month.
+That was to wait till all the hue and cry had died out, you see, and
+was according to my orders. Then I took the baby and left him at the
+poorhouse door!”
+
+Again Ralph sighed. It seemed to him that he was in a trance. Smalling
+had allowed his head to fall forward upon his chest, as though he could
+hardly bear to look into the eyes of the lad he had injured so deeply.
+
+“Oh! please go on! How did you know that I was taken by the Wests, and
+called Ralph? Tell me everything--I must know all, now!” pleaded the
+boy, with his voice quivering.
+
+Smalling looked up.
+
+“I’m going to tell everything now, Ralph, because I’m sorry I ever had
+a hand in this game. I can see now what that scoundrel was after, and
+how he used me as a tool. Even if I go to jail for it, I’m going to
+tell the truth!”
+
+He brought his fist down upon his knee as he spoke in this manner.
+
+“Three years afterward I just chanced to be up in these parts again for
+a little stay. To tell you the ugly truth, I was hiding from the police
+at that time. While here I remembered about that kid, and asked a few
+cautious questions. In that way I learned that the Wests had adopted
+you, and that they called you Ralph. And when I heard that they were
+a good family, and would treat you white, why, I just kinder let the
+thing slip out of my mind, believing that you’d be happy without ever
+knowing that they wasn’t your real parents.
+
+“I admit that more’n once I tried to find that gent. Them times was
+when I was hard up and thought I might threaten him into giving me some
+more coin. But he seemed to have covered his tracks too well for me. I
+reckon I hunted New York all over thinking to see him, but it was no
+go. Now I suppose it was because he kept on the other side of the ocean
+most of the time.”
+
+“Then you remember what he looked like, do you?” asked Ralph, eagerly.
+
+At this Sam Smalling chuckled.
+
+“It’s better than that, my boy, far better. I’ve got a picture of my
+benevolent employer, took in the queerest way you ever heard of.”
+
+He drew out an old pocketbook, and rummaging through this found a small
+piece of cardboard which he handed to the boy.
+
+Ralph uttered an exclamation of astonishment.
+
+The photograph was weak, having either faded from age, or else because
+of insufficient light at the time of taking; but it was easy to
+distinguish in one of the two figures a man who much resembled Sam
+Smalling.
+
+“Why, isn’t this you?” demanded Ralph.
+
+“No other. And that chap standing there is Mr. Andrew Jackson, as he
+called himself, which I believe is the same as Mr. Arnold Musgrove,”
+replied the man.
+
+“But what is he handing you--that bundle?” gasped the boy, suspecting
+the truth.
+
+“That was _you_, Ralph, the poor little baby that he wanted to have
+disappear! Yes, this picture was taken at just the minute he gave you
+to me. You wonder how that could ever happen, and I’ll tell you. I was
+bunking at the time with a drunken photographer, and he knew what I was
+going to do. It was his suggestion that he try and get a picture of the
+man of money. I remember we had a hazy notion that it might help us to
+get money out of the chap later on.”
+
+“And he managed it, then?” asked Ralph, wondering; for flashlights were
+hardly in use so far back, and this picture showed no signs of having
+been taken in that fashion.
+
+“He did, though I don’t know how. The click of the machine startled
+my employer, and he came near dropping the baby; but I told him it was
+a window creaking upstairs in the old building, and he believed it.
+But after all the picture never did either of us any good, for I never
+could find Mr. Jackson again to ask a loan on the strength of it,” and
+the man laughed disdainfully.
+
+“But now the picture promises to come in valuable to me. Oh! will you
+please let me have it to give to Mr. Allen, who is going to carry my
+case out for me?”
+
+“Certain I will. And, Ralph, though it may cost me dear I stand ready
+to testify to my part in this here rascally game when the time comes.
+I give you my word on that, lad, come what will,” said Sam Smalling,
+resolutely.
+
+Ralph squeezed his hand when he replied.
+
+“Perhaps it may not be necessary at all. I promise you that you will
+not be brought into the matter if it can be helped; and Judge Allen
+will find a way, with this picture to help out, I’m sure. Oh! I wonder
+how that man could have been so cruel. And do you really think that his
+sister, this widow, Mrs. Langworthy, can be--_my mother_.”
+
+“That’s what it seems like, and you can make up your mind to it, money
+was at the bottom of his game when he stole you and had me take you
+away. Sounds like a story out of the books, but I guess people to-day
+ain’t a bit different from old times.”
+
+“I’m glad I came here to-night; and, Mr. Smalling, after what you’ve
+said and done don’t think I’m going to hold it against you. I’m too
+happy myself to want to make anybody suffer. And later on I expect to
+drop in here to see you again, you and little Mary,” said the boy,
+rising to go, for he was now just as anxious to see and consult with
+Judge Allen as he had been to reach Sam Smalling’s home.
+
+“I’ll expect you, Ralph. I’m glad this happened as it did. It’s just
+Fate, that’s what! But the best of luck go with you, lad; and remember
+to call on me if there’s any hitch to the game. Good night, Ralph, good
+night.”
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXII
+
+A PLAIN TALK WITH BILL KLEMM
+
+
+“There, what do you think of it, Frank?”
+
+Ralph sat back in a chair in his friend’s den, and waited to hear the
+decision of the one in whose opinion he had such faith.
+
+“It seems as clear as print to me, and I’m tickled nearly to death at
+the way things are turning out It was mighty nice in you coming here
+to-night on the way home, and relieving my anxiety,” said the other,
+vigorously wringing the hand of his visitor.
+
+“But I had a double motive. I hoped to see your Uncle Jim, and now you
+tell me he’s away for the night--gone with your father to see a sick
+friend over the mountain, and won’t be back until morning. But what do
+you make of all this strange story?”
+
+“That pretended Mr. Andrew Jackson is, of course, Arnold Musgrove. And
+you are the baby he turned over to Sam Smalling years ago. This picture
+is what will clinch matters, if he puts up any denial. As to just who
+you are, I have strong suspicions, I must say,” returned Frank.
+
+Then he wrote something on paper and thrust it before Ralph.
+
+“How would you like to start out fresh under that name, eh?”
+
+“Jack Langworthy!” read Ralph, and then threw himself suddenly forward
+so that his arms clasped Frank around the neck.
+
+Nature had given way. So long had he been fighting to hold in his
+emotions that he could control himself no longer.
+
+“I know I’m a fool and a baby to do this, but it just seemed as though
+something broke loose and swamped me,” he said, finally, as he wiped
+the moisture from his eyes, and tried to smile in Frank’s face.
+
+“I don’t blame you a bit. In fact, I think you’ve done bully to hold
+in so long. And then the strain of that game to-day was enough alone
+to knock the props out from under any fellow. But cheer up, Ralph!
+It’s going to be all right now, for the sky has brightened, and I bet
+a cookey you find a loving mother inside another month. Just think of
+it, will you? Hurrah! But I say, it’ll take an everlasting long time to
+learn to say Langworthy instead of West; for it’s a big mouthful.”
+
+Ralph felt better after that.
+
+“I’ll be around to-morrow without fail to talk it all over with your
+uncle. Please don’t let him know anything about it until I come. I’d
+like to be the one to tell him the story, Frank.”
+
+“I’m mum on that score. But I wonder if those sophs succeeded in
+stealing the spread of the freshmen, or were they kept out of the barn
+by main force? You’ve got some husky chaps in your class this year, and
+they could give a good account of themselves in a scrap. But Helen will
+tell me later,” laughed Frank, as his comrade started for the door.
+
+Ralph was really quite exhausted, and knew that he must get home and to
+bed. The tremendous strain of that strenuous day was indeed telling on
+him.
+
+It was well on to midnight before voices outside announced that the
+freshmen had returned from the country. Helen came in, her face aglow
+with excitement, to tell what a tremendous scuffle had followed the
+attempt of the sophomores to break in and spoil the spread.
+
+“But our boys put them out all right, Frank! Oh, it was a tremendous
+time. Perhaps some of us girls were in the scrimmage, too, for I know
+I found this cap in my hand when it was all over,” and she laughingly
+held up a boy’s headgear, decorated with the ribbon of the second
+class, as well as the purple and gold of Columbia.
+
+And that was all Frank could coax her to tell. He could look back to
+several similar experiences in his own school life, and appreciate what
+it meant to these freshmen, for Frank was a junior now.
+
+In the morning Frank sauntered around to a certain modest house in
+town, where he greeted a young fellow by the name of Gabe Brown. Gabe
+was in the store which Frank’s father ran, known as the department
+store of Columbia. Moreover, he had charge of a certain counter in
+which Frank was somewhat interested just then.
+
+“Hello, Gabe!” he said, as the other looked surprised at seeing the son
+of his employer look up on Sunday morning, “just wanted to get a little
+information from you. Here’s a new bandana handkerchief I picked up
+yesterday. Some fellow dropped it out at the baseball grounds, and I’d
+like to find out who he is. Can you help me?”
+
+Gabe took the article, and examined it.
+
+“Came from our place, didn’t it?” continued Frank, seeing his smile.
+
+“It sure did, and I think I know whose it is, Frank,” replied the
+salesman.
+
+“How could you be sure? Lots of these are sold every season.”
+
+“Well, you notice that it’s just about new, and never been washed, for
+the stiffening is in it still. That shows it was bought recently, don’t
+it?” asked Gabe.
+
+“Sounds reasonable,” admitted Frank, for this was just what he himself
+had in mind all along.
+
+“Well, we ran out of these a week back, and ordered more. They got in
+Friday evening, and I sold just one yesterday. They’re different in
+design from our old ones, too. See the point?” said Gabe, triumphantly.
+
+“Sure. Who bought that one, now?”
+
+“Mr. William Klemm, Jr.,” came the expected response.
+
+“Thanks; I thought so,” and Frank turned away, leaving Gabe looking
+after him and muttering:
+
+“I reckon something’s going to happen close to Billy Klemm just about
+now.”
+
+Frank saw the object of his solicitude on the street in front of a
+vacant lot. Bill had slipped out to meet one of his cronies on the sly,
+and perhaps puff a cigarette in the cool of that Sunday morning.
+
+“Morning, Bill. Lost something yesterday, didn’t you?” and Frank held
+up the red bandana.
+
+Bill started to put out his hand, and then drew it cautiously back, as
+though he might have scented a trap.
+
+“Naw, ain’t got any bandany rag. Belongs to some other fellow. What
+made you reckon I owned it?” he said, suspiciously.
+
+“Because Gabe Brown says he sold you this particular one from a new lot
+that just came in, and different from the old ones. You were in a hurry
+to jump yesterday, Bill, when that bull started for the hole in the
+fence!”
+
+Bill shut his teeth hard and looked as if about to hotly deny that he
+knew anything about that matter.
+
+“Better go slow, Bill, or I might be tempted to step around and tell
+your dad a few things. Keep going with Lef Seller, and you’ll bring up
+in the lockup sooner or later. And, Bill, it’s a lucky thing for you
+that no one was seriously hurt yesterday when you let that savage beast
+in on the crowd. If there had been, I’d see to it that you were made to
+pay the piper.”
+
+The awkward fellow looked frightened, and let his head drop on his
+chest.
+
+“’Twas only a joke,” he mumbled, “but some fellers they never see
+anything funny.”
+
+“Not when the joke endangers human life, and there were lots of kids
+around in the ball-grounds. Here, take the bandana, and stop pulling
+chestnuts out of the fire for Lef Seller, just like the cat did for the
+monkey.”
+
+Bill finally accepted the handkerchief, and tried to put a bold face on
+the matter, saying:
+
+“Guess if anything, the old bull he’s got a right to kick, ’cause he
+near had the life pounded out of him with them bats. It’s white of you
+not to peep, Frank. I reckon I’ll take your advice, and cut Lef out.”
+
+But Frank was not deceived. He knew the kind of fellow Bill was, and
+that there would be a very small chance of reforming his ways.
+
+“Yes,” Frank was musing to himself as he walked away, “they say there
+was a certain old gentleman with horns and cloven hoofs who, when he
+was sick, sighed to be a saint; but when he got well was he? Not any!
+And Bill Klemm only feels sorry when he thinks he’s in for a licking at
+home, or in school.”
+
+When Mr. Allen and Uncle Jim returned, Ralph was on hand. He and the
+lawyer went “into executive session,” as the latter laughingly said,
+and remained in the library for a full hour.
+
+“He’s going to fix it for me,” declared Ralph, later on, as he and
+Frank walked down the road together.
+
+“Then he thought it a clear case, did he?” asked his chum, eagerly.
+
+“So much so that he says he will start across to Italy in a week, after
+his big case is over with, and see the lady himself,” replied Ralph,
+promptly.
+
+“Bully for Uncle Jim! Didn’t I tell you he was game. But what does he
+do that for, when he could cable?”
+
+“He’s a lawyer, and cautious. Besides, he says, and it looks good to
+me, that a man who could steal a baby away from his sister for the
+sake of gain, wouldn’t be above opening her mail, or even reading a
+cablegram. It might put him on his guard, and spoil things. And so he’s
+going himself. Oh, Frank, that will be a long month to me!”
+
+“But with such happiness coming you can stand it. Think of the past,
+and how different things look now. Ralph, old chap, I’m sure glad it’s
+happening this way. Besides, it’ll give a fellow a chance to repeat
+that name Langworthy a few times to myself, so as to kind of get used
+to it.”
+
+“Don’t be too dead sure,” remarked Ralph. “You know the old saying,
+there’s many a slip between the cup and the lip. But I’m glad you
+say your arm is getting on nicely, for you’ve just got to pitch next
+Saturday, and pull old Columbia through to glory.”
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIII
+
+WHEN CODDLING WEAKENED
+
+
+Crash!
+
+“Wow! Look at that ball go, will you?”
+
+“And two men on bases! Here’s where we climb all over poor old
+Columbia!”
+
+“What’s the score now?”
+
+“Seven to five, and this makes it----”
+
+“Hold on, there; you’re counting your chickens before they’re hatched.
+Did you notice that reliable old Jack Comfort got under that screamer,
+and tagged it? And if you look sharp enough, Bellport, you’ll see two
+husky lads tearing back to try and make their bases before the ball
+comes; but it’s no go! There, Seymour has it on his man, and watch him
+send the ball to Lanky! All out! Set ’em up in the other alley, boys!”
+
+Such a frightful noise as followed this splendid play on the part of
+the club that was coming up from behind. What with Herman Hooker and
+his squad of howlers, megaphone and all, together with a thousand
+other brazen-throated shouters, it really seemed as though the very
+earth trembled.
+
+It was the ending of the seventh inning. The game was being played in
+Bellport, since they had been fortunate enough to win the toss. That
+was the first sign of luck in their favor. Besides, everybody knew that
+Frank Allen was still somewhat handicapped by his accident, though he
+had the grit to continue in the box as long as Captain Seymour wished.
+
+At one time the score had been seven to three, so that as the game
+progressed it began to seem that the Columbia High boys were climbing.
+They had had their little juggle, in which every man nearly did
+something foolish, and runs piled in; after which they had settled down
+to serious business.
+
+“They’re creeping up, boys, creeping up!” shouted Herman, encouragingly.
+
+“Sure they are, and if the game only lasts ten hours more it looks like
+Columbia might come in neck and neck with Bellport,” jeered one of the
+mill workers.
+
+Watkins Gould was about, and evidently making wagers, although he did
+not dare show the color of his money. There was more or less talk about
+finding some means of keeping him out, since he had been known to try
+and influence a player to do some underhand work and throw a game.
+
+The eighth inning began.
+
+Seymour had been encouraging his men to make a break and do some
+consecutive batting that would count.
+
+“We only need two runs to tie, three to win, fellows. Somebody jump on
+first, and then the rest of us get busy with our little bats!” he was
+saying, as his men came hustling in from the field to the bench.
+
+“Batter up!” called the umpire.
+
+“That means me,” sang out Ben Allison, as he stepped forward to the
+plate.
+
+Coddling looked unusually savage. The fact of the matter was he knew
+that these boys of Columbia were rapidly getting on to his curves. The
+last inning they had hit him freely, and seemed ready to take up the
+good work again right now.
+
+When that feeling pinches at the door of a pitcher’s heart, he is going
+to hurt himself trying to excel. Coddling’s one great mainstay had been
+his coolness under any and all conditions; and when he allowed himself
+to show signs of anger he not only injured his chances, but gave
+encouragement to the enemy.
+
+Ben could always hit the Bellport pitcher. If he got on first there
+were other dangerous batters to follow. Just then they looked like real
+giants to Coddling; and yet at another time he had smiled disdainfully
+at the same fellows, and with coolness struck them out in succession.
+
+Allison was a good waiter usually. To-day he took toll of the very
+first ball that the Bellport pitcher sent twisting on its way. When a
+team gets in its stride, and is hitting with perfect confidence, all
+balls seem to look alike to them, and it is next to impossible to keep
+the sphere out of their reach.
+
+“That’s the way, fellows! Here’s Ben waiting for his ticket around the
+course. Bones, push him along, will you?” shouted Herman Hooker through
+his megaphone.
+
+Just as if he were taking his orders from that source, what did
+Shadduck do but lay down the most beautiful little bunt imaginable,
+right along the line, but keeping well within bounds.
+
+“Go it, you heifer!” shouted the bleachers.
+
+Bones never got to first, but there was a grin on his freckled face as
+he turned aside and retraced his steps, for he had landed his comrade
+on second, and that was what he had been instructed by Captain Seymour
+to do.
+
+Then up stepped Jack Comfort. It looked as though he meant to duplicate
+the performance of Bones, for he made a stab at the first ball. But
+that was only in the line of a trick with Jack. All the while he was
+picking out just where he could swipe the next ball that came along.
+
+[Illustration: BEN MADE A GALLANT SLIDE FOR HOME.
+
+  _Columbia High on the Diamond_      _Page 215._]
+
+As the bat and ball came together with a vicious smash, there burst
+from the frantic crowd a howl such as had never before been heard on
+those Bellport grounds.
+
+“Run, Jack, run! Go it, Ben, you slow-coach. Hurry! the ball’s after
+you!”
+
+Ben made a gallant slide for home, though there was hardly any
+necessity for it. Still, he believed in making sure; and the ball did
+plunk in the catcher’s mitt even as his hand fell on the plate.
+
+“One run!”
+
+“A man on second, and only one out!”
+
+“Keep it going, you tigers. You’ve got Coddling’s measure all right.
+Put the Indian sign on him! Give us another cheer, Herman!”
+
+“All together, then, and with a whirl! Here you go, now! Ho! ho! ho!
+hi! hi! hi! _veni! vidi! vici!_ Columbia! Siss! boom! ay!”
+
+Herman and his cohort could not sit through such excitement as this.
+They had left the bleachers and were jumping up and down like a group
+of wild Indians, waving their arms, dancing in a circle, and shrieking
+until every mother’s son gave promise of being as hoarse as a crow on
+the morrow.
+
+If noise could coax Columbia to win this up-hill game, there was
+certainly every inducement in the world for them to accomplish that
+task.
+
+Lanky Wallace to the bat. Lanky had not distinguished himself overly
+much thus far during the day.
+
+“He’s due for a hit, fellows, mark me!” cried one enthusiast, and Lanky
+heard, for he grinned and nodded, as if he felt it in his bones.
+
+Coddling was wabbling by now. He had weakened in the great strain.
+Somehow he believed in his soul that Lanky had it in for him, and
+actually began to toss wide ones, having less fear of the next two
+batters. But Lanky was indignant, and did not mean to be cheated of his
+prey. If the mountain refused to come to Mahomet, then Mahomet must go
+to the mountain.
+
+“Step out and take one, Lanky, old boy!”
+
+“Don’t you dare let him pass you! He’s tricky, all right, and he knows
+you can swat it! Oblige us, Lanky, please!”
+
+Lanky evidently could not find it in his heart to refuse such pleading.
+And he “swatted it” so very hard that Smith, Jr., had to run like a
+deer to keep the long-legged first baseman from making a clean sweep of
+the bases.
+
+The score tied, and a man on third, with only one out!
+
+Imagine the racket that ensued. Men began to shake hands with each
+other in their intense emotional excitement, that is, men who owned to
+a partiality for Columbia. As for the good people of Bellport, they
+cheered in a faint way, feeling the strain, but not exactly liking the
+way things were going against them.
+
+“Now, Buster, _you_ know! Pick out a good one, and send it over the
+fence!”
+
+Buster wanted to do just that. It would have pleased him immensely
+to have been the one to bat in the run needed to lead the score, and
+possibly win the game.
+
+But he was over anxious, or else Coddling got a new grip on himself;
+for Buster ingloriously struck out. A groan went up from the Columbia
+High partisans, for they had been indulging in hopes that the wonderful
+Coddling had gone to pieces.
+
+Tom Budd stepped up to try his luck. He had been responsible for one of
+the earlier runs in the game, and there was hope that he could connect
+with a twister, just as before.
+
+When the smack of the bat announced that he had, a shout started to
+break loose; but it instantly degenerated into a groan, followed by
+whoops from the Bellport adherents. For Tom Budd had knocked up a
+soaring foul that dropped into the big mitt of Clay, and was smothered
+there.
+
+During their half of the eighth the Bellport boys went out one, two,
+three.
+
+So the ninth inning opened.
+
+Once again the Columbias had a chance to distinguish themselves.
+Seymour himself started things moving this time with a hot one that
+stung the hands of Herbert Lacy at short, so that he fumbled it, and
+the runner just reached the bag in time to be called safe, though it
+was a close call.
+
+Paul Bird knew that it was his part of the play to advance the runner
+a base. He waited carefully while Coddling took his time and recovered
+his wind. Then Paul tapped a bunt close to the plate. Clay, in his
+eagerness to handle it, fought the ball. It was just about two seconds,
+but he saw he had lost his man at second, and had to hustle hard to get
+Paul at first.
+
+Was this inning to be a repetition of the last one? everybody sat up
+and seemed to be holding their breath in suspense. Everything depended
+on what Frank Allen could do, when a hit might mean the game.
+
+Frank tried to calm his nerves as he stepped into the batter’s position
+and gave a reassuring glance toward the grandstand, where he knew full
+well a pretty girl was waving her little flag, and praying in her heart
+that he would win his own game with the single hit that was needed at
+this critical point.
+
+Coddling was winding up preparatory to throwing, when Frank received a
+signal from Captain Seymour at second that told him to wait. He knew
+what that meant, and that the fleetfooted Columbia man was about to
+get enough of a lead to steal third.
+
+With Clay behind the bat, that was indeed a risky thing to attempt; but
+no one was apparently expecting such a move, and in that it stood a
+chance for succeeding.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIV
+
+WINNING AN UP-HILL GAME
+
+
+Just at that moment there was such a dreadful clamor all over the field
+that hearing any note of warning was utterly out of the question. The
+Columbia cheer captain had started in again with his corps, and what
+they did to rend the atmosphere with their racket was wonderful.
+
+Coddling knew from the hasty gesture of the catcher that something was
+going on; but he had wound up for a throw, and could not hold back
+without a balk. The best he could do was to send it in direct to Clay’s
+hands, in order to give the other a fair chance to throw to third, so
+as to catch the purloiner of sacks.
+
+Of course, Frank made a wild sweep at the ball. That was a part of
+the game, to help disconcert the catcher. Clay stopped the ball
+successfully, but it came at such an angle that he was not in exact
+position to hurl the sphere to third.
+
+A second counts for considerable at times in baseball. Seymour slid
+like a Western avalanche. His extended fingers touched the base just as
+Bardwell grabbed the spinning ball, and dropped to touch him.
+
+The umpire extended both hands. That meant, of course, the runner was
+safe, and a shriek went up from that immense crowd.
+
+Now Frank faced Coddling again. Only a nice little base hit was needed
+to bring the runner home. Would the Columbia pitcher be equal to the
+call, or must trusty old Ben Allison be delegated to the task?
+
+Frank struck! The “smack” electrified every heart in that great throng!
+
+Far away out over the center field soared the ball, and several
+thousand eyes followed its flight. Every player knew that the thing had
+been done, although there was Tony Banghardt chasing wildly to get out
+far enough to hold the ball.
+
+“He’ll get it! Not this time, Columbia! Tony’s going to hold that
+balloon!” howled a half-crazy Bellport backer, as he stretched his neck
+to watch.
+
+“You’ve got another guess coming, old fellow. What will the man on
+third be doing all that time eh?” jeered a Columbia student.
+
+Banghardt did get under. He made a magnificent catch, and held the
+ball, even though he rolled over twice in so doing. But Seymour had
+shot from the third bag the very second the ball fell. He was racing
+like a wild broncho for home as Tony rolled about in the field. And by
+the time the Bellport player managed to regain his feet to hold up the
+ball, a run had crossed the plate for the visitors!
+
+Again and again did Herman Hooker lead his demonstrative band around.
+They howled, they cheered, they shrieked; and those who had lost
+control of their voices jumped up and down like dancing dervishes.
+
+_Columbia was a run to the good!_
+
+Allison went out, shortstop to first. Then came the Bellports to the
+bat, grim and determined, with Lee first to the plate, and ready to
+smash the ball over the fence. Frank felt his lame arm troubling him,
+but he set his teeth hard. He must hold out now to the end. This game
+meant everything to Columbia High, and he was determined not to lose
+it, if such a disaster could be avoided.
+
+And every other man on the team felt just the same way. When Lee did
+go after an outshoot, and give it a frightful crack, the crowd uttered
+an involuntary “oh!” and then followed it with a tumultuous burst
+of cheering. It was that acrobatic shortstop, Tom Budd, who became
+responsible for this mad applause; for he had thrown himself to one
+side, made a stab for the speedy passing ball, turned a complete
+somersault, and upon landing on his feet shot the sphere at Lanky on
+first in plenty of time to head off the runner.
+
+Banghardt came next. The Bellports died hard, and Tony might have
+followed up his brilliant catch with a hard hit, only he was short
+of breath. Consequently after knocking two wicked fouls, the umpire
+decided that he had allowed another good one to pass over the plate. So
+Tony was invited to retire.
+
+Smith, Jr., appeared as the last hope. Already were the players
+beginning to put their bats away in the bags, as though the game might
+be reckoned as good as over. Frank never faltered a particle. This man
+was just as dangerous as though a dozen came after him. There must be
+no let-up in speed or curves; for many a game apparently won has gone
+the other way through over-confidence.
+
+Three times did Smith sweep the air without discovering until too late
+that he had bitten at deceivers. Then a roar broke out that dwarfed all
+previous noises!
+
+The game belonged to Columbia High! It meant that the coveted pennant
+of the Tri-School League belonged to Columbia High for this season!
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXV
+
+CONCLUSION
+
+
+That night a crowd gathered in the big assembly room of the Columbia
+High School to see Roderic Seymour and his gallant boys receive the
+splendid flag which the girls of Columbia High had purchased to fly
+upon the staff at the athletic grounds whenever a game of any sort was
+in progress.
+
+Helen Allen had been chosen to make the presentation address, because
+she was known to be the best speaker among Columbia’s fair ones. And
+both Paul Bird and Ralph West thought her the prettiest girl in the
+wide world as, with rosy cheeks and sparkling eyes, she told what pride
+the sisters of the Columbia boys took in their sterling fight for the
+baseball pennant.
+
+If there was one disgruntled fellow in that big hall it must have been
+Lef Seller, who had seen so many of his schemes for getting even with
+his rival, Frank Allen, go astray of late. He had come because somehow
+he could not keep away; but during the exercises, while everybody
+else seemed to be filled with delight, Lef could only grit his teeth,
+and mutter low threats to himself, still cherishing the hope that the
+day would come when fortune might once more shine upon him, to the
+confusion of his enemies.
+
+Although the school term was nearly ended that seemed to be no reason
+for Columbia High losing all interest in outdoor sports. There were
+other days to come, and that not far distant, when these sturdy lads
+of the banner high school would meet again in friendly struggles with
+their student rivals of Bellport and Clifford. Something of the nature
+of these contests may be gleaned from the title of the next volume in
+this series, to be called, “The Boys of Columbia High on the River; or,
+The Boat Race Plot That Failed.” It will be found crammed full of the
+further doings of these wideawake lads, in whose fortunes we have found
+ourselves so deeply concerned.
+
+While the yearly examinations were being conducted as usual, Ralph
+found it exceedingly difficult to concentrate his mind on his work. He
+knew that Judge Allen had taken passage for Europe, in order to follow
+up the mysterious travelers, who had last been heard from in Italy.
+
+So the school year closed in a blaze of glory. Principal Parke declared
+they had never known a more successful season, and with the percentage
+so high. The graduation exercises passed off without a hitch; nor was
+the electric current cut off on this occasion, as had happened once
+before, when mischief-makers severed the wires, and lamps had to be
+brought in so that Lanky Wallace could complete his declamation.
+
+Ralph was frequently in consultation with his good friend Frank, while
+he waited to hear from abroad.
+
+“What would I do without you, Frank?” he said, as they sat under the
+apple tree on that July morning just a day or two before the Glorious
+Fourth.
+
+“Oh, you’d manage to get on all right,” returned the other, quickly.
+“Cheer up, old fellow. It’s always darkest just before dawn. You’ll get
+a letter any day now, and perhaps written by the one you are longing to
+hear from most. Try and put it out of your mind for a bit, and think of
+the great times we expect to have on the river.”
+
+“That’s always the way with you, Frank. You manage to chase away the
+blues better than any medicine made. I’m going to laugh, and try to
+forget my troubles for a little while. Yes, the letter is on the way
+now, I don’t doubt; but oh! how the days drag along, waiting for news,”
+sighed Ralph.
+
+“Here comes Helen. Now we’ll go inside and have her give us some music
+that is bound to liven us up. I just feel like singing, and it will do
+you good,” cried Frank.
+
+Ralph was nothing loath. There was an attraction about Frank’s charming
+sister that always appealed to the homeless lad. So they were soon
+gathered about the piano, and joining voices in such old favorites as
+“Tenting To-night,” “I Know a Bank,” “Upidee,” and many others.
+
+“Now, let’s wind up with the ‘Red, White and Blue,’” said Frank, when
+Ralph had declared he must be going.
+
+So, as on many a hard fought athletic field, the familiar words of the
+grand old tune rolled out--always a favorite with these students of the
+famous high school bearing the same cherished name:
+
+  “O, Columbia, the gem of the ocean,
+    The home of the brave and the free,
+  The shrine of each patriot’s devotion,
+    A world offers homage to thee!”
+
+
+THE END
+
+
+
+
+TRANSCRIBER’S NOTES:
+
+
+  Italicized text is surrounded by underscores: _italics_.
+
+  Perceived typographical errors have been corrected.
+
+  Inconsistencies in hyphenation have been standardized.
+
+  Archaic or variant spelling has been retained.
+
+
+
+*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 75400 ***
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+      The boys of Columbia High on the diamond | Project Gutenberg
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+<body>
+<div style='text-align:center'>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 75400 ***</div>
+
+<div class="figcenter hide"><img src="images/coversmall.jpg" width="450" alt=""></div>
+<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop">
+
+<div class="chapter">
+<h1>THE BOYS OF COLUMBIA HIGH<br>
+ON THE DIAMOND</h1>
+</div>
+<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop">
+
+<div class="chapter">
+<figure class="figcenter illowe28_125" id="frontispiece">
+  <img class="w100" src="images/frontispiece.jpg" alt="">
+  <figcaption class="caption"><p class="caption">FRANK GAVE NO SIGN OF THE EXCITEMENT THAT THRILLED HIS
+EVERY NERVE.—<i>Frontispiece.</i><br>
+
+<i>Columbia High on the Diamond</i>   <span class="gap">      <i>Page <a href="#Page_32">32</a>.</i></span></p>
+</figcaption>
+</figure>
+</div>
+<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop">
+
+<div class="chapter">
+<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/title.jpg" alt="title page"></div>
+</div>
+<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop">
+
+<div class="titlepage">
+<p><span class="xxlarge">THE BOYS OF COLUMBIA<br>
+HIGH ON THE DIAMOND</span></p>
+
+<p>OR</p>
+
+<p><span class="large">Winning Out by Pluck</span></p>
+
+<p>BY<br>
+<span class="xlarge">GRAHAM B. FORBES</span><br>
+
+<small>AUTHOR OF “THE BOYS OF COLUMBIA HIGH,” “THE BOYS OF COLUMBIA HIGH<br>
+ON THE DIAMOND,” ETC.</small></p>
+
+<p><i>ILLUSTRATED</i></p>
+
+<p>NEW YORK<br>
+<span class="large">GROSSET &amp; DUNLAP</span><br>
+PUBLISHERS</p>
+</div>
+
+
+<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop">
+
+<div class="chapter">
+<div class="poetry-container">
+<div class="poetry">
+<div class="bbox">
+<p class="ph3">The Boys of Columbia High Series</p>
+
+<hr class="tiny">
+<p class="ph1">BY GRAHAM B. FORBES</p>
+<hr class="tiny">
+
+<p class="center"><i>12mo. Cloth. Illustrated. Price, per volume,<br>
+50 cents, postpaid.</i></p>
+
+<hr class="tiny">
+<p>THE BOYS OF COLUMBIA HIGH<br>
+<span class="indentleft">Or The All Around Rivals of the School</span></p>
+
+<p>THE BOYS <span class="allsmcap">OF</span> COLUMBIA HIGH <span class="allsmcap">ON THE</span> DIAMOND<br>
+<span class="indentleft">Or Winning Out by Pluck</span></p>
+
+<p>THE BOYS OF COLUMBIA HIGH ON THE RIVER<br>
+<span class="indentleft">Or The Boat Race Plot That Failed</span></p>
+
+<p>THE BOYS <span class="allsmcap">OF</span> COLUMBIA HIGH <span class="allsmcap">ON THE</span> GRIDIRON<br>
+<span class="indentleft">Or The Struggle for the Silver Cup</span></p>
+
+<p>THE BOYS OF COLUMBIA HIGH ON THE ICE<br>
+<span class="indentleft">Or Out for the Hockey Championship</span></p>
+
+<hr class="tiny">
+<p class="ph1">GROSSET &amp; DUNLAP<br>
+PUBLISHERS  <span class="gap">        NEW YORK</span></p>
+</div>
+
+
+<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Copyright, 1911, by</span><br>
+GROSSET &amp; DUNLAP</p>
+<hr class="tiny">
+<p class="center"><i>The Boys of Columbia High on the Diamond</i></p>
+</div></div></div>
+<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop">
+
+<div class="chapter">
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_iii">[iii]</span></p>
+
+<h2 class="nobreak">CONTENTS</h2>
+</div>
+
+<table>
+
+<tr><td class="tdr"><small>CHAPTER</small></td><td class="tdr" colspan="2"><small>PAGE</small></td></tr>
+
+<tr><td class="tdr">I</td><td> <span class="smcap">On the Way to the Game</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_1">        1</a></td></tr>
+
+<tr><td class="tdr">II</td><td> <span class="smcap">A Warm Beginning for Coddling</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_11">        11</a></td></tr>
+
+<tr><td class="tdr">III</td><td> <span class="smcap">A Game Worth Seeing</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_22">        22</a></td></tr>
+
+<tr><td class="tdr">IV</td><td> <span class="smcap">The Rally that Came too Late</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_32">        32</a></td></tr>
+
+<tr><td class="tdr">V</td><td> <span class="smcap">A Thunderbolt in the School</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_43">        43</a></td></tr>
+
+<tr><td class="tdr">VI</td><td> <span class="smcap">The Vindication</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_54">        54</a></td></tr>
+
+<tr><td class="tdr">VII</td><td> <span class="smcap">The Imprint in the Clay</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_65">        65</a></td></tr>
+
+<tr><td class="tdr">VIII</td><td> <span class="smcap">Toeing the Mark</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_74">        74</a></td></tr>
+
+<tr><td class="tdr">IX</td><td> <span class="smcap">A Stunning Surprise</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_85">        85</a></td></tr>
+
+<tr><td class="tdr">X</td><td> <span class="smcap">On the River Road</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_94">        94</a></td></tr>
+
+<tr><td class="tdr">XI</td><td> <span class="smcap">A Time for Quick Thinking</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_106">        106</a></td></tr>
+
+<tr><td class="tdr">XII</td><td> <span class="smcap">The Old Princetonian’s Advice</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_115">        115</a></td></tr>
+
+<tr><td class="tdr">XIII</td><td> <span class="smcap">Led by a Kindly Fate</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_124">        124</a></td></tr>
+
+<tr><td class="tdr">XIV</td><td> <span class="smcap">Sam Smalling Makes a Promise</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_133">        133</a></td></tr>
+
+<tr><td class="tdr">XV</td><td> “<span class="smcap">Play Ball!</span>”</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_142">        142</a></td></tr>
+
+<tr><td class="tdr">XVI</td><td> <span class="smcap">Making a Good Start</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_150">        150</a></td></tr>
+
+<tr><td class="tdr">XVII</td><td> <span class="smcap">Nearing the End</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_159">        159</a></td></tr>
+
+<tr><td class="tdr">XVIII</td><td> <span class="smcap">An Unfortunate Hit</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_167">        167</a></td></tr>
+
+<tr><td class="tdr">XIX</td><td> <span class="smcap">What Uncle Jim Knew</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_176">        176</a></td></tr>
+
+<tr><td class="tdr">XX</td><td> <span class="smcap">Twice a Prisoner</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_185">        185</a></td></tr>
+
+<tr><td class="tdr">XXI</td><td> <span class="smcap">Ralph Hears Something</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_194">        194</a><span class="pagenum" id="Page_iv">[iv]</span></td></tr>
+
+<tr><td class="tdr">XXII</td><td> <span class="smcap">A Plain Talk with Bill Klemm</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_203">        203</a></td></tr>
+
+<tr><td class="tdr">XXIII</td><td> <span class="smcap">When Coddling Weakened</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_211">        211</a></td></tr>
+
+<tr><td class="tdr">XXIV</td><td> <span class="smcap">Winning an Up-hill Game</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_220">        220</a></td></tr>
+
+<tr><td class="tdr">XXV</td><td> <span class="smcap">Conclusion</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_224">        224</a></td></tr>
+</table>
+<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop">
+
+<div class="chapter">
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_1">[1]</span>
+
+<p class="ph2">THE BOYS OF COLUMBIA HIGH<br>
+ON THE DIAMOND</p>
+
+<hr class="tiny">
+<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER I<br>
+
+
+<small>ON THE WAY TO THE GAME</small></h2>
+</div>
+
+<p>“<span class="smcap">Give</span> it again, fellows! For the honor of old
+Columbia—now, once more, with a will!” shouted
+the cheer captain, Herman Hooker.</p>
+
+<p>“Ho! ho! ho! hi! hi! hi! <i>veni, vidi, vici!</i> Columbia!”</p>
+
+<p>“Cast off there, somebody.”</p>
+
+<p>“Start your engine, Frank, old boy!”</p>
+
+<p>“Hurrah! we’re afloat on the raging Harrapin at
+last!”</p>
+
+<p>“Got any life preservers aboard, fellows?”</p>
+
+<p>Amid all this uproar and confusion Frank Allen,
+cool and collected, gave a whirl to the crank to turn
+his engine over; and immediately a succession of
+rattling reports testified to the fact that as master
+of ceremonies he had given the expedition a good
+send-off.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_2">[2]</span>Then he handed over the engine to the charge of
+Abner Gould, the man employed regularly by Commodore
+Adams, to whom the launch belonged.</p>
+
+<p>The <i>Geraldine</i> had been loaned to the members of
+the Columbia High School baseball team for this special
+occasion, by the owner, just then away on business.</p>
+
+<p>Accompanied by several members of the Columbia
+band, they were now on their way down the Harrapin
+river, to play their first game with the Bellport
+High School nine, and enthusiasm waxed furious
+over the prospect ahead.</p>
+
+<p>A peculiar condition of the weather had sadly
+disarranged the schedule of the Harrapin River
+League. Three clubs composed the organization,
+representing Bellport, Clifford and Columbia; and it
+had been agreed that each was to play a trio of
+games with both opposing teams. The one who came
+out ahead would, of course, be given the pennant,
+and hailed as the champion for the year, an honor
+greatly coveted, since the three towns were keen
+rivals in all athletic matters.</p>
+
+<p>While Columbia and Bellport had each played
+three games thus far, they had all been with the
+third member of the league, Clifford.</p>
+
+<p>What seemed still more singular was the fact that
+in each of these series Clifford had won one game
+and lost two. Consequently, Columbia and Bellport<span class="pagenum" id="Page_3">[3]</span>
+were now <i>tied for first place</i>, with three games
+to be played, while Clifford was out of the race completely.</p>
+
+<p>To-day was to see the first game between these
+two giants. And the choice of ground had fallen
+upon Bellport.</p>
+
+<p>As this enterprising town lay quite a number of
+miles down the river, it had been suggested that the
+Columbia nine journey that way by means of Commodore
+Adams’ launch, which, with the services of
+his man, had been gladly offered for the day.</p>
+
+<p>Of course the two towns were connected by a
+trolley, owned principally by the father of Lef Seller,
+a junior in the school, and just now in bad odor
+on account of some pranks he had played a short
+time before. Special cars had been brought into
+use on this gala day to accommodate the crowds
+desiring to witness the struggle that must accompany
+the first meeting of the rival nines.</p>
+
+<p>With the flags of the Harrapin River Boat Club
+floating from stem and stern, and the band tooting
+away gaily, the little launch left the float, and started
+merrily down-stream.</p>
+
+<p>A roar from the crowd on the bank testified to
+the fact that, while all Columbia could not journey
+over to Bellport to witness this impending game, the
+sympathies of those compelled to remain at home<span class="pagenum" id="Page_4">[4]</span>
+were with the boys who represented the honor of
+the High School on this occasion.</p>
+
+<p>“Say, this is what I call going to battle in style,”
+said Lanky Wallace, the tall first baseman, as he
+shoved alongside Frank on the crowded seat, and
+threw an arm around the other with the air of a
+chum.</p>
+
+<p>“I was just speculating on how we will return—with
+shouts and cheers, or dolefully telling each other
+just how it happened,” remarked Frank; but his smiling
+face was evidence of the fact that he had little
+fears on that score as he looked around at the enthusiastic
+countenances of his comrades.</p>
+
+<p>“If your arm’s in prime condition, as you say, I’m
+not worrying any on that score, Frank. Coddling
+may be a wonder, just as they claim, but once we
+get on to his curves there’s going to be some smashing
+work done. I feel that I’m in for business at
+the old stand myself, to-day,” returned Lanky, with
+a positive shake of his head.</p>
+
+<p>“Glad to hear you say it. A pitcher needs confidence
+in the ability of his men to get runs, as well
+as field like a machine. We’ve just <i>got</i> to do that
+crowd up to-day, and that’s all there is to it.”</p>
+
+<p>“And we will, never fear, Frank,” observed Roderic
+Seymour, who, leading senior though he was,
+considered it an honor to serve as captain, and play<span class="pagenum" id="Page_5">[5]</span>
+second with the snappy nine Columbia had put into
+the field this year.</p>
+
+<p>“Are we on time?” demanded Buster Billings,
+always afraid of getting left, although worrying
+did not seem to reduce his abundant flesh so that it
+could be noticed.</p>
+
+<p>“Yes, with a margin to spare, if the boat shoves
+along as she is doing right now,” replied Lanky
+Wallace.</p>
+
+<p>Lanky, of course, covered first, and few balls ever
+passed through his territory when he was feeling fit.</p>
+
+<p>Lef Seller was aboard the boat, since he was a
+member of the team, though under a cloud temporarily,
+and forbidden by the faculty from taking
+part in any baseball game during the season. This
+severe punishment sprung from his action in playing
+an unusually mean prank upon Frank, whom he
+chose to regard as his mortal enemy; and which circumstance,
+together with many other interesting
+events, has been set forth in full in the preceding
+volume of this series, called: “The Boys of Columbia
+High; or, The All Around Rivals of the School.”</p>
+
+<p>Lef tried to join with his mates and appear jolly,
+but it was a great effort, when his heart was sore
+on account of being listed as the black sheep of the
+flock, to be shunned by self-respecting fellows.</p>
+
+<p>He had his own followers, who toadied to him
+on account of the money he spent so freely; but<span class="pagenum" id="Page_6">[6]</span>
+none of them happened to be aboard the boat, so
+Lef felt that he was in one sense out of his element.</p>
+
+<p>The beautiful home town faded out of sight up
+the river, and all eyes began to be turned toward
+the bow, as they anticipated catching a distant
+glimpse of Bellport at any moment.</p>
+
+<p>“Better save your wind until later, Herman!”
+called out Tom Budd, the lithe shortstop, and a fellow
+who was a natural acrobat, doing stunts in and
+out of season; so that no one was ever surprised to
+see him spring into the air, catch a liner, turn completely
+over, and come up smiling, with the ball held
+up for the umpire to take notice.</p>
+
+<p>“Plenty more left,” laughed the “best yeller Columbia
+ever had,” as he waved his megaphone in
+the air, and led the boys in another song.</p>
+
+<p>It was a glorious day in June, and not one aboard
+that boat but felt the inspiration of the magical
+sunshine and soft air.</p>
+
+<p>Half of the distance separating the rival towns
+had been covered by this time, and the gallant little
+launch was making fine speed down the current.</p>
+
+<p>“Looks like Clifford meant to be represented at
+the game, too,” remarked one of the boys, pointing
+to the shore.</p>
+
+<p>Clifford was above Columbia, and on the other
+bank of the river. A road led down to the vicinity<span class="pagenum" id="Page_7">[7]</span>
+of Bellport, where a ferry took farm wagons across.
+And on this road a cloud of dust told that all sorts
+of vehicles had been impressed into service to carry
+the baseball-mad people to the scene.</p>
+
+<p>Fine cars shot along, blowing their horns, and
+steady-going farm horses trotted evenly by the side
+of the road, all heading in the one direction. It was
+enough to thrill the boys belonging to the team to
+realize that all this excitement in the county was
+caused by their crossing bats with the Bellport High
+nine.</p>
+
+<p>“Poor old Clifford never got a peep in this year,”
+mocked Jack Comfort, said to be the best chaser after
+flies the school had ever known, and who guarded
+center field.</p>
+
+<p>“Well, they had hard luck. The game they won
+from us showed that there was cracking good stuff
+on the team. I never saw a better game in my life,
+with the score tied in the ninth. Wow! that was
+some exciting!” exclaimed Lanky, his eyes sparkling
+at the recollection.</p>
+
+<p>“It would have been our game if Ben Allison
+could have held that fly out in left. He made a big
+effort, but dropped the ball,” remarked Captain Seymour,
+sadly.</p>
+
+<p>“Well, I reckon that failure just knocked poor
+Ben out. He’s been no good to the team ever since,
+and here we have to put our extra pitcher in right<span class="pagenum" id="Page_8">[8]</span>
+garden just to fill in, because he’s a crackerjack pinch
+hitter!” grumbled Buster.</p>
+
+<p>“That’s all right, boys, and I’m only too glad of
+the chance to play at all. A freshman doesn’t often
+get on the team, and it’s mighty fine for you to
+boost me up this way,” Ralph West hastened to remark.</p>
+
+<p>Ralph did not live in Columbia, being one of the
+pay students. He was anxious for an education,
+and a fortunate chance had allowed him to come to
+the thriving river town at the beginning of the
+school year. He and Frank had become good
+friends, and the latter was deeply interested in certain
+strange features connected with Ralph’s fortunes.</p>
+
+<p>“I think it’s a poor rule that keeps freshmen off
+the team so much. They are better fitted to take
+part in sports then than later on, when filled with
+ambition to excel in their studies,” said Jack Eastwick,
+one of the juniors, and a substitute on the
+team.</p>
+
+<p>At this there was a universal howl, for Jack was
+notoriously averse to studying under any and all circumstances,
+and depended upon a system of “cramming”
+just before examinations to carry him
+through.</p>
+
+<p>“Now, there’s a wide difference of opinion on
+that question. For my part, I fully agree with
+Coach Willoughby, who says——” but Buster was<span class="pagenum" id="Page_9">[9]</span>
+seldom allowed to tell what this wonderful instructor,
+whom the boys really believed existed only in
+the imagination of the fat right fielder, had to say.</p>
+
+<p>As usual, a shout cut him short, and with an injured
+stare at the laughing group, he relapsed into
+disdainful silence.</p>
+
+<p>“Where are their grounds located?” asked Ralph,
+who had never as yet had an opportunity for visiting
+the Bellport field.</p>
+
+<p>“Half a mile below the town. Bellport is something
+of a manufacturing place, and there’s going to
+be more or less of a rough element at the game, for
+the factories have shut down for a half holiday, beginning
+this Saturday, and the hands are sure to
+be out in force.”</p>
+
+<p>Frank looked a trifle anxious as he spoke, for
+truth to tell he had more than once wondered
+whether a sense of fairness would animate that
+rough element, or the desire to see Bellport win at
+any cost.</p>
+
+<p>“Listen! I thought I heard a roar just then. The
+wind is coming up the river, and it must have been
+shouts from the ball field,” and Seymour held up his
+hand to ask for silence.</p>
+
+<p>It was while they were thus straining their ears
+to catch the sounds from below that all at once the
+familiar “pop-pop” of the exhaust connected with<span class="pagenum" id="Page_10">[10]</span>
+the motor boat ceased, and soon their rapid progress
+fell off.</p>
+
+<p>Immediately everybody started to shout at once,
+wanting to know what had gone wrong. Frank
+sprang over to where Abner Gould bent over the
+little motor. The man lifted a troubled face toward
+him.</p>
+
+<p>Every eye was glued on Frank as he started to
+examine the engine, for they knew he had more of
+a practical knowledge of such things than any one
+aboard, unless it might be the man hired by Commodore
+Adams to run his launch.</p>
+
+<p>“What ails the thing, Frank?” demanded Buster,
+as the other raised up.</p>
+
+<p>“Yes, this isn’t the time for playing pranks. We’re
+nearly due now on the field, and don’t want to be
+called shirks!” exclaimed Lanky, warmly.</p>
+
+<p>“Boys, I’ve got some bad news for you,” announced
+Frank.</p>
+
+<p>“What is it? Don’t keep us in suspense, old warhorse!”
+cried “Bones” Shadduck, who played third
+on the team.</p>
+
+<p>“The motor has broken down, and we’re in a bad
+box!” declared Frank, seriously.</p>
+<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop">
+
+<div class="chapter">
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_11">[11]</span>
+
+<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER II<br>
+
+<small>A WARM BEGINNING FOR CODDLING</small></h2>
+</div>
+
+<p><span class="smcap">A groan</span> went up from full twenty throats, at this
+dismal announcement.</p>
+
+<p>“What shall we do? We can’t just float down
+like this. It would look as if we were whipped before
+we began to play!” sang out Jack Comfort,
+almost in a whine.</p>
+
+<p>“We’ve just got to swim for it, that’s all! Me
+for the cool drink!” said Lanky, pretending to
+poise on the bow of the boat as if for a plunge.</p>
+
+<p>Frank looked serious indeed, but it was something
+more than the fact of the breakdown that worried
+him. He had reason for suspecting that Abner
+Gould must have done something to bring about this
+condition of affairs!</p>
+
+<p>Still, he said nothing about it, not being sure. But
+he could not help remembering that this man had
+a brother who was known as something of a sport,
+and made himself conspicuous at many of the baseball
+games by his disposition to bet upon the result,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_12">[12]</span>
+something that the faculty of the several schools
+very much objected to, though unable to stop fully.</p>
+
+<p>Dimly Frank could see how there might be some
+connection between this circumstance and their sudden
+delay. If Watkins Gould had been wagering
+heavily against the Columbia team winning, everything
+that helped disconcert them, and make them
+unduly anxious, was to his credit. And Abner did
+not have a face that Frank thought could be trusted.</p>
+
+<p>“Don’t worry, boys,” he said, as the others
+crowded around, “there are more ways than one for
+getting to Bellport. If necessary we could go ashore
+and take the trolley.”</p>
+
+<p>“You might if they let us climb on the roof, for
+every car is loaded down with people,” observed
+Paul Bird, Frank’s chum and catcher.</p>
+
+<p>“All right. Here comes Mr. Garabrant in his
+launch. Possibly he may be glad to give us a tow.”</p>
+
+<p>Frank, as he spoke, kept his eyes on the face of
+the man who had charge of the motor. He felt
+positive he saw a sudden look of keen disappointment
+come upon it, though Abner, upon noticing
+that he was being observed, tried to look pleased.</p>
+
+<p>“He did it, I’m dead certain!” was what Frank
+was saying to himself, as a thrill of indignation
+passed over his frame.</p>
+
+<p>He could stand honest defeat, but when trickery
+was brought into play it made him angry. At the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_13">[13]</span>
+same time he did not dream for a moment that any
+one on the opposing team could have had a hand in
+this mess.</p>
+
+<p>Herman Hooker immediately got his megaphone
+into service.</p>
+
+<p>“Ahoy there, Mr. Garrabrant! Will you kindly
+head this way?” he shouted.</p>
+
+<p>The other launch immediately changed its course
+and approached. There was quite a little company
+aboard, and evidently the party was headed for the
+athletic field of Bellport, to witness the great game.</p>
+
+<p>“What’s wrong here?” asked the gentlemanly
+owner, as he stood up, the better to see.</p>
+
+<p>“A breakdown, and we have really no time to
+monkey with repairs. Could you give us a tow,
+sir?” asked Frank.</p>
+
+<p>“Only too glad, boys. It’s very evident that unless
+I do there would be small chance for a game to-day.
+Hand us a painter, and we’ll make fast to a
+cleat at our stern,” replied the Columbia business
+man, readily.</p>
+
+<p>This being quickly adjusted, progress was once
+more resumed. Perhaps they did not move quite so
+fast as before, but that was a matter of small moment.
+Once more the cheer captain led in vigorous
+shouts that rang over the water, and brought answering
+cries from either shore.</p>
+
+<p>“There’s Bellport!” said Frank, directing the attention<span class="pagenum" id="Page_14">[14]</span>
+of Ralph to the numerous tall chimneys that
+marked the manufacturing town; but they were
+belching out no smoke this afternoon, for the plants
+lay idle, with the vast majority of the busy workers
+in holiday attire heading toward the athletic field.</p>
+
+<p>A landing was made, and jumping ashore, the
+boys gathered their material of war, after which the
+march was taken up for the scene of battle.</p>
+
+<p>And when they turned a bend in the road, with
+the fine field spread before them, every fellow was
+thrilled to note the tremendous throng that had
+gathered to see the game, and shout for their respective
+team.</p>
+
+<p>“Whew! where did they all come from?” gasped
+Lanky, as he gaped at the host of waving handkerchiefs
+and hats that greeted their arrival.</p>
+
+<p>“The whole country is baseball mad, that’s what,”
+remarked Paul, as he strode along at the side of the
+pitcher.</p>
+
+<p>“It’s a grand sight, and ought to spur every fellow
+to doing his level best,” remarked the other, drawing
+in a big breath, for he had never before known such
+a gathering to greet the Columbia High team, at
+home or abroad.</p>
+
+<p>As usual, some of the boys began to pass balls
+as they moved across the diamond. This was done
+to wear away any nervousness that the sight of the
+immense crowd might have aroused.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_15">[15]</span>The Bellport team had been practicing for some
+time now, and were ready to give up the diamond
+to the visitors. As the time for the commencement
+of the game was not far away, Captain Seymour
+sent his men out, and started Frank to warming up.</p>
+
+<p>The grandstand fairly swarmed with people, and
+the bleachers were packed. Indeed, ropes had to
+be used to keep the crowd off the diamond, and hundreds
+sat beyond the right field, where there happened
+to be some shade.</p>
+
+<p>It sounded like Bedlam broke loose, what with
+the various school yells, the cat-calls and shouts,
+and now and then a song breaking above the clamor.
+Herman Hooker had hurried over to where his
+shouting clan awaited him. They had kept a seat
+for him in the front row, where he could jump up
+at the proper time, and lead the cheering with that
+astounding foghorn voice of his.</p>
+
+<p>Frank noticed as he passed the ball in to Paul that
+Watkins Gould was present, and apparently boldly
+seeking bets on the game. The bleachers were occupied
+for the most part with the factory workers, a
+rough crowd, and many of them ready to take a
+chance on their favorite team.</p>
+
+<p>When finally the Columbia boys came in after a
+strenuous practice covering about a quarter of an
+hour, the many-colored flags fluttered from the hands
+of those in the grandstand until the structure looked<span class="pagenum" id="Page_16">[16]</span>
+like a great bunch of flowers; while from hundreds
+of lusty throats rose the various class and school
+cries, blending in a surge of sound.</p>
+
+<p>Then Bellport took the field, their going out being
+the signal for a tremendous ovation, for they had
+the full support of their town.</p>
+
+<p>Roderic Seymour had changed the batting list
+somewhat since the last game played with Clifford.
+To Ralph was given the honor of leading off, since
+he was playing in place of Ben Allison. The order
+ran in this fashion:</p>
+
+<div class="indentleft">
+<p>Ralph West—Left field.<br>
+“Bones” Shaddock—Third base.<br>
+Jack Comfort—Center field.<br>
+Lanky Wallace—First base.<br>
+Buster Billings—Right field.<br>
+Tom Budd—Shortstop.<br>
+Roderic Seymour—Second base.<br>
+Paul Bird—Catcher.<br>
+Frank Allen—Pitcher.</p>
+</div>
+<p>Ralph was a fair batter, but a better waiter. For
+this latter reason he had been given orders to take his
+time, and as he faced the opposing pitcher, Coddling,
+who was said to be the best twirler Bellport had ever
+turned out, he assumed a position of eagerness and
+expectancy, as though burning with anxiety to strike.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_17">[17]</span>Coddling had never played against any of these
+fellows before. He was therefore forced to depend
+entirely on what his catcher signaled. And Clay,
+while on the team the preceding year, knew nothing
+about the weaknesses of this new batter.</p>
+
+<p>Consequently Ralph got his base, after two strikes
+had been called on him, one of which was really a
+miss at an outcurve.</p>
+
+<p>Of course the excitement began at once. A hum
+went around the field, and Columbia stock arose,
+with mocking cries hurled at the local adherents.</p>
+
+<p>Shaddock was a good hitter as rule. He had
+made something of a record on the team the preceding
+year. The best he could do now, after knocking
+three fouls, was to send one into the hands of
+the shortstop, who failed, however, to double Ralph
+at second on account of a fumble.</p>
+
+<p>Intense interest was taken in the coming to bat
+of Jack Comfort.</p>
+
+<p>“Lace one out, old boy!” howled the Columbia
+bunch in the center of the bleachers, where they had
+gathered to fairly split the atmosphere with their
+shouts.</p>
+
+<p>“You can do it if you try! Over Lacy’s head,
+Jack!”</p>
+
+<p>Jack thereupon did try. Three times he swung
+on the ball, and as often it came with a dull, sickening
+thud in the catcher’s big mitt, while the grin<span class="pagenum" id="Page_18">[18]</span>
+on the face of Smith, Sr., the tall first baseman,
+was most exasperating.</p>
+
+<p>A roar went up as Jack walked back to the bench
+shaking his head. Those elusive “spit” balls of
+Coddling had him guessing, and silently he stared
+at the slim pitcher who had proved his right to the
+name of wizard, as if trying to fathom where his
+own efforts fell short.</p>
+
+<p>Now came Lanky Wallace. He was warmly
+greeted by friend and foe alike, for somehow everybody
+knew the elongated Columbia first baseman
+always did his level best, and played a clean, square
+game.</p>
+
+<p>Lanky was more fortunate than Jack, for he hit
+the second ball Coddling floated up, hit it with a
+vim that sent the sphere whistling out toward left,
+much to the surprise of the pitcher, and the delight
+of the crowd.</p>
+
+<p>As a man the entire mass swung to their feet to
+follow the course of the ball. Smith, Jr., so called
+to distinguish him from his brother, was covering
+ground at a great rate, in the hope of getting his
+hands upon the flying horsehide ere it went past.</p>
+
+<p>“He’s got it!” whooped the Bellport enthusiasts,
+as the left fielder made a fine leap in the air, and
+apparently snatched the ball down.</p>
+
+<p>“Not much he has! Go it, both of you! He<span class="pagenum" id="Page_19">[19]</span>
+knocked the ball down, but never held it! Run,
+you lazybones. Make a homer of it, Lanky!”</p>
+
+<p>It seemed as though two thousand people were
+madly shrieking as the runners sped around the
+bases. Smith, Jr., had recovered the ball, and was
+relaying it home in the effort to catch Ralph at the
+plate. A great slide, however, allowed the Columbia
+man to get his run. Meanwhile, Lanky had reached
+third, and was held on that bag by the coach.</p>
+
+<p>With two out and a man on third Buster Billings
+swung his bat as if ready to put the ball over the
+head of Snodgrass in right field.</p>
+
+<p>“Give me an easy one, Mr. Pitcher. I’m only
+learning how to swing on ’em. Coach Willoughby
+says——” and then Buster hit it!</p>
+
+<p>The ball took an awkward turn, so that although
+both the pitcher and second baseman made a dive
+at it neither was fortunate enough to fork the elusive
+sphere. Amid a frightful clamor the fat Columbia
+student managed to get to first, where he presently
+stood, wiping his red face with a bandana.</p>
+
+<p>Of course Lanky easily came in, and the score
+had been raised to two, which was an encouraging
+start for the visitors, considering who was doing
+the pitching.</p>
+
+<p>Tom Budd proved an easy victim, however. Coddling
+took a brace, and although the Columbia shortstop
+certainly tried his best to connect with one of<span class="pagenum" id="Page_20">[20]</span>
+the bewildering drops which were handed up to
+him, he never touched the ball.</p>
+
+<p>So the inning ended for Columbia, and they took
+the field. Confidence had, however, been installed
+in their hearts, for it seemed as if the terrible Coddling
+might after all not be so very hard to get at.</p>
+
+<p>Frank had been up against most of these fellows
+before. He knew that they had a reputation as
+heavy hitters, and once started were hard to stop.</p>
+
+<p>Snodgrass, the first man up, usually managed to
+draw his base. His very attitude at the plate bothered
+a pitcher, which was just what he meant it to do.</p>
+
+<p>But Frank was determined that he should strike,
+and sent swift balls directly over until he had managed
+to get the other just where he wanted him.
+Then a well directed outcurve deceived Snodgrass.
+He went back to the bench amid the groans of the
+crowd.</p>
+
+<p>Then up rose Hough, the doughty second baseman,
+who was playing in place of Captain Cuthbert
+Lee, on the sick list, with his trusty bat. He knocked
+imaginary dirt from the soles of his shoes and took
+his place. Hough had a good batting eye, and could
+pick one out all right.</p>
+
+<p>Two balls and one strike had been called when
+he swung viciously. The sound of the connection
+was like a rifle report, and instantaneously the immense
+crowd gave a howl of delight.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_21">[21]</span>Again was there an upheaval, as every eye tried
+to follow the flight of the rapidly shooting ball.</p>
+
+<p>It was headed for the territory of Buster, and the
+fat fielder was straining every nerve to get within
+reaching distance of the flying sphere!</p>
+<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop">
+
+<div class="chapter">
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_22">[22]</span>
+
+<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER III<br>
+
+<small>A GAME WORTH SEEING</small></h2>
+</div>
+
+<p>“<span class="smcap">See</span> the ice wagon move!”</p>
+
+<p>“It’s got an engine attached to it somewhere, fellows!”</p>
+
+<p>“Will he get it—maybe, maybe not!” whooped
+Jack Eastwick.</p>
+
+<p>“It’s a balloon, that’s what it is!” howled one Bellport
+enthusiast.</p>
+
+<p>They saw Buster glancing over his shoulder once
+or twice as he ran. It was a perfect wonder that
+he did not stumble and fall flat, for on more than
+one former occasion that was what had happened to
+the apparently clumsy fielder.</p>
+
+<p>But Frank had high hopes. He knew that Buster
+could rise to an emergency, and really accomplish
+the impossible—for such stockily built fellows of his
+class. He held his breath as the fielder turned
+squarely around and threw up one of his hands.
+Hough was already shooting down toward second
+in wild haste. If Buster made a mess of it the hit<span class="pagenum" id="Page_23">[23]</span>
+was likely to count a home run, for it had enough
+steam behind it to carry far afield.</p>
+
+<p>“He did it, Buster did it!” cried dozens of voices,
+as though the speakers had considerable difficulty
+in believing their own eyes.</p>
+
+<p>Then a fierce wave of sound went surging over
+the field. It was a fine play that appealed to the
+sportsmanlike spirit of an American crowd, so that
+even the warmest adherents of Bellport High joined
+in the tremendous cheer that awoke the echoes in
+the hills near by.</p>
+
+<p>And Hough walked in from second, shaking his
+head, and looking back toward the plump fielder as
+though he felt that he had been robbed.</p>
+
+<p>Two out! It was a splendid beginning, and
+nerved Frank to keep up the good work. If the
+balance of the boys only did their duty as Buster
+had shown how, the game would turn out to be a
+one-sided affair at best.</p>
+
+<p>But Frank knew the vagaries that attach to baseball,
+which serve to give it its greatest charm. No
+game is won until the last man is put out. A rally
+can cause a winning team to go all to pieces, so that
+their opponents fairly “shoot holes through their
+ranks.”</p>
+
+<p>“Banghardt next!”</p>
+
+<p>“He’s the boy who can do it, else why his name?”</p>
+
+<p>“Watch him knock the cover off the ball! See<span class="pagenum" id="Page_24">[24]</span>
+the fielders move out. Oh! Allen knows this chap.
+He’s the swift bunch, all right!”</p>
+
+<p>After all this boasting it must have been a bit
+humiliating to the Bellport boosters to see their
+idol strike out; but that was what the mighty Banghardt
+did. Three separate times did he send that
+wagon-tongue bat of his whistling through the air,
+each occasion being marked with a distinct grunt
+as it met only vacant space, for the ball was not
+where he believed it to be.</p>
+
+<p>“Better luck next time, Tony! Taking his measure
+are you?” yelled a Columbia boy, derisively, as
+the fielder threw his bat savagely away, and started
+out to attend to his territory, for the inning was
+over.</p>
+
+<p>Coddling took a brace after that first unfortunate
+affair, and the next three visitors who faced him
+were mowed down in regular order. His curves
+were most exasperating, his speed terrific, and he
+could mix a few fadeaway balls with the others in
+a fashion that kept the batter guessing all the time.</p>
+
+<p>So once more Frank went into the box to face
+the hard-hitting Bellport men.</p>
+
+<p>“Promises to be a warm game,” remarked a man
+who happened to be sitting beside Lef Seller on the
+bleachers.</p>
+
+<p>“Oh! I don’t know,” replied the disgruntled Columbia
+student, a pitcher of no mean merit himself,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_25">[25]</span>
+and who, but for his own misconduct, might have
+been serving on the team as a substitute. “That
+Coddling is a marvel sure, and they say he gets
+better right along, finishing strong. It’s different,
+with Frank. You see he starts well, but any little
+thing is apt to rattle him badly, so that he goes to
+pieces.”</p>
+
+<p>This was not so, as Lef well knew, but he could
+never resist the temptation to give the boy he hated
+a sly and underhand dig.</p>
+
+<p>The gentleman looked at his hat-band curiously.</p>
+
+<p>“You’re from Columbia, too, I believe, judging
+from the purple and gold ribbon you wear?” he remarked,
+with a slight sneer.</p>
+
+<p>“Oh! yes, I used to pitch for them last year, but
+the faculty jumped on me for some foolish little
+thing I did, and refused to let me take part this
+season. Frank does his best, we all know, but he
+isn’t just as steady as he might be,” continued Lef,
+brazenly.</p>
+
+<p>“That’s queer. I had an idea Frank was about
+as cool a player as I had ever seen in my old days
+at Princeton. If that’s the reputation he has then
+I’ve made the poorest play of my life, and I used
+to be considered a judge. Buster gave me to understand
+differently.”</p>
+
+<p>“Then you know Buster Billings?” asked Lef,
+quickly and uneasily.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_26">[26]</span>“Why, I’m stopping at his house just now,” came
+the reply.</p>
+
+<p>“Oh! then I can understand how it comes you
+think so highly of Frank, because he has a few
+chums always ready to sneeze when he takes snuff.
+There are some others in Columbia, and I own that
+I’m one of the gang, who believe Frank Allen to be
+a greatly overrated athlete. There! did you see him
+pass that man. He never pitched near the plate. I
+told you he could be easily rattled!”</p>
+
+<p>“Wait, my boy. Many a pitcher, as you know,
+does that, when he feels it in his bones that the batter
+is able to hit the ball. Besides, perhaps he knows
+that the next man is an easy mark for him,” remarked
+the gentleman, who seemed to be quite at
+home with regard to the fine points of the game.</p>
+
+<p>“That Smith, Jr., is the left fielder, and I have
+seen him send the ball out of sight. But his brother
+is no pie either, and if Frank thinks he’s going to
+mow him down he has another guess coming,” muttered
+Lef, eagerly watching, and ready to howl
+should the batter connect.</p>
+
+<p>“One strike!” announced the umpire, though the
+man had not swung at all.</p>
+
+<p>With the next ball he did strike viciously, but
+the merry plunk as the horsehide sphere settled comfortably
+in the big mitt of Paul Bird told that he<span class="pagenum" id="Page_27">[27]</span>
+had failed to properly gauge the line of its rifleball
+flight.</p>
+
+<p>After that came a foul and two balls. Frank
+believed he had his measure taken, and it was with
+the utmost confidence that he sent in one of his tantalizing
+out-curves.</p>
+
+<p>“You’re out!” shouted the umpire.</p>
+
+<p>The man on first had not dared run down, for
+he knew Frank’s battery mate was a remarkably
+accurate thrower to second; and that only on rare
+occasions had any opposing player purloined that
+sack while Paul Bird stood behind the plate.</p>
+
+<p>“Only one down!” shouted the coach near first,
+dancing about in an effort to divert the pitcher’s
+attention from his business; but Frank was up to all
+such stale tricks, and paid no attention to Snodgrass,
+his eye being on Lacy at the bat, and Smith, Jr., on
+the initial sack.</p>
+
+<p>Lacy was reckoned the dude of Bellport High. He
+always seemed as though “walking on eggs,” as some
+of the Columbia fellows said, and his manner of
+dressing in the very latest style had gained him the
+name of being a dandy. But when it came to covering
+that short field he had few peers among the
+school teams in that part of the country.</p>
+
+<p>He could also lace them out on occasion, too, having
+that very desirable quality in a successful player,
+called a “batting eye.”</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_28">[28]</span>Frank knew him of old, and played him cautiously.
+In spite of his care, however, Herb reached
+out and tapped one of his outshoots. The ball went
+plunging in the direction of short, and the crowd
+gasped to see how that acrobatic Tom Budd did his
+part of the business.</p>
+
+<p>He threw himself headlong at the passing ball, as
+though his legs were unable to carry him fast enough.
+They saw him turn a complete somersault and land
+on his feet like an acrobat in the circus.</p>
+
+<p>“Wow!” howled the amazed Bellport players, as
+Tom whirled and sent the ball to Seymour on second,
+who instantly relayed it to Lanky just in time to
+cut off the leaping Lacy while he was yet in the air.</p>
+
+<p>“A double! What do you think of that for playing?”
+shrieked the Columbia crowd, standing on
+their feet, and waving the colors of their school as
+if frenzied.</p>
+
+<p>“What sort of a human hinge have you got out
+there in short?” asked the gentleman alongside Lef;
+“I’ve seen some clever plays in my time, but that
+certainly beat them all out. Can that chap play baseball
+standing on his head?”</p>
+
+<p>“Oh! that’s Tom Budd, and he’s always doing
+stunts. Sometimes he succeeds, but more often
+makes a muss of it,” grunted Lef, who had felt disgusted
+to see Bellport mowed down so easily when
+things looked bright for a run.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_29">[29]</span>“I’m glad I happened to see him when he succeeded,
+then. That was worth ten times the price
+of the admission. I came to see a baseball match,
+but this is as good as a circus,” laughed the other.</p>
+
+<p>Lef moved away. Somehow or other he felt that
+he would be in more congenial atmosphere among
+some of the Bellport rooters, and listening to derogatory
+remarks concerning the fellow he detested.</p>
+
+<p>It was Ralph at the bat again, and this time he
+went out on a fly that Snodgrass captured after a
+hard run. Shadduck fanned after knocking about
+seven fouls that gave Clay a number of hard runs
+without any success at corraling one. And while
+Jack Comfort managed to lift one that landed him
+on first, he perished on the way to second, owing to
+Clay’s straight shoot to the bag.</p>
+
+<p>In their half of the third, Bellport managed to put
+one run over. Shaddock fumbled a hot liner that
+came his way, allowing the stout Bardwell to gallop
+to first. Then Clay lifted a fly that, while caught,
+gave the other a chance to land on second.</p>
+
+<p>“Play the game, fellows!” shouted the eager
+watchers, as the pitcher took his place to bat.</p>
+
+<p>Coddling bunted, and while out at first the chance
+was given Bardwell to settle himself comfortably
+on third.</p>
+
+<p>This compelled Snodgrass to hit, something he
+seldom did, preferring to get his base on balls.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_30">[30]</span>
+With a lucky little pop fly that neither Lanky nor
+Buster could reach before it fell, he brought his
+man in.</p>
+
+<p>Hough went out on a long fly to Comfort, so
+that the score was now two to one in favor of Columbia.</p>
+
+<p>Frank, when coming in, glanced up toward the
+grandstand. He knew very well just where his sister
+and Minnie Cuthbert were seated, and nodded
+his head with a smile in answer to the furious waving
+of the little purple and gold banners both girls carried.
+It was an inspiration to him to know that
+they were watching his work.</p>
+
+<p>Then he looked up at the beautiful pennant that
+floated over the field, offered by the same Mr. Garabrant
+who had towed their disabled launch, to the
+club winning the greater number of games in this
+tri-school league series of battles on the diamond.</p>
+
+<p>“You’ll get it, Frank, never fear!” shouted some
+one from the bleachers, seeing that look he gave.</p>
+
+<p>“Don’t count your chickens before they’re
+hatched,” jeered a Bellport rooter.</p>
+
+<p>“It’s a bully good fight, all right,” admitted a
+Clifford man, “and we’re only sorry to be out of it
+up our way. But most of our people want Columbia
+to win.”</p>
+
+<p>Three more innings saw no change in the score.
+Several hits were made off each pitcher, but good<span class="pagenum" id="Page_31">[31]</span>
+fielding, and a tightening up all around, prevented
+any damage resulting from such isolated cases.</p>
+
+<p>So the seventh commenced, with the strain greater
+than ever.</p>
+
+<p>“Hold them down, Frank! You’ve got it, if you
+do!”</p>
+
+<p>“But do some little batting yourselves, boys. Get
+at him! Coddling’s easy when you just know how!”
+jeered the other side.</p>
+
+<p>When Paul Bird stepped up to the plate to take his
+turn at the beginning of the seventh some one started
+to sing, “Columbia, the Gem of the Ocean.” A
+score of voices instantly joined in, followed by hundreds
+of others, until there was so much noise that
+the decisions of the umpire could not be heard above
+it, and he had to depend on gestures entirely.</p>
+
+<p>And while the uproar was at its height Paul was
+sent to first on balls!</p>
+
+<p>“Coddling is getting rattled, boys! Keep it up!”
+shrieked a dozen frantic Columbia fellows, waving
+their ribbon bedecked hats wildly.</p>
+
+<p>“Watch Frank bring him in with a three-bagger!
+He can do it, all right!” sang the crowd, as the
+pitcher stepped quietly up to the plate.</p>
+<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop">
+
+<div class="chapter">
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_32">[32]</span>
+
+<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER IV<br>
+
+<small>THE RALLY THAT CAME TOO LATE</small></h2>
+</div>
+
+<p><span class="smcap">Frank</span> gave no sign of the excitement that thrilled
+his every nerve. He realized that possibly a fortunate
+hit on his part right then and there would
+eventually win the game.</p>
+
+<p>Despite the furious racket that kept up on every
+hand, he faced Coddling, and prepared to do his
+very best to at least advance the runner.</p>
+
+<p>As a rule pitchers are not reckoned good batters,
+but Frank Allen had always been known to hit well.
+Coddling therefore tightened up, and determined to
+put his rival out of the running by tempting him
+with some of his astonishing assortment of curves
+and drops, for his swift ball had already cost him
+dear, so that he was afraid to use it often.</p>
+
+<p>Frank even allowed a strike to be called on him
+before he picked out one that seemed to his liking.
+What he did to that ball was a caution. It sailed
+away out in right, and Snodgrass had the run of
+his life to chase after it.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_33">[33]</span>Paul, reaching second, paused, an instant, for if
+the ball were caught, he would have some difficulty
+getting back to first in time.</p>
+
+<p>“Go on, Paul!” bellowed the coach through his
+hands.</p>
+
+<p>The noise had broken out worse than ever, so that
+each player had to be a law unto himself just then.</p>
+
+<p>“He muffed it! Run! run! run!” whooped everybody
+who had the interest of Columbia at heart,
+while the Bellport adherents looked dismal enough.</p>
+
+<p>It was an excusable error, for the fielder had fallen
+headlong at the instant his fingers touched the ball.
+He was up like a flash and chasing after it. Paul
+circled the bases and easily came home, but the
+coach held Frank at third, as the ball was coming
+in when he reached there.</p>
+
+<p>Nevertheless, it had been a three-bagger, despite
+the mess Snodgrass had made of his effort to capture
+the fly, and a run had resulted. Frank had reason
+to feel satisfied with himself as he crouched there
+and panted for breath.</p>
+
+<p>He knew that the chances were he would be a
+little off in his work unless this inning lasted for
+some time. That was one reason why his fellow
+players tried to delay matters as best they could
+within reason. Ralph tied his shoe, and then
+knocked three fouls, finally going out on one that
+Clay managed to get after a furious rush among the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_34">[34]</span>
+crowd to the right, and which brought him much
+hand-clapping.</p>
+
+<p>Then Bones Shadduck tried his hand. He wanted
+to bring Frank in, and struck savagely at what he
+considered fair balls; but Coddling had him guessing,
+and finally put him to sleep with a fadeaway that
+had not even reached the plate when the batter tried
+to knock it out of sight, and “fell all over himself,”
+as Lanky said, while doing so.</p>
+
+<p>In their half of this inning the Bellport boys
+seemed to awaken from the trance that had been
+binding them. There was a hustle and an energy to
+their play that told Frank he had better take care,
+or a batting rally would set in under which Bellport
+would speed to victory as on former occasions.</p>
+
+<p>Bardwell opened with a hit that bounded off the
+shins of Seymour. When the captain and second
+baseman of Columbia managed to snatch up the ball
+it was too late to head the runner off, though Bardwell
+was a clumsy man on bases.</p>
+
+<p>He pretended to limp around as though he had
+been spiked or something. The trick is, of course,
+as old as the hills. It only happens when a better
+runner is wanted on the initial bag. Seymour
+nodded his head when the Bellport captain called
+out, and accordingly Lacy was substituted for the
+elephantine Bardwell.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_35">[35]</span>Clay tried to bring him in with a big hit away
+out in center, but Comfort was on his job in that
+territory, and managed to corral the ball after backing
+out, even though he could not keep Lacy from
+taking second.</p>
+
+<p>Then came Coddling. He was no great batter,
+but there are times when baseball is full of surprises,
+and Frank was taking no chances.</p>
+
+<p>“Fan him, Frank!” shouted an excited rooter
+from the grandstand.</p>
+
+<p>“Let him hit it! Encourage a hard-working man
+a little!” called another.</p>
+
+<p>Coddling tried his level best, but that did not seem
+good enough, for he presently walked back to the
+bench, with three strikes marked against his record.</p>
+
+<p>Snodgrass waited, and got his base, though Frank
+considered that the umpire was unusually severe
+with him in calling balls, when he cut the plate with
+at least one of those that counted against him.</p>
+
+<p>“Now, Hough, you know what to do!”</p>
+
+<p>“Yes, Hough, lam it good and hard over old Billings’
+head. He’ll never get another like he did that
+first one. That was an accident!”</p>
+
+<p>“You’ve got him up in the air, boys! Lead that
+horse into the stable!”</p>
+
+<p>Dozens of like cries sounded everywhere. It is a
+part of the game to try and rattle the pitcher when
+such an emergency arises.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_36">[36]</span>Still, that faint smile remained on the face of
+Frank Allen, as he prepared to take the measure of
+this hard-hitting Bellport player, who had broken the
+reputation of at least one promising pitcher.</p>
+
+<p>With two out, and men on first and third, Hough
+certainly had reason to do everything in his power
+to make a hit. Then came the sharp shock as the
+bat met one of Frank’s curves on the nose, and the
+ball went shooting down toward third.</p>
+
+<p>Shadduck stopped the speedy one as best he could,
+but it was coming like a comet, and he could not
+hold it. Jumping after the ball, he snatched it up.
+The chances of getting it to Paul were rather
+meagre, but it was his business to try, and he shot
+it for home.</p>
+
+<p>No doubt the very rapidity of the play unsettled
+him, so that he failed to send the ball exactly where
+it would have cut the runner off. Paul had to reach
+out after it, and then tag the sliding runner.</p>
+
+<p>“Safe!” shouted the umpire, who was there on
+the spot to see.</p>
+
+<p>Meanwhile Paul had tossed the ball back to Shadduck,
+for there was danger of Snodgrass coming
+down from second while all this was going on; in
+fact, he had to be driven back with threatening
+gestures.</p>
+
+<p>With two men on bases and two out, the inning
+still had possibilities, and loud waxed the exultant<span class="pagenum" id="Page_37">[37]</span>
+cries of the Bellport rooters as they sang their school
+song and made a great demonstration.</p>
+
+<p>“Got him up in a balloon! He’s ascending, all
+right, boys! Give him another push, Tony!”</p>
+
+<p>Banghardt stepped up full of confidence, and
+faced the pitcher with determination in his eye. Just
+two minutes later he dropped his bat and trotted out
+toward center, for the umpire had said that three
+balls which sailed past him were along the strike
+order—and the umpire belonged to Bellport, too, so
+that there could be little doubt but what he was
+right.</p>
+
+<p>So the eighth began with Columbia still one run
+to the good, and Bellport just as positive as ever
+that they could not only make the lone tally necessary
+to tie, but add a few more for good measure.</p>
+
+<p>Comfort, Lanky Wallace and Billings tried to
+accomplish something while they remained for a
+fleeting space of time on deck, but Coddling seemed
+to have taken a new lease of life, and they were
+unable to connect with a single one of his elusive
+benders.</p>
+
+<p>Frank shut his teeth hard as he went into the box
+in turn. He was not given to weakening, despite
+all that the envious Lef had declared; and his arm
+felt just as good at that minute as in the second
+inning.</p>
+
+<p>All Smiths looked alike to him, judging from the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_38">[38]</span>
+way he struck the two brothers out, one after the
+other.</p>
+
+<p>Herb Lacy managed to work him for a free pass
+to first, but after all it did him little good, for the
+next batter, Bardwell, lifted a foul that Paul gathered
+in against the grandstand, to the accompanying
+cheers of the occupants.</p>
+
+<p>This brought affairs down to the ninth, and all
+over the field there was intense excitement.</p>
+
+<p>“This is the lucky Bellport inning!” shouted one
+fellow, encouragingly.</p>
+
+<p>“Watch them run the game out right here!”</p>
+
+<p>“Will they? Maybe, maybe not!” answered Jack
+Eastwick.</p>
+
+<p>Herman Hooker had jumped to his feet as Columbia
+went to bat for the last time. Up to the present
+he had been content to play a minor part, but now
+his time had come.</p>
+
+<p>“Give it to them, boys—give them the slogan we
+love, good and strong. Hi! hi! hi! ho! ho! ho!
+<i>veni! vidi! vici!</i> Columbia! Siss! boom! ah!”</p>
+
+<p>Amid such a pandemonium Tom Budd struck out,
+though he died trying to find one of those balls
+which Coddling seemed to be twining around his
+neck. Seymour was somewhat more fortunate. He
+raised a fine fly, but unfortunately it landed in the
+outstretched hands of Smith, Junior, who did not
+seem to stir a yard.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_39">[39]</span>Paul Bird made a lucky hit that should have been
+an out, but the players were so nervous by this
+time that Lacy actually fumbled the ball. Frank,
+with all the encouragement that might accompany
+such backing as could spring from the “best yeller
+Columbia ever had,” as he jumped up and down, and
+waved his megaphone violently, sent a hot liner
+straight at Hough on second that nearly took him
+off his feet, though he held it.</p>
+
+<p>And then Bellport came to the bat. Every man
+looked grimly confident. Clay made a hit out of the
+first ball that came along, reaching out and stealing
+what was meant to be a wide one.</p>
+
+<p>How those Bellport rooters did shriek and jump!
+It seemed as though they would go crazy as they
+begged and implored Coddling to win his own game
+by advancing the runner by a little bunt.</p>
+
+<p>“He just can’t do it, boys!” called one fellow,
+after Coddling had twice thrust out his bat and
+failed to even touch the speeding ball.</p>
+
+<p>“Give him a pair of smoke glasses; the sun’s in
+his eyes!”</p>
+
+<p>“Three times and out, Coddling—take care, old
+hoss!”</p>
+
+<p>This time Coddling, in despair, struck savagely,
+and perhaps to his own surprise, tapped the ball
+smartly toward second.</p>
+
+<p>“Double ’em up!” arose the howl like a flash, for<span class="pagenum" id="Page_40">[40]</span>
+the average baseball rooter can see the possibilities
+of a play as soon as a player.</p>
+
+<p>And that was just what happened. Seymour
+snatched the ball from the ground with one hand,
+leaped over to his sack, and as his foot touched the
+same he threw for Lanky on first. Coddling was
+caught ten feet away, and a mighty groan attested
+to the strain under which the Bellport crowd was
+resting.</p>
+
+<p>Snodgrass again found that he just had to strike,
+for Frank was putting them over on purpose now,
+having full confidence in the men back of him.
+Smash! went the ball. Lanky fell over very much
+like a ten pin that has been caught by a rapidly moving
+ball, but as he sat there he held up his hand to
+prove that he had forked the sphere out of the air
+and gripped it tight!</p>
+
+<p>The game was over, and it had been a heartbreaking
+one all around. Immediately the great
+crowd flooded the ground, and the players were
+swallowed up in groups of admiring rooters. Herman
+Hooker led his gallant band in another cheer,
+in which the defeated Bellport team came in for a
+share of the shouting; after which there was a wild
+rush for all means of transportation whereby the
+thousands could hope to reach their homes in the
+neighboring towns.</p>
+
+<p>When the Columbia players reached the river they<span class="pagenum" id="Page_41">[41]</span>
+found that during their absence Abner Gould had
+succeeded in repairing the motor, so that it was now
+in condition to take them back home. Frank could
+not be sure that his suspicions were well founded,
+and hence he decided to say nothing about the matter.
+If the man had been hired by his sporting
+brother to delay the Columbia team, and annoy them
+so that they would go upon the field nervous and unstrung,
+he had been caught in his own trap.</p>
+
+<p>Ralph West seemed anxious to speak to Frank in
+private. They were on the way up the river, and
+most of the boys had stretched out, talking over the
+various thrilling events of the great game, when
+Ralph dropped down beside Frank.</p>
+
+<p>“I’ve been wanting to say a few words to you
+ever since we left Columbia, but couldn’t get the
+chance,” he said in a low tone.</p>
+
+<p>Frank could see that he was unduly excited, and
+he did not believe that this came wholly from his
+clever work in the recent game.</p>
+
+<p>“All right, Ralph; what is it?” he asked encouragingly,
+for they had been good friends for some
+time, and Frank knew all about certain strange
+events connected with the past life of the freshman
+who had made good on the Columbia nine.</p>
+
+<p>“I went to the post-office just before we started
+out,” commenced Ralph.</p>
+
+<p>Frank started, and looked at him eagerly.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_42">[42]</span>“This is just after the first of the month, and that
+mysterious letter with the money enclosed used to
+always come at such a time. Well, what happened?”
+he asked.</p>
+
+<p>“I got the letter,” replied Ralph, drawing a long
+breath.</p>
+
+<p>“With the money in it?”</p>
+
+<p>“Yes, just as before,” answered the freshman,
+gulping hard as something seemed to choke him;
+“and not a single word. Frank, it’s all opened up
+again, and I must know who is sending me this
+money. You promised to help me, and I’ll never
+rest easy until I learn who I am!”</p>
+<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop">
+
+<div class="chapter">
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_43">[43]</span>
+
+<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER V<br>
+
+<small>A THUNDERBOLT IN THE SCHOOL</small></h2>
+</div>
+
+<p>“<span class="smcap">Let</span> me see the envelope, Ralph,” Frank said,
+soothingly.</p>
+
+<p>“Here it is, and it comes from your uncle’s office,
+as before.”</p>
+
+<p>“That’s a fact, and I’m going to ask Uncle Jim
+again to tell us what he knows of this queer arrangement.
+Somebody wants you to get an education, and
+takes this strange way of supplying the money. It’s
+been coming ever since last summer, hasn’t it,
+Ralph?”</p>
+
+<p>“Yes. And you know that Mr. and Mrs. West,
+whom I always believed to be my parents, until
+lately, admitted that I was only adopted by them,
+taken from the poorhouse. Then there was that
+poor Ben Davis. It looked to me that he might be
+the one; but we saw him before he died, and he
+denied that he knew anything about me. Oh, this is
+a terrible fix for a fellow to be in!”</p>
+
+<p>“Cheer up, old chap. Come around to-night, and<span class="pagenum" id="Page_44">[44]</span>
+I’ll get father to take a hand in the game. Perhaps
+he can induce Uncle Jim to explain who sends this
+money on the sly through him. He said he had
+promised not to tell, but dad may influence him some
+way. I wouldn’t say anything more about it now.
+The fellows are looking over this way, as though
+wondering.”</p>
+
+<p>So Ralph tried to change his look of anxiety and
+gloom to one that corresponded more nearly with
+the uproarious delight that caused the others to break
+out in almost continuous cheering under the inspiring
+influence of Herman Hooker.</p>
+
+<p>That energetic individual was as hoarse as a crow
+by this time, however, and had to give a rest to the
+“best yelling voice that Columbia ever knew,” taking
+it out in gestures that were almost tragic.</p>
+
+<p>And so in the evening of that never-to-be-forgotten
+day they arrived home, to find the town gaily
+decked in bunting, and crowds of students parading
+the streets cheering and singing.</p>
+
+<p>Columbia promised to be painted red that night
+of the great victory over the strong Bellport team.
+Even the girls joined in the cheering and singing;
+while an old cannon was made to do duty on the
+green, with a salute to the boys who had carried
+the colors of Columbia High to victory that day.</p>
+
+<p>One returning pilgrim saw nothing to boast about
+in the snatching of this close game from Bellport.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_45">[45]</span>
+That was Lef Seller. All the way back he had been
+in more or less of a wordy war with various enthusiastic
+rooters on the trolley, and his remarks had
+been of a nature that almost caused him to be tossed
+overboard.</p>
+
+<p>“His father may own this road, but that doesn’t
+excuse him for running down his own school!”
+declared one of the old graduates of Columbia High,
+in disgust.</p>
+
+<p>Lef was in a very bitter frame of mind. To see
+Frank come out a winner was like gall and wormwood
+to his envious spirit. He racked his brain,
+with the idea of finding some way of “pulling that
+climbing duck down a peg,” as he muttered to himself.</p>
+
+<p>As a rule, when Lef Seller set about discovering
+some means of playing a “trick,” as he called it,
+upon a school mate, he usually managed to get
+there, even though the gun he held sometimes kicked
+worse at the butt than it did damage from the
+muzzle.</p>
+
+<p>“Be sure and come around after supper, Ralph.
+I’d ask you to go home with me now, but I know
+you want to wash up and get into some other duds.
+I’ll look for you,” remarked Frank, as the crowd
+went ashore and walked into the town.</p>
+
+<p>“I’ll be there. This matter is a mighty serious
+one with me, and if your father will only give me<span class="pagenum" id="Page_46">[46]</span>
+a little help I’d be obliged,” and Ralph shook the
+hand of his friend warmly.</p>
+
+<p>“Poor chap,” said Frank to himself, as he walked
+away and cast a glance over his shoulder to note
+that the other had dropped his chin upon his breast
+as though lost in sad thought. “It must be a nightmare
+of a time not to know who you are. And then
+there’s this money that comes every month from
+some unknown source. Whoever can it be sending
+it? Uncle Jim <i>must</i> tell, that’s all there is to it.”</p>
+
+<p>Uncle Jim meant Judge James Decatur Allen,
+away down in New York. Frank had already appealed
+to him, but the lawyer in reply had said he
+did not feel able to explain the mystery, since he had
+given his word to his unknown client.</p>
+
+<p>That night there was a council of war. Mr. Allen
+heard the whole story, and was deeply interested in
+the fortunes of poor Ralph.</p>
+
+<p>“I’ll write to Jim to-morrow, and explain things.
+No matter if he has promised, he ought to take pity
+on you, Ralph, and give you a hint. If you knew
+it wasn’t your relatives who were sending this
+money, your mind would be at ease, I suppose?” was
+what the gentleman had said.</p>
+
+<p>“I might refuse to accept another cent of it in
+that case,” replied Ralph, sturdily.</p>
+
+<p>“While I can understand how you feel about that,
+let me caution you to go slow about looking a gift<span class="pagenum" id="Page_47">[47]</span>
+horse in the mouth. An education is priceless, and
+even if the money came from some distasteful source,
+you could still receive it and make up your mind
+to positively return it some day.”</p>
+
+<p>“Thank you, sir; that is what I meant to do, anyway,”
+said Ralph.</p>
+
+<p>“Meanwhile say nothing about this. When I hear
+from Jim I’ll have another talk with you. Perhaps
+he may see fit to confide enough to me so that I can at
+least ease your mind. And, Ralph, consider that this
+is something of a second home to you. We have all
+grown to like you very much, my lad.”</p>
+
+<p>Ralph could not reply, for he seemed too full of
+sentiment for utterance; but he squeezed the hand
+Mr. Allen gave him, and his look was eloquent
+enough.</p>
+
+<p>On the following week there was little talked of at
+school but that wonderful game at Bellport. The
+next one, on the following Saturday, would be
+played on the Columbia grounds; and the third as
+dictated by fortune in the way of a tossed coin.</p>
+
+<p>Lef Seller was green with envy at the praise he
+heard concerning the masterly way Frank had
+pitched.</p>
+
+<p>“Just as if nobody ever won a game before. Huh!
+there are half a dozen to my credit, and some of ’em
+as hot as that one. But did you ever hear of the
+old school going crazy over my work. I guess not!<span class="pagenum" id="Page_48">[48]</span>
+But that Allen—oh, splash! I get sick hearing the
+mention of his name!”</p>
+
+<p>That was the way he talked to his two cronies.
+Bill Klemm and Tony Gilpin, after school was out,
+about the middle of the week.</p>
+
+<p>Lef was sure of sympathy in this quarter, and it
+did much to bolster up his resolution to get even
+with Frank, no matter what happened.</p>
+
+<p>“Course you couldn’t ’spect to be looked at in
+the light of a hero. It’s only the fellers what strut
+around and try to look like tin gods on wheels that
+gets the ribbons. Look at them gals talking to him
+now. He ain’t any better lookin’ than you, Lef, but
+he’s just got Minnie dead struck after him,” remarked
+Tony, with his usual disregard for all the
+rules of grammar.</p>
+
+<p>“Aw, let up on that, won’t you? Want to rub
+salt in a feller’s cuts, I guess. Don’t I see it all,
+and ain’t I just boiling with madness. She used to
+think somethin’ of me before she got going with
+that conceited little Helen Allen, and Frank, he
+butted in. I never will forgive him for that, and it
+won’t be long before he’ll get his, all right!” and
+Lef nodded his head as he spoke, in a suggestive way
+those cronies of his understood meant fight.</p>
+
+<p>But the tactics of Lef were never along that order
+which brought about an open rupture. Fight he
+would, if he could get the object of his hatred alone,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_49">[49]</span>
+and have backing of his own, so that the odds were
+three to one; but Lef had too much respect for the
+strong muscles and agility of Columbia’s crack athlete
+to risk a solitary meeting with him.</p>
+
+<p>No matter what he had in his mind he would not
+confide in either of the others. When they asked
+him he simply put his tongue in his cheek and
+grinned, which signs they understood meant trouble
+for Frank Allen.</p>
+
+<p>On Thursday morning, after the exercises in the
+assembly hall, the principal of the school, instead of
+dismissing the various classes to their rooms, asked
+them to remain, as he had a communication of importance
+which he wished to make.</p>
+
+<p>Expectation was on tiptoe immediately.</p>
+
+<p>Crafty Tony Gilpin, stealing a side look over toward
+Lef, caught a fleeting glow of expectancy in
+his eyes, while his manner of leaning forward indicated
+that he might know what was coming.</p>
+
+<p>“He’s gone and done it!” was Tony’s prompt
+inward declaration, and immediately his admiration
+for his chief was increased tenfold.</p>
+
+<p>Every eye was fastened upon Professor Parke as
+he stood up facing them. The ordinarily genial
+teacher looked very sober, and this fact caused many
+a heart to beat with apprehension, as various lads
+imagined that some prank in which they were concerned<span class="pagenum" id="Page_50">[50]</span>
+had been found out, and public disgrace was
+to follow.</p>
+
+<p>“Young ladies and gentlemen,” began the professor,
+who was always in the habit of addressing
+the students in this dignified way, just as though his
+training as a college man would allow of nothing
+else, “I have a very painful duty to perform this
+morning, and one I never thought would devolve
+upon me here at Columbia, though I have heard of
+it happening elsewhere.”</p>
+
+<p>You could have heard a pin drop as he stopped for
+a moment. Two hundred and fifty hearts were
+thrilled by his words. Every one present, save, possibly,
+one, wondered what it could be the professor
+was about to say. Tony was still shooting those
+fugitive glances across the room, and each time he
+observed the actions of his comrade he kept repeating
+to himself:</p>
+
+<p>“Lef knows! He’s in this game, all right. He
+said he’d do <i>something</i>, and I just reckon he has,
+all right. Bully for Lef!”</p>
+
+<p>The professor spoke again, and his voice carried
+to the furthest point in that large room, so that
+every one could hear what he said.</p>
+
+<p>“I repeat that I have had a shock. I did not
+believe there could be a student under my charge so
+dishonorable as to attempt anything so small and
+mean as this seems. And I am sure that every one<span class="pagenum" id="Page_51">[51]</span>
+here, save the miscreant who is guilty, will agree
+with me in saying that, when you hear how he
+planned to take advantage of the rest of you.”</p>
+
+<p>Lef was licking his lips now, and trying hard to
+hide the grin that seemed to want to creep over his
+face. He had all the appearance of one who was
+enjoying a delightful treat, and yet who, for diplomatic
+reasons, did not want other eyes to note the
+fact.</p>
+
+<p>“Yesterday afternoon,” continued the Head,
+slowly, while his eyes roved around the room, “I
+received the first batch of examination papers from
+the printers, far in advance of the usual time. I
+counted them three times, and marked the number
+on a slip, so that I could always be sure none were
+missing.”</p>
+
+<p>A half suppressed sigh seemed to pass over the
+room. Most of the students could begin to guess
+at what was coming. They understood now what
+the professor intended to convey when he spoke of
+every one being cheated by the work of the malefactor.</p>
+
+<p>“Something called me away just then, and I did
+a very unwise thing—thrust the packet of papers
+into my desk, and left the latter open; but I never
+dreamed that any one in this school could be guilty
+of stealing the questions that mean the promotion of
+the juniors in this year’s classes.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_52">[52]</span>“I was away about half an hour. Upon returning,
+something seemed to tell me that my desk had
+been entered, since things were plainly disturbed.
+And when I recounted the packet <i>I found just one
+paper short</i>!”</p>
+
+<p>Again he paused, and the entire assemblage
+seemed to catch its breath, waiting.</p>
+
+<p>“When I had made sure that one of the papers
+was gone, my pleasure over the fine showing of
+Columbia in the week just passed fled. I knew that
+unless that stolen paper were found, the entire batch
+would have to be destroyed, for fear lest it be passed
+around, and make our examination a mockery.</p>
+
+<p>“This morning I received a singular communication
+from an unknown party, who claims that he
+dares not sign his name, because it would make him
+enemies; but he affirms that he saw a certain student
+coming out of the office during yesterday afternoon,
+and that following him up, he discovered him
+looking at a piece of paper which seemed to him to
+be a set of questions used in our yearly examinations.</p>
+
+<p>“As a rule, I seldom take any notice of anonymous
+communications, but in this case I feel it a duty I
+owe the entire junior class to do everything in my
+power to discover the guilty one. The name mentioned
+in this communication was one that stunned
+me; but since it has been brought before my attention,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_53">[53]</span>
+there seems to be nothing for me to do but
+request the person in question to plead guilty or innocent.”</p>
+
+<p>Then he swept his eyes around, while many a lad
+shivered in mortal fear, until finally, they came to
+a pause, and the professor exclaimed:</p>
+
+<p>“Frank Allen, come forward, please!”</p>
+<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop">
+
+<div class="chapter">
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_54">[54]</span>
+
+<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER VI<br>
+
+<small>THE VINDICATION</small></h2>
+</div>
+
+<p>“<span class="smcap">Oh!</span>”</p>
+
+<p>It seemed as though a score of voices framed that
+one word. A few of the students looked pleased
+because suspicion seemed to have alighted upon a
+shining mark, but the vast majority were shocked
+and stunned. Helen turned as white as a little
+ghost, while Minnie Cuthbert half rose from her
+seat, and stared at the principal as though she
+thought he had surely taken leave of his senses.</p>
+
+<p>Frank stood up quickly. He could not help it if
+his face burned just then, for any one would naturally
+be confused at so sudden an accusation.</p>
+
+<p>Almost as quickly the color left his face, and he
+flashed a defiant look around, as if to discover who
+it was chuckled, for it appeared that Lef could not
+wholly contain himself.</p>
+
+<p>Frank walked directly in front of the professor,
+and looked him straight in the face. He bore himself
+proudly, as might an innocent lad upon whom
+unjust suspicion had been cast. If some enemy had
+done this, Frank did not intend to let him have the
+satisfaction of seeing how it hurt.</p>
+
+<figure class="figcenter illowe28_125" id="i_p054a">
+  <img class="w100" src="images/i_p054a.jpg" alt="">
+  <figcaption class="caption"><p class="caption">FRANK WALKED DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF THE PROFESSOR, AND
+LOOKED HIM STRAIGHT IN THE FACE.<br>
+
+<i>Columbia High on the Diamond.</i><span class="gap">      <i>Page <a href="#Page_54">54</a>.</i></span></p>
+</figcaption>
+</figure>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_55">[55]</span>“Frank, were you in my office alone at any time
+yesterday afternoon?” asked Professor Parke steadily,
+as he gazed at the lad before him, and those who
+knew anything about reading expression would have
+seen readily enough that it was more like a look of
+sincere affection that he gave the boy than one of
+accusation or doubt.</p>
+
+<p>“I was not, sir,” came the immediate response,
+clear-cut and ringing.</p>
+
+<p>“This communication, which, as I said before,
+has no name attached to it, states that you probably
+have that examination paper in your pocket at this
+moment. Is there any truth in that assertion,
+Frank?” went on the principal.</p>
+
+<p>“So far as I know, sir, there is not. I am perfectly
+willing to have any one search me over. In
+fact, sir, after what has been said I <i>demand</i> that it
+be done,” said the student, indignantly.</p>
+
+<p>“Suppose you do it yourself, Frank. Place everything
+in your pockets on my desk here, please.”</p>
+
+<p>With a smile Frank started to obey. Of course,
+every eye followed each of his movements, and
+Lanky Wallace, who happened to be just behind Lef,
+wondered why the fellow gripped his desk and partly<span class="pagenum" id="Page_56">[56]</span>
+arose, as his lips kept forming unuttered words, and
+he trembled all over.</p>
+
+<p>Suddenly Frank’s smile faded. He had a troubled
+look on his face as he slowly drew something out,
+took one swift glance at it, and then handed it up to
+the professor.</p>
+
+<p>“It’s the paper!”</p>
+
+<p>“Oh, he had it after all!”</p>
+
+<p>“How did it ever happen? I don’t believe he
+ever took it!”</p>
+
+<p>“Isn’t it dreadful, girls?” this last from Emily
+Dodsworth, who had often tried to interest Frank
+Allen in her own simpering self, but without success.</p>
+
+<p>Frank stood there, looking straight up into the
+eyes of the principal.</p>
+
+<p>“This is indeed the missing examination paper.
+The unknown party to whom we are so heavily indebted
+certainly told the truth when he said it would
+be found in your pocket, Frank. Are you willing
+to answer me one question?”</p>
+
+<p>“I will answer as many as you ask me, sir,” replied
+the boy, without quailing.</p>
+
+<p>“Have you ever seen this paper before, Frank?”</p>
+
+<p>“I give you my word for it, sir, that I never set
+eyes on it until I drew it out of my pocket just
+now. I don’t know how it got there, unless some
+fellow put it there for fun, or to injure me.”</p>
+
+<p>A few smiled disdainfully. They were the ones<span class="pagenum" id="Page_57">[57]</span>
+who had always been envious of Frank Allen’s popularity
+in the school, and rejoiced to see him even
+temporarily under a cloud.</p>
+
+<p>But there were ten to one who looked terribly
+stunned, and found it hard to realize that the boy
+they had all admired as a shining example of honesty
+and candor could even be accused of so despicable
+a thing as this, the smallest, meanest cheat of
+which any student could be guilty.</p>
+
+<p>“I wish to state right here, Frank, that I believe
+you are speaking the exact truth,” said the professor,
+with one of his rare smiles; “and I’m going to
+explain just what I mean by that, if you will all
+sit back in your seats and listen.”</p>
+
+<p>The silence became profound. Even Lef had
+drawn within his shell, so to speak, at this unexpected
+remark from the Head, as if he might have
+been a cautious old tortoise. He scented trouble
+from afar, and was preparing to put on an innocent
+look. When Lef was really on his guard, it
+would require a keen eye indeed to detect guilt in
+his face. He could stare any one in the countenance
+and lie out of any hole deliberately and
+vehemently.</p>
+
+<p>“In the first place,” went on the principal, “I have
+always set it down as an absolute fact that in nine
+cases out of ten an anonymous communication is
+the work of a sneak, a coward, and generally a criminal,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_58">[58]</span>
+who wants to throw dust in the eyes of possible
+pursuers, so as to effect his own escape. Either
+that, or else it is his intention to ruin the reputation
+of the party he accuses.</p>
+
+<p>“It might give me more or less embarrassment,
+though not anxiety, in the premises, Frank, on account
+of this paper being found on your person, only
+for one thing. And that was just where circumstances
+conspired to make the wretch who could so
+miserably plot to harm a fellow student, overreach
+himself.</p>
+
+<p>“After I had placed those papers in my desk, I
+went straight to the gymnasium, where you were
+practising, and called you aside. In my company
+you went to ascertain about certain matters that you
+had called to my attention, and where repairs were
+absolutely necessary. And I wish to state emphatically
+that during the half hour I was from my room
+Frank Allen was actually at my side every minute
+of the time until I stepped into my office again!”</p>
+
+<p>He paused, as if to let the effect of his statement
+sink into the minds of the whole assemblage. Then
+there came a ripple that immediately broke into a
+deluge of cheers, until the entire building seemed to
+vibrate with the tremendous volume of sound.</p>
+
+<p>Nor did Principal Parke raise a hand to assuage
+the voluntary tribute to the popularity of the boy
+who had been under so unjust a suspicion! Mr.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_59">[59]</span>
+Amos Wellington, one of the other men teachers,
+raised a hand feebly, but who cared for his protest
+when the Head, by his silence, gave tacit consent to
+the shouts.</p>
+
+<p>Then Professor Parke bent over and offered his
+hand to Frank, which action was the occasion for
+more cheers and a tiger, as well as the school yell.
+There certainly had never been such an extraordinary
+spectacle seen in old Columbia High during the
+twenty years of its existence.</p>
+
+<p>And Lef shouted just as loudly as the rest! He
+did not dare hold back, lest suspicion be turned his
+way. He was trembling in his shoes even then as the
+enormity of his iniquity burst upon him. What if
+the janitor, Soggy Dolan, had glimpsed him when
+he slipped out of the office, for the latter had gone
+past with a step ladder on his shoulder, and might
+have turned his head, unknown to the culprit.</p>
+
+<p>Lanky thought it queer that Lef should seem so
+pleased over the vindication of one toward whom he
+was known to bear only ill will. He imagined that
+this sudden change of heart on the part of Lef might
+be placed in the same category as the suspicion said
+to attach to the Greeks bearing gifts.</p>
+
+<p>And so, after all, the incident that had been
+planned as calculated to attach infamy to Frank’s
+name only served to raise him still further in the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_60">[60]</span>
+estimation of his schoolmates, and the teachers of
+Columbia High.</p>
+
+<p>And it was certainly a pleasure to have them all
+swarm around him later on, to declare their satisfaction
+and delight at his complete vindication.</p>
+
+<p>Frank was far from satisfied.</p>
+
+<p>It was a dreadful thought to realize that he had
+an enemy in the school vindictive enough to do such
+a terrible thing as this, simply to crush him.</p>
+
+<p>“Ten to one I could guess who he is,” said Lanky,
+angrily.</p>
+
+<p>“Have you any proof of it?” asked Frank.</p>
+
+<p>Lanky was forced to admit that his declaration
+was only grounded on certain suspicious circumstances.
+He would have told of Lef’s queer actions,
+but Frank declined to listen.</p>
+
+<p>“I’m going to try and find out the truth for myself,
+Lanky; but whatever I do, I won’t accuse any
+one until I can pin him down with indisputable
+proof,” he said.</p>
+
+<p>“And then what, Frank?”</p>
+
+<p>“Well, I won’t say, but the miserable coward who
+would try to strip a fellow of his reputation hadn’t
+ought to be allowed to go free,” and had Lef seen
+the flash in the eyes that accompanied these words,
+he would very likely have trembled more than ever,
+and tried to walk a chalk-line.</p>
+
+<p>Frank sought the principal after school. He<span class="pagenum" id="Page_61">[61]</span>
+found the professor in his office, and the other welcomed
+him with a warm smile.</p>
+
+<p>“What can I do for you, Frank? You understand
+that not for a single minute did I dream that you
+were guilty. I had remembered the circumstances
+of your being in my company every bit of the time
+while I was out of here, and the thief crept in to rob
+my desk. But I would give a good deal to be able
+to find out who played so mean a trick upon you.”</p>
+
+<p>“Will you let me see the paper you received, sir?”
+asked Frank.</p>
+
+<p>“That you will find in my waste-paper basket yonder.
+Now that you mention it, I can see that it was
+unwise of me to toss it aside contemptuously. Have
+you found it, my lad?”</p>
+
+<p>“Yes, sir,” said Frank, bending over.</p>
+
+<p>“I see, you think it possible to recognize the writing.
+But in this case the scoundrel followed the
+usual custom with all anonymous letter writers, for
+he simply printed the words,” remarked the
+principal.</p>
+
+<p>“Yes, sir, I notice he did. And the paper seems
+to be just what is used by every student in school,
+as the supplies come from you,” observed Frank,
+still examining the crumpled sheet.</p>
+
+<p>“I’m afraid that we may never know who did
+it, unless through some accident.”</p>
+
+<p>“Where did you find this note, sir?” continued<span class="pagenum" id="Page_62">[62]</span>
+the boy, eagerly, as though a sudden idea had struck
+him.</p>
+
+<p>“Slipped under my door here when I opened it
+this morning. You know Mr. Dolan does not open
+my office save on Saturdays, when he cleans. Whoever
+put the paper under the door chose a time when
+no one was likely to see him.”</p>
+
+<p>“You threw this in the basket as soon as you read
+it, sir?”</p>
+
+<p>“Yes, for, as I remarked, I was indignant,” replied
+the professor, curiously wondering what all
+these questions implied.</p>
+
+<p>“And at that early time I don’t suppose you were
+using your ink at all, sir?”</p>
+
+<p>“Certainly not, Frank. What makes you ask that,
+lad?”</p>
+
+<p>Frank spread the paper, which he had smoothed
+out, before the gentleman.</p>
+
+<p>“You see, sir, whoever wrote this used ink; and
+in some way or other he must have gotten a certain
+small amount on his fingers and thumb. Look here,
+and you will see where there is a very plain imprint
+of a thumb, and from the other marks that accompany
+it, I should say that it is the <i>left</i> thumb, too!”</p>
+
+<p>“You interest me amazingly, my boy. And it is
+all just as you say. I do declare, it must be the
+left thumb that has left an imprint here. I see what
+you have in mind, Frank. Go your own way about<span class="pagenum" id="Page_63">[63]</span>
+it. If you discover the guilty one, I leave it to you
+entirely whether you bring him before me or not.
+This is your especial affair, and you can manage it
+as you please.”</p>
+
+<p>“Well, I happened to be reading lately how they
+take the imprint of criminals’ thumbs over in France,
+and that no two are exactly alike. With other measurements,
+it is called the Bertillon system, and has
+been found to work well. There, I have made an
+impression of my left thumb, and you can see, sir,
+that the lines are very much unlike this one.”</p>
+
+<p>“Frank, you are correct, and I give you credit
+for so much acumen. But do you want me to call
+every boy in school in here and take an impression
+of each left thumb, so that we can discover the one
+rascal?” smiled the principal.</p>
+
+<p>“Oh, no, sir, but I thought I’d like to try on my
+own hook, to see if I could land him,” exclaimed
+Frank.</p>
+
+<p>“All right, go ahead. I give you free permission,
+and wish you luck. And, Frank, perhaps you have
+already some idea as to what direction you mean to
+hunt first of all,” this last with uplifted eyebrows
+and a questioning look.</p>
+
+<p>“Well, sir,” said Frank, as he turned to depart
+with the precious paper safe in his pocket, “I suppose
+I have suspicions, but they may be unjust toward
+a certain party, and I wouldn’t mention them<span class="pagenum" id="Page_64">[64]</span>
+to any one. Thank you, Professor, for helping me.
+If I succeed, perhaps I may bring the proof to you.
+It all depends upon circumstances.”</p>
+
+<p>“Ah, yes,” murmured the professor, after he
+found himself alone; “I can understand what that
+means. If the rascal pleads only strong enough that
+generous lad will even go so far as to forgive him,
+and hush the ugly matter up, for the honor of
+Columbia. Would that there were more like him!”</p>
+<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop">
+
+<div class="chapter">
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_65">[65]</span>
+
+<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER VII<br>
+
+<small>THE IMPRINT IN THE CLAY</small></h2>
+</div>
+
+<p>“<span class="smcap">I don’t</span> believe in it, that’s all!” said Lanky Wallace,
+with a shake of his head.</p>
+
+<p>“Well, now, for my part, I’m not so hard to convince.
+Just because they look alike at first glance
+is no reason why it would be so if you put our
+hands under a magnifier. I kind of side with
+Frank,” observed Buster Billings.</p>
+
+<p>They were gathered in a group in the gymnasium,
+and chattering like magpies. A dozen or more boys
+had dropped in after school Thursday afternoon, as
+a drizzling rain prevented any outdoor work, and
+there were many temptations for lovers of athletics
+in that well equipped gym.</p>
+
+<p>“Do you mean to tell me,” burst out Lanky, with
+a look of scorn, “that everybody’s two hands differ,
+and that yours are entirely unlike mine. I just fail
+to see it, and I’m not the only one, either.”</p>
+
+<p>“That’s so,” remarked Jack Eastwick; “as for me,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_66">[66]</span>
+I side with Lanky. You’ll have to show me, Frank,
+before I’ll back down.”</p>
+
+<p>Others of the boys began to gather around, attracted
+by the animated discussion, just as Frank
+had been hoping they would. He had noted the fact
+that Lef Seller was in the place, not doing much in
+the way of exercise, for he had been debarred from
+competing in the track team or taking part in any
+athletic rivalry for the balance of the term, and
+could only look on and make sarcastic remarks.</p>
+
+<p>But, somehow, there seemed to be an attraction to
+Lef in the person of Frank Allen. Perhaps it may
+have been on a par with the fatality that draws the
+silly moth to the flame of the candle. He had tried
+to wrong the other terribly, and, the plot having
+failed, he seemed eager to catch anything that was
+said concerning the matter by Frank or his chums.</p>
+
+<p>So, among the rest, he lounged over to the spot
+where Frank sat, upon the edge of a little table, idly
+swinging his leg to and fro. Apparently Frank
+never paid the slightest attention to the presence of
+Lef; but, truth to tell, he was keenly alive to the fact.</p>
+
+<p>“What’s all this talk about over here?” demanded
+Seymour, pushing into the group.</p>
+
+<p>Lanky took it upon himself to explain.</p>
+
+<p>“Why, Frank was springing a joke on the lot of
+us. He says that our two hands are totally unlike—that
+if an impression was made of each fellow’s<span class="pagenum" id="Page_67">[67]</span>
+right and left, he’d never dream they belonged to
+the same body. What do you think of that, Rod.
+It’s going some, for Frank, eh?”</p>
+
+<p>The captain of the nine looked thoughtful.</p>
+
+<p>“You may smile at it, fellows, but really I’m inclined
+to side with Frank. I’ve read some strange
+things along that line lately, and believe there’s considerable
+truth in it,” he marked, soberly.</p>
+
+<p>At this Lanky laughed jeeringly. He had been
+taken into the scheme far enough by Frank to know
+how to play his part. And out of the corner of his
+eye he saw that Lef Seller had hung to the outskirts
+of the crowd, listening with some show of interest
+to what was said. Lef, as a rule, had been frowned
+upon of late when he came around, and as no one
+noticed him now, he felt encouraged to remain. No
+boy likes to feel that he is an outcast among his
+schoolmates.</p>
+
+<p>“Prove it, Frank!” scoffed Lanky.</p>
+
+<p>“Yes, make your assertion good, old chap!” echoed
+Buster, encouragingly.</p>
+
+<p>“Well, why not? And here’s a splendid chance
+to make the test,” declared Frank, jumping down
+from his seat.</p>
+
+<p>He strove to act as though badgered into the exposition
+of his belief, when to tell the actual truth, the
+stage had all been set beforehand for just this
+opening.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_68">[68]</span>“What’s he going to do, boys?” asked Jack
+Eastwick.</p>
+
+<p>“Oh, I get on to his curves. See there, on that
+window seat are a dozen little boxes. You know
+what they contain, fellows?” cried Lanky.</p>
+
+<p>“The modeling clay Mr. Oswald uses in his geographic
+lectures!” said Tom Budd, as he placed his
+hands on the table Frank had just vacated, gave a
+hitch to his lower extremities, and after a whirl
+through the air like a cart wheel, once more calmly
+alighted on his feet.</p>
+
+<p>“That’s just what. I’ve seen him show the topography
+of a dozen countries with that stuff. It’s a
+fad of Ossie’s. But what can Frank want with it?
+Is he going to manufacture some artificial hands to
+prove his words?” asked Jack, the doubter.</p>
+
+<p>“Now, look here, you fellows who doubt my assertion.
+I’m going to make good; not only in my own
+case, but every one of you have got to be convinced
+by seeing how your own hands differ in a dozen
+ways. Each fellow take one of these trays, just as
+I am doing. Are you game to try?” asked Frank.</p>
+
+<p>“I’m ready for the test, and I’m not giving back
+a word. Convince me, and I’ll own up, but I’ve got
+to be shown,” declared Lanky.</p>
+
+<p>“Me, too!” echoed Jack, seizing a little box and
+leveling the clay with a pad used for the purpose,
+until it was perfectly smooth.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_69">[69]</span>And Lef took the last tray! Frank chuckled when
+he saw that, for he felt that there was some hope at
+least that his neat little plan might not fall down in
+the start through the suspicion of the one at whom
+it was aimed.</p>
+
+<p>“Bless the little innocent’s heart!” whispered
+Lanky in Frank’s ear.</p>
+
+<p>“First of all, every fellow write his name on the
+tablet in front of his tray, so we’ll know which is
+which,” said Frank, earnestly.</p>
+
+<p>“That’s so,” grinned Buster, “for I declare, if I’d
+want to stand sponsor for some of the paws other
+fellows own.”</p>
+
+<p>“The sentiment is kindly returned, Buster. You
+are welcome to a monopoly of your own kind of
+paws. Now, what, Frank?” queried Seymour.</p>
+
+<p>“All got your signature down? Well, pad the
+stuff until it’s just as smooth as the ice was last
+winter on the Harrapin, up near Rattail Island.”</p>
+
+<p>“Or as smooth as Lanky here when he’s got his
+Sunday duds on,” suggested Buster, with a chuckle.</p>
+
+<p>“Now be very careful how you press your right
+hand gently down in the clay on that side of the
+tray. Lift it out quietly, so as to leave a positive
+impression. Got that, everybody?” Frank went on,
+suiting the action to the words himself.</p>
+
+<p>“I’m on, all right!” called out one.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_70">[70]</span>“Me, too, and it’s just a dandy impression I
+made!” declared Buster, exultantly.</p>
+
+<p>“You always do, especially when you take a
+header over the handlebars of your wheel. I’ve seen
+it!” spoke up Lanky, ready to get back at his chum
+for the various sly digs he had received.</p>
+
+<p>Frank had his eyes about him. He knew that
+Lef was following up the little experiment just as
+eagerly as any of the others. It kept him near
+them, and thus he could hear what they might be
+talking about. If suggestions were offered concerning
+the identity of the unknown who had tried to
+get Frank into trouble, Lef was yearning to know
+the drift of the sentiment.</p>
+
+<p>“Now, do the same with the left hand,” Frank
+went on calmly, though his heart was undoubtedly
+beating faster than its wont; “and be mighty careful
+not to let it overlap the imprint of the right. How
+about that, fellows?”</p>
+
+<p>“Mine is a perfect success!” declared Lanky, triumphantly.</p>
+
+<p>“And mine’s a blooming failure. What shall I
+do about it, Frank?” called out Buster, in disgust.</p>
+
+<p>“Smooth it off and try again, until you’re satisfied
+you’ve got a perfect impression of each hand,”
+answered the master of ceremonies.</p>
+
+<p>“What comes next?”</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_71">[71]</span>“Lay the trays down here on the table so we can
+all get around. Wait just a minute, fellows. I’ve
+sent up to borrow Mr. Oswald’s big magnifier. That
+is going to prove my assertion so that even the
+scoffers will have to admit its truth. And here comes
+Alfred with the glass.”</p>
+
+<p>Frank took one look at the contents of the tray
+upon which he had written his own name. Then
+he handed the glass to Buster.</p>
+
+<p>“Examine closely. Note first that there is a considerable
+difference in width. Then measure the same
+finger on each hand and you will see they differ in
+length. Next pay attention to the peculiar markings.
+No two fingers are alike in that respect, not even
+your own. Well, is it so, Buster?” asked Frank.</p>
+
+<p>“Wow! I’m a misfit all right! Somebody must
+have got my other hand in the shuffle. The worst
+of it is, how am I to tell which one really belongs
+to the Billings family?” lamented the fat student,
+sighing in pretended distress.</p>
+
+<p>So the glass went around. Frank stood still while
+Lanky followed the movement of the magnifier until
+every one had taken a look, and was ready to
+admit the truth of what Frank had said.</p>
+
+<p>“No two alike in the whole bunch. I never would
+have believed it,” admitted Lanky, who had been
+peering at every impression.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_72">[72]</span>Without appearing to do so, he had managed to
+crowd several of the boys away from the table,
+and among them Lef; but having seen the wonders
+of the magnifying glass proven, like most of their
+type they had suddenly lost interest in the matter,
+and were already turning their attention toward the
+parallel bars, the swinging hoops and the punching
+bags.</p>
+
+<p>Left alone at the table, Frank made a pretense
+of arranging the trays just as he had found them,
+now and then taking a look through the magnifier.
+He had his eye on Lef and waited until the
+other was engaged in some stunt at which he excelled.</p>
+
+<p>At first Lef had been debarred even the privileges
+of the gymnasium on account of his playing a miserable
+trick upon Frank as the editor of the Columbia
+monthly paper; but after a bit this order had
+been rescinded, so that now he was allowed to join
+his fellows in their muscle-building work.</p>
+
+<p>When Frank presently saw the name of Lef Seller
+written on the white tab of a moulding tray, and discovered
+that the imprints of the other’s hands were
+plainly stamped there before him, he eagerly held
+his glass over the box. At the same time he drew
+out the paper that had come to Professor Peake,
+and compared the delicate tracery of lines on the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_73">[73]</span>
+thumb with that which Lef had left behind him in
+the moulding clay.</p>
+
+<p>There could be no possible mistake!</p>
+
+<p>The same thumb had made both impressions beyond
+a possibility of doubt!</p>
+<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop">
+
+<div class="chapter">
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_74">[74]</span>
+
+<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER VIII<br>
+
+<small>TOEING THE MARK</small></h2>
+</div>
+
+<p>“<span class="smcap">So it</span> was that cur, just as I expected!”</p>
+
+<p>Frank felt a glow of indignation pass over him
+at the conviction that he had by this simple but positive
+means of identification discovered the thief
+who had not only stolen the examination paper, but
+tried to rob him of his good name.</p>
+
+<p>He and Lef had always been at war. Bitter rivals
+in all things, they had on many occasions faced
+each other on opposite sides. And because Frank
+usually managed to win in these contests Lef hated
+him bitterly.</p>
+
+<p>Frank was puzzled as to what he should do. His
+first thought was to hasten to the principal’s office
+and show him the proof of the charge he could make.
+Then he shook his head. Somehow that seemed
+to be too severe, for it would possibly result in the
+expulsion of the other student of Columbia High.
+And Frank hardly fancied having such a responsibility
+thrust upon his shoulders.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_75">[75]</span>“I’ll charge him with it, and if he says he’s sorry,
+let the matter go. Anyhow, the mischief’s done.
+Those papers will have to go back, and others be
+sent on. The little experiment has afforded me more
+or less amusement, and that counts for something.
+If I can only get Lef over here alone.”</p>
+
+<p>A bright thought struck Frank even while he
+was puzzling over this matter.</p>
+
+<p>“That’s the idea—I can slip into the lunch room,
+and coax him there.”</p>
+
+<p>First of all he carried the tray of moulding clay
+through the convenient door. Mrs. Louden, who
+had charge of the lunch counter, was still busily
+engaged. She made it a rule to linger when a bunch
+of the boys were working in the adjacent gymnasium,
+since that sort of thing developed enormous
+appetites, and many an extra dollar found its way
+into her till through this afternoon source.</p>
+
+<p>After doing this Frank passed outside again.</p>
+
+<p>“How?” remarked Lanky, as he sidled up alongside
+his friend.</p>
+
+<p>But this was not intended to be an Indian salutation.
+Lanky was deeply interested, and wanted to
+know.</p>
+
+<p>“I was right,” said Frank.</p>
+
+<p>There was no exultant strain to his voice such as
+one might expect. Truth to tell, he felt only indignation
+and disgust because of the fact that any fellow<span class="pagenum" id="Page_76">[76]</span>
+who had the home training Lef Seller enjoyed
+should descend so low as to endeavor to ruin a companion’s
+reputation.</p>
+
+<p>“Then soak him, pard! Show the measly skunk
+no mercy! He ought to be kicked out of Columbia,
+and that’s the truth!” gritted the other.</p>
+
+<p>Lanky knew his chum’s tenderness of heart, and
+was afraid that Frank might be too easy with the
+culprit.</p>
+
+<p>“Don’t forget what you promised me when I let
+you in on this!”</p>
+
+<p>“Oh! yes, you tied my hands good and hard, so
+that I couldn’t let out even one measly little squawk.
+But my word is as good as my bond. Have it your
+own way, but I certainly hope you’ll finish that fellow’s
+loping so that he’ll never try any more of his
+funny business on you again,” grumbled Lanky.</p>
+
+<p>“That would be almost too good,” laughed Frank;
+“and now, while I go in the lunch room will you
+manage to tell Lef that some one wants to see him
+there?”</p>
+
+<p>“Sure I will,” grinned the other.</p>
+
+<p>“And try to keep the boys out for a little while,
+will you, Lanky?”</p>
+
+<p>“If it’s possible, but you know as long as any
+fellow has a nickel in his jeans, and the spirit moves,
+he can’t be kept away from Mother Louden’s grub
+corner with a derrick. But I’ve just thought of a<span class="pagenum" id="Page_77">[77]</span>
+funny story I’ll tell ’em after Lef has gone to the
+block.”</p>
+
+<p>Lanky hurried away, while Frank passed through
+into the other room.</p>
+
+<p>Two minutes later Lef hurried into the place and
+looked around. He seemed disappointed, and
+frowned. Possibly the conceited fellow may even
+have imagined from the air of mystery that Lanky
+assumed when telling him some one wanted to see
+him, that one of the girls, even Minnie herself, was
+there with a message.</p>
+
+<p>Frank beckoned to him, earnestly. He saw Lef’s
+face turn red at once, but since no one could ever
+accuse the fellow of a lack of nerve, it was not
+strange that he started toward the corner where
+Frank was standing hiding something behind him.</p>
+
+<p>When Lef reached the other he was sneering as
+he said:</p>
+
+<p>“Was it <i>you</i> sent for me? If I’d known it, I
+wouldn’t have taken the trouble to come, and you
+understand that, or you wouldn’t have had Lanky
+make me believe it might be Minnie.”</p>
+
+<p>Frank flushed a trifle at the mention of that name,
+for he and Lef had long been competitors for the
+favor of the prettiest girl in Columbia.</p>
+
+<p>“That would have been too bad, for you, Lef,”
+he said, quietly.</p>
+
+<p>“Oh! say you so. Perhaps you’ll take the trouble<span class="pagenum" id="Page_78">[78]</span>
+to tell me why?” observed the other, apparently as
+bold as ever, though Frank could detect a little uneasiness
+about his manner that told of newly awakened
+fears.</p>
+
+<p>“Because if you hadn’t come I’d have taken the
+matter up with Professor Parke,” and Frank
+looked him straight in the eye as he spoke.</p>
+
+<p>“Matter—what matter?” demanded Lef, shivering
+at the same time.</p>
+
+<p>Frank stepped aside, and in so doing exposed upon
+the table one of the little trays used by Mr. Oswald
+when instructing his pupils in the art of the mapmaker.</p>
+
+<p>“That’s your tray, Lef; it has your own signature
+on the tag to make certain.”</p>
+
+<p>“Oh! I don’t deny it. But what under the sun
+are you driving at, Frank Allen? I’m beginning to
+believe that all the praise that’s been showered on
+the mighty factor in saving that punk game last
+Saturday has gone to his head, and that you’re getting
+ratty.”</p>
+
+<p>“Wait and see. There’s the imprint of your left
+hand as plain as day. You heard me say that no
+two fingers in the world would make the same impression,
+or thumbs either for that matter. Well
+I’m going to show you that the <i>same thumb</i> can and
+always will make a similar impression; and many a
+rascal has gone to jail just because of it.”</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_79">[79]</span>With a quick motion Frank flirted a paper before
+the astonished eyes of the boy who stood there. Lef
+turned as white as a ghost, and had to grit his teeth
+to keep from having them chatter with his sudden
+fright.</p>
+
+<p>Had the ground opened and threatened to swallow
+him just then he could hardly have been more
+astonished and dismayed. It is the feeling of the
+rogue whenever his own handiwork arises unexpectedly
+to confront and confound him.</p>
+
+<p>“I guess you know that paper, Lef, all right,” said
+Frank, meaningly.</p>
+
+<p>Lef pretended to lean forward to read it, but in
+reality he was trying to shield his face until he could
+screw up a little of his ordinary courage and brazen
+assurance.</p>
+
+<p>“Rats!” he exclaimed at length, though his voice
+trembled almost piteously, and instead of the customary
+fire in his eyes they seemed to be filled with
+a dumb entreaty; “I see that you’ve got the paper
+the professor said came to him. What of it?
+I ain’t got anything to do with that, and nothing
+you can say will make anybody believe it, Frank
+Allen!”</p>
+
+<p>“But you signed it yourself, Lef, as plain as day!”
+declared Frank.</p>
+
+<p>“What’s that? Think I’m a fool, do you? Sign
+nothing! The fellow who wrote that scribble was<span class="pagenum" id="Page_80">[80]</span>
+wise enough to make only his mark,” sneered Lef.</p>
+
+<p>“Well, in this case his mark is as good as his
+name,” went on Frank.</p>
+
+<p>Lef began to tremble. He realized that there was
+something terrible back of these words, so calmly
+spoken by the boy he had come to fear more than
+any one he had ever known.</p>
+
+<p>“Tell me how?” he demanded, with one more
+futile attempt at bluster.</p>
+
+<p>Frank pointed to the blur on the edge of the
+sheet, where a thumbmark was plainly visible in ink.</p>
+
+<p>“That’s your signature, Lef! You never thought
+when by accident your thumb made that blur that
+you were signing your name here, but that’s just
+what you did. The proof lies in that little drawer
+where you made the impression of your left hand.
+Alike as two peas they are, Lef. That would convict
+you in any court. It stamps you as the low,
+mean cur that you are, who would try to ruin a
+companion’s reputation just to gratify his love of
+revenge!”</p>
+
+<p>Lef stared at the small tray of moulding clay in
+which the plain impression of his hands could be
+seen.</p>
+
+<p>“You—did—that as a trap!” he gasped.</p>
+
+<p>“Well, just as you will. If it was a trap you fell
+into it neatly enough, and you’re caught now. The
+evidence is there, and if I showed it to Professor<span class="pagenum" id="Page_81">[81]</span>
+Parke I guess we wouldn’t be bothered with you at
+Columbia High much longer,” went on Frank,
+sternly.</p>
+
+<p>“Say, you wouldn’t be mean enough to do that,
+Allen, I hope? I acknowledge the corn about this
+thing. I did do it, but more to get you knocked off
+the baseball team than anything else,” said Lef, in
+pretended humility.</p>
+
+<p>All the while he was edging toward the table; but
+if Frank suspected his design he took no measures
+to stop the other.</p>
+
+<p>“What good would that do you?” demanded the
+one Lef had injured.</p>
+
+<p>“I used to pitch for Columbia, yes, and won many
+games for them up to the time you knocked me out.
+I’ve never got over being sore for that. Lots of
+times I’ve tried to get even. You know how. Sometimes
+I succeeded in giving you a jolt; but more
+times the shoe was on the other foot. This seems
+to be one of that sort. I never thought the old man
+had you with him all the time he was out of his
+den.”</p>
+
+<p>“But you haven’t answered my question—how
+would it profit you even if I was dropped from the
+team?” continued Frank, persistently.</p>
+
+<p>“Why, I had some hope that when the team was
+left without a pitcher enough influence might be
+brought to bear on the Head to let me take my old<span class="pagenum" id="Page_82">[82]</span>
+place in the box again. That’s all I did it for;
+Frank; I give you my word.”</p>
+
+<p>“I suppose you look at such things differently from
+the way others do; and perhaps you even now believe
+it wasn’t such a dirty trick after all. I’m just
+wondering whether I’d better accept an apology
+from you and let it go at that, or take the matter
+before Professor Parke.”</p>
+
+<p>Lef made a sudden movement of his hand, and
+the little tray was dumped from off the table, depositing
+its contents in a mass upon the floor.</p>
+
+<p>“What did you do that for?” demanded Frank.</p>
+
+<p>“Destroying the evidence, that’s all. I guess you’ll
+have some difficulty now about proving the ridiculous
+assertion you just made. Of course I never
+dreamed of playing such a mean trick as stealing
+that paper, and hiding it on you! And, Mr. Smarty,
+my word ought to be as good as yours, any day!”</p>
+
+<p>He thrust his face out as he spoke, in his usual
+disagreeable way, thinking he had played a clever
+trick on the other.</p>
+
+<p>“You’re wrong there. Although you’ve destroyed
+that little print you so kindly made me you can’t
+very well get rid of the original so easily,” said
+Frank, pointing down at the left hand of the other.</p>
+
+<p>And Lef fell back in sheer dismay. He had forgotten
+that it was the mark of his thumb to which
+Frank referred.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_83">[83]</span>“The professor could easily insist upon you convicting
+yourself by stamping another thumb-print
+alongside this one. He asked me if I wanted to have
+every fellow in Columbia make his mark, so that
+the right one could be found; and I told him I preferred
+going about it in my own way.”</p>
+
+<p>“Then—he knows?” asked Lef, in new alarm.</p>
+
+<p>“About the imprint on the paper, yes. He admitted
+that it was a possible way for identifying
+the one who had taken it out of his desk,” was
+Frank’s answer.</p>
+
+<p>“And you’ve got to tell him then?” with a groan,
+and a sinking of his head on his chest.</p>
+
+<p>“No, he said he’d leave that to me entirely; but
+that, if I succeeded, and gave him the proof he’d
+do the rest!”</p>
+
+<p>Like all cowards caught in their own toils, Lef
+was not beneath playing upon his emotions in order
+to secure immunity. To the surprise of Frank the
+other suddenly grasped his hand and there seemed
+to be a look of sincere agony on the face that was
+thrust close to his.</p>
+
+<p>“Then I hope you’ll be above giving me away,
+Frank. I’ve been a cur. I admit it, and don’t deserve
+to be let down easy; but I’d hate to be expelled
+from school, because, you know, my mother
+has set her heart on my graduating, and going to
+college. It would break her all up. I haven’t been<span class="pagenum" id="Page_84">[84]</span>
+what I ought to be, but this is going to be a lesson
+to me, sure it is!”</p>
+
+<p>Frank deep down in his heart believed the fellow
+was a hypocrite; but under the circumstances what
+could he do, now that Lef had brought his mother
+into the affair? Frank knew her well, and believed
+she was an estimable lady who certainly deserved
+to have a better son than fortune had given her.</p>
+
+<p>“I don’t know whether to believe you or not, Lef;
+but at any rate I guess I’ll keep my own counsel, for
+a while at least,” he said.</p>
+
+<p>And as Lef moved away, he was secretly laughing
+in his heart at the easy way he had tricked his
+rival.</p>
+<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop">
+
+<div class="chapter">
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_85">[85]</span>
+
+<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER IX<br>
+
+<small>A STUNNING SURPRISE</small></h2>
+</div>
+
+<p>“<span class="smcap">Everybody</span> report on the field this afternoon for
+practice!” called Lanky.</p>
+
+<p>It was on Friday morning, and most of the members
+of the nine chanced to be within hearing distance
+of his shout.</p>
+
+<p>“Bellport will be over here to-morrow, and with
+their teeth set to drop us down a peg,” remarked
+Jack Eastwick, who, while no ball player of moment,
+always manifested the greatest interest in the success
+of the team.</p>
+
+<p>“Hope the weather keeps on as fine as it is to-day,”
+said Tom Budd, as he turned a few flipflaps
+around the group; but the boys were so accustomed
+to his antics that they paid little attention to them,
+although a stranger would have stared with amazement
+to see his really wonderful stunts.</p>
+
+<p>“And that Frank’s arm is as full of ginger as it
+was last Saturday. My! but he did shoot them in.
+I heard some of the Bellport players talking about<span class="pagenum" id="Page_86">[86]</span>
+it after the game. They’re afraid of Frank, fellows,
+actually afraid!”</p>
+
+<p>Lef Seller, who was hanging near, turned his head
+away to conceal the sneer that persisted in settling
+upon his face when he heard Buster make this announcement.</p>
+
+<p>It was like gall and wormwood to Lef to hear
+any one say good things of Frank Allen. Every
+time this happened it seemed as though he were
+being robbed of something that by right should belong
+to him.</p>
+
+<p>When they gathered that afternoon on the diamond,
+Lef was around to watch and criticise as the
+humor seized him. And Tony Gilpin also made
+his appearance, although seldom seen of late on the
+athletic field.</p>
+
+<p>“No show this afternoon to get it, Lef,” he remarked,
+as he threw himself down near the other
+on the grass under a tree that grew outside the
+confines of the grounds.</p>
+
+<p>“Rotten luck! Of course he wouldn’t carry it in
+his baseball uniform. That means we’ll have to
+wait our chance. And till I get my fingers on that
+paper I don’t dare so much as peep for fear that he
+shows me up,” grunted Lef.</p>
+
+<p>From which it may be readily understood that he
+was even then laying plans looking to another robbery,
+this time in order to destroy all evidence of<span class="pagenum" id="Page_87">[87]</span>
+his participation in that other offense. So one crime
+often leads to another, after the first step has been
+taken along the broad way.</p>
+
+<p>The boys were soon batting and throwing, while
+waiting for the arrival of enough fellows to make
+up the scrub team.</p>
+
+<p>Captain Seymour was a clever manager and he
+had noticed just where the team had seemed a bit
+weak during that great game with Bellport. It was
+now his aim to strengthen those lame spots as best
+the short time allowed.</p>
+
+<p>Those who had made errors of judgment were
+to be put through a course whereby they might reasonably
+remedy that defect. If a fielder had shown
+wavering in the matter of running in on a fly or
+backing away, he was to be bombarded with high,
+vaulting ones until he seemed perfect.</p>
+
+<p>And so it went on. Columbia just then had no
+regular coach, since the instructor at the school,
+who had played that benevolent part with them
+earlier in the season, had been called away by the
+illness of his father.</p>
+
+<p>“Who’s missing?” called Seymour, as he began
+to pick out his men, and arrange with the captain
+of the scrub for the opening of a little five-inning
+game.</p>
+
+<p>“All here but Buster Billings!” announced some
+one.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_88">[88]</span>“And there he comes toddling along now!” another
+called out.</p>
+
+<p>“Buster never would hurry if the world was coming
+to an end,” said Lanky.</p>
+
+<p>“You wrong him there. Send a fly out in his
+territory and see him go. Once he makes a start
+and he can whoop things up like a wild broncho on
+the plains. The only trouble with Buster is he can
+hardly stop after he gets wound up. I saw him
+knock down a whole section of a board fence once,”
+laughed Frank.</p>
+
+<p>“Who’s he got with him?” asked “Bones” Shadduck.</p>
+
+<p>“It’s a gentleman stopping at his house. I saw
+him come last night,” one of the boys answered
+quickly.</p>
+
+<p>“Mr. Billings is having lots of company lately.
+I met another gentleman at the game last week who
+said he was visiting at their house,” remarked Jack
+Eastwick.</p>
+
+<p>Buster came puffing up, his face rosy as ever, and
+a set grin upon it.</p>
+
+<p>“Hello! fellows, a little late, am I? Well, Rome
+never was built in a day. Plenty of time to do all
+the practicing we want. And since we’re going to
+have a real hot game of it why I thought I’d bring
+an umpire along!”</p>
+
+<p>He pointed to the gentleman at his side, who<span class="pagenum" id="Page_89">[89]</span>
+was smiling as if pleased to be among such a lot of
+happy-go-lucky young athletes.</p>
+
+<p>“Reminds me of my salad days at Princeton, boys.
+As George here says I’ll be only too glad to prove
+of any assistance to you, either in the way of umpiring,
+or giving you a few pointers,” the tall man
+remarked.</p>
+
+<p>Buster threw out his chest, and the light of a long-delayed
+triumph shone in his eyes as he exclaimed:</p>
+
+<p>“Fellows, allow me to introduce my friend, Coach
+Willoughby!”</p>
+
+<p>“What!”</p>
+
+<p>More than a dozen pairs of dilated eyes stared
+first at Buster and then toward the smiling and bowing
+gentleman with the athletic build, who began
+throwing off his coat as though anxious to get down
+to business.</p>
+
+<p>For a long time past Buster had been quoting
+Coach Willoughby as an authority on all manner
+of sports in the gymnasium and on the field. By
+degrees his comrades had grown to look upon
+this personage as an imaginary party, and it
+had of late become a regular habit with them to
+shout every time Buster started to quote what his
+patron saint would advise under such and such circumstances.</p>
+
+<p>Imagine their amazement, then, to have him not
+only prove the truth of this wonderful man’s existence,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_90">[90]</span>
+but to actually have him there on their
+humble athletic field to coach them in their work!</p>
+
+<p>“Hurrah! three cheers for Buster!” whooped Jack
+Comfort, as though by that means they might in
+some measure atone for all the indignities they had
+heaped upon the head of the fat student in times
+past.</p>
+
+<p>“And three for Coach Willoughby!” echoed Paul
+Bird, throwing up his catcher’s mitt.</p>
+
+<p>They were given with a will, while the object
+of the attention, Buster, assumed an attitude, and
+allowed a beautiful smile to light up his good-natured
+face.</p>
+
+<p>Ralph was to pitch for the scrub. Taken in all
+there was a pretty good set of players back of him,
+and Frank knew that he would have to do his best
+unless the regulars wanted to take chances of being
+beaten, which would have a demoralizing effect upon
+the team just at the threshold of their second struggle
+with Bellport.</p>
+
+<p>Ralph never pitched better. He had that wonderfully
+elusive ball of his working in a way that
+deceived the heaviest batters most alarmingly.</p>
+
+<p>Coach Willoughby proved his thorough knowledge
+of the game right from the start. He gave
+Paul several little pointers that opened the eyes
+of the catcher to some of his faults and weak places.
+More than this, he frequently called the players of<span class="pagenum" id="Page_91">[91]</span>
+the batting team about him and explained how certain
+plays could be made with far greater chances
+for success than by the older methods they were
+following.</p>
+
+<p>“Sure Coach Willoughby is right up to date,”
+grinned Buster, when one of his mates remarked
+that the old Princeton player must have kept track
+of the game ever since leaving college.</p>
+
+<p>When the fourth inning had ended, with just one
+more to play, for the afternoon was waning, the
+score was very close, being just five to four, in favor
+of the regulars, and most of these runs had been
+the result of errors rather than a weakness on the
+part of either pitcher.</p>
+
+<p>In this inning Frank put on every ounce of steam
+he could muster. The result was the complete discomfiture
+of the enemy, who could not even manage
+to connect with the ball.</p>
+
+<p>“Fine work, my boy!” complimented the coach
+and umpire; and Frank blushed, since it must mean
+something to be spoken to in this way by so old and
+experienced a Princeton graduate as Coach Willoughby.</p>
+
+<p>Not to be outdone, Ralph, too, exerted himself in
+this inning. One little pop fly that was gathered in
+by the first baseman was the result of his labor; and
+the scrub team came in, perspiring freely, but grinning
+with the chase they had given the regulars.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_92">[92]</span>“Columbia High has reason to be proud of possessing
+two such clever young twirlers as these boys.
+I’m going to see that game to-morrow, if I have to
+break an important engagement to do so,” declared
+the gentlemanly umpire, earnestly, as he walked with
+several of the players through the town on his way
+to Buster’s house.</p>
+
+<p>Buster was apparently the happiest fellow in town.
+Every time he looked at the sun-burned gentleman
+he seemed to be saying:</p>
+
+<p>“Maybe you’ll believe me now, fellows—maybe
+you’ll listen when I quote my favorite authority.
+This day has seen my complete revenge, and I’m
+satisfied!”</p>
+
+<p>“By the way, do we pass the post-office, George?”
+asked Coach Willoughby; “for you see I forgot to
+tell them at the office to address me here in care
+of your father, and there might be an important
+letter waiting for me.”</p>
+
+<p>“We can stop in and see, sir,” remarked Frank,
+eagerly; but Buster did not notice that he was more
+than ordinarily interested.</p>
+
+<p>“Then let’s do so, please, for here is the building.
+Wait for me boys, or will you come in?” and with
+Buster and Frank at his heels the old Princeton
+player pushed through the doors.</p>
+
+<p>He stepped up to the window where Harvey<span class="pagenum" id="Page_93">[93]</span>
+Brooks waited upon the patrons of the general delivery
+department.</p>
+
+<p>And then Frank heard him say in a matter of
+fact tone of voice:</p>
+
+<p>“Anything here for Mr. Pliny Evans Smith?”</p>
+
+<p>“Yes, sir, one letter for you!” came the answer.</p>
+
+<p>The gentleman athlete received it, tore the end
+off and was speedily devouring the contents. Frank
+looked at Buster, who turned as red as a turkey
+gobbler, and then gave a hysterical little gurgle.</p>
+
+<p>The evidence seemed plain that this wonderful
+Coach Willoughby had been stamped a fraud of the
+first water!</p>
+<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop">
+
+<div class="chapter">
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_94">[94]</span>
+
+<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER X<br>
+
+<small>ON THE RIVER ROAD</small></h2>
+</div>
+
+<p>“<span class="smcap">Hello!</span> boys, what’s wrong here?”</p>
+
+<p>Coach Willoughby looked first at Buster’s glowing
+and confused face, and then toward Frank’s smiling
+countenance.</p>
+
+<p>Buster simply pointed to the envelope which had
+fallen to the floor. As the truth broke upon the
+mind of the other he laughed heartily.</p>
+
+<p>“Out of their own mouths are the wicked conspirators
+condemned. See what a nice mess you’ve
+coaxed me into, George! Here I am apparently unmasked
+before this fine, mettlesome prize pitcher of
+yours.”</p>
+
+<p>He turned to Frank, and assumed a little more
+serious look as he continued:</p>
+
+<p>“My name is Willoughby, only that and nothing
+more. I am a Princeton graduate, and, as you have
+seen, I’ve been something of an all-around athlete
+in my day, too. Recently I have been doing some
+umpiring in a minor league, and as my wife doesn’t<span class="pagenum" id="Page_95">[95]</span>
+like the idea of seeing my name printed in such a
+connection I use the one of Pliny Evans Smith.
+That’s all there is to it boys, I assure you.”</p>
+
+<p>“You’ve done wonders for our team this afternoon,
+sir, and if we only had the benefit of such
+advice oftener it would be greatly to our benefit,”
+declared Frank.</p>
+
+<p>“Thank you for the compliment, my lad. My
+heart is always with the boys, and I believe I’d stop
+to witness a good game of ball even though it threatened
+to cost me a slice of my fortune. And Frank,
+once upon a time I <i>was</i> a pitcher; even if I did go
+to the well once too often,” the visitor laughed.</p>
+
+<p>“I wish you had shown me a few more tricks
+about pitching, Mr. Willoughby,” said Frank.</p>
+
+<p>“Oh! I will, gladly,” said the ex-Princeton man,
+readily enough, “although most of the games I knew
+have been outlawed by time.”</p>
+
+<p>Some of the girls were playing basket-ball upon
+the school green. The sight appealed to Coach Willoughby,
+and he expressed a wish to stop over a brief
+time to witness the conclusion of the fiercely-contested
+game.</p>
+
+<p>Among the rest, Helen Allen and Minnie Cuthbert
+were doing pretty good work for the side they happened
+to be on.</p>
+
+<p>The visitor applauded certain plays, and almost
+before any one knew it he was suggesting others<span class="pagenum" id="Page_96">[96]</span>
+that opened the eyes of the girls to the fact that
+they had an authority on sports with them.</p>
+
+<p>So Buster was called upon to introduce his father’s
+friend, and for half an hour Coach Willoughby
+entered into a free lecture of advice connected with
+the fascinating exercise of basket-ball.</p>
+
+<p>And when finally the lesson came to an end, Frank
+walked down the street with both the girls, nor did
+he turn in at his own gate, but continued on until
+Minnie had been safely escorted to her home.</p>
+
+<p>He was conscious of the fact that Lef Seller saw
+him, for they met face to face; but Lef assumed a
+pleasant look and acted as though he was the last
+fellow in Columbia to think of bearing malice.</p>
+
+<p>If Frank could have seen how he pounded the
+pillows about when once safe up in his own room
+at home, muttering wild threats as to what he would
+do sooner or later to the fellow who had cut him
+out of all the good things in life, he might not have
+whistled so cheerily as he hurried back home for
+supper.</p>
+
+<p>It was the night before the big battle with Bellport
+on the home grounds of Columbia High. The whole
+town seethed with anticipation of what the following
+afternoon might bring forth. Hundreds of anxious
+eyes scanned the bright heavens, and tried to
+predict the weather that was to be meted out to
+them.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_97">[97]</span>Even the girls were adding their prayers to the
+clerk of the weather so that he would grant them
+a fine day like the preceding Saturday had been.
+There was so very much at stake in connection with
+that game. If Columbia won, the championship pennant
+was theirs for the year; if she lost, then another
+game must be played to decide the matter,
+thus prolonging the agony a whole week!</p>
+
+<p>There was to be no more practice in the morning,
+for Seymour believed his men were all in apple-pie
+condition, and that too much work might make them
+“go stale.”</p>
+
+<p>Hence they would be allowed to do whatever they
+pleased during the morning, providing every one
+turned out at three sharp in the afternoon, for the
+game was to begin at three-thirty.</p>
+
+<p>It was in the morning that Frank appeared at
+the house where Ralph boarded. The other saw
+him far down the street, and was out on the stoop
+by the time Frank arrived. He looked eagerly at
+the visitor, as though a hope had flashed into his
+mind that the other brought news.</p>
+
+<p>“How are you feeling this morning, Ralph?
+How’s that arm? Hope you didn’t try it out too
+hard yesterday afternoon. There’s no telling, you
+know, and perhaps you might be called on to do
+your duty to old Columbia to-day.”</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_98">[98]</span>Ralph looked at his friend, and his eyes began
+to show anxiety.</p>
+
+<p>“Oh! I hope you’re not going to say something
+has happened to knock you out, and this such an important
+game, too?” he exclaimed.</p>
+
+<p>“Now I should have known that you’d jump to
+such a conclusion, and it was silly of me to put it
+that way. No, there’s not the slightest thing the
+matter with me that I know of, Ralph. My arm
+feels just fine, and I think I’m fit to pitch the game
+of my life; but as they say, you can’t most always
+sometimes tell. Perhaps they may knock me out of
+the box to-day,” laughed Frank.</p>
+
+<p>“I don’t believe it can be done,” declared Ralph.
+“Why, there were only three clean hits made off
+you last week; and from the way you put them in
+yesterday, I firmly believe you’re ten per cent
+stronger now than you were a week ago.”</p>
+
+<p>“But they may have gauged my delivery then,
+and be on to most of my little tricks, you see. Besides,
+I heard that during the week they have had
+that Clifford pitcher, Gus Hartigan, tossing them up
+every p. m., and our boys say that he is a ringer
+for a certain Frank Allen in his style of delivery.”</p>
+
+<p>Ralph looked surprised at hearing this. Nevertheless
+he would not confess that he entertained
+the least doubt about the ability of the boy he admired<span class="pagenum" id="Page_99">[99]</span>
+to make the heavy batters of Bellport “look
+small.”</p>
+
+<p>“I only hope nothing happens to make me break
+into that game. I’m afraid that I’m too green as yet
+to go up against such seasoned veterans as those fellows,”
+he observed, with a shake of the head to
+emphasize his fears.</p>
+
+<p>“You’re too modest, old fellow, by half. Don’t
+you call our regular nine just as well seasoned, and
+didn’t you hold us down to five hits yesterday, and
+one of those a base scratch? I’d just like to see
+those hustling batters from the smoky town breaking
+their backs trying to get up against that fine
+healthy ball you throw, that’s all,” and Frank felt
+of the muscle in the arm of his comrade, at the same
+time raising his eyes as if in wonder.</p>
+
+<p>“But you didn’t come here to tell me just that,
+Frank?” continued Ralph! “there’s something more,
+isn’t there?”</p>
+
+<p>“Why, yes, to tell the truth, I wanted to have a
+quiet little chat with you.”</p>
+
+<p>“All right. Will you come up to my room?”
+eagerly asked Ralph.</p>
+
+<p>“I hate to stay indoors this beautiful June morning.
+Get your cap and let’s walk out along the river
+road. We can be alone there, and at the same time
+enjoy what both of us love—Nature.”</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_100">[100]</span>“All right, Frank. Wait up just a minute, will
+you?”</p>
+
+<p>In a short time they had left the confines of the
+town behind them, and found themselves under the
+trees along a favorite drive that followed the course
+of the picturesque Harrapin river.</p>
+
+<p>The spring rains had come rather late, and the
+water was unusually high for the time of year. It
+was boiling along at quite a merry pace, gurgling,
+and in some places creating quite a furore.</p>
+
+<p>“Now, what was it you wanted to tell me,
+Frank?” asked Ralph, when they had been walking
+briskly along for a mile or so, with Frank so busied
+in his thoughts that he had apparently quite forgotten
+the real reason for their morning exercise.</p>
+
+<p>“Why, to be sure. Excuse me for seeming to
+neglect it so, old fellow. Truth is, I was bothering
+my head over a personal matter, and wondering
+what influence that fellow Lef Seller could bring to
+bear that would ever induce Minnie to go out riding
+with him; for I saw them start off as I was on the
+way to your house.”</p>
+
+<p>Frank possibly turned a bit red as he spoke; but
+then every one knew just how much he thought of
+Minnie; and it had stabbed him to the quick to see
+her seated in that fine vehicle of the Sellers, with the
+grinning Lef at her side.</p>
+
+<p>Cudgel his brain as he would, Frank could remember<span class="pagenum" id="Page_101">[101]</span>
+no cause he had given her for treating him
+this way. They had parted on the preceding evening
+with a laugh, and Minnie had seemed just as
+much pleased to be in his society as ever. And yet
+she had bowed to him rather frigidly, he thought,
+as he met them; while Lef could not for the life of
+him restrain that contemptuous grin.</p>
+
+<p>Ralph understood. They must have driven up
+the river road, then. That, in a measure, would
+explain just why Frank chose to walk that way.
+Upon the freshman’s face a look of real sympathy
+gathered; but he was too wise to attempt to express
+it in words.</p>
+
+<p>“I can see the tricky hand of that Lef Seller
+somewhere back of this thing, and you can bet he’s
+said something or other to set her against you,
+Frank,” he did manage to remark.</p>
+
+<p>“I wonder if he would dare, knowing that I can
+break him if I choose,” muttered Frank, as he mechanically
+put his hand into his inner coat pocket.</p>
+
+<p>Then he began to feel more hastily, a look of
+concern coming over his face. By the time he had
+covered every pocket in his garments he smiled
+grimly.</p>
+
+<p>“Well, a fellow has to get up bright and early in
+the morning to keep ahead of that cunning old fox!”
+he said, bitterly.</p>
+
+<p>“What’s the matter, Frank?” demanded his companion,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_102">[102]</span>
+who had been surveying his actions with
+wonder written all over his face.</p>
+
+<p>“I had something that seems to have taken wings
+and flown away, that’s all.”</p>
+
+<p>“But you act as though it concerned Lef,” Ralph
+kept on.</p>
+
+<p>“It did, though I don’t doubt that he’s burned
+the paper before now. Just how it was taken bewilders
+me. I was out last night, yes, and in a
+bunch of fellows at the class meeting. You know
+we’re getting up something of a surprise on the
+seniors, in the shape of the annual supper and dance
+which the juniors give to the graduating class. Lef
+was there, but he avoided me all night. The only
+fellow I could suspect would be that sneak, Asa
+Barnes, who seemed to want to be unusually confidential
+with me. And doubtless he swiped the
+paper at some time when I wasn’t paying much
+attention; for I’ve been told that he can play all the
+sleight of hand tricks of a magician.”</p>
+
+<p>“Paper—you keep saying that, and I don’t understand?”
+expostulated Ralph.</p>
+
+<p>“No more you do, Ralph. And I’m going to tell
+you now, only it’s to be a dead secret between us.”</p>
+
+<p>“I’ll never repeat a word of it without your permission,”
+remarked Ralph; at the same time thinking
+how strange it was that his companion kept<span class="pagenum" id="Page_103">[103]</span>
+pushing this matter forward ahead of the affair
+that concerned him, Ralph, so deeply.</p>
+
+<p>“You remember Professor Parke telling about the
+anonymous note he received?”</p>
+
+<p>“Why, of course; and is that the paper you mean?
+What were you keeping it for, and why should Lef
+want to get hold of it?” asked Ralph, quickly.</p>
+
+<p>“Oh! you’re a little too rapid. Listen. On that
+paper was a little blur. I made it out to be the mark
+of some one’s left thumb, and the professor agreed
+with me.”</p>
+
+<p>“What! did that have anything to do with what
+you were telling us Thursday afternoon in the gym
+about finger prints, and all that stuff?” flashed the
+astonished freshman.</p>
+
+<p>“Everything to do with it, since that was only a
+little dodge of mine to get Lef Seller to make a
+plain impression of his left thumb. And, Ralph,
+it corresponded exactly with the mark on the paper!”</p>
+
+<p>“Well, I declare, you do wonderful things, Frank!
+I never heard of anything quite so clever as that.
+Did you accuse him of it when he went in the lunch
+room?”</p>
+
+<p>“Yes. Of course he denied it first. Then I told
+him how I knew. He knocked the tray that carried
+the imprint of his hands, on the floor, and defied
+me; but I simply stated that he could be made to<span class="pagenum" id="Page_104">[104]</span>
+show the print of his thumb at any time by the
+Head!”</p>
+
+<p>“Good! What did he do then?” continued the
+eager Ralph.</p>
+
+<p>“Knuckled down and pleaded with me not to give
+him away. Promised to turn over a new leaf and
+all that,” said Frank, shrugging his shoulders.</p>
+
+<p>“But you surely didn’t believe him?”</p>
+
+<p>“No, but you see I couldn’t find it in me to tell
+on him, as it would mean his being expelled. But
+Lef knew that he was in my power just so long as
+I held that paper with the thumb-print on it.”</p>
+
+<p>“I see. And, slippery customer that he is, he hired
+that other scamp to steal it out of your pocket. That
+was an easy thing for Asa to do, if all they say about
+his palming is true. Then it’s gone, as you say!”
+dolefully remarked Ralph.</p>
+
+<p>“It seems so. And that accounts for his perky
+airs this morning. He was laughing at me, partly
+because he felt he could snap his finger in my face,
+and then because Minnie had gone riding with him.
+Oh! well, I’m not going to bother my head about
+Lef Seller and his evil fortunes. If Minnie—but
+the least said about that the soonest mended, I
+guess,” and Frank closed his lips resolutely.</p>
+
+<p>“Then perhaps you won’t mind going back to my
+affairs again, eh?” insinuated the freshman.</p>
+
+<p>“I declare I must ask you to forgive me again,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_105">[105]</span>
+Ralph, for being so neglectful of your interests. I
+only wanted to see you to say that father has heard
+from Uncle Jim, and that he writes he is coming
+up here to Columbia and will see you personally.
+Uncle Jim also says that——”</p>
+
+<p>But what the New York lawyer wrote was fated
+not to reach the ears of the party so deeply interested,
+just then at any rate. A scream smote the air,
+coming from some point around the nearest bend of
+the river road, and accompanying this the boys heard
+a wild voice, and the confused trample of a horse’s
+hoofs!</p>
+<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop">
+
+<div class="chapter">
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_106">[106]</span>
+
+<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER XI<br>
+
+<small>A TIME FOR QUICK THINKING</small></h2>
+</div>
+
+<p>“<span class="smcap">What</span> is that, Frank?” cried Ralph, in excitement.</p>
+
+<p>“Sounds like a horse running away!” replied the
+other.</p>
+
+<p>Ralph saw his comrade’s face turn ashy white.
+Then he remembered something Frank had said only
+a short time before.</p>
+
+<p>“Oh! what if it is Lef’s horse!”</p>
+
+<p>Frank only groaned, and shut his teeth hard together.
+But at the same time he started to run forward.
+He had only taken half a dozen paces, when
+something shot around the bend.</p>
+
+<p>“There it is, Frank!” shouted Ralph, ready to do
+anything in his power to assist his friend, yet hardly
+knowing just what to attempt first.</p>
+
+<p>He thought of swinging his arms above his head
+wildly, of waving his hat, as he had read of cowboys
+doing when they wished to turn runaway
+steers; but then the river road at this point was narrow,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_107">[107]</span>
+and if the frightened animal ever swerved, it
+was almost certain to topple over into the water,
+which was both deep and swift.</p>
+
+<p>“It’s them—Lef and Minnie!”</p>
+
+<p>The white lips of Frank formed these words as
+he still staggered onward, though there was little
+need of this. Surely the plunging horse, mad with
+terror, would reach him before he could take half
+a dozen breaths.</p>
+
+<p>What could he do to bring the beast to a halt?
+He saw Lef half standing up and sawing wildly at
+the lines, dragging the horse’s head from side to
+side with the energy of his action. But what almost
+froze the blood in Frank’s veins was the sight of
+that pitiable, shrinking figure cowering down in the
+seat just behind.</p>
+
+<p>How well he remembered that bright red dress.
+He had thought the girl never looked so pretty as
+the day she first wore that; and he mustered up
+courage enough to tell her so, too. And now—Frank
+gulped something down that threatened to
+choke him, and tried to set his muscles for a mad
+spring when the runaway horse came up with him.</p>
+
+<p>“Get out of the way! You’ll scare him into the
+river!” howled the badly-rattled Lef, as he continued
+to saw away at the lines as if for dear life.</p>
+
+<p>That was just what Frank thought would be the
+best thing that could happen. As it was, an upset<span class="pagenum" id="Page_108">[108]</span>
+might cost one or both lives, if the occupants of
+the swaying vehicle were hurled upon the rocks
+at the side of the road.</p>
+
+<p>Instead of getting out of the way, as Lef seemed
+to want, he stood as if rooted there. He even did
+more, for he snatched off his hat and waved it in
+order to make the horse sheer.</p>
+
+<p>“Stop that, you fool!”</p>
+
+<p>Lef fairly shrieked these words. He evidently
+thought Frank had taken leave of his senses, and
+would bring about a disaster. On the contrary, the
+boy in the road had calculated wisely, and saw
+that there was a chance of bringing that wild race to
+a halt without a terrible smash.</p>
+
+<p>It turned out exactly as Frank had figured. The
+animal, startled at seeing this figure in the middle
+of the road, with wildly waving arms, and uttering
+hoarse shouts, jumped to one side.</p>
+
+<p>There was the hill to the right, and hence the
+only way in which the beast could leave the road was
+in the direction of the river.</p>
+
+<p>It lay close to the thoroughfare at this point; indeed,
+passersby had always been in the habit of
+pulling up right there to admire the magnificent
+view up and down the romantic looking stream.</p>
+
+<figure class="figcenter illowe28_125" id="i_p108a">
+  <img class="w100" src="images/i_p108a.jpg" alt="">
+  <figcaption class="caption"><p class="caption">HE WAVED HIS HAT IN ORDER TO MAKE THE HORSE SHEER.<br>
+
+<i>Columbia High on the Diamond.</i>   <span class="gap">   <i>Page <a href="#Page_108">108</a>.</i></span></p>
+</figcaption>
+</figure>
+
+
+<p>Horse and vehicle shot over the bank, and with
+a terrific splash vanished in the swirling water. It
+seemed too bad that necessity compelled the sacrifice<span class="pagenum" id="Page_109">[109]</span>
+of that much admired red dress, Frank thought,
+but there was no other way.</p>
+
+<p>“They’ll drown! Oh! my, what a splash! Frank,
+run! run!”</p>
+
+<p>It was folly for Ralph to shout after this fashion,
+for his companion was on the jump even before
+the horse had touched the surface of the river.
+Frank had eyes for only one thing, and that the
+figure of Minnie.</p>
+
+<p>As he ran he saw the vehicle behind the swimming
+horse. Lef was hanging to it desperately, as
+badly frightened a boy as ever lived; for, strange
+to say, he could not swim a stroke, having a mortal
+dread of water.</p>
+
+<p>He was trying to yell something, but had swallowed
+so much of the river that his words were next
+to unintelligible. But Frank had by now discovered
+another struggling figure a little back of the vehicle
+and horse.</p>
+
+<p>“It’s Minnie!” was what his white lips framed
+as he madly jumped down the bank, tearing off his
+coat as he went. How he ever managed to free
+his feet from the low shoes he was wearing, Frank
+never knew, for he had not the faintest recollection
+of doing anything of this sort.</p>
+
+<p>Now he was in the river, and swimming with
+all his power toward that splashing form which, because
+of the glimpses he had of the bright color, he<span class="pagenum" id="Page_110">[110]</span>
+knew must be the imperiled girl. Her dress seemed
+to be helping her to keep afloat, though this would
+only last for a minute or so, when it must become
+soaked, and serve to drag her down.</p>
+
+<p>The water was very deep at this point. Moreover,
+the current had a full swing, and swept along
+rapidly. On the other hand, fortunately, Minnie
+was only a comparatively few yards away from the
+shore, so that the boy did not have to cover any great
+distance before reaching her.</p>
+
+<p>As he swam Frank was shouting hoarsely, his
+strained eyes fastened upon the object of his intense
+solicitude.</p>
+
+<p>“Keep it up, Minnie! Fight hard! I’m coming
+to you! It’s all right!” was the burden of his encouraging
+cries.</p>
+
+<p>Then he reached her, and began to tow her toward
+the bank. The girl was almost hysterical with
+fright, so that Frank was put to it to avoid having
+her arms wrapped about his neck. Dragging her
+thus, and all the time trying to soothe her by encouraging
+words, he gained foot after foot.</p>
+
+<p>“Here! this way, Frank!”</p>
+
+<p>Ralph had waded into the water until it was up
+to his waist. He also held out a stout stick he had
+snatched from the ground. And when the fingers
+of the swimmer closed upon the knob at the end of
+this friendly club he knew it was over.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_111">[111]</span>In another minute he had emerged from the water,
+still holding fast to the form of Minnie. But the
+girl did not faint. Far from it; she was now filled
+with indignation toward the wretched Lef, who had
+been drawn out of the river by the horse, and was
+even then dripping on the low shore. The subdued
+animal made no effort to continue his mad
+flight; the cold water had taken all this desire out
+of him, and he looked about as dejected as his
+master.</p>
+
+<p>Frank was immediately engaged trying to wring
+some of the water out of the girl’s skirt, and at
+the same time seeking to cheer her up, for she was
+now sobbing hysterically after her recent double
+fright.</p>
+
+<p>Lef, finding that his horse would stand, now
+pushed toward the group. His teeth still chattered,
+more from recent fear than anything else. At the
+same time he was full of anger toward Frank, who
+had as usual been on the spot to win the laurels while
+the husks came his way.</p>
+
+<p>“What did you do that for? The whole thing’s
+your fault, Frank Allen! Minnie can blame you for
+her ducking; and you might have cost one of us a
+life. I believe you did it just to have a chance to
+play the hero part you’re so fond of!”</p>
+
+<p>So Lef sputtered as he shook his hand in front
+of Frank’s face.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_112">[112]</span>The stooping boy looked up. There was a smouldering
+fire in his own eyes, for he believed that only
+for the cowardly nature of Lef and his inability to
+manage the horse this thing need not have occurred.</p>
+
+<p>“Look there, <i>you</i>!” he said, sternly, pointing down
+the road.</p>
+
+<p>Lef, looking, saw a furniture van coming along.
+It took the entire width of the narrow river road,
+and was at a spot where cruel rocks abounded on
+either side.</p>
+
+<p>“You must have met that thing. The horse would
+have dashed to one side, and the buggy been overturned
+among those rocks. And you can understand
+what must have followed. That’s why I made him
+shy! I knew it was ten times safer for you both to
+be dragged into the river than thrown out down
+the road!”</p>
+
+<p>Lef was mute with horror. He realized that this
+quick-witted boy had sized up the situation in a
+second, and acted promptly.</p>
+
+<p>After all, there was no damage done save to their
+ruffled feelings, and Minnie’s lovely red dress. But
+the girl would not speak to Lef, even when he asked
+her if she would get into the vehicle again.</p>
+
+<p>“Frank, you’ll walk home with me, won’t you?”
+she said, turning to him, with the same old glow
+in her blue eyes.</p>
+
+<p>“Only be too glad; and besides, I think the exercise<span class="pagenum" id="Page_113">[113]</span>
+would be the best thing for you after your ducking.
+Ta! ta! Lef. The next time you ask a girl
+to go out riding be sure you take a horse you can
+manage.”</p>
+
+<p>Lef could not make any reply. He was too full
+of anger to speak, and turning away he went back
+to his horse. After the furniture van had passed he
+jumped in and sped the animal, now tractable
+enough, down the road. The three pedestrians
+stepped aside to let him pass; but not a word was
+said, although Ralph did wave a hand mockingly
+after him, as if speeding his homeward flight.</p>
+
+<p>“What caused the runaway, Minnie?” asked
+Frank, as they walked on, after Ralph had secured
+Frank’s coat and shoes, the warm sunshine and air
+rapidly drying the water-soaked garments of the
+party.</p>
+
+<p>“I really hardly know. Something I said must
+have made Lef angry, for he began to whip the
+horse unmercifully, although I told him it was cruel.
+We had turned to come back, you see. Oh! I was
+so frightened! I’ll never go riding with him again.
+I only hope my mother will never know,” she said,
+entreatingly.</p>
+
+<p>“She won’t from me, and I can answer for Ralph
+here,” said Frank, promptly.</p>
+
+<p>Half an hour later the boys parted from Minnie
+and turned toward Frank’s house.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_114">[114]</span>“What’s the matter with your arm, Frank?” asked
+Ralph, who had been noticing that the other kept
+feeling of it every now and then.</p>
+
+<p>“I’m afraid I bruised it against a rock when I
+jumped in; and, hang the luck, of course it happens
+to be my pitching wing. You may have to get in
+that box to-day, after all, Ralph, and fight for the
+glory of Old Columbia,” the other said, soberly.</p>
+<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop">
+
+<div class="chapter">
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_115">[115]</span>
+
+<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER XII<br>
+
+<small>THE OLD PRINCETONIAN’S ADVICE</small></h2>
+</div>
+
+<p>“<span class="smcap">Oh!</span> I hope not!” exclaimed Ralph, in dismay,
+as he eagerly pounced on the arm Frank had been
+rubbing.</p>
+
+<p>“Come in with me, and I’ll see what some liniment
+can do for it,” remarked the other, calmly; but it
+was evident from his manner that he believed there
+might be something more serious the matter than a
+slight bruise.</p>
+
+<p>When Frank had stripped, so that his arm could
+be examined, it was found that he had a nasty black
+and blue mark as a result of coming in contact with
+a rock in his impetuous dash into the river.</p>
+
+<p>“The worst of it is that the muscle is affected.
+Every time I close my hand it causes intense pain.
+I couldn’t do that hundreds of times during the
+afternoon. Ralph, it’s positively up to you to-day!”
+he said, finally.</p>
+
+<p>Ralph sighed deeply.</p>
+
+<p>“I’m awful sorry. Not that I won’t do my level<span class="pagenum" id="Page_116">[116]</span>
+best to take your place; but only for this I believe
+we would have won that pennant to-day. It’s fortunate
+there’s another game to follow,” he said, trying
+to cheer up.</p>
+
+<p>“We’ll get this game, all right, don’t worry about
+that. Before the sun goes down perhaps every fellow
+will be shouting the praise of the new pitcher.
+I’m just anxious to see those Bellport batters try to
+size up that spit ball of yours.”</p>
+
+<p>“That’s mighty white of you to say so, Frank.
+And you can depend on it I’ll do my level best,”
+returned the other, firmly.</p>
+
+<p>“No fellow can do more. And now, suppose we
+return once more to that affair of yours. Twice
+we were interrupted when I started in to tell you,”
+and Frank pushed his guest down into a comfortable
+sleepy-hollow chair.</p>
+
+<p>“Oh! yes. Do you know I’d forgotten that entirely,
+with so much other excitement going on. You
+said your uncle wrote he intended paying your folks
+a visit soon, and would meet me. I hope he makes
+up his mind to tell me all he knows. It means everything
+to me, you see,” returned Ralph.</p>
+
+<p>“I intend to make him tell. He just can’t go
+back to the city again without letting either father
+or else myself know all he does. But perhaps that
+may not amount to much after all, Ralph.”</p>
+
+<p>“What do you mean, Frank?”</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_117">[117]</span>“Why, you see, perhaps this mysterious person
+who wants to do you some good, and yet hide his,
+or her, light under a bushel, may have taken measures
+to send the money each end of a month to my
+uncle, and that he doesn’t know himself who really
+hands it over to him,” Frank continued; for he
+feared that his friend might allow his hopes to soar
+too high, only to meet with grievous disappointment.</p>
+
+<p>Ralph sighed and shook his head.</p>
+
+<p>“I see what you mean, and I’ll try not to be too
+sanguine. But I do hope something will come up
+soon to relieve this awful suspense. And now I
+want to forget all about that, and remember only
+the game—and Columbia High!”</p>
+
+<p>“Good boy, Ralph! You’re made of the right
+stuff. And never let it occur to you once that we’re
+going to lose this game, no matter if the score is
+five to one at the end of the seventh inning. Depend
+on the boys to do their part in slamming out
+the ball, while you pitch steadily away like a machine.”</p>
+
+<p>Ralph soon took his departure.</p>
+
+<p>The news would soon creep around Columbia,
+and many of the enthusiastic supporters of the school
+team must feel a quiver of apprehension when they
+learned that reliable Frank Allen could not pitch
+that afternoon.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_118">[118]</span>His enemies would crow over the fact. Doubtless
+some of them, inspired by the malicious tongues
+of Lef and his cronies, might even whisper that
+Frank had been overtaken with a case of “cold feet,”
+and shirked his duty.</p>
+
+<p>Ralph went straight to the home of Paul Bird.</p>
+
+<p>The morning was still young and there would be
+plenty of time for the new battery to practice together,
+and arrange all needed signals. Ralph had
+not as yet played a regular game with Paul behind
+the plate, so that it was necessary they should come
+together, since so much depended on their acting in
+concert.</p>
+
+<p>As it happened, Buster was out walking with the
+visitor at his house, and seeing a couple of boys
+hard at work in a lot, they drew near. To his surprise
+he discovered that it was Ralph and Paul.</p>
+
+<p>“Here, what does this secret work mean? Going
+to spring a surprise on the enemy when they show
+up this p. m.?” he demanded.</p>
+
+<p>“Then you haven’t heard?” asked Paul, eagerly.</p>
+
+<p>“About what? Goodness gracious! don’t go telling
+me that anything’s happened to Frank!” ejaculated
+Buster.</p>
+
+<p>“He won’t be able to pitch this afternoon, and
+Ralph has to go in. That’s why we are tossing a few
+here, so as to get in touch,” replied the catcher.</p>
+
+<p>“What happened? Has Frank fallen sick? Did<span class="pagenum" id="Page_119">[119]</span>
+he get waylaid last night on the road home from
+the meeting. I’ve known pitchers to be pounded in
+order to keep them out of a game. Tell me, won’t
+you, fellows? I’m quivering like a bowl of jelly
+with eagerness. This <i>is</i> a nasty mess.”</p>
+
+<p>“Oh! I don’t know,” returned Paul, with a smile
+at Buster’s anxiety, and the look of grief on his red
+face, “it might be worse. Frank’s a dandy pitcher,
+but I guess he has little on Ralph here. If he gets
+that spit ball of his working right it’s going to be
+one, two, three for Bellport.”</p>
+
+<p>“But is Frank hurt; I must know?” insisted the
+other.</p>
+
+<p>“He got a bruise on his arm this morning while
+we were out walking. Nothing serious, but it interferes
+with his muscles when he grips a ball. He
+is going to be on the field, and if they knock me
+out of the box, why, Frank will have to go in, no
+matter how he feels. But I hope it won’t be so bad
+as that,” smiled Ralph.</p>
+
+<p>“Well, suppose you let my friend, Coach Willoughby,
+give you a few pointers that may be useful.
+He’s seen a lot of pitchers in his time, and
+used to throw them in for the Tiger once himself,”
+suggested Buster.</p>
+
+<p>“Oh! if he only would, I’d be ever so much
+obliged. You see, Mr. Willoughby, I’m only a tenderfoot<span class="pagenum" id="Page_120">[120]</span>
+at this thing, and I’ve got heaps to learn!”
+cried Ralph.</p>
+
+<p>“No doubt of that, my lad, but if yesterday’s performance
+is a fair sample of your ability to puzzle
+the batter, I rather think you’ll have some of these
+heavy Bellport hitters knocking holes out of the atmosphere
+this afternoon. What you need fear most
+of all is lack of confidence. Get it in your head that
+you <i>can</i> do a thing, and that you’re just <i>going</i> to do
+it, and nine times out of ten you <i>will</i> do it.”</p>
+
+<p>And then the old Princeton “grad” began to put
+the young battery through a course of instruction
+that delighted their hearts. He even took a turn
+in the box himself and sent some sizzling hot ones
+down that rather staggered Paul.</p>
+
+<p>“You may be a ‘has-been’ as you say, sir, but I
+wouldn’t like to stand up before you if you were
+in your prime,” remarked the catcher, as he blocked
+a ball that nearly took him off his feet.</p>
+
+<p>“Thank you, Paul. That’s as sincere a compliment
+as I ever received. And now, Ralph, one more
+turn here in the box and I think you will have exercised
+that wing of yours quite enough for this morning.
+Be careful of it, so that you don’t take cold
+between now and ball time. I’m satisfied that the
+good people of Columbia will see a game worth the
+price to-day.”</p>
+
+<p>Ralph felt ten per cent. better after having this<span class="pagenum" id="Page_121">[121]</span>
+talk and work with the veteran player. He knew
+that he could carry out his end of the arrangement
+if he only managed to keep up his courage and confidence.</p>
+
+<p>So it was in that frame of mind he ate his lunch,
+and later on dressed for the expected game.</p>
+
+<p>Although it was hardly yet half-past two o’clock,
+a steady stream of people had commenced to pour
+out in the direction of the big field where the Columbia
+sports were carried on, from baseball and
+running, to football in the autumn.</p>
+
+<p>This level tract was at a considerable distance
+from the town. Being between Columbia proper
+and the town of Bellport down the river, it could
+be reached by the trolley, or vehicles. As many
+people did not care to ride, and the walking was
+good, the mile of road was covered with pedestrians,
+many of them boys in squads, all earnestly discussing
+the coming contest, and the chances of victory.</p>
+
+<p>Hundreds were also pouring into the place from
+Clifford above. Cheated out of a show in the contest
+by a perverse fate, the fans of that town were
+just as anxious to see which of their rivals would
+come out ahead in the series.</p>
+
+<p>Ralph was a very modest boy. He purposely
+took a roundabout course to the ball field, when
+starting forth, as he wished to avoid meeting with<span class="pagenum" id="Page_122">[122]</span>
+the crowds that thronged the trolley cars and the
+main road.</p>
+
+<p>He knew he could easily make the grounds in
+good time, though his detour would cause him to
+pass over two miles instead of one. And just then
+Ralph really wanted to have a little more time by
+himself to brace up for the exciting event that was
+before him.</p>
+
+<p>So, making a turn, he walked through the woods.
+The smell of the cool, shady spots under the trees
+seemed to soothe his nerves, and he was rapidly getting
+the firm grip on himself that he wanted, and
+which would be so essential to the success of his
+contemplated work.</p>
+
+<p>He had no thought of anything happening to
+detain him on the way. Frank might have enemies
+bitter enough to attempt such mean tactics, but thus
+far Ralph did not know of any person who would
+have an object in keeping him out of the game, unless
+it might be that undesirable character, Watkins
+Gould, who staked his money on Bellport that other
+day, and lost.</p>
+
+<p>So Ralph had covered about half of the distance,
+and was aiming for a spot where, emerging from
+the thick woods, he knew he could strike a road leading
+directly to the athletic field.</p>
+
+<p>“What was that?” he asked himself, suddenly
+stopping in his quick walk, for he thought he had<span class="pagenum" id="Page_123">[123]</span>
+caught a sound not unlike the sobbing of a child.</p>
+
+<p>It seemed to well up from the thicket on his right.
+Perhaps Ralph may have had one fleeting suspicion
+that there could be a trick connected with the matter;
+but when he heard the piteous cry a second time
+he plunged straight toward the spot.</p>
+<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop">
+
+<div class="chapter">
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_124">[124]</span>
+
+<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER XIII<br>
+
+<small>LED BY A KINDLY FATE</small></h2>
+</div>
+
+<p>“<span class="smcap">Well</span>, I declare!”</p>
+
+<p>Ralph West stood rooted to the spot for a couple
+of seconds, as he allowed this exclamation to escape
+from his lips.</p>
+
+<p>Perhaps he had half expected to have a couple of
+fellows pounce upon him as he pushed the branches
+aside; which would account for the manner in which
+his fists were clenched, and his teeth set.</p>
+
+<p>What he saw was an entirely different spectacle.
+A little girl was seated on a hummock, rocking to
+and fro, with her childish face tear-stained, and full
+of bodily anguish.</p>
+
+<p>The blood upon her hand told that she must have
+fallen and hurt herself badly. No doubt it was the
+sight of the blood that frightened her even more
+than the pain.</p>
+
+<p>Ralph sprang forward, and the tear-stained face
+was turned up to him eagerly.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_125">[125]</span>“What’s happened to you, little one?” asked the
+boy, as he bent down.</p>
+
+<p>Already had he taken a clean handkerchief out,
+and shaken it from its folds. Thank goodness he
+had supplied himself liberally, with a hot game before
+him. Picking up the mangled hand, he saw
+that it was in need of immediate attention, as possibly
+a heavy rock had fallen on the fingers.</p>
+
+<p>Ralph began to tenderly wrap his handkerchief
+about the torn fingers, at the same time speaking
+soothingly to the child. She had ceased crying and
+was looking at him wonderingly. Doubtless his
+baseball uniform astonished her greatly.</p>
+
+<p>“It fell on me,” she managed to say, pointing to
+something near by; and Ralph saw that his surmise
+had been correct in so far as it concerned a stone.</p>
+
+<p>“But what are you doing here; where do you
+live?” he asked, anxiously.</p>
+
+<p>The child should not be left here in these woods
+with so serious a wound as the crushed fingers would
+likely prove. And yet his time was not wholly his
+own, since he must be on the field presently in order
+to practice before the calling of the great game.</p>
+
+<p>“I’m Mary Smalling,” said the child, with utmost
+confidence and simplicity, as if every one ought to
+know after that.</p>
+
+<p>Ralph had caught sight of a dinner pail on the
+ground near by. It was empty, too, which fact gave<span class="pagenum" id="Page_126">[126]</span>
+him the impression that the little girl might have
+been on the way home after carrying a noonday meal
+to her father.</p>
+
+<p>He had an indistinct recollection of hearing the
+name before. Perhaps it was in connection with a
+new family that had come to live on the outskirts
+of the town; but just then in his confusion of ideas
+he could not for the life of him tell whether it had
+been on the other side along the river road, or to
+the west.</p>
+
+<p>“Where does your father work?” he asked, on a
+hazard.</p>
+
+<p>“For Mr. Gregg,” came the immediate answer.</p>
+
+<p>“At the mill, the flour mill?” asked the boy,
+quickly.</p>
+
+<p>A nod of the little auburn-crowned head answered
+him. Then Ralph knew what his duty was.
+He remembered that the mill was only a quarter
+of a mile away from the spot where they were at
+that moment. Perhaps the child’s home might be
+even closer, but he could not take the chances of
+hunting for it.</p>
+
+<p>“I’m going to carry you to your father, Mary.
+You’re not afraid of me, are you?” he asked, bending
+down again; for some one ought to get her to
+a doctor without much delay, so that it might be
+discovered whether any bones had been broken by
+the cruel fall of that heavy stone.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_127">[127]</span>“Me? Oh! no,” she said, instantly, which
+pleased Ralph more than he cared to say, for it told
+him his manner had inspired confidence in the little
+maid.</p>
+
+<p>So he gathered the wee mite of humanity up in
+his arms, and having decided upon which direction
+he should take, strode off.</p>
+
+<p>“But—my dinner pail! Daddy won’t like me to
+lose it!” wailed the child, after they had gone fifty
+paces.</p>
+
+<p>Nothing would do but that Ralph must return
+in order that she might clutch it in her one well
+hand. Then again he made a start. It was provoking
+that an accident like this should delay him
+just when minutes were of so much value. But
+Ralph could not have had the heart to leave that innocent
+child crying there alone in those dense woods
+even though a dozen ball games depended on his
+showing up at a certain time.</p>
+
+<p>The little one proved more of a load than he had
+anticipated. Several times he would have been glad
+of a chance to rest and put her down; but the passage
+of time kept staring him in the face.</p>
+
+<p>Ralph hoped that this encounter would not prove
+to be his undoing. He had grave fears that the
+strain of carrying the child so great a distance
+might shake his nerves in a way he would feel to
+his disadvantage during the progress of the game.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_128">[128]</span>Little did the boy realize how a benevolent fortune
+was playing directly into his hands, and that
+the very thing he feared might be a calamity was
+fated to be but another stepping stone on the road
+to good luck.</p>
+
+<p>The little girl had stopped crying. He could see
+her bright eyes looking up into his face every time
+he glanced down. As he staggered along Ralph
+kept talking in his cheery way, and no doubt that
+had considerable to do with her appearance of contentment.</p>
+
+<p>At last, when Ralph feared he could hold out no
+longer, he heard the familiar whirr of the big water
+wheel, and caught a glimpse of the mill through
+openings in the trees.</p>
+
+<p>“We’re almost there, Mary, and you will soon be
+with your father,” he said, smiling down at her.</p>
+
+<p>“That will be nice. I’m glad you came,” the
+child answered; and Ralph believed there was enough
+of genuine gratitude in those simple words to repay
+him doubly for all his trouble.</p>
+
+<p>All he begrudged was the time it had taken. Only
+for that he would not have cared had the distance
+been thrice as long, for it was certainly a pleasure
+for this lad to do a service to a helpless little creature
+in trouble.</p>
+
+<p>He reached the road over which the supplies of
+the flour mill were carried, as well as the milled<span class="pagenum" id="Page_129">[129]</span>
+product hauled away. It was easier going now.</p>
+
+<p>“There’s my daddy!” exclaimed Mary, struggling
+up in his arms.</p>
+
+<p>Her voice must have reached the ears of a man
+who was working just outside the door of the mill,
+for he turned hastily and looked toward them. A
+moment later and he started on a run toward Ralph.</p>
+
+<p>The boy could see that his face betokened alarm.
+It was not exactly a bad face, though there were
+the marks of dissipation upon it, showing that
+Mary’s father had not always led the best sort of
+a life.</p>
+
+<p>“What’s the matter. What’s happened to the
+child?” he cried, hoarsely, as he came closer to the
+boy, who had stopped in his tracks now.</p>
+
+<p>“Anyhow, he loves the little girl, that’s sure,”
+thought Ralph, as he saw the look of agony that
+made the man’s face turn white.</p>
+
+<p>“She’s hurt her hand quite badly. I think a rock
+must have fallen on it while she was picking wild
+flowers, or reaching into the burrow of a chipmunk.
+Be careful, sir, it’s bleeding a lot,” said Ralph, as
+the man took her from his arms.</p>
+
+<p>“But I didn’t lose the bucket, daddy, like you said
+I would!” cried the child, still gripping the tin
+tightly.</p>
+
+<p>“Never mind the bucket, darling; it’s your hand<span class="pagenum" id="Page_130">[130]</span>
+I’m thinking about now. Where did you find her,
+my boy?” asked the man, eagerly.</p>
+
+<p>Ralph was almost panting after his long and tiresome
+walk, burdened as he had been. He was only
+waiting to get his breath, so as to say that the little
+girl ought to be taken to a doctor without delay,
+and then expected to start in a hurry for the athletic
+field.</p>
+
+<p>“About a quarter of a mile from here, and in the
+woods. I think she must have been on the way
+home. I was taking a roundabout way to the baseball
+field, you see, where I have to pitch a game for
+Columbia this afternoon,” Ralph explained, seeing
+the man look inquiringly at his suit.</p>
+
+<p>“And you turned out of your way to carry my
+child all the way here! It was kind of you to do
+that, my boy, and I won’t forget it in a hurry. This
+girlie is everything in the world to me, I tell you.
+Thank you a thousand times for your trouble, and
+any time Sam Smalling can do anything to return
+the favor you just call on him, hear?” and he
+squeezed Ralph’s hand with emphasis.</p>
+
+<p>“Oh! that’s all right. I wouldn’t have minded it
+a bit, only I was afraid I might be late for the game,”
+said Ralph, preparing to go.</p>
+
+<p>“And everything depends on the pitcher, I know.
+That makes it all the kinder of you, turning aside
+as you did. I hope you’ll stop in and see us some<span class="pagenum" id="Page_131">[131]</span>
+time, my boy. We live in the Grant cottage, on
+the road to Menhaven. The girl will be glad to see
+you, and her mother, too, I wager.”</p>
+
+<p>“I’ll try to, some time later. But I hope you can
+get her in to town to let a doctor look at those fingers
+without delay. If a bone is broken it ought to be
+set, you know,” said Ralph, over his shoulder, for he
+had started off.</p>
+
+<p>“Hold on a minute, my boy. There’s our wagon
+and horse right handy. I’ll speak to the boss, and
+take the rig to drive to town right away. And by
+jumping in you can get to the baseball grounds
+quicker than if you walk; besides having a little rest.
+Wait up a minute. You haven’t told me your name,
+either, you see.”</p>
+
+<p>Halted by these words from the father of Mary,
+Ralph turned on his heel. He saw that what the
+other had said was true, and that by waiting a bit
+he could ride with advantage to himself.</p>
+
+<p>“I guess that’s a fact, and if you’re going right
+away I’ll hang on behind. To tell the truth, I’m a
+little mixed up in my bearings, and might get lost
+if I went without a guide. You see, I’ve only lived
+about here since last fall. My name’s Ralph West!
+Why, what’s the matter, sir?” for the man had
+started back while he was speaking, and stared at
+him as if suddenly given a shock.</p>
+
+<p>“Ralph West? Do you mean to tell me that <i>you</i><span class="pagenum" id="Page_132">[132]</span>
+are the boy, then? And that some fatality has
+brought <i>you</i> to do a favor for me and mine? This
+is the last straw on the camel’s back. I was weakening
+before; now I don’t see how I can hold out!”</p>
+
+<p>And hearing these muttered words, Ralph realized
+with a thrill that Sam Smalling, the father of the
+child he had assisted, must know something about
+his mysterious past!</p>
+<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop">
+
+<div class="chapter">
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_133">[133]</span>
+
+<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER XIV<br>
+
+<small>SAM SMALLING MAKES A PROMISE</small></h2>
+</div>
+
+<p><span class="smcap">For</span> the time being Ralph forgot all about the
+fact that he was nearly due on the baseball field that
+afternoon. Sam Smalling’s words seemed to indicate
+that he might be in possession of some knowledge
+concerning the things which the boy was fairly
+wild to know.</p>
+
+<p>“Oh! what do you mean?” he asked, in trembling
+tones, as he came back to clutch the sleeve of the
+man’s shirt eagerly, and fasten a pair of anxious
+eyes on his face.</p>
+
+<p>Smalling was visibly shaken. He tried to avoid
+the gaze of Ralph at first, and looked down at his
+feet in the manner of a man whose sins had suddenly
+arisen to confound him.</p>
+
+<p>“You must know something about me, Mr. Smalling,
+or you wouldn’t have said what you did. I’ve
+only recently learned that I was adopted by the
+people I’ve always believed to be my own parents;
+and ever since that time I’ve been just wild to learn
+who I am. Do you know?” demanded Ralph.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_134">[134]</span>The other moved uneasily, and his rather shifty
+eyes still refused to meet the penetrating gaze of
+the boy.</p>
+
+<p>“Mebbe I do, and again mebbe I don’t. Come
+and see me again, boy, and perhaps I can help you
+find out what you want,” he muttered, with a shake
+of the head, as if not wholly satisfied to speak more
+plainly off-hand.</p>
+
+<p>“But why not now? Oh! if you only knew how
+I lie awake nights wondering and wishing, I’m sure
+you’d tell me all you know, sir. It’s a terrible thing
+to be ignorant of who you are! No matter what
+my parents may have been, I’d rather know than
+keep on this way. Please tell me!” Ralph pleaded.</p>
+
+<p>“Not just now. It comes on me too sudden like.
+I must have time to think it over and see just where
+I stand. There’s more than one thing to be considered.
+But I’ll tell you this, Ralph, after what
+you’ve done for my little girl to-day I’m mighty
+much inclined to break my word, and speak soon.”</p>
+
+<p>“Then I suppose I’ll just have to wait, Mr. Smalling;
+but I do hope you’ll not be too long. When
+can I come to see you about it, sir?” Ralph went on,
+meaning to strike while the iron was hot.</p>
+
+<p>“Come to-night, then. And I reckon you can
+expect to hear something that will do you good. But
+we must get off now. I’m anxious to get Mary to
+town, so a doctor can look after her hand; and as<span class="pagenum" id="Page_135">[135]</span>
+for you, the sooner you drop in on that baseball
+game the better, I reckon,” said the man, hurrying
+over to where the owner of the flour mill seemed to
+be working.</p>
+
+<p>Then Ralph remembered that his time was not
+his own—that there would by now be a tremendous
+crowd assembled on the athletic grounds, watching
+the snappy work of the rival teams, and his absence
+must be causing the Columbia High players considerable
+anxiety, to say the least.</p>
+
+<p>Some of the spectators, who happened to know
+that Ralph was slated to go in the box in place of
+Frank Allen, would even be cruel enough to declare
+that the novice must have been attacked with a case
+of stage fright, and retreated from the grounds
+after seeing the immense throng which he would
+have to face.</p>
+
+<p>So Ralph tried to forget all his personal affairs
+for the time being, and think only of his duty toward
+his school.</p>
+
+<p>Now that she had found her father again, Mary
+seemed to be satisfied. Ralph used another spare
+handkerchief to make a loop in which the injured
+hand could be suspended; and the little girl thanked
+him with her bright eyes.</p>
+
+<p>By the time this had been done Smalling came up
+with the team. Ralph lifted the girl to the seat beside
+her father.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_136">[136]</span>“Come up here with us; plenty of room, Ralph,”
+said the man; and seeing that he spoke truly, Ralph
+hastened to comply, although he had been about to
+swing himself up behind, with his feet dangling
+over the tailboard.</p>
+
+<p>Consulting his watch, a little nickel affair costing
+but one dollar, he discovered that he should have
+been on the field before this. The rescue of Mary,
+and carrying her all this way, had consumed considerable
+time.</p>
+
+<p>Smalling urged the horses to do their best. He
+was naturally anxious about his child, and, moreover,
+knew that minutes were exceedingly precious
+to the boy who had stepped aside to do this kindly
+act.</p>
+
+<p>“I reckon you won’t be sorry for what you did,
+boy,” he said, turning his head as they pushed forward
+over the country road.</p>
+
+<p>His words gave Ralph the keenest sort of satisfaction.
+He was thrilled with the thought of how
+his good star must have been in the ascendent when
+it urged him to investigate the meaning of those
+apparent sobs in the bushes.</p>
+
+<p>“And to think how near I came to passing by,
+thinking it might only be some fellow trying to
+trick me,” was what Ralph was saying to himself all
+the while.</p>
+
+<p>The man who drove seemed to be consumed with<span class="pagenum" id="Page_137">[137]</span>
+a desire to learn something more about the other,
+for he began to ask questions.</p>
+
+<p>“Did the old folks treat you white, Ralph?” was
+his first demand.</p>
+
+<p>“If you mean Mr. and Mrs. West,” replied the
+other, quickly, “I can say yes, perhaps far better
+than I deserved, since I was none of their flesh and
+blood. I think I’ve always looked on them just as
+other boys do their own parents—up to lately, when
+money started to come to me every month from an
+unknown source, and then doubts began to awaken
+in my head, for I saw them talking together often
+as though trying to make up their minds to tell me
+something.”</p>
+
+<p>“Money—how was that?” asked Smalling looking
+deeply interested.</p>
+
+<p>“Why, along last summer I got a letter from the
+office of a New York lawyer. It had forty dollars
+in it, and just a couple of lines saying that I was to
+accept the gift with the idea of getting an education,
+and that the same amount would come every month.”</p>
+
+<p>“Phew! Looks like something had touched his
+heart after all! Forty dollars, eh? And has it always
+come, Ralph?” asked the driver, keeping his
+eyes fixed upon the horses’ heads, as if unwilling to
+meet the boy’s questioning gaze.</p>
+
+<p>“Yes, always. That was how I came to Columbia<span class="pagenum" id="Page_138">[138]</span>
+to attend the high school, for I was wild to get an
+education,” replied Ralph, soberly.</p>
+
+<p>“Just so, and naturally, too. You come by that
+desire all right, I guess,” muttered Smalling, who
+seemed to be more or less embarrassed.</p>
+
+<p>A strange thought came into Ralph’s mind. What
+could this confusion on the part of the other signify?
+He looked eagerly into the face of the little girl sitting
+beside him. Truth to tell, he was wondering
+if it could possibly be that Mary might turn out to
+be his sister!</p>
+
+<p>And, as if something had told Smalling what was
+flitting through the brain of the boy, he turned his
+head and looked at him.</p>
+
+<p>“Oh, no, it ain’t that, Ralph. You’re nothing to
+me. I’ve been a bad man in my day, but I give you
+my word I’d never desert a kid that belonged to me.
+Drink has been at the bottom of all my evildoing,
+though it is my own fault. Latterly, I’ve managed
+to get a grip on myself, and p’raps it ain’t too late
+to wipe out some of my past. You come to see me
+this night, lad, and don’t fail. I reckon I’ll be in a
+frame of mind to let a few things drop. I ought
+to, I know. There’s something more than accident
+in our meeting up in this way. It means Fate,
+that’s what!”</p>
+
+<p>“I’ll be there, without fail, sir. How could I keep
+away? And, oh, I hope and pray you won’t change<span class="pagenum" id="Page_139">[139]</span>
+your mind between now and night,” faltered the boy,
+as he put his hand out and touched that of the driver.</p>
+
+<p>Perhaps it was that confiding touch that did it, or
+possibly Smalling’s eyes chanced to fall upon the
+neatly bandaged hand of Mary just then, and he
+was overwhelmed by a sense of the debt he owed
+this lad.</p>
+
+<p>At any rate he impulsively grasped that extended
+hand and squeezed it warmly.</p>
+
+<p>“I’m going to do more than give a half promise,
+Ralph. Take my word for it, that when you come
+to-night I’ll clear up pretty much all this affair about
+who and what you are. And, lad, you needn’t worry
+any more, because it’s goin’ to be all right,” was
+what he said.</p>
+
+<p>“Oh, thank you ever so much for that promise!
+It will give me heart to do my level best to-day; and
+I have need of such a spur, I assure you, Mr. Smalling.
+There, I had a glimpse of the baseball field
+just then; and listen, what can they be shouting
+for?” asked Ralph, as a mighty cheer came rolling
+toward them.</p>
+
+<p>“Some feller has made a star play in practice, I
+reckon. I’m some keen on ball myself, and calculated
+on getting over later to the game. P’raps I’ll
+stop off on the way out from town, though the girl
+had better be took home to her ma.”</p>
+
+<p>“Your wife is living, then?” asked Ralph, even<span class="pagenum" id="Page_140">[140]</span>
+while he was trying to steady his nerves for the sight
+that would soon break upon his vision as he entered
+the big enclosure where Columbia High boys usually
+met to enjoy baseball, football, and most outdoor
+sports.</p>
+
+<p>“Oh, yes, and Mary has several brothers and sisters.
+But she always wants to be the one to fetch
+my dinner,” and from the way he looked down at
+the girl it was evident that she must be his favorite.</p>
+
+<p>“Here’s where I must jump out, sir,” said Ralph,
+suiting the action to the word as they came opposite
+a big open gate.</p>
+
+<p>“Then I’ll look for you to-night?” asked Smalling,
+his eyes ranging up and down the clean built figure
+of the lad approvingly, and with a light kindling in
+his eyes.</p>
+
+<p>“Unless they do me up so well this afternoon that
+I can’t walk, I’ll be there,” replied the other, smilingly.</p>
+
+<p>“Goodby, Ralph,” said the little girl, holding out
+her well hand. “I won’t forget how nice you was.
+And I’m going to do up these for you, too,” pointing
+to the several handkerchiefs Ralph had used to bind
+up her hand, and make a sling.</p>
+
+<p>“All right. That’ll be fine. Goodby, both of you,
+until to-night!”</p>
+
+<p>He turned away with a sigh. It seemed almost
+too good to be true that he was going to hear great<span class="pagenum" id="Page_141">[141]</span>
+news so very soon. Ralph could hardly believe that
+he was not dreaming.</p>
+
+<p>And then as he entered through the gate vehicles
+used, he saw the athletic field and the tremendous
+throng that packed it.</p>
+<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop">
+
+<div class="chapter">
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_142">[142]</span>
+
+<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER XV<br>
+
+<small>“PLAY BALL!”</small></h2>
+</div>
+
+<p>“<span class="smcap">Who’s</span> the umpire, Lef?” demanded Bill
+Klemm.</p>
+
+<p>“Name’s Willoughby. Used to be a pitcher for
+Princeton away back, they say.”</p>
+
+<p>“What they got him in for? Where’s Grigson,
+the regular umpire?” continued Bill, as though his
+comrade might be an information bureau.</p>
+
+<p>“Laid up, I hear. Captain Seymour says this feller
+beats Grig all hollow. Guess they’ve got it all
+rigged up to throw the game for Columbia. I
+wouldn’t put it past that Frank Allen and his bunch
+of toadies,” growled Lef, still sore after his experience
+of the morning.</p>
+
+<p>“But they say Frank ain’t going to toss ’em over
+to-day. Got hurt this morning in some way. One
+fellow told me he jumped in the river and hauled
+Minnie Cuthbert out. Nobody seems to know just
+what happened, but his arm’s black and blue where
+he hit a rock,” went on Bill, at the same time eyeing<span class="pagenum" id="Page_143">[143]</span>
+his friend closely, for he had heard Lef chuckle as
+though quite tickled.</p>
+
+<p>“So that’s what happened to little Frankie, was it?
+Served him right. He ought to mind his own business.
+I reckon I’d tamed that hoss down soon if
+he hadn’t cut in when he did,” grumbled Lef.</p>
+
+<p>“What’s that?” demanded Bill, suspiciously, and
+showing keen interest.</p>
+
+<p>“Never you mind. Tell about it another time. I
+know just what Frank Allen did. He’s always playing
+to the gallery, you know. Then who’s going to
+pitch for Columbia?” asked the other, turning the
+question aside.</p>
+
+<p>“They say Ralph West,” replied Bill.</p>
+
+<p>“That country kid. Why, these heavy batters of
+Bellport will just eat him alive. It’s a pity they
+can’t give <i>me</i> a chance to show what I can do. I’m
+better by long odds than I was last year, and I held
+’em down to three hits one game. Remember that,
+don’t you, Bill?”</p>
+
+<p>“Course I do. But I’m lookin’ for that come-on.
+Why ain’t he showin’ up and doin’ some practicin’?
+P’raps he’s got the big head, and thinks he don’t
+need to work out any before the game?” suggested
+Bill, maliciously.</p>
+
+<p>“I kind of guess it’s just the other way, Bill,”
+laughed Lef.</p>
+
+<p>“You mean he’s got cold feet, and won’t show up<span class="pagenum" id="Page_144">[144]</span>
+at all. Well, that would be a joke now. What d’ye
+suppose they’d do in such a case, Lef?”</p>
+
+<p>“Either the wounded hero would have to go in
+and be slaughtered, or else they’d have to temporarily
+lift my suspension, and let me toe the mark.”</p>
+
+<p>“I reckon you’re fit, all right, Lef. I’ve been
+ketchin’ you for a week, and I never thought you
+had so many cute tricks in you. And speed, why
+it’s there to burn. I hope they do let you have a
+chance,” remarked Bill.</p>
+
+<p>Lef uttered a grunt of disgust.</p>
+
+<p>“It’s all off,” he said, with a shrug of his shoulders.</p>
+
+<p>“What d’ye mean?” asked Bill.</p>
+
+<p>“Look yonder at that wagon stopping on the road
+by the gate. A feller’s jumped out, and he’s got
+a baseball suit on, too. It’s that sneak Ralph, as
+sure’s you’re born. I’m on to his curves, all right.
+He just wants to keep the crowd in suspense, you
+know, and then get the cheers when he shows up.
+Bah! he makes me tired, that’s what.”</p>
+
+<p>Lef judged others by himself. Under similar conditions
+that was just what he would have done, for
+applause was sweet in his ears.</p>
+
+<p>When Ralph was seen running across the field
+there was a rippling cheer that advanced into a positive
+roar. The boy’s face flamed, for he was not accustomed
+to being in the limelight. Still, he paid<span class="pagenum" id="Page_145">[145]</span>
+no attention to the shouts that greeted his coming,
+but hastening over to where the boys were still practicing
+he met Captain Seymour.</p>
+
+<p>“Glad you’ve turned up, Ralph. The boys were
+beginning to get a little worried about you, and
+Frank just said he’d go in if necessary, though his
+arm is in a bad way, and he might injure it for
+keeps. We want him for the last game—if there is
+going to be another,” said Roderic, looking closely
+at the other, as if to make up his mind whether
+Ralph had brought his nerve with him.</p>
+
+<p>“The delay was entirely unavoidable. I had to
+carry a little child half a mile. She had crushed
+her hand. That is her father in the wagon with her,
+on the way to the doctor’s. Hello! Frank! better
+late than never. Send her in, Paul! How long can
+I have to warm up, Captain?” said Ralph, as he
+caught the ball, and began to return it, quietly at
+first, but with increasing pressure as his muscles
+responded to the demand made upon them.</p>
+
+<p>“The umpire says that the time is almost up; but
+on account of your coming late he will postpone
+calling the game ten minutes. Now, do your prettiest,
+Ralph. I hope you get that trick ball working
+handily this afternoon,” returned the other, who
+was plainly more or less nervous.</p>
+
+<p>“I’m feeling in fine shape, Captain. If they knock
+me hard it will be because I’m out of my class, I<span class="pagenum" id="Page_146">[146]</span>
+expect,” was the confident rejoinder he received.</p>
+
+<p>For fully ten minutes then the young pitcher was
+the center of observation. Friends and foes alike
+commented upon his style of delivery. When he
+sent in an extra swift one a murmur of admiration
+bubbled forth.</p>
+
+<p>“I guess he’s the right sort,” called the sanguine
+Columbia adherent.</p>
+
+<p>“If only he don’t lose his head when those hard
+hitters begin to reach his ball a little. They’ve sent
+more than one horse to the stable to be blanketed,”
+declared another, less confident.</p>
+
+<p>Many secretly sighed because Frank Allen was
+temporarily out of the game.</p>
+
+<p>“Hope he’ll be all right by next Saturday, then.
+We can afford to lose this game, boys. It’ll only
+square things, and make it all the more interesting,”
+cried still another skeptic.</p>
+
+<p>“Give the boy a chance, will you?” demanded a
+man near by; “you talk like he’s thrown this game
+away already. I tell you he shows up well, and perhaps
+some of you croakers will get a surprise yet!”</p>
+
+<p>“That’s the talk; encourage the boy!” called another
+spectator.</p>
+
+<p>“He needs it all right,” jeered a Bellport rough;
+“why, what our fellows will do to that kid will be a
+shame. It’s like takin’ candy from the baby, that’s
+what!”</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_147">[147]</span>And all these floating exclamations came to the
+ears of Ralph as he stood there near the end of the
+bleachers and continued to send them in to Paul. He
+had his teeth set, and was, as far as outward appearances
+went, as cool as a veteran.</p>
+
+<p>Coach Willoughby, ready for the fray, gave him a
+signal just then. It signified that there had been sufficient
+practice, and that he was about to call the start
+in another minute or two; so Ralph drew on his
+sweater, not wishing to catch cold, for despite the hot
+sun there was a cool breeze blowing.</p>
+
+<p>Frank wanted to have a last brief talk with his
+friend. He knew more about the peculiarities of the
+Bellport team than Ralph possibly could, and was
+able to tell him just how some of them could be
+coaxed to strike at an impossible ball.</p>
+
+<p>“Notice that their captain, Cuthbert Lee, is on his
+old job to-day at second, in place of Hough. He’s a
+hard hitter, Ralph, but from what I know of him I
+think your teaser ball will fetch him. Only don’t
+use it too often. And if he ever gets on a base keep
+your eye on him. He’s the fastest runner they have,
+and can steal bases to beat the band, while the pitcher
+is winding up.”</p>
+
+<p>“Glad you told me, Frank. After the game wait
+up for me. I’ve got some grand news to tell you,”
+observed the pitcher, getting up and discarding his<span class="pagenum" id="Page_148">[148]</span>
+sweater as the loud voice of the old Princeton player,
+now serving as umpire, was heard saying:</p>
+
+<p>“Play ball!”</p>
+
+<p>Frank took one look at the sparkling eyes of his
+friend.</p>
+
+<p>“Tell me, is it about that thing?” he asked, eagerly,
+and Ralph, turning as he started to walk off,
+nodded his head in the affirmative.</p>
+
+<p>“Bully! You just make up your mind you’re going
+to win, Ralph. I seem to feel it in my bones you
+are!” Frank said, confidently.</p>
+
+<p>Ralph picked up the new ball which the umpire
+had tossed into the box, and sent a few sizzling ones
+to first base while the balance of the team hurried
+to their places in the field.</p>
+
+<p>The crowd had become strangely silent now.
+Every eye was glued upon the new pitcher, and of
+course anxiety made many a Columbia heart nervous,
+for Ralph was as yet an untried quantity
+against a regular team. Many had faith in him, or
+professed to have, though secretly even his boldest
+adherents found themselves wondering how he
+would act if those Bellport fellows ever began to
+bombard his curves as they had been known to do
+to more than one phenomenon in the past.</p>
+
+<p>The lineup of the Bellport team was just the same
+as on the preceding Saturday, with the one exception
+of second base. Here the familiar figure of<span class="pagenum" id="Page_149">[149]</span>
+Cuthbert Lee was to be seen, and his cheery words
+gave confidence to his men.</p>
+
+<p>The batting order of the visitors ran as follows:</p>
+
+<div class="indentleft">
+<p>Snodgrass—Right field.<br>
+Lee—Second base.<br>
+Banghardt—Center field.<br>
+Smith, Jr.—Left field.<br>
+Smith, Sr.—First base.<br>
+Lacy—Shortstop.<br>
+Bardwell—Third base.<br>
+Clay—Catcher.<br>
+Coddling—Pitcher.</p>
+</div>
+
+<p>As usual, Snodgrass could be depended upon to
+work the pitcher for a free ticket to the initial sack,
+if it was within the range of possibilities. He was
+a good waiter, and a fine judge of balls.</p>
+
+<p>“Put ’em over for this beanery waiter!”</p>
+
+<p>“Make him hit her out, West!”</p>
+
+<p>“Don’t forget you’ve got eight other fellows back
+of you, boy!”</p>
+
+<p>“Now, soak it to him, youngster. You know!”</p>
+
+<p>Ralph suddenly shot the ball at the batter like a
+flash. It passed straight over the plate as though it
+cut the same in two equal parts.</p>
+
+<p>“Strike—one!” shouted the umpire, even as Snodgrass
+jumped back, pretending that he had to dodge,
+though he grinned at the same time.</p>
+<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop">
+
+<div class="chapter">
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_150">[150]</span>
+
+<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER XVI<br>
+
+<small>MAKING A GOOD START</small></h2>
+</div>
+
+<p><span class="smcap">Through</span> the grandstand and over the field a
+wave of enthusiasm went.</p>
+
+<p>Ralph paid no attention to the various shouts that
+greeted his first delivery. He tried to see how he
+could work his wonderful “spit” ball next, and
+while Snodgrass struck he never came within inches
+of a hit.</p>
+
+<p>Derisive cries began to be heard.</p>
+
+<p>“Get Snodgrass his glasses!”</p>
+
+<p>“Put him out to pasture; he’s outlived his usefulness!”</p>
+
+<p>Trust the ingenuity of schoolboys to invent scores
+of cries calculated to unnerve the batter. But Snodgrass
+only grinned and waited, crouching there as
+though ready to annihilate the next ball that came
+along.</p>
+
+<p>Ralph thought it policy to try a couple of outshoots,
+and as the batter failed to strike they were
+called balls. It was time now to take his measure
+again, and Snodgrass knew what was coming.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_151">[151]</span>“Three strikes—batter is out!” followed a wicked
+sweep which the Bellport right fielder made at the
+erratic “spit” ball that Ralph handed up.</p>
+
+<p>Lee stood there calmly awaiting his turn. There
+was something in his attitude to tell Ralph he had
+more to fear from the captain of the rival team
+than any other man on it.</p>
+
+<p>Twice Lee struck at elusive balls. Then he managed
+to connect with one and sent a screamer at
+“Bones” Shadduck on third, which that worthy succeeded
+in knocking down, though recovering the
+ball just too late to catch the swift runner.</p>
+
+<p>“Now we’re off!” howled the coach, as he came
+running up to take his place near the man on first.</p>
+
+<p>Hardly had he spoken than the ball came plunk
+into the hands of Lanky, who had been expecting
+such a thing. Lee had danced off, as was his usual
+custom. He made a desperate plunge for the bag,
+but Lanky got him.</p>
+
+<p>“You’re out!” shouted the umpire, waving his
+hand suggestively.</p>
+
+<p>Such a whoop as went up! It seemed as though
+the crowd had gone wild. Bellport supporters
+looked each other in the face.</p>
+
+<p>“What’s this we’ve struck?” said one, blankly.</p>
+
+<p>“He caught Cuthbert napping, sure! I never
+knew that to happen before!”</p>
+
+<p>“He’s a wonder at throwing that ball to first.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_152">[152]</span>
+Guess we ain’t going to steal many sacks on that
+kid to-day, you hear me?” exclaimed another.</p>
+
+<p>“Oh! rats! you give me a pain! That was only
+an accident. He couldn’t do it again in a year of
+Sundays!” ejaculated one of the Bellport players
+who was lounging near the bleachers.</p>
+
+<p>“Perhaps not,” laughed a Columbia graduate,
+“but all the same he’s got you fellows guessing, and
+you’ll cut your leads short at bases while he’s in the
+box.”</p>
+
+<p>Banghardt, after knocking three fouls, also
+struck out. This record against such known heavy
+hitters delighted the crowd. A rattling cheer and
+much hand-clapping greeted the incoming of Ralph.
+Of course he had to doff his cap, and smile; but at
+the same time he did not appear to be excited.</p>
+
+<p>The umpire was watching him curiously, for
+Ralph had interested the veteran Princeton player
+very much.</p>
+
+<p>“I think he’s going to do himself proud to-day.
+These fellows may win, but not through that boy
+going up in the air. He knows how to master himself,”
+was what he said to Frank Allen, as he took
+a drink from the water bucket.</p>
+
+<p>“I knew he had it in him; and I’m rather pleased
+that an accident kept me out of the box to-day. It
+may be the making of Ralph,” replied the other;<span class="pagenum" id="Page_153">[153]</span>
+and hearing such warm, generous words, the umpire
+nodded his head in appreciation.</p>
+
+<p>He had doubtless known so much shallow envy
+among ball players that such an exhibition of pure
+devotion to the interests of the school pleased him
+greatly.</p>
+
+<p>The lineup of Columbia had been altered somewhat,
+on account of Ralph taking the place of Frank
+as pitcher. This threw him last on the batting order.
+Ben Allison, the regular right fielder, was fortunately
+able to occupy that place, and consequently he faced
+Coddling first.</p>
+
+<p>By the way Coddling threw a few to his first
+baseman it was evident that he had felt the defeat
+of the previous Saturday keenly, and was there
+with blood in his eye, determined to retrieve that
+disaster.</p>
+
+<p>“Look at that, will you? Ain’t he got speed to
+burn to-day? I’m sorry for Columbia, boys,” called
+a Bellport student, with the colors of his school on
+his hat.</p>
+
+<p>“Get out your wipers, boys. It’s sure going to be
+a funeral!” mocked a boy who boasted of the famous
+orange and purple.</p>
+
+<p>“Let up, you fellows. He’s going to pitch one
+now!” shouted a man near by; and again the interest
+was centered upon the pitcher’s box.</p>
+
+<p>Coddling wound up and shot one over. Allison<span class="pagenum" id="Page_154">[154]</span>
+promptly struck, but his bat only whistled through
+the air, for the excellent reason that the ball was
+not within six inches of where he supposed it to be.</p>
+
+<p>“Say, Mister Coddling is some at that sort of
+thing, you see!” howled a delighted Bellport supporter,
+jumping up and addressing the bleacher
+crowd.</p>
+
+<p>“Sit down!”</p>
+
+<p>“Hire a hall and take a day off!”</p>
+
+<p>“Watch him send another disappearing ball down
+the line, boys!”</p>
+
+<p>Coddling did. He had Allison guessing right
+from the start. Perhaps that was because the right
+fielder had not faced him as yet this season, and his
+enforced layoff had rather weakened his batting eye,
+for usually Ben was a reliable hitter.</p>
+
+<p>When he struck for the third time, and the umpire
+waved him away, Allison only grinned and
+trotted back to the bench, shaking his head humorously.</p>
+
+<p>“Bones” Shadduck took his place, and was immediately
+greeted with a series of entreaties to accomplish
+something.</p>
+
+<p>“Hit her out, even if you are caught!” his admirers
+yelled.</p>
+
+<p>Shadduck made ready to do his best. One strike
+was called, and as yet he apparently had not gauged<span class="pagenum" id="Page_155">[155]</span>
+the delivery of the wizard pitcher, who faced him
+with that tantalizing smile on his face.</p>
+
+<p>Then he bunted, and was off for first like a shot.
+Coddling made a wild dash for the ball, which had
+started to roll along the line toward the sack. It
+looked as though it would go foul, and perhaps that
+was what kept the agile pitcher from trying to
+snatch it up. When he did, it was too late, for
+Bones had galloped over first, and was safe.</p>
+
+<p>Jack Comfort’s business was to sacrifice him down
+along the line. He, too, bunted, and while easily
+out himself, Bones had seen his signal, and got a
+lovely start, so that he found himself squatting on
+second.</p>
+
+<p>“That’s the way to do it! Play the game! Now,
+Lanky, you’re IT!”</p>
+
+<p>Lanky managed to knock a grounder that landed
+him on first, and Shadduck on third.</p>
+
+<p>“Coddling, take a brace and put ’em over!”</p>
+
+<p>Then stepped up Buster Billings. His appearance
+always created a ripple of amusement, on account
+of his ponderous calves. Buster only winked
+knowingly at the yelling crowd and raised his bat,
+waving it to and fro, cautiously.</p>
+
+<p>“Why, the feller thinks he can bunt now. Say,
+don’t you know there’s two out?”</p>
+
+<p>“Let Buster alone. He knows his business, you’ll
+see? That’s only his gentle way.”</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_156">[156]</span>“And he can bat some, fellers, believe me!”</p>
+
+<p>Buster heard this last remark.</p>
+
+<p>“Thank you awfully for that kindness!” he remarked.</p>
+
+<p>“One strike!” said the umpire.</p>
+
+<p>“Hey, was that a baseball or a cannon ball that
+whizzed past?” demanded Buster, pretending to be
+greatly astonished when he heard the thud of the
+horsehide sphere in Clay’s old mitt.</p>
+
+<p>And then he smote the very next ball that came
+spinning along, smote it with so much energy that
+it sailed away toward center field, with Tony Banghardt
+running like a wild broncho in the endeavor
+to get under.</p>
+
+<p>Of course Shadduck was away at once, since there
+were already two out. Looking over his shoulder
+as he bolted like a frightened deer, he saw Banghardt
+make a gallant effort to spear the descending
+ball with extended hand; but he lacked a few inches
+of being in a position to accomplish this.</p>
+
+<p>Bones came home and the batter managed to land
+on second, whereas another player might have
+reached third, while Lanky perched on third, unable
+to get home. Still, the crowd forgave Buster
+for his slow running and assured him he was all
+right.</p>
+
+<p>It would have made no difference at any rate, for
+Tom Budd struck out, after he had knocked up<span class="pagenum" id="Page_157">[157]</span>
+four fouls and quite tired Buster with false starts.</p>
+
+<p>One inning had been played. The score stood one
+to nothing, in favor of Columbia.</p>
+
+<p>“Good boy! Do it some more, West!”</p>
+
+<p>Ralph went into the box for that second inning,
+resolved to continue his cool methods, and not allow
+anything to rattle him.</p>
+
+<p>His first man he managed to get with considerable
+effort. Smith, Jr., was possessed of a good batting
+eye, and could not be easily fooled with fade-aways
+and such. Still, he fell before that wonderful spit
+ball that had such an erratic course, and the umpire
+finally announced that the sizzling straight one that
+burned over the plate was the signal for him to go
+into retirement.</p>
+
+<p>After that Smith, Sr., stood up to give an account
+of himself. He never appeared without his usual
+grin, and even the taunts of the crowd did not
+change his expression an iota.</p>
+
+<p>“Smash!”</p>
+
+<p>That was Smith, Sr.’s bat connecting with the
+ball.</p>
+
+<p>“Run!” shrieked scores of voices, as the bleachers
+arose to a man to see just where the ball had gone.</p>
+
+<p>Allison was after it, and making rapid progress
+over the stubby grass in left.</p>
+
+<p>“He can get it—good old Ben is on the spot!”
+yelled one well wisher.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_158">[158]</span>“Will he—maybe, maybe not!” sang out Jack
+Eastwick, mockingly.</p>
+
+<p>Allison did his best to get there; but there was
+too much steam to that hit, and it escaped him, while
+Smith cantered home amid a salvo of frenzied
+shouts.</p>
+<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop">
+
+<div class="chapter">
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_159">[159]</span>
+
+<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER XVII<br>
+
+<small>NEARING THE END</small></h2>
+</div>
+
+<p><span class="smcap">The</span> game moved along slowly.</p>
+
+<p>Seven full innings had been played, and the score
+was still low. It had swung around until it stood
+in favor of Bellport, four to three.</p>
+
+<p>“It’s anybody’s game yet!” shouted several.</p>
+
+<p>“Get into harness, boys! Put on another wrinkle
+and win out! You can do it, Columbia!”</p>
+
+<p>“Where’s Herman Hooker? Get that voice of
+yours working just now. Give the boys encouragement.
+That’s all they want to pull out! Start
+her up, Herman!”</p>
+
+<p>“Yes, tune up, Herman!”</p>
+
+<p>And as Bellport came to bat for the beginning
+of the ninth, with no change in the score as yet,
+Herman marshalled his cohorts in the bleachers,
+and with that strident voice of his to lead, began
+to cheer in concert, bleat out the famous school
+cry, and sing “Columbia, the Gem of the Ocean,”
+the immense crowd joining in until the volume of
+sound might have been heard a mile away.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_160">[160]</span>“Careful, Ralph; this is a crisis!” Frank Allen
+had said as his friend picked up his glove and
+started toward the box.</p>
+
+<p>Ralph looked perfectly cool. Indeed, many who
+saw him, and knew that this was his first game in
+big company, prophesied that he would turn out to
+be the greatest pitcher Columbia had ever known,
+given a little more experience.</p>
+
+<p>He had just sent one over, and smiled to hear the
+umpire instantly call a strike, when there arose a
+medley of voices from the point just beyond the
+termination of the bleachers.</p>
+
+<p>Ralph had accepted the ball from his catcher, and
+held it gripped in his hand as he took a step back
+into his box. Naturally his attention was directed
+toward the spot, where he saw a tremendous commotion
+had started, with men and boys swarming
+back.</p>
+
+<p>“A fight! A fight!” was the first cry that passed
+around to the grandstand, and hundreds immediately
+stood up to see, their interest in the game for
+the moment forgotten.</p>
+
+<p>But they immediately discovered that it must be
+something else that had caused this stampede, for the
+runners appeared to be frightened. What could it
+be? Frank shouted to Police Chief Hogg, and the
+latter started on the run for the scene of disturbance.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_161">[161]</span>Every man, woman and child was now standing
+up and craning necks to find out the truth. They
+saw people running, women showing symptoms of
+terror, and even men trying to put space between
+themselves and some mysterious danger.</p>
+
+<p>Then a shout went up, for upon the field had
+suddenly appeared a bull, showing symptoms of
+anger, and evidently in a mood to launch himself
+at the crowd, many of the ladies wearing gaily-colored
+garments that appeared to arouse the fighting
+spirit of the animal.</p>
+
+<p>Some of the boys of Columbia recognized the bull
+as one belonging to a farmer who owned the property
+adjoining the athletic field on the right, and
+back of the grandstand. A high fence shut off this
+pasture, but perhaps some of the boards may have
+fallen down. At any rate, there was the bull trotting
+straight toward the diamond, with hundreds of
+frantic people going into a panic.</p>
+
+<p>“He wants to toss a few over! Give the bull a
+chance!” shouted a funny fellow from the safety
+of the grandstand; but had he been out there on the
+field doubtless he would ere this have been taking
+to his heels, like the majority of the alarmed spectators.</p>
+
+<p>Frank immediately suspected that some thoughtless
+scamp who loved a prank without counting the
+cost may have coaxed the bull to the opening made<span class="pagenum" id="Page_162">[162]</span>
+in the fence, by waving a red handkerchief, and
+then dodging when he had accomplished his purpose.</p>
+
+<p>“Get bats, fellows; we’ve got to chase him back
+to cover!” he shouted, suiting his action to his
+words.</p>
+
+<p>Other players also snatched up some of the war
+clubs, and thus armed they bore down on the object
+of their solicitude. Meanwhile the bull had trotted
+straight for Ralph in the box. It looked as though
+the animal meant to follow up the advice of the
+joker in the grandstand, and ascertain whether he
+could knock the pitcher out of the box.</p>
+
+<p>Ralph stood his ground. Indeed, he hardly knew
+what to do, such was the tremendous clamor all
+around him.</p>
+
+<p>“Soak him one, you!” howled a fellow who stood
+on the top seat of the bleachers, and waved his arms.</p>
+
+<p>It was so easy to tell another what to do just
+then, especially when in an apparently safe place
+himself.</p>
+
+<p>“Yes, hit him in the eye, Ralph! Here’s your
+chance to win your own game!”</p>
+
+<p>“Shoo the bully old boy away! He’s interfering,
+with our game!”</p>
+
+<p>“It’s a set-up job of Columbia when they’re getting
+licked, that’s what!”</p>
+
+<p>Ralph heard everything that was said. At the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_163">[163]</span>
+same time he drew back his arm, with the intention
+of delivering as swift a ball as he possibly could.
+Of course, it could hardly be expected that such a
+puny thing as a baseball would be sufficient to drive
+the bull away; but it was all Ralph could do—and
+he did it to the best of his ability.</p>
+
+<p>“Straight to the bull’s-eye, Ralph!” came a last
+shout, just as he let go; and somehow it gave the
+boy more or less satisfaction to know that he had
+indeed done as directed.</p>
+
+<p>The hard ball struck the animal with tremendous
+force on the side of the head, and, bounding off,
+fell upon the diamond. Perhaps the blow astonished
+the unwelcome visitor at the game. He
+seemed to stop a few seconds as if trying to figure
+just where the new assault had come from.</p>
+
+<p>“At him, boys!” shouted Frank, enabled to come
+up because of this little delay.</p>
+
+<p>A dozen lads, Bellport players as well as those
+of Columbia, had armed themselves with bats. They
+were close at Frank’s heels when he started in to belabor
+the bull on the flanks vigorously.</p>
+
+<p>One assailant the big fellow might have attacked,
+but the multitude cowed him. Possibly he was not
+a very vicious animal after all. Be that as it might,
+the boys surrounded him like a wall, and forced
+him to trot off toward the broken fence. He was
+last seen kicking up his heels as he went through<span class="pagenum" id="Page_164">[164]</span>
+the gap, and his bellow a few seconds afterward
+announced that while he may have thought it prudent
+to retreat before superior numbers, his spirit
+was not crushed.</p>
+
+<p>Frank, while the others returned toward the diamond,
+winded a little from their efforts, took a look
+at the fence as he was temporarily fixing up the
+several boards that lay upon the ground.</p>
+
+<p>“These were all right before the game started.
+Either some fellows knocked them off to get in
+without paying, or else it was a set-up job to give
+trouble.”</p>
+
+<p>This last idea made him instantly think of the
+fellow most likely to engineer a miserable game like
+this—Lef Seller. He remembered seeing the bully
+over on the field at the end of the bleachers some
+little time before, and several of his cronies with
+him. Could he have possibly taken advantage of
+every eye being riveted on the close game to play
+this dangerous prank? Some one might have been
+seriously injured by the coming of the bull.</p>
+
+<p>“What’s this.”</p>
+
+<p>Just before putting up the last plank Frank had
+thrust his head through the opening to see what
+had become of the baffled bull. His eye had fallen
+on something red lying in the rank grass close to
+the fence.</p>
+
+<p>“It’s a red bandana handkerchief, and a new one,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_165">[165]</span>
+too, that has never even been in the wash. And
+that was what they used to lure Mr. Bull in here.
+Well, perhaps a fellow may think that a joke, but
+if half a dozen women or children had been gored
+he might have gone to prison for it.”</p>
+
+<p>He looked at the gaudy thing again.</p>
+
+<p>“Perhaps I may be able to find out who owns this.
+Looks like it must have been bought this very day.
+Anyhow, ‘finders keepers,’ and I’m in one stunning
+red bandana blower,” and, laughing as he stowed
+it away, he returned to see the continuation of
+the close game.</p>
+
+<p>Smith, Sr., was on deck, with his bat making
+little circles as he waited for his chance to whack
+the ball. He had a peculiar “crouch” that amused
+the crowd; but as the elongated first baseman was
+a natural hitter, much could be forgiven him. In
+baseball a batting eye is like the mantle of charity,
+since it covers a multitude of sins.</p>
+
+<p>Smith, Sr., did hit it, too, though he should have
+been an easy out, only that the ball took an unexpected
+bounce just as Seymour had set himself to
+gobble it, and shot over his head.</p>
+
+<p>“Oh!” came in a groan from all over the field,
+though every one who knew the game understood
+it was none of the second baseman’s fault, since
+he never even touched the ball.</p>
+
+<p>Smith reached first, and made a grand bluff of<span class="pagenum" id="Page_166">[166]</span>
+galloping down toward second to draw the throw,
+but without success.</p>
+
+<p>Lacy was a shrewd one, and sacrificed himself
+for the good of the cause, advancing his comrade
+nicely to second. Bardwell tried the same thing,
+but tapped the ball too hard. Consequently it went
+quickly to Ralph, who snatched it up, hurled it like
+a cannon ball to third, catching the runner; and
+then it was shot across the diamond in time to just
+double up the stout Bardwell as he jumped for the
+first sack.</p>
+
+<p>“Now, what do you think of that?” shrieked the
+local boys in chorus, led by the “best yeller Columbia
+ever had.”</p>
+
+<p>“Never could do it again in a hundred years.
+Bardwell stumbled, as he generally does. Luck was
+against us!” answered one of the Bellport shouters,
+promptly.</p>
+
+<p>Bellport had finished their side of the game. Columbia
+still had an inning to play, with one run to tie,
+and two to win!</p>
+<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop">
+
+<div class="chapter">
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_167">[167]</span>
+
+<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER XVIII<br>
+
+<small>AN UNFORTUNATE HIT</small></h2>
+</div>
+
+<p>“<span class="smcap">Who’s</span> up?” demanded Paul Bird, as he tossed
+his mask and chest protector aside, wiped his steaming
+face, and picked up a bat.</p>
+
+<p>“You are, and if ever you made a base hit get
+one in now!” said Captain Seymour.</p>
+
+<p>“Yes, everything depends on this inning. We
+can do it if we try, fellows!” exclaimed Ben Allison,
+also selecting his favorite piece of ash.</p>
+
+<p>Once again the crowd settled down, though the
+anxiety felt was plainly depicted on the faces all
+around.</p>
+
+<p>The noise had broken out again worse than ever.
+Even the voice of the brazen-throated Princeton
+man could not be heard, and he depended on signals
+to announce whether it might be a ball or a strike.
+Not one of those boys but whose nerves thrilled
+with the intense strain. And it can easily be understood
+how Coddling must have suffered as he<span class="pagenum" id="Page_168">[168]</span>
+toed the slab once more to try and mow the Columbia
+boys down, so as to prevent a run.</p>
+
+<p>“You know how to do it, Coddling. Give them
+some of your famous teasers, and see ’em break
+their backs trying to connect!”</p>
+
+<p>“Yes, Coddling, one, two, three for yours, now.
+And start right in with this guy of a catcher!”</p>
+
+<p>“What have you got on him, hey? Did he let
+a ball pass him like your feller? He ain’t so hefty,
+but he’s the stuff they make champions out of!”
+declared a Columbia backer, a brawny blacksmith,
+whose appearance alone was enough to inspire respect,
+so that the Bellport man dared make no answer.</p>
+
+<p>Paul waited. He did not want to appear too anxious.
+He knew that the man who was hurling that
+ball over was just as nervous as they make them, and
+he hoped to profit by this. Still, he could not hold
+off when he felt sure he saw a ball coming within
+his reach.</p>
+
+<p>Too late after he struck he learned that it was
+one of Coddling’s shrewd outshoots, and that it
+had jumped beyond his reach.</p>
+
+<p>“Get a pole, sonny!” advised some one from the
+crowd.</p>
+
+<p>“He felt for it that time; now he’s going to take
+some!” shouted another.</p>
+
+<p>“Strike two!” came the voice of the umpire,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_169">[169]</span>
+though Paul had not tried to connect; and that was
+one of Coddling’s equally clever inshoots which had
+seemed as if about to miss the plate by a foot, yet
+took a sudden turn and shot in.</p>
+
+<p>If one were only a mind reader, Paul thought,
+and could guess every time what the pitcher intended
+to do, how easy it would all be.</p>
+
+<p>Suddenly changing his hold upon his bat, Paul
+thrust it out with the intention of bunting. He
+managed to connect, and was off like a flash, though
+doubtful as to his chances for reaching first, for
+he felt that he had not made as neat a drop of the
+ball as he had hoped.</p>
+
+<p>Still, the ball player to be successful must try to
+the utmost, no matter how discouraging the prospect,
+always hoping that some little luck may turn
+things his way—a dropped or fumbled ball has given
+many a base that was not earned.</p>
+
+<p>“Run, Paul! Harder and you’ll get there!”
+shrieked Herman through his megaphone, and the
+sound seemed to spur the catcher to even greater
+exertions.</p>
+
+<p>Runner and ball seemed to arrive at the same second.
+Some shouted that he was out, and partisans
+of Columbia cried that he was safe. The umpire
+steadied his hand. That meant the runner had the
+benefit of the doubt, and should remain where he
+was on first.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_170">[170]</span>Then Bedlam seemed to break out! Even though
+every fan from Bellport knew deep down in his
+heart that the decision was just, still he felt it incumbent
+on him to howl at the umpire, and the
+ancient word, “robber!” was heard right and left.</p>
+
+<p>The old Princeton man only smiled, and turned
+his attention to the game. Doubtless he chuckled
+at hearing the old familiar outbursts to which he
+had listened many a time himself, and perhaps joined
+in shouting at the referee.</p>
+
+<p>By degrees the excitement began to ooze out, as
+attention became riveted on the next man at bat.
+This was Ralph.</p>
+
+<p>They had failed to rattle him while in the box,
+but that did not prevent the Bellport legions from
+indulging in a most astonishing din. Ralph never
+noticed what was going on. His eye was on Coddling.
+He wanted to guess what sort of a ball the
+clever Bellport twirler meant to dish up to him.</p>
+
+<p>“Watch that feller! He’s going to win the game
+if you let him hit it!”</p>
+
+<p>“Strike him out, Coddling. He’s dead easy!”</p>
+
+<p>“Hey, Ralph, old boy, you know what I told you?
+Nothing less than a three-bagger will do! Hear
+me?” called one fellow, who did not even know the
+batter to speak to; but on the ball field astonishing
+familiarity becomes the rule.</p>
+
+<p>Ralph had his teeth set hard. If it depended on<span class="pagenum" id="Page_171">[171]</span>
+him to win the game he meant that they should not
+be disappointed. He watched Coddling eagerly, yet
+with every muscle set for instantaneous work.</p>
+
+<p>Whack!</p>
+
+<p>“He done it! I told you so!”</p>
+
+<p>Ralph was jumping for first, while Paul had run
+down to second. The third baseman had knocked
+the ball down, but had to chase it, so that Coddling
+rushed over to cover third as in duty bound, in case
+Paul attempted to come along.</p>
+
+<p>But he went back to second, quite contented.
+Columbia stock rose just about then; and Herman
+again led his crowd whooping in concert:</p>
+
+<p>“Ho! ho! ho! hi! hi! hi! <i>veni! vidi! vici!</i> Columbia!
+Sis boom, ah!”</p>
+
+<p>“Once more, fellows! You can do it! They’re
+going to pieces! See ’em creeping in, expecting to
+make a double play. Over the second base, and win
+the game, Ben, and the pennant!”</p>
+
+<p>Allison meant to do that same thing. He took
+a firm grip on his bat, and settled in his box to strike.
+Since that first time he had faced Coddling three
+times, and on every occasion had connected with
+the ball, though twice he went out, once at first and
+again when trying to stretch a fine hit into a triple,
+much to the disgust of his backers.</p>
+
+<p>The noise died away as if by magic. Every one
+was holding his or her breath, in the expectation of<span class="pagenum" id="Page_172">[172]</span>
+giving vent to a whoop when Allison had either
+done what he set out to do or passed out.</p>
+
+<p>Seymour stepped out and whispered to the batter.</p>
+
+<p>“He’s telling him to bunt!” cried a few, expecting
+that this would be the program; and not realizing
+that with the infield playing short it was next to
+suicidal to attempt anything along this order, and
+meant double play.</p>
+
+<p>Both basemen were playing well off, because they
+had nothing to fear. Excitement was keyed up to
+top notch.</p>
+
+<p>“Look out for Banghardt!” shrieked a coach; and
+Paul found that the center fielder had crept in, so
+that he came near being cut off from his bag.</p>
+
+<p>Again Coddling wound up to pitch. Allison let
+the sphere pass.</p>
+
+<p>“One ball!”</p>
+
+<p>The next time it came the batter smote it full
+“on the nose” and the sound of the collision electrified
+that entire assemblage like a shock from a gigantic
+battery. But alack and alas! as sometimes
+happens, while he drove the ball directly in the line
+he had marked out, it chanced to be just a few feet
+too low!</p>
+
+<p>To the horror of the Columbia adherents it landed
+full in the eager hands of the second baseman, who
+held it fiercely for just a second, when he sent it<span class="pagenum" id="Page_173">[173]</span>
+with all his might to Bardwell on third, but not
+before touching his own base.</p>
+
+<p>Was it a triple? There was a wild upheaval on
+the part of the entire mass of spectators. Paul had
+thrown himself headlong for the bag, but that
+swiftly-sent sphere was there just before him!</p>
+
+<p>The umpire made a sweeping motion of his hand.
+Paul was out, and consequently Bellport had won
+the game by making a wonderfully clever triple in
+the last inning!</p>
+
+<p>Bedlam broke loose right then and there, and the
+crowd surged over the field, whooping and howling
+their various class yells. Herman led in a volcanic
+cheer for the clever players who had managed that
+remarkable play; and followed this with shouts for
+both teams. Then songs were sung, and the boys
+fraternized.</p>
+
+<p>It had been a splendid exhibition of work on
+both sides. No one need be ashamed of having lost
+such a game as that, as Frank hastened to assure
+Ralph, who was naturally feeling a little sore over
+such a sudden downfall to his high hopes.</p>
+
+<p>“The fortune of the game, old chap! Got to get
+used to it. Why, just before Ben knocked into that
+triple it looked as if we had ’em dead easy. Oh!
+why couldn’t he have pulled off one of his favorite
+little flies just over second! But what’s the use crying
+over spilt milk? You did great work in the box!<span class="pagenum" id="Page_174">[174]</span>
+Every one is saying we picked up a prize when we
+came across you, Ralph.”</p>
+
+<p>By this time Ralph could himself smile a little.</p>
+
+<p>“After all, I came out twice as well as I expected.
+If you don’t think my work was the cause of the
+defeat I ought to be satisfied. I thought that bull
+coming on the field broke me up a little. But, then,
+they didn’t make another run,” he said.</p>
+
+<p>Frank threw an arm around his friend and walked
+away with him. He wanted to get out of the crowd
+so that they could talk. He had heard what Ralph
+told Captain Seymour, and was naturally curious to
+learn about the little adventure that had delayed the
+arrival of the new pitcher.</p>
+
+<p>Besides, there had been those thrilling words
+spoken by Ralph in connection with something that
+bore upon his own tangled fortunes. What could
+have happened?</p>
+
+<p>“Now, you know I’m just burning up with curiosity
+to hear what’s been going on, Ralph. What
+about this little child you carried home after she hurt
+her hand; and how does that happen to have any
+connection with your own matters?” he remarked,
+when they found themselves removed to some degree
+from the crowd that was swarming along the
+road back to Columbia, some to take the trolley for
+Bellport, others river conveyances for Clifford and
+beyond.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_175">[175]</span>Ralph turned a glowing face upon his friend.</p>
+
+<p>“Oh! Frank, I can hardly believe it even now, it
+seems so very strange! Just to think, because I
+wouldn’t believe some fellows were trying to get
+me in the bushes, where they could keep me from
+showing up, I’m going to hear the truth about the
+past, and who I really am!”</p>
+
+<p>“Hurrah! that’s great news you’re telling me, and
+I’m sure as glad as if I’d found another dad myself!”
+exclaimed Frank.</p>
+<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop">
+
+<div class="chapter">
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_176">[176]</span>
+
+<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER XIX<br>
+
+<small>WHAT UNCLE JIM KNEW</small></h2>
+</div>
+
+<p>“<span class="smcap">Of course</span> you are, Frank! Don’t I know what
+an interest you’ve taken in this affair?”</p>
+
+<p>Ralph looked into the face of his friend as he
+spoke, and there was sincere affection in his expression.</p>
+
+<p>“But tell me what happened, for I’m just wild to
+know, Ralph.”</p>
+
+<p>The other had looked around several times while
+they walked away from the field that had so lately
+been the arena for that fiercely-fought battle of the
+bats.</p>
+
+<p>“There’s some one following us, Frank,” he said,
+uneasily.</p>
+
+<p>“Oh! come, you’re nervous after all this strain,
+and imagining things. I guess it’s only some fellow
+who happens to want to go the same way we do.”</p>
+
+<p>But when Frank had turned his head, to the surprise
+of his comrade he gave vent to an exclamation.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_177">[177]</span>“Well, I declare if I don’t believe it is him!” he
+ejaculated, and his face took on an expression of
+pleasure.</p>
+
+<p>“Who is it?” asked Ralph, eagerly.</p>
+
+<p>“Why, who but my uncle Jim!” was the reply.</p>
+
+<p>Ralph went a little white. Really things were
+happening very rapidly, once they had taken a start.
+He observed with deepest interest the big man who
+was breathing hard as he managed to overtake them;
+and Ralph took especial note of the fact that he
+seemed to have a very genial face.</p>
+
+<p>“Hello! there, Frank; I thought it was you; but
+you boys walk so fast I had more or less trouble
+in overtaking you, and as to getting through that
+crowd to speak to you on the field, it was utterly
+impossible! How are you, my boy?” and the big
+man from New York held out his hand to his
+nephew.</p>
+
+<p>“Glad to see you, Uncle Jim. And it’s plain that
+you are just as fond of baseball as ever. Sorry you
+saw Columbia go down in defeat, though,” said
+Frank.</p>
+
+<p>“Oh! that comes to every club sooner or later;
+and in this case it was one of those accidents that
+can never be avoided. I saw the last few innings,
+and that triple play took my breath away. I give
+you my word that contest was the equal of any I’ve
+seen this year among the big leagues. And isn’t<span class="pagenum" id="Page_178">[178]</span>
+this the game little pitcher who held them down so
+well?” with a curious glance at Frank’s companion.</p>
+
+<p>“Sure it is, and he would have won his game only
+for that streak of tough luck. Uncle Jim, let me
+introduce to you my friend, Ralph West!”</p>
+
+<p>The lawyer started and looked closer than ever
+at the second boy.</p>
+
+<p>“Glad to meet you, Ralph. And, to tell the honest
+truth, it was to see you that I’ve journeyed up here
+just at a very busy time in my practice.”</p>
+
+<p>He still kept his eyes fastened on the face of the
+boy, which of course he could see had gone white.</p>
+
+<p>“I’m glad to meet you, sir; and it’s mighty nice
+for you to say such kind things about my work. I’m
+green at it yet, but hope to do better after more practice,”
+Ralph managed to say.</p>
+
+<p>“No doubt of that, not a bit. You’ve got all the
+earmarks of a ‘comer’ in that line. But, Ralph, I
+wish I were bringing you better news than I am able
+to. I’ve been convinced by my brother that it is only
+right to tell what little I know in connection with
+that money, regardless of my promise. I’m only
+sorry I happen to know so little, that’s all. But it
+may start you along the right road.”</p>
+
+<p>“Thank you, sir. Every little must help. I’ve
+been fortunate enough to-day to meet a man who
+seems to know something about the mystery of my
+life; and he’s promised to tell me all this very night.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_179">[179]</span>
+So that good luck seems to be swinging around my
+way just now.”</p>
+
+<p>“Yes, Ralph seems to have been able to have done
+this man a great favor. As near as I can make out
+he found a little child in the woods with her hand
+crushed. She was crying bitterly. Ralph was on
+his way by a roundabout route to the ball-grounds
+when this happened; yet he carried that child a long
+distance to her father. And it seems that the man
+recognized Ralph, or on hearing his name, I don’t
+know which, only that he promised to tell him something
+to-night,” remarked Frank, eagerly.</p>
+
+<p>“Fine! couldn’t be better all around,” said the lawyer,
+enthusiastically. “I see that to have been of
+any assistance I should have turned up earlier. But
+I had some very important cases on the docket; and
+was not quite sure that I ought to break my word
+until I received an urgent letter from Frank’s father
+here. I can tell you just what I know in a very few
+words, if you want me to, Ralph?”</p>
+
+<p>“I am wild to hear, sir, and was just wondering
+how I could hold out several hours until night came
+along. Please start right now, Judge Allen!” exclaimed
+the boy.</p>
+
+<p>“Well, I am a man of very few words, which you
+will admit is singular in a member of the legal profession.
+The facts in the case are these: Last summer<span class="pagenum" id="Page_180">[180]</span>
+there walked into my office a gentleman whose
+card I have here with me.”</p>
+
+<p>Ralph glanced at the bit of pasteboard, and was
+strangely thrilled to read the name “Arnold Gregory
+Musgrove.”</p>
+
+<p>“Musgrove!” he repeated to himself several
+times, as though it seemed to find a singular response
+somewhere in the cells of his brain. Oh!
+could it be possible that his name was the same as
+that of the mysterious gentleman?</p>
+
+<p>The keen-eyed lawyer knew instinctively what
+must be passing in his young mind, for he shook his
+head seriously.</p>
+
+<p>“It may be just possible, Ralph, but until you
+hear what this other party has to say I wouldn’t
+build up too many hopes in that direction. What
+I have to tell you will not put you in possession of
+the positive facts. But to resume. This gentleman
+first of all asked me if, in the line of my business,
+I would undertake a little charitable work for him,
+and I, of course, said I was there for any position of
+trust connected with estates or otherwise; for you
+know, Frank, that much of my income consists of
+remuneration received from the care of property,
+as I am what is called an estate lawyer.</p>
+
+<p>“Well, he told me that he had had a dear friend
+who had died in abject poverty years back, and left
+a boy who had been taken to the poorhouse away up<span class="pagenum" id="Page_181">[181]</span>
+in the country. The truth had only come to him
+of late, and he wanted to do something for that
+lad, but secretly, so that his name might never be
+known in connection with the matter.”</p>
+
+<p>Ralph gripped the hand of Frank convulsively at
+hearing this; but he did not utter one word, only
+kept his glowing eyes fixed upon the lawyer’s sympathetic
+face.</p>
+
+<p>“Upon investigating he had found that the lad
+had been taken into their home by a couple named
+West, living in the village of Scardale. He also
+seemed to know that the boy was keenly desirous
+of securing an education, from which he was now
+debarred by the lack of means of his supposed
+parents.</p>
+
+<p>“And so after binding me to secrecy he explained
+his plan of action. I was to act as his intermediary,
+sending a stated sum the first of every month, and
+never letting a single hint fall as to whence it came.
+Sitting there at my typewriter, Mr. Musgrove himself
+wrote those few lines accompanying the first
+remittance. And I have never seen him since that
+day, though I learned he was in Europe traveling
+with a widowed sister.”</p>
+
+<p>Ralph sighed heavily.</p>
+
+<p>“I wonder if it can be true? And if it is, why
+shouldn’t he want to tell me just who my father and
+father were? If I could only meet him face to face<span class="pagenum" id="Page_182">[182]</span>
+I would ask him that, and expect an answer,” he
+said, slowly.</p>
+
+<p>“Well,” said the lawyer, with a little laugh, “from
+what I saw of this Musgrove I’m afraid you
+wouldn’t meet with great success. I didn’t wholly
+like his looks. There was something shifty in his
+eye, although he was rather a handsome gentleman,
+and evidently accustomed to the best in the land.”</p>
+
+<p>Frank spoke up just then.</p>
+
+<p>“I can guess that you’ve been considering the
+whole strange affair since you got my letter, Uncle,
+and have arrived at some sort of conclusion yourself.
+Won’t you tell us what you suspect, please?”
+he said, urgently.</p>
+
+<p>“That’s a hard thing to put up to a lawyer, accustomed
+to dealing only in stern facts, and eliminating
+fiction from his figuring. But since meeting Ralph
+here I’ve made up my mind to turn to his side of
+the case. In fact, before coming up I wrote to the
+address Mr. Musgrove left me, informing him that
+I must throw up his affairs, since business was too
+pressing. That leaves me free-handed; and I can
+assist your young friend, Frank, without stultifying
+myself.”</p>
+
+<p>“I knew you would, Uncle Jim. And now tell
+us what you think!” cried Frank.</p>
+
+<p>“Just this: I have a suspicion that Mr. Arnold
+Musgrove may have had a hand in some business in<span class="pagenum" id="Page_183">[183]</span>
+the past that would not bear inspection. In other
+words, that he was responsible for that boy being left
+at the door of the poorhouse! That is a bold assertion
+to make, without positive proof, and I would
+hardly like to stand sponsor for it in court; but I
+am only telling you this in secret.”</p>
+
+<p>“Yes, go on, please,” said Frank, throwing an
+arm again around Ralph’s shoulders, for he knew
+the other was trembling violently with emotion.</p>
+
+<p>“And as the years rolled on he must have kept
+informed about what happened, for he knew all
+about how Ralph had been adopted by the Wests;
+yes, even to his ambition for an education. I imagine
+the man’s conscience has begun to reproach him
+as he grows older; and that it has finally forced him
+to do something to compensate in a small way for
+his action!”</p>
+
+<p>After the lawyer had ceased talking there was
+silence for a full minute, broken finally by Frank,
+saying:</p>
+
+<p>“Well, perhaps he may know it all to-night. I’ve
+got my suspicions already, but I’m not going to say
+anything yet. But I tell you I won’t sleep a wink
+to-night until I’ve heard what Ralph has to report.
+By the way, did you ever find out what the name
+of Mr. Musgrove’s widowed sister was?”</p>
+
+<p>“Yes, I had that much curiosity. It is Mrs. John
+Langworthy, and her husband was a very smart<span class="pagenum" id="Page_184">[184]</span>
+and wealthy lawyer years ago,” replied Uncle Jim,
+with a knowing smile.</p>
+
+<p>“H’m; Langworthy, eh?” and Frank looked meaningly
+at Ralph, as he echoed the name.</p>
+<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop">
+
+<div class="chapter">
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_185">[185]</span>
+
+<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER XX<br>
+
+<small>TWICE A PRISONER</small></h2>
+</div>
+
+<p><span class="smcap">It was</span> a peculiar coincidence that the freshman
+spread was to come off this same night that meant
+so much to Ralph.</p>
+
+<p>The sophomores had been wild to glean the particulars,
+so that they might in some fashion manage
+to break up the feast, either by kidnaping some of
+the first-year students, get possession of the president
+of the class, or else purloin the good things
+that had been laid in for the spread.</p>
+
+<p>Ralph had intended going, for it promised to be
+great fun. This new turn to his own private affairs,
+however, knocked the notion out of his head. Indeed,
+he forgot about it entirely.</p>
+
+<p>The minutes dragged terribly, and yet he knew
+that he ought to wait a decent time to allow Sam
+Smalling and his little family a chance to eat their
+supper.</p>
+
+<p>About a quarter to eight he could hold back no
+longer. It was getting dark, but he had asked questions<span class="pagenum" id="Page_186">[186]</span>
+of Frank, and knew just where to find the
+cottage in which the Smallings lived.</p>
+
+<p>To reach it he must walk almost a mile around
+the town; but that, he expected, would be a matter
+of only ten or fifteen minutes at most.</p>
+
+<p>So wrapped up was Ralph in his own affairs that
+he never once thought of looking around him when
+he stepped out of the gate and started off. Had
+he done so he would have discovered several dusky
+figures dogging his footsteps in a very suspicious
+manner.</p>
+
+<p>They kept just so far in his rear until the town
+had been left behind, and the country was at hand.
+Of course these were sophs bent upon keeping the
+new favorite of the freshies from attending that
+dinner, which was doubtless to be spread in some
+isolated barn far beyond the confines of Columbia,
+in order to lessen the chances of the second class
+interrupting the feast.</p>
+
+<p>Suddenly Ralph’s sober thoughts were interrupted.
+He found himself pounced upon and borne
+to the ground. In vain he struggled, for three
+proved too much for even the athletic hero of that
+afternoon game.</p>
+
+<p>At first he was amazed at what was happening,
+and thoughts of some rascals boldly playing the
+part of highway robbers flitted through his mind.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_187">[187]</span>Then a face was thrust close to his, and a voice
+said:</p>
+
+<p>“Your goose is cooked, freshie. No fine spread
+in yours this night. Instead, you will occupy a dungeon
+until the midnight hour has struck. And if
+our plans carry right we’ll have gobbled your class
+grub long before then.”</p>
+
+<p>Of course the truth flashed through Ralph’s mind
+now. He knew that he had fallen into the clutches
+of the watchful sophomores, eager to capture all
+the leading lights of the lower class, and spoil the
+long anticipated treat.</p>
+
+<p>It was exasperating to say the least. Of course
+none of them would believe him if he declared that
+he had no idea of attending the dinner, and was
+bent on private business of the utmost importance.</p>
+
+<p>Just as he expected, when he started to speak of
+this they only jeered him.</p>
+
+<p>“Tell that to the marines, freshie. Don’t we know
+that they expect to elect you the president of the class
+to-night, in place of Rud Kipling, who went home
+last week sick? Oh! no, you don’t get loose until
+the clock strikes twelve, so save your breath. Tie
+his hands, boys, and bring him along. I know a
+cot beneath the hill, and there we’ll chuck him in to
+ruminate, while we hike after that grub.”</p>
+
+<p>They assisted him to his feet after his hands had
+been rudely lashed. Through a woods they walked,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_188">[188]</span>
+whispering at times. Ralph was really angry at
+this unexpected bit of hard luck. If the boys only
+knew what it meant to him to have his liberty they
+could not have the heart to hold him a prisoner in
+this way.</p>
+
+<p>Coming to an old cabin, once the home of charcoal
+burners, but long deserted, they thrust him inside
+and, closing the door, fastened it in some
+manner.</p>
+
+<p>When the mocking voices of the sophomores had
+died away in the distance, and Ralph found himself
+alone, he set about trying to effect his escape. Had
+it been the dinner alone that was the inducement
+he might have taken it philosophically, and simply
+laughed at his predicament; but while he remained
+there, precious minutes were passing, and the story
+of his mysterious past waiting to be told.</p>
+
+<p>He struggled with the cord they had wrapped
+about his wrists. The sophs were far from being
+experts in tying up a prisoner, so that there was a
+chance for Ralph to work his hands free. Force
+would not accomplish it, but by manipulating his
+right hand he was presently able to draw it out of
+the bonds.</p>
+
+<p>There remained only the door between him and
+liberty. He examined this part of the structure, to
+find, as he suspected, that it was just as flimsy as
+the rest of the old cabin. Consequently, when he<span class="pagenum" id="Page_189">[189]</span>
+threw his weight against it, after several attempts,
+the door gave way with a crash.</p>
+
+<p>Striking a light, Ralph found that all this had only
+taken just fifteen minutes. It was now eight o’clock
+plus seven minutes; and he was free to go his way.</p>
+
+<p>Another thought came into his mind. Loyalty
+to his class struggled with this wild desire on his
+part to hasten to the home of Sam Smalling, so as
+to hear all he had to say.</p>
+
+<p>Was he not in duty bound to warn his fellows in
+some manner? From what words the sophomores
+who had captured him had let drop, it was evident
+that they knew where the spread was to take place,
+and that a raid was being organized, looking to the
+stealing of the dainties provided for the freshman
+dinner.</p>
+
+<p>Ralph thought it over, even as he was hurrying
+along. After all, it seemed up to him to do something
+to save his class the mortification of being
+made the laughing stock of the vindictive second-year
+boys, who were evidently abroad in force, bent
+on breaking up the spread.</p>
+
+<p>Now that he came to consider the matter, the place
+of secret meeting was in the same direction. No
+wonder his captors were positive that he had been
+heading for the rendezvous when overtaken with
+disaster.</p>
+
+<p>“I might go out of my way enough to meet some<span class="pagenum" id="Page_190">[190]</span>
+of the boys, and put them on their guard,” he said,
+finally.</p>
+
+<p>That was Ralph’s nature all over, ever ready to
+sacrifice his own interests in order to benefit those
+with whom he was associated. It was the spirit
+instilled in the souls of the Delta Pi members—loyalty
+first of all to the school, and next to one’s
+class.</p>
+
+<p>So Ralph made his way along cautiously. He
+was in mortal fear lest he be pounced upon at any
+moment by others of the prowling sophs, and held
+once more a prisoner.</p>
+
+<p>In this fashion he drew near the farm where stood
+the barn hired for the occasion by the freshmen.
+No doubt it was completely surrounded by a cordon
+of eager sophs, anxious to accomplish their work of
+retaliation, for the freshmen had effectually broken
+up their entertainment earlier in the season.</p>
+
+<p>Hearing voices coming along the road, indicating
+a large company of boys and girls, Ralph knew that
+the main body of his fellow class members must
+be approaching, having gathered in town somewhere,
+since the girls refused to attend unless suitably protected.</p>
+
+<p>Of course the sophomores would not dare attack
+this group. Indeed, their plans covered a different
+field entirely, since they contemplated making way<span class="pagenum" id="Page_191">[191]</span>
+with the provisions that were being carried to the
+spread.</p>
+
+<p>Ralph waited until they were exactly opposite.</p>
+
+<p>“Watchman, what of the night?” he asked, suddenly
+appearing among them.</p>
+
+<p>Several of the freshmen, thinking that an attack
+was about to be sprung on them, had started to
+grapple with the single figure. The passwords
+spoken by Ralph, however, reassured them.</p>
+
+<p>“Don’t mention my name, anybody,” said Ralph,
+in an impressive whisper; “for some of the sophomores
+are hiding near by. They think I’m a prisoner
+in the old hut of the charcoal burners in the
+woods. I escaped and came here to tell you that
+they know all about the place of meeting.”</p>
+
+<p>“Then somebody leaked, that’s all,” grumbled one
+of the boys, angrily.</p>
+
+<p>“I suppose so. But they mean to get a chance
+to steal your grub. Look out for them, fellows.
+Keep a good watch out,” said Ralph, impressively.</p>
+
+<p>“Hey! hold on, where are you going to?” demanded
+one of the group as Ralph started to slip
+away.</p>
+
+<p>“Sorry, but I can’t be with you to-night, fellows.
+Some mighty important business of a private character
+chains me down,” explained the other.</p>
+
+<p>“No, you don’t now. You’re needed at the spread
+more than any other fellow; and we don’t mean to<span class="pagenum" id="Page_192">[192]</span>
+let you off this time. Private matters must wait
+when the class of Umty Fourteen has the call.
+Duty before pleasure, you know. Besides, you’re IT
+to-night, and we just won’t get on without you.
+Come on!”</p>
+
+<p>Ralph thus found himself in another fix, and
+could well exclaim to be delivered from his friends.
+First the enemy had captured him and tried to keep
+him a prisoner until midnight. And now the fellow
+members of his class, having determined to elect
+him president for the balance of the season, seemed
+equally bent on preventing him from keeping his
+appointment with Smalling.</p>
+
+<p>He said nothing further, but walked along with
+the crowd. All the while he was keeping his eyes
+open in the hope of seeing a chance to drop out, and
+giving his classmates the slip. He could not bear
+the thought of postponing the interview with Sam
+Smalling that might mean everything in the world
+to him.</p>
+
+<p>They had reached the barn before he found his
+opportunity. A number of freshmen had come on
+at dusk to guard the place, so that their enemies
+might not take possession unawares, and shut them
+out.</p>
+
+<p>While the two divisions were fraternizing Ralph
+saw his chance, and dodged aside.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_193">[193]</span>“Here, where’s Ralph West gone to? We mustn’t
+let him slip away,” said a voice.</p>
+
+<p>“He was here a minute ago, but now he’s gone!”
+cried Helen Allen, in a plaintive voice; and Ralph
+felt doubly sorry that he was compelled to forego
+a pleasant evening in the company of Frank’s sister.</p>
+
+<p>Scurrying through the end of the barn, he reached
+the open air.</p>
+<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop">
+
+<div class="chapter">
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_194">[194]</span>
+
+<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER XXI<br>
+
+<small>RALPH HEARS SOMETHING</small></h2>
+</div>
+
+<p><span class="smcap">Ralph</span> had become cautious by this time.</p>
+
+<p>“Two narrow squeaks, and the third time may see
+me held tight,” he said to himself, as he crouched
+there, looking around.</p>
+
+<p>He knew positively that the anxious sophomores
+were hiding everywhere about, their eyes on the
+barn where the freshmen had vanished, bearing their
+dinner with them. How to creep away undetected
+was a question for the lad to solve. He found
+where the darkness lay most heavily, and laid out
+his line of retreat accordingly.</p>
+
+<p>He was just about to rise when he thought he
+had crept far enough away, when he heard a fluttering
+of the bushes near by.</p>
+
+<p>“Are the birds all in the coop?” asked an unseen
+crouching figure.</p>
+
+<p>Ralph knew that he had been taken for one of the
+second-year boys. His ready wit came to the front,
+so that he instantly replied:</p>
+
+<p>“Yes. And the captain wants you all to creep in<span class="pagenum" id="Page_195">[195]</span>
+closer. I’m rounding the gang up. Move along!”</p>
+
+<p>He came near laughing aloud to see not one, but
+three shadowy forms crawling off in the direction
+of the barn, and leaving the path free for the escaping
+freshman.</p>
+
+<p>“Ta! ta! and many thanks!” whispered Ralph, as
+he waved a hand after the last of these figures.</p>
+
+<p>Then he started away, and it must be a pretty
+clever sprinter who could overtake him now, once
+he made a break. In several directions he heard
+low voices calling, as though the hidden sophomores
+wondered who it could be running along the road.
+But there was no pursuit made, for which the already
+weary Ralph felt glad.</p>
+
+<p>He had gone through with a tremendous amount
+of mental and physical strain that day, and had no
+desire to continue with another series of adventures.</p>
+
+<p>So he presently arrived in the near vicinity of the
+cabin home of Sam Smalling.</p>
+
+<p>“There’s a light in the window,” he muttered,
+as he drew near; “and that looks as if he expected
+me.”</p>
+
+<p>Ralph was shivering, not with the cold, or even
+because of his double adventure that night, but with
+apprehension. He dreaded lest a disappointment
+might await him. Perhaps, after all, the story
+Smalling had to tell might not shed any particular
+light on his history.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_196">[196]</span>Another thing that had begun to give him anxiety.
+He wondered whether he might not be the child of
+that same Arnold Musgrove, and that from some
+cause or other his father was ashamed to own him!</p>
+
+<p>Bracing himself, he stepped up to the door of the
+humble cabin.</p>
+
+<p>Hardly had he knocked before the door was
+opened.</p>
+
+<p>“Glad to see you, Ralph. I began to think you
+wasn’t going to turn up, it was getting so late,” said
+the man, holding out his hand and drawing him inside.</p>
+
+<p>“I was delayed on the way. Our class is giving
+a spread to-night, and the sophs got hold of me,
+making me a prisoner. I had some trouble breaking
+away. Then I had to go and warn the fellows so
+they might not be taken by surprise. But after all
+it isn’t much after half-past eight, sir.”</p>
+
+<p>Ralph while speaking was looking around.</p>
+
+<p>“Surprised to see me alone here? Well, to tell
+the truth I was ashamed to let the missus know what
+a mean thing I done aways back, and I got her to
+take all the kids and go over to stay with a neighbor
+to-night. The woman’s sick, and my wife can
+make herself useful there. I wanted a clear field,
+because I’ve got something to say I’m mighty much
+ashamed of,” said Smalling, slowly.</p>
+
+<p>“Before you tell me anything I think I ought to<span class="pagenum" id="Page_197">[197]</span>
+let you know what’s happened to me since I met
+you this afternoon.”</p>
+
+<p>So saying, Ralph rapidly narrated what the New
+York lawyer had told him. The man listened
+eagerly, though his manner was rather moody.</p>
+
+<p>“Yes,” he said as Ralph finished, “it all seems
+to agree with what I know, only I wasn’t so sure
+about them names. The man called himself Andrew
+Jackson when he hired me to help him out years
+back. Money tempted me; and besides, at that time
+I hadn’t met the woman that helped me get the
+better of my drink habit. Mind, I ain’t makin’ excuses
+for what I done. It was a low game, and I’ve
+often thought about it since, wondering what had
+come of the baby I helped kidnap!”</p>
+
+<p>“Oh!”</p>
+
+<p>Ralph could not keep back that one exclamation.
+It seemed to him that he must either be dreaming,
+or else deep in some romance. That these matters
+were connected with his own life seemed bordering
+on an absurdity.</p>
+
+<p>“You must be about fourteen now, Ralph, I judge.
+It was nigh that time back that I fell in with a gentleman
+who seemed to have plenty of money, and
+wanted some one to help him play a little game. As
+I said, at that time I was drinking hard, and conscience
+seldom bothered me; so I joined forces
+with him, and together we did the business.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_198">[198]</span>“He brought the baby to me in the night. It
+was a boy about three months old, and even if he
+had dressed it in ragged and dirty clothes, I knew
+that it must have come from some family away up
+in life. It had the looks of an aristocrat.</p>
+
+<p>“I obeyed orders, and carried that kid far away
+from New York. Up here in the country I left it
+in charge of an old woman for a month. That was
+to wait till all the hue and cry had died out, you see,
+and was according to my orders. Then I took the
+baby and left him at the poorhouse door!”</p>
+
+<p>Again Ralph sighed. It seemed to him that he
+was in a trance. Smalling had allowed his head to
+fall forward upon his chest, as though he could
+hardly bear to look into the eyes of the lad he had
+injured so deeply.</p>
+
+<p>“Oh! please go on! How did you know that I
+was taken by the Wests, and called Ralph? Tell
+me everything—I must know all, now!” pleaded
+the boy, with his voice quivering.</p>
+
+<p>Smalling looked up.</p>
+
+<p>“I’m going to tell everything now, Ralph, because
+I’m sorry I ever had a hand in this game. I can
+see now what that scoundrel was after, and how
+he used me as a tool. Even if I go to jail for it,
+I’m going to tell the truth!”</p>
+
+<p>He brought his fist down upon his knee as he
+spoke in this manner.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_199">[199]</span>“Three years afterward I just chanced to be up
+in these parts again for a little stay. To tell you
+the ugly truth, I was hiding from the police at that
+time. While here I remembered about that kid, and
+asked a few cautious questions. In that way I
+learned that the Wests had adopted you, and that
+they called you Ralph. And when I heard that they
+were a good family, and would treat you white, why,
+I just kinder let the thing slip out of my mind, believing
+that you’d be happy without ever knowing
+that they wasn’t your real parents.</p>
+
+<p>“I admit that more’n once I tried to find that gent.
+Them times was when I was hard up and thought
+I might threaten him into giving me some more coin.
+But he seemed to have covered his tracks too well
+for me. I reckon I hunted New York all over
+thinking to see him, but it was no go. Now I suppose
+it was because he kept on the other side of
+the ocean most of the time.”</p>
+
+<p>“Then you remember what he looked like, do
+you?” asked Ralph, eagerly.</p>
+
+<p>At this Sam Smalling chuckled.</p>
+
+<p>“It’s better than that, my boy, far better. I’ve
+got a picture of my benevolent employer, took in
+the queerest way you ever heard of.”</p>
+
+<p>He drew out an old pocketbook, and rummaging
+through this found a small piece of cardboard which
+he handed to the boy.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_200">[200]</span>Ralph uttered an exclamation of astonishment.</p>
+
+<p>The photograph was weak, having either faded
+from age, or else because of insufficient light at
+the time of taking; but it was easy to distinguish
+in one of the two figures a man who much resembled
+Sam Smalling.</p>
+
+<p>“Why, isn’t this you?” demanded Ralph.</p>
+
+<p>“No other. And that chap standing there is Mr.
+Andrew Jackson, as he called himself, which I believe
+is the same as Mr. Arnold Musgrove,” replied
+the man.</p>
+
+<p>“But what is he handing you—that bundle?”
+gasped the boy, suspecting the truth.</p>
+
+<p>“That was <i>you</i>, Ralph, the poor little baby that
+he wanted to have disappear! Yes, this picture was
+taken at just the minute he gave you to me. You
+wonder how that could ever happen, and I’ll tell
+you. I was bunking at the time with a drunken
+photographer, and he knew what I was going to do.
+It was his suggestion that he try and get a picture
+of the man of money. I remember we had a hazy
+notion that it might help us to get money out of the
+chap later on.”</p>
+
+<p>“And he managed it, then?” asked Ralph, wondering;
+for flashlights were hardly in use so far
+back, and this picture showed no signs of having
+been taken in that fashion.</p>
+
+<p>“He did, though I don’t know how. The click<span class="pagenum" id="Page_201">[201]</span>
+of the machine startled my employer, and he came
+near dropping the baby; but I told him it was a window
+creaking upstairs in the old building, and he
+believed it. But after all the picture never did
+either of us any good, for I never could find Mr.
+Jackson again to ask a loan on the strength of it,”
+and the man laughed disdainfully.</p>
+
+<p>“But now the picture promises to come in valuable
+to me. Oh! will you please let me have it to give
+to Mr. Allen, who is going to carry my case out for
+me?”</p>
+
+<p>“Certain I will. And, Ralph, though it may cost
+me dear I stand ready to testify to my part in this
+here rascally game when the time comes. I give
+you my word on that, lad, come what will,” said Sam
+Smalling, resolutely.</p>
+
+<p>Ralph squeezed his hand when he replied.</p>
+
+<p>“Perhaps it may not be necessary at all. I promise
+you that you will not be brought into the matter
+if it can be helped; and Judge Allen will find a way,
+with this picture to help out, I’m sure. Oh! I wonder
+how that man could have been so cruel. And
+do you really think that his sister, this widow, Mrs.
+Langworthy, can be—<i>my mother</i>.”</p>
+
+<p>“That’s what it seems like, and you can make up
+your mind to it, money was at the bottom of his
+game when he stole you and had me take you away.
+Sounds like a story out of the books, but I guess<span class="pagenum" id="Page_202">[202]</span>
+people to-day ain’t a bit different from old times.”</p>
+
+<p>“I’m glad I came here to-night; and, Mr. Smalling,
+after what you’ve said and done don’t think
+I’m going to hold it against you. I’m too happy
+myself to want to make anybody suffer. And later
+on I expect to drop in here to see you again, you
+and little Mary,” said the boy, rising to go, for he
+was now just as anxious to see and consult with
+Judge Allen as he had been to reach Sam Smalling’s
+home.</p>
+
+<p>“I’ll expect you, Ralph. I’m glad this happened
+as it did. It’s just Fate, that’s what! But the best
+of luck go with you, lad; and remember to call on
+me if there’s any hitch to the game. Good night,
+Ralph, good night.”</p>
+<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop">
+
+<div class="chapter">
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_203">[203]</span>
+
+<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER XXII<br>
+
+<small>A PLAIN TALK WITH BILL KLEMM</small></h2>
+</div>
+
+<p>“<span class="smcap">There</span>, what do you think of it, Frank?”</p>
+
+<p>Ralph sat back in a chair in his friend’s den, and
+waited to hear the decision of the one in whose
+opinion he had such faith.</p>
+
+<p>“It seems as clear as print to me, and I’m tickled
+nearly to death at the way things are turning out
+It was mighty nice in you coming here to-night on
+the way home, and relieving my anxiety,” said the
+other, vigorously wringing the hand of his visitor.</p>
+
+<p>“But I had a double motive. I hoped to see your
+Uncle Jim, and now you tell me he’s away for the
+night—gone with your father to see a sick friend
+over the mountain, and won’t be back until morning.
+But what do you make of all this strange story?”</p>
+
+<p>“That pretended Mr. Andrew Jackson is, of
+course, Arnold Musgrove. And you are the baby he
+turned over to Sam Smalling years ago. This picture
+is what will clinch matters, if he puts up any
+denial. As to just who you are, I have strong suspicions,
+I must say,” returned Frank.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_204">[204]</span>Then he wrote something on paper and thrust it
+before Ralph.</p>
+
+<p>“How would you like to start out fresh under
+that name, eh?”</p>
+
+<p>“Jack Langworthy!” read Ralph, and then threw
+himself suddenly forward so that his arms clasped
+Frank around the neck.</p>
+
+<p>Nature had given way. So long had he been
+fighting to hold in his emotions that he could control
+himself no longer.</p>
+
+<p>“I know I’m a fool and a baby to do this, but it
+just seemed as though something broke loose and
+swamped me,” he said, finally, as he wiped the
+moisture from his eyes, and tried to smile in Frank’s
+face.</p>
+
+<p>“I don’t blame you a bit. In fact, I think you’ve
+done bully to hold in so long. And then the strain
+of that game to-day was enough alone to knock the
+props out from under any fellow. But cheer up,
+Ralph! It’s going to be all right now, for the sky
+has brightened, and I bet a cookey you find a loving
+mother inside another month. Just think of it, will
+you? Hurrah! But I say, it’ll take an everlasting
+long time to learn to say Langworthy instead of
+West; for it’s a big mouthful.”</p>
+
+<p>Ralph felt better after that.</p>
+
+<p>“I’ll be around to-morrow without fail to talk it
+all over with your uncle. Please don’t let him know<span class="pagenum" id="Page_205">[205]</span>
+anything about it until I come. I’d like to be the
+one to tell him the story, Frank.”</p>
+
+<p>“I’m mum on that score. But I wonder if those
+sophs succeeded in stealing the spread of the freshmen,
+or were they kept out of the barn by main
+force? You’ve got some husky chaps in your class
+this year, and they could give a good account of
+themselves in a scrap. But Helen will tell me later,”
+laughed Frank, as his comrade started for the door.</p>
+
+<p>Ralph was really quite exhausted, and knew that
+he must get home and to bed. The tremendous strain
+of that strenuous day was indeed telling on him.</p>
+
+<p>It was well on to midnight before voices outside
+announced that the freshmen had returned from the
+country. Helen came in, her face aglow with excitement,
+to tell what a tremendous scuffle had followed
+the attempt of the sophomores to break in and
+spoil the spread.</p>
+
+<p>“But our boys put them out all right, Frank! Oh,
+it was a tremendous time. Perhaps some of us girls
+were in the scrimmage, too, for I know I found this
+cap in my hand when it was all over,” and she laughingly
+held up a boy’s headgear, decorated with the
+ribbon of the second class, as well as the purple and
+gold of Columbia.</p>
+
+<p>And that was all Frank could coax her to tell.
+He could look back to several similar experiences
+in his own school life, and appreciate what it meant<span class="pagenum" id="Page_206">[206]</span>
+to these freshmen, for Frank was a junior now.</p>
+
+<p>In the morning Frank sauntered around to a certain
+modest house in town, where he greeted a young
+fellow by the name of Gabe Brown. Gabe was in
+the store which Frank’s father ran, known as the
+department store of Columbia. Moreover, he had
+charge of a certain counter in which Frank was
+somewhat interested just then.</p>
+
+<p>“Hello, Gabe!” he said, as the other looked surprised
+at seeing the son of his employer look up on
+Sunday morning, “just wanted to get a little information
+from you. Here’s a new bandana handkerchief
+I picked up yesterday. Some fellow dropped
+it out at the baseball grounds, and I’d like to find
+out who he is. Can you help me?”</p>
+
+<p>Gabe took the article, and examined it.</p>
+
+<p>“Came from our place, didn’t it?” continued
+Frank, seeing his smile.</p>
+
+<p>“It sure did, and I think I know whose it is,
+Frank,” replied the salesman.</p>
+
+<p>“How could you be sure? Lots of these are sold
+every season.”</p>
+
+<p>“Well, you notice that it’s just about new, and
+never been washed, for the stiffening is in it
+still. That shows it was bought recently, don’t it?”
+asked Gabe.</p>
+
+<p>“Sounds reasonable,” admitted Frank, for this
+was just what he himself had in mind all along.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_207">[207]</span>“Well, we ran out of these a week back, and ordered
+more. They got in Friday evening, and I
+sold just one yesterday. They’re different in design
+from our old ones, too. See the point?” said Gabe,
+triumphantly.</p>
+
+<p>“Sure. Who bought that one, now?”</p>
+
+<p>“Mr. William Klemm, Jr.,” came the expected
+response.</p>
+
+<p>“Thanks; I thought so,” and Frank turned away,
+leaving Gabe looking after him and muttering:</p>
+
+<p>“I reckon something’s going to happen close to
+Billy Klemm just about now.”</p>
+
+<p>Frank saw the object of his solicitude on the street
+in front of a vacant lot. Bill had slipped out to meet
+one of his cronies on the sly, and perhaps puff a cigarette
+in the cool of that Sunday morning.</p>
+
+<p>“Morning, Bill. Lost something yesterday, didn’t
+you?” and Frank held up the red bandana.</p>
+
+<p>Bill started to put out his hand, and then drew
+it cautiously back, as though he might have scented
+a trap.</p>
+
+<p>“Naw, ain’t got any bandany rag. Belongs to
+some other fellow. What made you reckon I owned
+it?” he said, suspiciously.</p>
+
+<p>“Because Gabe Brown says he sold you this particular
+one from a new lot that just came in, and
+different from the old ones. You were in a hurry to<span class="pagenum" id="Page_208">[208]</span>
+jump yesterday, Bill, when that bull started for the
+hole in the fence!”</p>
+
+<p>Bill shut his teeth hard and looked as if about to
+hotly deny that he knew anything about that matter.</p>
+
+<p>“Better go slow, Bill, or I might be tempted to
+step around and tell your dad a few things. Keep
+going with Lef Seller, and you’ll bring up in the
+lockup sooner or later. And, Bill, it’s a lucky thing
+for you that no one was seriously hurt yesterday
+when you let that savage beast in on the crowd. If
+there had been, I’d see to it that you were made to
+pay the piper.”</p>
+
+<p>The awkward fellow looked frightened, and let
+his head drop on his chest.</p>
+
+<p>“’Twas only a joke,” he mumbled, “but some fellers
+they never see anything funny.”</p>
+
+<p>“Not when the joke endangers human life, and
+there were lots of kids around in the ball-grounds.
+Here, take the bandana, and stop pulling chestnuts
+out of the fire for Lef Seller, just like the cat did for
+the monkey.”</p>
+
+<p>Bill finally accepted the handkerchief, and tried
+to put a bold face on the matter, saying:</p>
+
+<p>“Guess if anything, the old bull he’s got a right
+to kick, ’cause he near had the life pounded out of
+him with them bats. It’s white of you not to peep,
+Frank. I reckon I’ll take your advice, and cut Lef
+out.”</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_209">[209]</span>But Frank was not deceived. He knew the kind
+of fellow Bill was, and that there would be a very
+small chance of reforming his ways.</p>
+
+<p>“Yes,” Frank was musing to himself as he walked
+away, “they say there was a certain old gentleman
+with horns and cloven hoofs who, when he was sick,
+sighed to be a saint; but when he got well was he?
+Not any! And Bill Klemm only feels sorry when
+he thinks he’s in for a licking at home, or in school.”</p>
+
+<p>When Mr. Allen and Uncle Jim returned, Ralph
+was on hand. He and the lawyer went “into executive
+session,” as the latter laughingly said, and remained
+in the library for a full hour.</p>
+
+<p>“He’s going to fix it for me,” declared Ralph,
+later on, as he and Frank walked down the road
+together.</p>
+
+<p>“Then he thought it a clear case, did he?” asked
+his chum, eagerly.</p>
+
+<p>“So much so that he says he will start across to
+Italy in a week, after his big case is over with, and
+see the lady himself,” replied Ralph, promptly.</p>
+
+<p>“Bully for Uncle Jim! Didn’t I tell you he was
+game. But what does he do that for, when he could
+cable?”</p>
+
+<p>“He’s a lawyer, and cautious. Besides, he says,
+and it looks good to me, that a man who could steal
+a baby away from his sister for the sake of gain,
+wouldn’t be above opening her mail, or even reading<span class="pagenum" id="Page_210">[210]</span>
+a cablegram. It might put him on his guard, and
+spoil things. And so he’s going himself. Oh,
+Frank, that will be a long month to me!”</p>
+
+<p>“But with such happiness coming you can stand
+it. Think of the past, and how different things
+look now. Ralph, old chap, I’m sure glad it’s happening
+this way. Besides, it’ll give a fellow a chance
+to repeat that name Langworthy a few times to myself,
+so as to kind of get used to it.”</p>
+
+<p>“Don’t be too dead sure,” remarked Ralph. “You
+know the old saying, there’s many a slip between
+the cup and the lip. But I’m glad you say your
+arm is getting on nicely, for you’ve just got to pitch
+next Saturday, and pull old Columbia through to
+glory.”</p>
+<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop">
+
+<div class="chapter">
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_211">[211]</span>
+
+<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER XXIII<br>
+
+<small>WHEN CODDLING WEAKENED</small></h2>
+</div>
+
+<p><span class="smcap">Crash!</span></p>
+
+<p>“Wow! Look at that ball go, will you?”</p>
+
+<p>“And two men on bases! Here’s where we climb
+all over poor old Columbia!”</p>
+
+<p>“What’s the score now?”</p>
+
+<p>“Seven to five, and this makes it——”</p>
+
+<p>“Hold on, there; you’re counting your chickens
+before they’re hatched. Did you notice that reliable
+old Jack Comfort got under that screamer, and
+tagged it? And if you look sharp enough, Bellport,
+you’ll see two husky lads tearing back to try
+and make their bases before the ball comes; but it’s
+no go! There, Seymour has it on his man, and
+watch him send the ball to Lanky! All out! Set
+’em up in the other alley, boys!”</p>
+
+<p>Such a frightful noise as followed this splendid
+play on the part of the club that was coming up from
+behind. What with Herman Hooker and his squad
+of howlers, megaphone and all, together with a<span class="pagenum" id="Page_212">[212]</span>
+thousand other brazen-throated shouters, it really
+seemed as though the very earth trembled.</p>
+
+<p>It was the ending of the seventh inning. The
+game was being played in Bellport, since they had
+been fortunate enough to win the toss. That was
+the first sign of luck in their favor. Besides, everybody
+knew that Frank Allen was still somewhat
+handicapped by his accident, though he had the grit
+to continue in the box as long as Captain Seymour
+wished.</p>
+
+<p>At one time the score had been seven to three, so
+that as the game progressed it began to seem that
+the Columbia High boys were climbing. They had
+had their little juggle, in which every man nearly
+did something foolish, and runs piled in; after which
+they had settled down to serious business.</p>
+
+<p>“They’re creeping up, boys, creeping up!” shouted
+Herman, encouragingly.</p>
+
+<p>“Sure they are, and if the game only lasts ten
+hours more it looks like Columbia might come in
+neck and neck with Bellport,” jeered one of the
+mill workers.</p>
+
+<p>Watkins Gould was about, and evidently making
+wagers, although he did not dare show the color of
+his money. There was more or less talk about finding
+some means of keeping him out, since he had
+been known to try and influence a player to do some
+underhand work and throw a game.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_213">[213]</span>The eighth inning began.</p>
+
+<p>Seymour had been encouraging his men to make
+a break and do some consecutive batting that would
+count.</p>
+
+<p>“We only need two runs to tie, three to win, fellows.
+Somebody jump on first, and then the rest of
+us get busy with our little bats!” he was saying, as
+his men came hustling in from the field to the bench.</p>
+
+<p>“Batter up!” called the umpire.</p>
+
+<p>“That means me,” sang out Ben Allison, as he
+stepped forward to the plate.</p>
+
+<p>Coddling looked unusually savage. The fact of
+the matter was he knew that these boys of Columbia
+were rapidly getting on to his curves. The last
+inning they had hit him freely, and seemed ready to
+take up the good work again right now.</p>
+
+<p>When that feeling pinches at the door of a pitcher’s
+heart, he is going to hurt himself trying to excel.
+Coddling’s one great mainstay had been his coolness
+under any and all conditions; and when he allowed
+himself to show signs of anger he not only injured
+his chances, but gave encouragement to the enemy.</p>
+
+<p>Ben could always hit the Bellport pitcher. If he
+got on first there were other dangerous batters to
+follow. Just then they looked like real giants to
+Coddling; and yet at another time he had smiled disdainfully
+at the same fellows, and with coolness
+struck them out in succession.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_214">[214]</span>Allison was a good waiter usually. To-day he
+took toll of the very first ball that the Bellport
+pitcher sent twisting on its way. When a team gets
+in its stride, and is hitting with perfect confidence,
+all balls seem to look alike to them, and it is next
+to impossible to keep the sphere out of their reach.</p>
+
+<p>“That’s the way, fellows! Here’s Ben waiting for
+his ticket around the course. Bones, push him along,
+will you?” shouted Herman Hooker through his
+megaphone.</p>
+
+<p>Just as if he were taking his orders from that
+source, what did Shadduck do but lay down the most
+beautiful little bunt imaginable, right along the line,
+but keeping well within bounds.</p>
+
+<p>“Go it, you heifer!” shouted the bleachers.</p>
+
+<p>Bones never got to first, but there was a grin on
+his freckled face as he turned aside and retraced his
+steps, for he had landed his comrade on second,
+and that was what he had been instructed by Captain
+Seymour to do.</p>
+
+<p>Then up stepped Jack Comfort. It looked as
+though he meant to duplicate the performance of
+Bones, for he made a stab at the first ball. But that
+was only in the line of a trick with Jack. All the
+while he was picking out just where he could swipe
+the next ball that came along.</p>
+
+<figure class="figcenter illowe28_125" id="i_p214a">
+  <img class="w100" src="images/i_p214a.jpg" alt="">
+  <figcaption class="caption"><p class="caption">BEN MADE A GALLANT SLIDE FOR HOME.<br>
+
+<i>Columbia High on the Diamond</i><span class="gap">      <i>Page <a href="#Page_215">215</a>.</i></span></p>
+</figcaption>
+</figure>
+
+<p>As the bat and ball came together with a vicious
+smash, there burst from the frantic crowd a howl
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_215">[215]</span>such as had never before been heard on those Bellport
+grounds.</p>
+
+<p>“Run, Jack, run! Go it, Ben, you slow-coach.
+Hurry! the ball’s after you!”</p>
+
+<p>Ben made a gallant slide for home, though there
+was hardly any necessity for it. Still, he believed in
+making sure; and the ball did plunk in the catcher’s
+mitt even as his hand fell on the plate.</p>
+
+<p>“One run!”</p>
+
+<p>“A man on second, and only one out!”</p>
+
+<p>“Keep it going, you tigers. You’ve got Coddling’s
+measure all right. Put the Indian sign on
+him! Give us another cheer, Herman!”</p>
+
+<p>“All together, then, and with a whirl! Here you
+go, now! Ho! ho! ho! hi! hi! hi! <i>veni! vidi! vici!</i>
+Columbia! Siss! boom! ay!”</p>
+
+<p>Herman and his cohort could not sit through such
+excitement as this. They had left the bleachers and
+were jumping up and down like a group of wild
+Indians, waving their arms, dancing in a circle, and
+shrieking until every mother’s son gave promise of
+being as hoarse as a crow on the morrow.</p>
+
+<p>If noise could coax Columbia to win this up-hill
+game, there was certainly every inducement in the
+world for them to accomplish that task.</p>
+
+<p>Lanky Wallace to the bat. Lanky had not distinguished
+himself overly much thus far during the
+day.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_216">[216]</span>“He’s due for a hit, fellows, mark me!” cried one
+enthusiast, and Lanky heard, for he grinned and
+nodded, as if he felt it in his bones.</p>
+
+<p>Coddling was wabbling by now. He had weakened
+in the great strain. Somehow he believed in
+his soul that Lanky had it in for him, and actually
+began to toss wide ones, having less fear of the next
+two batters. But Lanky was indignant, and did not
+mean to be cheated of his prey. If the mountain
+refused to come to Mahomet, then Mahomet must
+go to the mountain.</p>
+
+<p>“Step out and take one, Lanky, old boy!”</p>
+
+<p>“Don’t you dare let him pass you! He’s tricky,
+all right, and he knows you can swat it! Oblige us,
+Lanky, please!”</p>
+
+<p>Lanky evidently could not find it in his heart to
+refuse such pleading. And he “swatted it” so very
+hard that Smith, Jr., had to run like a deer to keep
+the long-legged first baseman from making a clean
+sweep of the bases.</p>
+
+<p>The score tied, and a man on third, with only one
+out!</p>
+
+<p>Imagine the racket that ensued. Men began to
+shake hands with each other in their intense emotional
+excitement, that is, men who owned to a
+partiality for Columbia. As for the good people of
+Bellport, they cheered in a faint way, feeling the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_217">[217]</span>
+strain, but not exactly liking the way things were
+going against them.</p>
+
+<p>“Now, Buster, <i>you</i> know! Pick out a good one,
+and send it over the fence!”</p>
+
+<p>Buster wanted to do just that. It would have
+pleased him immensely to have been the one to bat
+in the run needed to lead the score, and possibly win
+the game.</p>
+
+<p>But he was over anxious, or else Coddling got a
+new grip on himself; for Buster ingloriously struck
+out. A groan went up from the Columbia High partisans,
+for they had been indulging in hopes that the
+wonderful Coddling had gone to pieces.</p>
+
+<p>Tom Budd stepped up to try his luck. He had
+been responsible for one of the earlier runs in the
+game, and there was hope that he could connect with
+a twister, just as before.</p>
+
+<p>When the smack of the bat announced that he had,
+a shout started to break loose; but it instantly degenerated
+into a groan, followed by whoops from
+the Bellport adherents. For Tom Budd had knocked
+up a soaring foul that dropped into the big mitt of
+Clay, and was smothered there.</p>
+
+<p>During their half of the eighth the Bellport boys
+went out one, two, three.</p>
+
+<p>So the ninth inning opened.</p>
+
+<p>Once again the Columbias had a chance to distinguish
+themselves. Seymour himself started<span class="pagenum" id="Page_218">[218]</span>
+things moving this time with a hot one that stung
+the hands of Herbert Lacy at short, so that he
+fumbled it, and the runner just reached the bag in
+time to be called safe, though it was a close call.</p>
+
+<p>Paul Bird knew that it was his part of the play
+to advance the runner a base. He waited carefully
+while Coddling took his time and recovered his wind.
+Then Paul tapped a bunt close to the plate. Clay, in
+his eagerness to handle it, fought the ball. It was
+just about two seconds, but he saw he had lost his
+man at second, and had to hustle hard to get Paul
+at first.</p>
+
+<p>Was this inning to be a repetition of the last one?
+everybody sat up and seemed to be holding their
+breath in suspense. Everything depended on what
+Frank Allen could do, when a hit might mean the
+game.</p>
+
+<p>Frank tried to calm his nerves as he stepped into
+the batter’s position and gave a reassuring glance toward
+the grandstand, where he knew full well a
+pretty girl was waving her little flag, and praying
+in her heart that he would win his own game with
+the single hit that was needed at this critical point.</p>
+
+<p>Coddling was winding up preparatory to throwing,
+when Frank received a signal from Captain
+Seymour at second that told him to wait. He knew
+what that meant, and that the fleetfooted Columbia<span class="pagenum" id="Page_219">[219]</span>
+man was about to get enough of a lead to steal
+third.</p>
+
+<p>With Clay behind the bat, that was indeed a risky
+thing to attempt; but no one was apparently expecting
+such a move, and in that it stood a chance for
+succeeding.</p>
+<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop">
+
+<div class="chapter">
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_220">[220]</span>
+
+<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER XXIV<br>
+
+<small>WINNING AN UP-HILL GAME</small></h2>
+</div>
+
+<p><span class="smcap">Just</span> at that moment there was such a dreadful
+clamor all over the field that hearing any note of
+warning was utterly out of the question. The Columbia
+cheer captain had started in again with his
+corps, and what they did to rend the atmosphere with
+their racket was wonderful.</p>
+
+<p>Coddling knew from the hasty gesture of the
+catcher that something was going on; but he had
+wound up for a throw, and could not hold back without
+a balk. The best he could do was to send it
+in direct to Clay’s hands, in order to give the other
+a fair chance to throw to third, so as to catch the
+purloiner of sacks.</p>
+
+<p>Of course, Frank made a wild sweep at the ball.
+That was a part of the game, to help disconcert the
+catcher. Clay stopped the ball successfully, but it
+came at such an angle that he was not in exact position
+to hurl the sphere to third.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_221">[221]</span>A second counts for considerable at times in baseball.
+Seymour slid like a Western avalanche. His
+extended fingers touched the base just as Bardwell
+grabbed the spinning ball, and dropped to touch him.</p>
+
+<p>The umpire extended both hands. That meant,
+of course, the runner was safe, and a shriek went
+up from that immense crowd.</p>
+
+<p>Now Frank faced Coddling again. Only a nice
+little base hit was needed to bring the runner home.
+Would the Columbia pitcher be equal to the call,
+or must trusty old Ben Allison be delegated to the
+task?</p>
+
+<p>Frank struck! The “smack” electrified every
+heart in that great throng!</p>
+
+<p>Far away out over the center field soared the ball,
+and several thousand eyes followed its flight. Every
+player knew that the thing had been done, although
+there was Tony Banghardt chasing wildly to get
+out far enough to hold the ball.</p>
+
+<p>“He’ll get it! Not this time, Columbia! Tony’s
+going to hold that balloon!” howled a half-crazy
+Bellport backer, as he stretched his neck to watch.</p>
+
+<p>“You’ve got another guess coming, old fellow.
+What will the man on third be doing all that time
+eh?” jeered a Columbia student.</p>
+
+<p>Banghardt did get under. He made a magnificent
+catch, and held the ball, even though he rolled over
+twice in so doing. But Seymour had shot from the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_222">[222]</span>
+third bag the very second the ball fell. He was
+racing like a wild broncho for home as Tony rolled
+about in the field. And by the time the Bellport
+player managed to regain his feet to hold up the
+ball, a run had crossed the plate for the visitors!</p>
+
+<p>Again and again did Herman Hooker lead his
+demonstrative band around. They howled, they
+cheered, they shrieked; and those who had lost control
+of their voices jumped up and down like dancing
+dervishes.</p>
+
+<p><i>Columbia was a run to the good!</i></p>
+
+<p>Allison went out, shortstop to first. Then came
+the Bellports to the bat, grim and determined, with
+Lee first to the plate, and ready to smash the ball
+over the fence. Frank felt his lame arm troubling
+him, but he set his teeth hard. He must hold out
+now to the end. This game meant everything to
+Columbia High, and he was determined not to lose
+it, if such a disaster could be avoided.</p>
+
+<p>And every other man on the team felt just the
+same way. When Lee did go after an outshoot, and
+give it a frightful crack, the crowd uttered an involuntary
+“oh!” and then followed it with a tumultuous
+burst of cheering. It was that acrobatic
+shortstop, Tom Budd, who became responsible for
+this mad applause; for he had thrown himself to
+one side, made a stab for the speedy passing ball,
+turned a complete somersault, and upon landing on<span class="pagenum" id="Page_223">[223]</span>
+his feet shot the sphere at Lanky on first in plenty of
+time to head off the runner.</p>
+
+<p>Banghardt came next. The Bellports died hard,
+and Tony might have followed up his brilliant catch
+with a hard hit, only he was short of breath. Consequently
+after knocking two wicked fouls, the umpire
+decided that he had allowed another good one
+to pass over the plate. So Tony was invited to
+retire.</p>
+
+<p>Smith, Jr., appeared as the last hope. Already
+were the players beginning to put their bats away in
+the bags, as though the game might be reckoned as
+good as over. Frank never faltered a particle. This
+man was just as dangerous as though a dozen came
+after him. There must be no let-up in speed or
+curves; for many a game apparently won has gone
+the other way through over-confidence.</p>
+
+<p>Three times did Smith sweep the air without
+discovering until too late that he had bitten at deceivers.
+Then a roar broke out that dwarfed all previous
+noises!</p>
+
+<p>The game belonged to Columbia High! It meant
+that the coveted pennant of the Tri-School League
+belonged to Columbia High for this season!</p>
+<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop">
+
+<div class="chapter">
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_224">[224]</span>
+
+<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER XXV<br>
+
+<small>CONCLUSION</small></h2>
+</div>
+
+<p><span class="smcap">That</span> night a crowd gathered in the big assembly
+room of the Columbia High School to see Roderic
+Seymour and his gallant boys receive the splendid
+flag which the girls of Columbia High had purchased
+to fly upon the staff at the athletic grounds whenever
+a game of any sort was in progress.</p>
+
+<p>Helen Allen had been chosen to make the presentation
+address, because she was known to be the
+best speaker among Columbia’s fair ones. And both
+Paul Bird and Ralph West thought her the prettiest
+girl in the wide world as, with rosy cheeks and
+sparkling eyes, she told what pride the sisters of the
+Columbia boys took in their sterling fight for the
+baseball pennant.</p>
+
+<p>If there was one disgruntled fellow in that big
+hall it must have been Lef Seller, who had seen so
+many of his schemes for getting even with his rival,
+Frank Allen, go astray of late. He had come because
+somehow he could not keep away; but during<span class="pagenum" id="Page_225">[225]</span>
+the exercises, while everybody else seemed to be
+filled with delight, Lef could only grit his teeth, and
+mutter low threats to himself, still cherishing the
+hope that the day would come when fortune might
+once more shine upon him, to the confusion of his
+enemies.</p>
+
+<p>Although the school term was nearly ended that
+seemed to be no reason for Columbia High losing
+all interest in outdoor sports. There were other
+days to come, and that not far distant, when these
+sturdy lads of the banner high school would meet
+again in friendly struggles with their student rivals
+of Bellport and Clifford. Something of the nature
+of these contests may be gleaned from the title of
+the next volume in this series, to be called, “The
+Boys of Columbia High on the River; or, The Boat
+Race Plot That Failed.” It will be found crammed
+full of the further doings of these wideawake lads, in
+whose fortunes we have found ourselves so deeply
+concerned.</p>
+
+<p>While the yearly examinations were being conducted
+as usual, Ralph found it exceedingly difficult
+to concentrate his mind on his work. He knew that
+Judge Allen had taken passage for Europe, in order
+to follow up the mysterious travelers, who had last
+been heard from in Italy.</p>
+
+<p>So the school year closed in a blaze of glory.
+Principal Parke declared they had never known a<span class="pagenum" id="Page_226">[226]</span>
+more successful season, and with the percentage so
+high. The graduation exercises passed off without
+a hitch; nor was the electric current cut off on this
+occasion, as had happened once before, when mischief-makers
+severed the wires, and lamps had to be
+brought in so that Lanky Wallace could complete
+his declamation.</p>
+
+<p>Ralph was frequently in consultation with his
+good friend Frank, while he waited to hear from
+abroad.</p>
+
+<p>“What would I do without you, Frank?” he said,
+as they sat under the apple tree on that July morning
+just a day or two before the Glorious Fourth.</p>
+
+<p>“Oh, you’d manage to get on all right,” returned
+the other, quickly. “Cheer up, old fellow. It’s
+always darkest just before dawn. You’ll get a letter
+any day now, and perhaps written by the one you are
+longing to hear from most. Try and put it out of
+your mind for a bit, and think of the great times
+we expect to have on the river.”</p>
+
+<p>“That’s always the way with you, Frank. You
+manage to chase away the blues better than any
+medicine made. I’m going to laugh, and try to forget
+my troubles for a little while. Yes, the letter
+is on the way now, I don’t doubt; but oh! how the
+days drag along, waiting for news,” sighed Ralph.</p>
+
+<p>“Here comes Helen. Now we’ll go inside and
+have her give us some music that is bound to liven<span class="pagenum" id="Page_227">[227]</span>
+us up. I just feel like singing, and it will do you
+good,” cried Frank.</p>
+
+<p>Ralph was nothing loath. There was an attraction
+about Frank’s charming sister that always appealed
+to the homeless lad. So they were soon
+gathered about the piano, and joining voices in such
+old favorites as “Tenting To-night,” “I Know a
+Bank,” “Upidee,” and many others.</p>
+
+<p>“Now, let’s wind up with the ‘Red, White and
+Blue,’” said Frank, when Ralph had declared he
+must be going.</p>
+
+<p>So, as on many a hard fought athletic field, the
+familiar words of the grand old tune rolled out—always
+a favorite with these students of the famous
+high school bearing the same cherished name:</p>
+
+<div class="poetry-container">
+<div class="poetry">
+<div class="first">“O, Columbia, the gem of the ocean,</div>
+<div class="indent">The home of the brave and the free,</div>
+<div class="verse">The shrine of each patriot’s devotion,</div>
+<div class="indent">A world offers homage to thee!”</div>
+</div></div>
+
+<p class="center">THE END</p>
+
+<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop">
+
+<div class="chapter">
+<div class="transnote">
+<p class="ph1">TRANSCRIBER’S NOTES:</p>
+
+<p>Perceived typographical errors have been corrected.</p>
+
+<p>Inconsistencies in hyphenation have been standardized.</p>
+
+<p>Archaic or variant spelling has been retained.</p>
+</div></div>
+
+<div style='text-align:center'>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 75400 ***</div>
+</body>
+</html>
+
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+This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements,
+metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be
+in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES.
+
+Procedures for determining public domain status are described in
+the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org.
+
+No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in
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+this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright
+status under the laws that apply to them.
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+Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for
+eBook #75400 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/75400)