l I move the gold mine?" Clancy's voice was dangerously
quiet.

"To-morrow, if you like."

Clancy sat gazing at his visitor as if undecided as to whether he
should explode in wrath, laugh at some joke too deep for him, or
believe the slender youth was in earnest.

"Say, kid," he said slowly after studying the youth for a moment, "I
admire your nerve, anyhow. If you have half the confidence on a ball
field that you have off it, you'll be a wonder. Where did you ever
play ball?"

A troubled expression came over the boy's face.

"Mr. Clancy," he said, quietly, "if you take me you'll have to do it
without asking questions. I can play ball, and it's up to me to make
good at something. All I ask is a chance to prove to you I can play.
It will not cost you a cent to find out."

"Done anything?" Clancy asked, sharply.

"Criminal? No," responded the boy, flushing.

"Ever signed a professional contract?"

"No."

Clancy studied him as if trying to decide what to do. Then, raising
his voice, he called:

"Oh, Sec. Come here a minute."

A tall man, his hair gray, his face wearing a frown of perpetual worry,
came from the hotel lobby.

"Mr. Tabor," said Clancy, without rising, "this is Mr. Jimmie McCarthy,
who is to have a try-out with us at third base. Room him with the
players. You aren't stopping anywhere else, are you?"

The last question was directed to the surprised youth.

"No--I'm broke," answered the youth, flushing quickly.

"I'll fix you up in a moment," said the secretary in friendly tones as
he shook hands with the youth. "Wait until I finish settling up with
the baggage man."

The secretary hastened from the room, and the boy turned impulsively to
the manager.

"Mr. Clancy," he said in a tone of gratitude, "I want to thank you--I
don't know how. I was broke--ball playing is about all I'm good at.
How did you know I didn't want to use my own name?"

"I figured you might want to forget it for a time, anyhow," said
Clancy. "McCarthy is a good name and it fits your eyes."

"I can't tell you how grateful I am," said the boy impetuously. "I'll
make good for you. I've failed trying to make a living. Baseball is
the only thing they taught me at college that I'm good at, and when I
read that you needed a third baseman I"----

"College man, eh?" asked Clancy quickly. "Well, I won't hold that
against you or tip it off. Don't thank me. If you make good I'll be
the one to give thanks."