joyously. "Needn't watch me to-night."

Swanson read:

"Dear Larry:

"Don't come to-night. Uncle will be here--with friends--and I'm
afraid. I must see you soon as possible. Will try to arrange to meet
you somewhere to-morrow. I will telephone. H."

And while Swanson read the note McCarthy was at the telephone.

"Miss Tabor," he was saying eagerly, "this is Mr. McCarthy. I find my
engagement for this evening is canceled. Please ask Mr. Clancy if I
may go. Please. Yes, I said please. Shall I say it again?"

"And, Miss Tabor, if that spare seat is in the tonneau---- No, Mrs.
Clancy should sit with her husband."

CHAPTER XXII

_A Victory and a Defeat_

Another crowd of enormous size greeted the Bears as they raced onto the
ball field early the next afternoon to play the doubleheader that was
to complete the season's series against the Jackrabbits.

The paper that had printed the attack upon the team had given space to
a partial retraction, and, although the players did not know it, the
reporter who had written the article had been suspended during an
investigation that was inspired because Technicalities Feehan had,
after overwhelming two editors with his statistics, convinced them that
no basis of truth existed for such charges.

The Bears were happy and confident. With a full game the advantage and
only five more games to play, and those comparatively easy; with the
pitching staff in good condition, they considered the pennant as won.

McCarthy and Swanson almost had forgotten to keep watch upon Williams.
They despised him, and in the club house and on the field they ignored
him completely. Several of the other players, although they knew
nothing of the plot, had come to ignore the pitcher, and he shunned
them all. He seemed nervous and laboring under a heavy strain. Two or
three times he started toward Clancy as if to speak to him, but each
time the manager, who was watching him, turned away to address another
player. Finally, Williams seemed to gather his courage, and with a
pretense of indifference he sauntered toward Clancy, who was talking
with several of the players.

"Which game do I work, Bill?" he asked, tossing his glove down and
picking up a bat.

"I think I'll save you for the first game of the World's Series,
Adonis," replied Clancy. "It's a shame to waste you beating these dub
clubs."

The hidden sarcasm in the words stung. The pitcher started, then
rallied and sa