g a bit, when I passed the head of the alley
near our house. A bag of sand was thrown out right in front of
my feet. How I did it I don't quite know yet, but I jumped over
that bag, and came down on my feet beyond it. It was a fearfully
close call, though. No; I guess you hadn't better tell Dick to-night.
But you can tell him in the morning."

Though "The Blade" somehow missed the matter, there were a good
many in Gridley who had heard the news by Saturday morning. It
traveled especially among the High School boys. More than a dozen
of them were at the book store as soon as that place was opened.

"How's Dick?" asked all the callers.

"Doing finely," replied the elder Prescott, cheerily.

"Great! Is he going to pitch this afternoon?"

"Um---I can't say about that."

"If he can't, Mr. Prescott, that'll be one of Gridley's chances
gone over the fence."

Dave was on hand as early as he could be. Dick had already been
told of the attempt on his chum the night before.

"You didn't see the fellow well enough to make out who he was?"
Prescott pressed eagerly.

"No," admitted Dave, sadly. "After a few seconds I got over my
bewilderment enough to try to give chase. But the dastard had
sneaked away, cat-foot. I know who it was, though, even if I
didn't see him."

"Tip Scammon?"

"Surely," nodded Darrin. "He's Ripley's right hand at nasty work,
isn't he?"

"I'd hate to think that Fred had a hand in such mean business,"
muttered Dick, flushing.

"Don't be simple," muttered Dave. "Who wanted to be crack pitcher
for the nine? Who pitches to-day, if neither of us can? That
would be a mean hint to throw out, if Ripley's past conduct didn't
warrant the suspicion."

Later in the morning there was another phase of the sensation,
and Dave came back with it. He was just in time to find Dick
walking out into the little parlor of the flat, Dr. Bentley watching.

"Fine!" cheered Dave. "How is he, doctor?"

"Doing nicely," nodded Dr. Bentley.

"But how about the big problem---can he pitch to-day?"

"That's what we're trying to guess," replied the physician. "Now,
see here, Prescott, you're to sit over there by the window, in
the sunlight. During the first hour you will get up once in every
five minutes and walk around the room once, then seating yourself
again. In the second hour, you'll walk around twice, every five
minutes. After that you may move about as much as you like,
but don't go out of t