"Barville should have won."

"How do you make that out?"

"They batted Springer out, didn't they? They sent him to the stable,
all right."

"He lost his control, and Eliot had to take him out."

"Well, if you hadn't been mistaken in your judgment, that would have
settled the game."

"If _I_ hadn't been mistaken!" cried Roy resentfully.

"Precisely."

"Why, I don't see----"

"Don't you? Then you should consult an oculist. You said Springer was
the only pitcher the team had; you insisted that Grant couldn't pitch a
winning game."

"Well, I know," faltered Roy; "but I----"

"You were mistaken--sadly mistaken. It's been an expensive blunder in
judgment for both of us."

A flush rose into Hooker's pale cheeks, and he stood up. "Now, look
here, Mr. Rackliff," he said harshly, "don't you try to shoulder it all
on to me. I won't stand for that. You professed to be dead sure that
under any circumstances Barville could down Oakdale. As to the matter
of expense, it may have been expensive for you', but, according to our
distinctly understood agreement, I don't lose anything."

Herbert lifted his eyebrows slightly, producing his cigarette case and
fumbling in it vainly, as it was empty.

"Agreement?" he said. "What agreement?"

Hooker choked. "You know; don't pretend that you don't know. I hope
you're not going back on your word. If you do----" He stopped, unable
to continue.

"Oh, yes," said Herbert slowly, "I think I know what you mean. Of
course I'm not going back on my word to a pal."

"Then give me the money I let you have to bet on Barville."

"Why, that money's gone. We lost it."

"Yes, but you pledged yourself to make good any loss I might sustain.
There are reasons why I must have that money back--right away, too."

"I'm sorry," murmured Herbert, regretfully returning the empty
cigarette case to his pocket; "but I'm afraid you'll have to wait a
while. I went broke myself--haven't got a whole dollar left in the
exchequer."

"But I've _got_ to have it," insisted Roy huskily. "I depended on
getting it back to-night."

Herbert laughed and snapped his yellow fingers. "When a thing is
impossible, it can't be done, old fellow. You don't need money in this
dead hole, anyhow. Why, a profligate couldn't spend ten dollars a week
here, if he tried. You'll simply have to wait until my old man coughs
up another consignment of the needful."

Roy sat down again, his face wearing such a