pper Cooper longed for a handsome clean drive;
but fortune seemed to favor Crowell, for when Chipper did hit the ball
he simply rolled it straight at the man on the slab, who scooped it and
snapped it back to the catcher with Eliot only a little more than
halfway down the line from third. Taking the ball, with one foot on
the plate, the catcher hummed it past Cooper's ear to first, completing
a double play.

Of course the downcast Wyndhamites awoke and cheered, but the visitors,
although disappointed by the abrupt ending of their "streak," felt very
well satisfied.

"Now keep steady and play the game, boys," called Eliot. "This is the
game we want to win."

Springer, literally a-tingle with joy over the turn the game had taken,
watched Hooker, who was given excellent support, pull through the fifth
without letting more than one man reach first base.

"I'm glad," muttered Phil. "I don't care if it does cost me seven
dollars, for Wyndham deserves to be beaten."

Eliot, removing his cage at the end of the inning, looked for Springer
and found him. "Come here, Phil," he called, beckoning.

Phil hesitated, more than half disposed to pretend that he did not hear
and to get away from that locality at once; but, realizing he would
find it necessary to face Roger's questions sooner or later, he finally
plucked up courage to answer the summons. Greatly to his relief, the
captain of the nine did not question him then; instead of that, Roger
said:

"I'm much obliged to you, old fellow, for putting me wise, although I'm
ashamed that I didn't tumble to the fact myself. I hope we can win
this game now; we must win it somehow. Grant is knocked out for some
time to come, and there's only Hooker left to depend on. If anything
happens to Hook, it's all off; there's no one to take his place."

Suddenly Phil understood what Roger was driving at, and his pale face
flamed with color. "If I can----" he began eagerly, and then stopped,
choking a bit.

"I thought so!" exclaimed Roger, with great satisfaction; "I thought
you must be still loyal and true. I've got to pay close attention to
the run of the game. Won't you find Grant and ask him to let you have
his suit? Get into it as soon as you can, and hurry back here; for
Wyndham is liable to solve Hook's delivery any minute. Hustle, old
chap--do."

With this admonition, he turned to give his attention to his players.

"Still loyal and true!" muttered Phil. "If he onl