he big mitt, although he seemed to do this without
flourish or any attempt at grand-standing. Now and then he grinned and
nodded over some especially fine catch in the outfield or clever stop
of a grounder or liner by an infielder; nevertheless, he let Sanger,
who was batting, do all the talking to the players.

Roy Hooker, wearing the crimson colors of his school, sat on the
bleachers at the edge of the group of Oakdale Academy students,
endeavoring to mask his feelings behind a pretext of loyal interest in
the home nine; but, nevertheless, in spite of his inwardly reiterated
assertion that he had been used "rotten," he was annoyed by a
constantly recurring sense of treachery to his own team. The skill
displayed in practice by the visitors in a measure set at rest the
doubts he had continued to entertain concerning Rackliff's wisdom in
backing Barville.

"I'll win some money to-day, all right," he thought; "but, really, I'd
rather be wearing an Oakdale suit, even if we lose."

As the Barville nine came in from the field and Oakdale went out, Roy
saw Herbert Rackliff saunter forth and speak to Newt Copley, who shook
hands with him. Then Herbert drew Copley aside and began talking to
him in very low tones, and with unusual animation. Still watching,
Hooker beheld Copley nodding his head, and even at that distance Roy
could see that he was grinning.

"Hey, old Rack!" Chipper Cooper shouted from the field. "Brace him
up--that's right. Tell him he's got to win or you're financially
ruined."

Herbert pretended that he did not hear, and, after a final word with
Copley, slowly sauntered back into the crowd. He was not wearing the
Oakdale colors.

"I'm glad nobody knows that part of the money he put up was furnished
by me," thought Hooker. "He's got an awful crust. I couldn't do a
thing like that, and be so cheeky and unconcerned. Gee! but he'll get
the fellows down on him."

And now, as the time for the game to begin was at hand, the umpire,
supplied with two new balls in their boxes, called the captains of both
teams and consulted with them for a moment or two. Directly Eliot
sought the body protector and mask, and Bert Dingley, standing at the
end of the bench on which the visitors had seated themselves, began
swinging two bats. There was a rustling stir among the spectators as
they settled themselves down to watch the opening of the contest. The
Oakdale players took their positions on the field, Rodney