“And I want to congratulate you, Merry,” he said simply, holding out his hand to Frank. “You’re the man for the job!”
“Thank you, old man,” said Merry, as he met Randall’s eyes. “I’m proud to have you behind me!”
And their hands met, amid a renewed storm of cheers.
“Search me, Chip. He didn’t turn up for practice. Bet a dollar he’s still sore over not getting elected captain.”
“Nonsense, Clan! He came around finely, congratulated me----”
“Oh, I know all about that. But the galoot got hot all over again, when he got to thinking it over! I know his kind. He goes on impulse.”
Merry turned away. Despite his efforts to convince himself to the contrary, he knew that Clancy was right. Randall “went on impulse.”
“Well, I’ll do the best I can,” thought Merry anxiously. “Bob is too fine a fellow to do this. If I leave Fardale he ought to be captain, I think.”
The first and second teams were at practice on the Fardale ball field. There was an hour left before the drums would sound assembly for supper formation, and Merry was putting his men through their paces.
“I hear there’s no game for Saturday,” said Billy McQuade, joining Merry.
“Right. Had to be canceled. I’m sorry, because I may have to leave next week, and I’d like to play one more game----”
Frank broke off abruptly as the cadet orderly from Colonel Gunn’s office came up and saluted.
Merry took the message and tore it open. A cry of amazement broke from him, followed by an incredulous laugh. Then he turned.
Coach Trayne and Clancy joined him, and Merry proceeded to read the message aloud:
“FRANK MERRIWELL, JUNIOR, Captain Fardale Baseball Team: The Carsonville Clippers challenge you to a game next Saturday, at Fardale. Anxious to meet regular Fardale team. Wire my expense.
“Nerve!” cried Clancy. “After you went over to Carsonville, picked up a team, and beat them! After Colonel Carson and his son tried to keep you out of the Franklin game last Saturday by kidnaping you! Nerve’s no name for it, Chip. Tell ’em to go to thunder.”
“That fellow’s a pirate!” cried Billy Mac excitedly. “Wire him a hundred words collect with a kick at the end, Chip!”
“There’s something crooked behind this,” declared Clancy hotly. “The Clippers are crooked clear through, Chip, and we’d better not mix up with them.”