“He’d make a better one than you would, losing your fool head this way,” retorted Chester. “He’s at Carsonville trying to persuade Billy Mac to return, and you know it! Say, if I had that jealous disposition of yours I’d hang it on the back fence and throw stones at it! You make me tired!”
Randall’s temper lashed out. His face went white with anger.
“Yuh impudent little Yankee!” he roared. Whenever he forgot himself his voice took on a soft Southern drawl, which it now assumed abruptly. “I reckon I’ll teach yo’-all somethin’ right heah! I’ll show yo’-all yo’ cain’t talk to a Randall like he was a low-down niggah!”
He started for Chester, and Chester started for him with great willingness. Before they could strike a blow, however, Hunt Garding dashed in between with a quick warning, pointing across the gym.
“’Sh-h-h! The athletic instructor’s coming!”
Randall flung a look toward the door, then sullenly jammed his hat over his eyes and strode away.
On that Saturday evening there was a momentous discussion under way at the quarters of Colonel Gunn, principal of Fardale Academy.
It was here that Coach Trayne occupied a room, and in his room was seated Ted Crockett, the present captain of the Fardale baseball team. The two were discussing the future destinies of the nine.
Crockett was extremely popular among his teammates. Coach Trayne knew that his influence would go far toward the selection of a new captain, and had asked him over for a frank talk. He had certain information which was bound to startle Captain Crockett, and which would startle all Fardale when it was made public. The coach did not intend that it should be made public for the present, however.
Meanwhile, Villum Kess had seen Crockett enter Colonel Gunn’s quarters, and the astute German lad guessed at once that a consultation was going on regarding the new captain of the nine. He started off hastily, and bumped into a dark figure.
“Who’s that?” demanded the voice of Lee Chester.
“Guess?” cried Chester. “Get out into the light, you dub!”
“Kess!” shouted Villum. “Dot iss vot I----”
“Oh, it’s you!” said Lee Chester, with a chuckle. “What’s your hurry?”
Villum hung on to Chester’s arm for a moment, then straightened up.