There was a moment of silence until the big crowd and the players appreciated what it meant to pull out a victory in the tenth, and that after an exceedingly close game. Then came a burst of cheers, and applause that made the grand stands and bleachers rattle. "Wow! Wow! Wow!" yelled the exultant Randallites, and they capered about in very joy, like wild Indians, slapping each other on the back, punching and being punched, cheering for themselves and for Fairview by turns. CHAPTER XXII SID DESPAIRS "Wasn't it great!" demanded Dutch Housenlager, as he waltzed up to Tom, and tried to lead him out into a dance on the diamond. "Immense, eh? Pulling it out of the fire that way?" "Yes, that's what we did--pulled it out of the fire," agreed Tom, with a smile. "We needed this victory, and I'm glad we won, but we've got to play better--and that includes me--if we're to have the loving cup this year. Our batting and fielding could be improved a whole lot." "Oh, of course," agreed Dutch, "but aren't you a bit proud of us, captain?" "Oh, sure--of course," answered the pitcher heartily. "Let joy be unconfined," and with a yell of pure enjoyment he joined in the impromptu dance. Fairview was glum, but not cast down. They had cheered the winning team, and Ted Puder, the captain, came up to Tom. "You certainly beat us fair and square," he acknowledged. "I hope you don't think we had anything to do with Langridge using that mirror to dazzle the eyes of your second baseman." "Never thought of such a thing," declared Tom with emphasis. "The cad worked that trick up all by his lonesome. I guess he thought maybe Sid was playing there, and he has a grudge against Henderson--yet that couldn't have been it either, for Langridge knows Sid is suspended, and anyhow, Sid was sitting directly back of the sneak, where Langridge could have seen him." "Yes, it's a good thing Sid detected him. Well, we'll beat you next time." "Forget it," advised Tom with a laugh. "Come on, cap," called Phil to him a moment later. "Let's look up Sid, and, incidentally, the girls." "Sure," agreed the pitcher, and a moment later he and Phil were greeting Madge, Ruth and Mabel. But Sid had hurried away. The little group strolled past the grand stand, Tom and Phil excusing themselves while they went in to get on their street garments, the girls promising to wait for them. "Wonder where Sid went?" asked Tom. "Give it up," replied Phil. "Langridge lit out, too; the cad! What a chump he must be to think he could get away with a game like that!" "Yes, it was almost as good to have Sid discover him trying it, as if our old chum had held down the second bag," declared the captain. "A flash at the right moment would have confused Pete, and might have cost us the game." "That's right. Come on, hurry up, or the girls will get tired of waiting."