Confusion ensued at once. Mr. Chase sent the first runner back to third, as the ball had been interfered with, but allowed the batsman to hold second. Captain Madden objected strongly, claiming that the batsman should be allowed but one base. The Providence captain rushed up and added his voice to the controversy and players of both teams crowded around. Whereupon the purple-stockinged youth on third base nonchalantly walked home and the runner on second ambled to third and would have followed his team-mate’s example had not Jerry Lippit shrieked a warning to Madden, who held the ball. “You’re on third!” cried Madden, pointing accusingly at the runner who, having crossed the plate, had now joined the group. “Mr. Umpire, send him back to third, sir!” “I can’t do that, Madden,” replied Mr. Chase quietly. “Time has not been called.” “It hasn’t?” ejaculated Madden, aghast. “Certainly not. You didn’t ask for time.” Murmurs of resentment arose from the Audelsville players, while the visitors grinned or openly chuckled. Madden flushed angrily. “Seems to me it was your business to call time, sir,” he said. “Not at all. You rushed up and protested my decision. You had no right to do that, Madden. If you had wanted time called you should have said so. The runner is safe at the plate. That man is safe on third. Play ball!” Audelsville howled its disapproval from the stands, but Mr. Chase was not to be shaken from his position, and after a few minutes of further argument and protest the game continued. But now Captain Madden was “up in the air” with a vengeance. The next man took his base on balls and stole second immediately, Connors being afraid to throw down to head him off. The subsequent batsman took kindly to Madden’s third delivery and hit safely between shortstop and third, and two more runs came across. Dissatisfaction reigned on the bleachers. “Why doesn’t he start Billy warming up?” demanded Spider Wells. “He’s losing the game for us.” “He’s mad,” chuckled Teddy Thurston. “He isn’t thinking a thing about Billy or anyone else just now. Watch this big chap smash a homer!” The big chap didn’t accomplish that feat, but he had no trouble with one of Chester Madden’s slow balls and sent it whizzing into short left, a clean hit. With men on first and second and none out, things looked bad for the home team. Connors walked down and talked with Madden, and the latter nodded. Billy Younger arose from the players’ bench and began to warm up to Poor. The spectators murmured their relief.