“But I think it was funny of Dick to put him into such a hard game,” declared Zona. “If Dick is the greatest pitcher in this school, why doesn’t he pitch the hard games and let the other fellows pitch the easier ones?” “Perhaps he has a good reason for not pitching to-day.” The yellow-haired girl gave her head a toss. “Very likely he didn’t care about taking chances himself. He was afraid.” “You know better, Zona!” burst from Doris. “You know Dick is not afraid of anything!” “Oh, that’s what you think! Other people may think differently.” “I am sure Doris is right,” said June quietly. “I know Dick is afraid of nothing.” “Well, it is a fine thing for a fellow when every girl he knows seems to fancy him such a wonder!” retorted Zona, with an unpleasant laugh. The third inning proved to be a whitewash, Fardale not even succeeding in getting a player down to first. In the fourth inning the Great Northern got a man to third base with only one out. But Chester’s success made him confident of shutting off the score. His confidence vanished, however, when the next player lined the ball out for two bags and the enemy secured a run. Buckhart glanced toward Captain Merriwell and shook his head. Nevertheless, Dick did not seem at all disturbed, although Tom Grace was roaring with laughter on the coaching line and declaring that the slaughter had begun. “Accidents will happen, old man,” said Gardner, as he returned the ball to Chet. “Don’t mind that.” “But you should have stopped it!” declared Arlington. “Why, I couldn’t touch it!” “You didn’t try!” Earl’s face flushed. “Oh, he has had his lesson!” averred Grace. “He knows how those liners feel! Bet his hands are burning yet!” “If you’re afraid,” said Chet, “you had better let some one else play that position.” This injustice touched Gardner keenly, but he made no retort. The following batter lifted a long one into the field, and the runner on second believed he saw his opportunity to score. By a splendid run Black succeeded in pulling the fly down, upon which he immediately threw to Gardner, who wheeled and snapped the ball to Tubbs for a double play. This splendid work delighted the cadets and relieved Arlington. As he came in to the bench, however, Chester was growling at Gardner. “If you had stopped the liner,” he said, “they could not have scored! You didn’t go after it until it was past you!” Earl was beginning to get sore over this, and he gave Chet a resentful look as he warmly retorted: “If you’re not satisfied with my playing I will get out of the game!” “That will do, both of you!” said Dick sharply. “No one was to blame for that run. And no man in Gardner’s place could have touched the ball.” At this Chester suddenly shut up, although he continued to feel angered because the run had been made. “We still have a good lead,” said Dick. “Get into it, fellows, and hold them down! Perhaps you can add a few tallies right here!”