The cadets saw that in Peterson they had a problem that was difficult to solve. Had this pitcher been put in at the beginning of the game, it is doubtful if Fardale would have obtained a run. As it was, it began to appear as if the schoolboys had secured a lead sufficient to give them the game. No longer were the members of the athletic team laughing and joking, for at last they realized that they were “up against the real thing.” As the innings passed and the home team continued to hold its lead, Arlington’s confidence increased until it reached the point where he was altogether too sure. Overconfidence is often as fatal in a hard game of baseball as lack of confidence. It has defeated many a team that should have been victorious. The seventh proved to be a disastrous inning for Fardale. The visitors came to bat with the head of their list up. Ligner justified his name and his position by catching an outcurve near the end of the bat and driving out a two-bagger. O’Rouke followed with a clean single to right field, and Ligner came home with three feet to spare. The throw to the plate in an effort to stop this run let O’Rouke advance to second. Yet Arlington had lost none of his confidence, and it still seemed that the cadets had a safe lead. Chester believed he had found Hardy’s weak spot, which was a high ball close to the shoulder, but he had not discovered that the batter was one of those rare men who have no weak spots. This being the case, Chet was not a little surprised and disgusted when Hardy dropped back on a close one, caught it fairly, and singled. O’Rouke was held at third by the catcher, although it seemed that he might have scored. It was now up to Tom Grace, the captain of the Great Northern, and the look on this man’s face indicated he meant business. Chester was smiling as Grace took his position to hit. “Having a good time, my boy?” inquired the batter. “Splendid!” retorted Arlington. “I’m glad you’re enjoying yourself. I hope you don’t meet with any disappointment.” “Don’t worry about me,” advised Chet, as he whistled in a high ball. “Get ’em down, kid! Get ’em down!” cried Grace. “You have got to do it or furnish me with a stepladder! I am only five feet ten, and I can’t reach that high!” When Arlington tried a slow drop, Grace stepped forward to the limit of his box and picked it up with a sweep of the bat that drove it over the infield and out between Black and Jolliby, neither of whom could catch it. O’Rouke scored and Hardy followed him to the plate, making the third run of the inning without a man retired. No wonder the smile faded from Arlington’s face. By this time Hector Marsh was convulsed with delight, although he was trying to conceal the fact. “Here’s where they make a hundred!” he muttered in Preston’s ear. “They are onto little Chet at last, and he will never stop them.” “It begins to look that way,” confessed Fred. “Wait a minute and you will see Merriwell take Arlington out.”