Both went down, and the ball bounded away. Right there misfortune fell heavily on Fardale, for both of the fellows were temporarily stunned and so bewildered that they had lost sight of the ball. It is certain that the Great Northern would have scored one run, but she could not have made two scores had either Jolliby or Flint found the ball quickly and returned it to the diamond. By the time Dave got the ball the man who had hit it was past third and coming home. Flint made a magnificent throw to the plate, but Buckhart received the ball a moment too late, and at last the Great Northern was in the lead. “There you have it!” muttered Chester Arlington, a gleam of satisfaction in his eyes. “There is support for you, Mr. Merriwell.” “Why, we knew how it would be!” laughed Tom Grace. “We were fooling with you youngsters all the time.” “Talk about horseshoes!” roared Buckhart. “If that wasn’t a case of horseshoes for you fellows, I hope to be lynched for a horse thief!” Now, for all of his side, Dick set his teeth and began to use speed and curves. Buckhart shook his head warningly, for he knew every speedy ball pitched by Merriwell was injuring his lame side. The jump ball and the combination curve proved too much for the next hitter. He fanned three times without touching the leather. The Great Northern was out at last, but she had a lead of one run, and the general impression was that Fardale had lost the game. Nevertheless Dick encouraged his players to struggle to the last, and they made a magnificent effort to win the game in the final half of the ninth. With one man out a runner was advanced to third, but Peterson again deceived the following batters, and Fardale failed to score. The Great Northern had won the game, by a score of nine to eight. CHAPTER IV. BY FAIR MEANS OR FOUL. It was a hard game to lose, and the Fardale boys felt pretty sore over it. Not a few blamed Dick for not putting Arlington out earlier in the fatal seventh. It was generally admitted that Fardale would have won had Flint heard Dick’s cry to Jolliby as he was running after that long fly. Among the cadets, there were a few fellows who seemed to feel well satisfied over the result, although they took care not to let this be generally known. Hector Marsh found it difficult to repress his pleasure and pretend to be regretful. To Preston he secretly said: “If I had planned that game it couldn’t have pleased me better. Arlington got his bumps and was taken out by Merriwell, and then Merriwell lost the game. Two mighty idols have tottered a little this day. You bet your life Arlington is sore!” “I know he is,” nodded Preston. “Any one could see that when he went to the bench.” “He will hate Merriwell for taking him out.” “I don’t think Merriwell did it on his own responsibility. I saw Day speak to him.” “That won’t make any difference to Arlington; he will be just as sore with Dick.”