“Burned your mitts a little, kid, didn’t it?” he cried. “Next time I will take your paws off. You will learn better than to stand in front of those after a while.” At this the cadets set up a derisive shout. “That fellow is foolish, Mr. Man!” cried Smart, as soon as he could be heard. “He never will seem to dodge ’em!” “That’s the first one, Arlington,” said Gardner. “They’re half gone—half gone!” “You must be good at arithmetic!” derisively called one of the visitors from the bench. “Beautiful work, Gardner!” said Arlington, in satisfaction. “A fellow can pitch with that kind of support!” The second hitter was a stocky young Irish lad by the name of O’Rouke. “He’s easy,” asserted Ligner. “All you have to do is wait, and he will put a pretty one right over.” Chester surveyed O’Rouke critically, his toe on the pitching plate. His pose was one of grace, and he knew it. He knew also that in the grand stand were several girls who were watching him anxiously. He had seen his sister, accompanied by Doris Templeton and Zona Desmond, enter the grand stand, and occasionally his eyes sought them. “June,” said Zona, “I think your brother is just splendid! I think he is the handsomest fellow in the whole school!” June smiled. “I am glad you think so,” she said. “I know lots of girls who think so,” declared Zona, flashing Doris a glance. “I hope he wins this game to-day,” murmured June. “It will mean so much to him. It will give him courage and confidence.” “Of course he will,” nodded Zona. “Oh, it isn’t sure. It is going to be a hard game. Every one says Dick Merriwell acknowledged it would be a hard game.” “Why didn’t he pitch?” “Yes, why didn’t he?” broke from Doris. “I don’t know,” June confessed. “It does seem strange he should use Chester in such a game.” “Perhaps he was afraid,” suggested Zona. “Oh, I don’t believe that!” June exclaimed immediately. “Nor I,” said Doris. “Still you can’t tell,” persisted Zona. “Of course, he would hate to lose a game. It would hurt his record.” “I don’t believe he would put any one else in to pitch for that reason,” declared Chester’s sister. “It’s not like him.” “You think it isn’t like him,” smiled Zona, in a knowing manner. “But I believe you’re mistaken.” “Why are you always against Dick, Zona?” demanded Doris, with a touch of resentment. “Oh, I’m not! You’re quite mistaken if you think I am. Only I don’t believe he is such a very superior boy, anyway. Even Chester says his success is mainly good luck.” “Like other fellows,” observed June, “Chester says many things he doesn’t mean.” At this point O’Rouke hit the ball and drove out a liner, which Obediah Tubbs failed to reach, although he jumped for it. The batter was a swift runner, and he started instantly when the bat hit the ball. Getting such a good start, he crossed first and dashed for second.