“Well, gentlemen,” he said, “it seems that the Trolley League is ready to start afresh on a level footing. No team has an advantage now, and that’s a good thing for the league. I have the boys to make you hustle, and Maplewood proposes to walk off with the pennant.” “What’s this business about changing the schedule?” asked Garrett. “Fairhaven is satisfied with the schedule as it stands.” “Maplewood and Seaslope are not,” retorted Hammerswell. “I also understand that Rockford would like to make one or two changes. Is that right, Mr. Blackington?” “If these changes can be made without stirring up hard feelings I favor it,” nodded Uriah Blackington. “I don’t want to kick up strife. There’s been enough of that.” “You see, Garrett,” said Hammerswell, “three of us wish to make some changes. If you object, you will stand alone.” “What are the changes you wish to make?” inquired Ray. “I have the thing all jotted down here,” said Hammerswell, producing a sheet of paper. “Mr. Whitcomb and myself have agreed on it. Just look it over, Mr. Blackington.” Uriah Blackington glanced over the altered schedule and nodded. “That’s satisfactory to me,” he said. “You have given us two Friday games in place of a game Thursday and a game Wednesday. Friday is the best day for Rockford.” Garrett waited quietly until the others had examined the newly outlined schedule. He then took it and inspected it with Dick. “What do you think about the changes?” he asked, in a low tone. “See here,” said Dick, pointing at the schedule, “Hammerswell has shifted the game to-morrow so that it is to be in Maplewood instead of Fairhaven. Do you see his object?” “I don’t know.” “It’s plain enough. His team is winning now. With all the teams tied, he fancies he can gain an advantage by playing the next game at home. Two teams must lose to-morrow. That will place them both tied for last position. The two teams that win will be tied for first position. Hammerswell is looking for first position. If he secures an advantage by winning to-morrow, he’ll have a fairly good hold on the place.” “Then you object to that change, do you?” “Wait a minute,” said Dick. “Let me run this thing over. You see he has it fixed so our final game of the season is to be played in Maplewood. I object to that. If he has this game in Maplewood to-morrow, Fairhaven must have the last two games at home. Stand firm on that, Ray. If they agree to it we can afford to accept these other changes.” “That’s right,” nodded Garrett, and immediately he announced to the meeting Fairhaven’s position in the matter. Hammerswell raised an objection, and was feebly backed by Whitcomb. The Maplewood man turned in appeal to Uriah Blackington. “You see there are two of us against one, Mr. Blackington. That ought to decide the matter.” “But it doesn’t,” declared the Rockford manager grimly. “Why not?”