“We can’t expect to win the pennant on his bad days.” “Not much. Harvard is not making such a blow as Princeton, but she will put a strong team in the field.” “What do you know about Harvard?” “I know she will be in it with both feet. To-day I consider Harvard fully as dangerous as Princeton.” “She is not generally considered so.” “I know it, but Harvard is coming in these days. I’ll tell you something. If Yale does not win the pennant this year, Harvard will.” Hodge was surprised, and he showed it; for, like others, he had regarded Princeton as Yale’s most dangerous rival. Never before had he heard Frank so freely express an opinion as to the situation. Bart knew Frank well enough to feel confidence in his judgment on baseball. “Where is Harvard’s strong point?” he asked. “The whole team,” declared Frank. “They are not making a great howl over one pitcher, for they have two good men left over from last season, besides any new men that may develop. Reports from Cambridge say they are putting in plenty of practice. They are getting in team work, and team work pays. A nine of brilliant individual players will often be slaughtered by an inferior nine simply because the latter is well up in team work. Yale should have more practice in team work, I think.” “Perhaps you’ll have a chance to take charge of her practice. You know Phil Hardy is out of it, and----” “There’s very little chance for me,” said Frank, quietly. “Why not?” “Because the only way I would accept the position is on certain conditions, and the committee will never agree to those conditions.” CHAPTER XX. RATTLETON’S WARNING. Hodge felt no little curiosity to know what those conditions were, but, as Merriwell did not show an inclination to state them, he refrained from asking questions. Bart had begun to understand Frank very well, and he could tell when Merry wished to talk and when he chose to be silent. With rare good judgment, Hodge seldom attempted to induce Frank to talk when he showed a disposition to be reticent. Merriwell rolled down his sleeve and picked up his coat. He felt that he had practiced quite enough for the time. Just then Harry Rattleton entered the park and approached hurriedly, his face betraying no small amount of excitement. “I want to Merry you, see--I mean I want to see you, Merry,” he spluttered. “All right,” smiled Frank. “Here I am. Take a good look at me.” “Want to tell you something.” “I will listen.” Harry cast a quick glance at Bart. “Want to tell it to you privately,” he said. Bart turned and strolled away, pulling on his coat. “Fire away,” said Frank. “No one will hear you.” Rattleton seemed troubled about beginning. He stammered some, and then burst forth: “Don’t you do it, Merry--don’t you do it! It’s a put up job! Don’t you do it!” “If you’ll tell me what it is,” smiled Frank, “I may be able to tell you if there is any danger that I will do it.” “They’re going to try to run you in.” “How run me in? Arrest me?”