He was right. Almost the sole topic of conversation on the Yale campus that afternoon was the baseball situation. The outlook for Yale was so dark that the most hopeful felt the shadow of gloom. Right on top of the loss of Capt. Hardy, Bink Stubbs had been conditioned, so that he must give up playing or take the chance of being dropped a class. The general feeling seemed to be that Yale’s nine was all to pieces. The appearance of Merriwell in company with Phil Hardy caused a stir. “There goes the lamb to the slaughter,” laughed Walter Gordan, who was in the midst of a little gathering of Merry’s old-time foes. “Wouldn’t it be moah propah to say the cawfe?” drawled Willis Paulding, with a weak attempt at wit. “Oh, he made himself a big gun by his work on the football team last fall,” said Pooler, with a grin of satisfaction; “but he’ll lose it all if he takes Hardy’s place on the nine.” “He can’t get Hardy’s place,” said Walt Forrest. “Hey?” cried the others. “What do you mean by that? It’s what they want him for.” “I guess not,” grinned Forrest. “Really?” questioned Sidney Gooch, in his smooth, insinuating way. “Why, that is what I heard.” “They may want him to be captain of the nine,” said Forrest; “but he can’t have Hardy’s place. He will be substitute captain, and that is all. Besides that, Hardy was manager. I know for a fact that the directors intend to keep Hardy in manager just the same, so Merriwell will be under him.” “And I know for a fact,” said Pooler, “that Phil Hardy has no intention of remaining manager. He knows better than that. Don’t take that boy for a fool.” “You think--just what?” “He wants to get out of it entirely.” “Because he thinks Yale has no show?” “Sure.” “Aw! I think that is wight, don’t yer ’now,” drawled Paulding. “Some verwy fine fellows in Hawvard. I weally think they awe going to win this yeah.” No one paid any attention to Willis, for his opinion was not regarded as important. “If Hardy gets out, Merriwell will be manager,” said Walter Gordan, who was green with envy, although he was trying to hide it. “Not on your life!” laughed Forrest. “The directors will attempt to manage the team themselves, and I pity the poor devil of a captain. He’ll get it in the neck on all sides.” This caused a general laugh, for these fellows rejoiced to think of the trouble Frank Merriwell would get into. “Weally,” said Willis, again attempting to call some attention to himself, “I am wuther glad Hawvard has a show this yeah. I do not think it propah faw Yale to win all the time, deah boys.” “Oh, rats!” cried Gordon. “Harvard hasn’t a show. It will be Princeton this year.” The others nodded. “Finch will make monkeys of our poor fellows,” said Pooler, with an attempt at dolefulness. “What’s the matter with you?” exclaimed Forrest. “You want to see Yale defeated?” “Oh, really I protest!” cried Pooler.