Frank tried to avoid using the double shoot, with the result that Ironton poled a hot liner toward third. Lowe made a beautiful stop that drew an admiring yell from the bleachers, but dropped the ball, and Ironton beat it out. The next man up was Murray, and Chip handled him carefully, forcing him to put up an infield fly, that Villum easily absorbed. Then Green strode out, smiling. Chip gathered every energy. He put over the double shoot, reversing from an in to an out, and Green fanned. Then, using his left hand, he reversed the shoot, and once more Green struck in vain, Ironton going down to second. Knowing that it was useless to attempt luring Green, Frank once more threw every effort into a terrifically swift, straight ball--and again Green fanned. The speed of that ball was too much for Billy, however. It went through him and rolled back to the grand stand, while Green tore to first and Ironton to third. Both were safe, and Smith advanced to the plate. Frank signaled to Billy to come up. “It’s no use, old man,” he said quietly. “I’m sorry, Chip,” and Billy was almost in tears. “They can’t touch you, and if you only had a decent catcher----” “None of that,” said Merry. “You’re all right, Billy. But I daren’t use the double shoot again. I’ve pitched nothing else, and I can’t give away the jump ball just yet. I’m going to try the spit ball, so watch out for bad ones.” The almost constant use of the double shoot had been a tremendous strain on Frank’s arm, and Billy was forced to assent. Merry did not half like using the spit ball, as he had not practiced it for some time, but the need was imperative. In fact, his first two balls went wide of the plate, and nearly let in a run. Then he found himself, and Smith fanned twice, Billy vainly trying to catch Green at second. By sheer good luck, Smith connected and walloped out a beauty to the left garden, which Chester gathered. But Ironton beat the ball to the plate for the third tally. “He’s gone!” came a voice from the grand stand that Frank recognized for that of Colonel Carson. “Knock him out of the lot! He’s gone!” “I’ll show you something, you old scoundrel!” muttered Chip angrily, as Olcott pounded the rubber and begged for a good one. He seemed unable to fulfill his prediction, however, for Olcott bunted the first ball to Harker, the shortstop made a poor throw to first, and Olcott was safe. Johnson came up, but ended the inning by popping a foul, that Billy Mac neatly garnered. “Four to one,” said Lowe, with a groan, as they came in. “We’re done!” “We’re not,” said Clancy warmly. “Chip hasn’t begun to pitch yet.” Merry smiled faintly, and stared aghast as Green again put over nine pitched balls and retired Fardale. The man seemed made of iron!