In the first half of the seventh it seemed that only luck saved Fardale. Chester dropped Craven’s fly, and Merrell let the ball hit him. Runge fanned, and Ironton came up with second and third filled, and one out. He knocked a hot one to Villum, who promptly dropped it; while every one yelled at him, the Dutch lad stared at the runners in astonishment. Then he picked up the ball and slammed it to third, catching Merrell, and Lowe snapped it to Billy for a double play that retired the Clippers. “Get a hit, Clan,” said Merry quietly. “Green’s weakening.” Clancy brightened up perceptibly, and though Green showed no sign of weakening, Clancy was hit by the ball, and went to first. Merry came up, made a quick guess that Green would give him an in, and swung with all his strength. He hit the ball on the nose. “Wow!” A shrill yell went up from every fan as the ball sailed out, cleared the fence, and was no more seen. As Merry jogged in from third he grinned. “All luck, Green,” he cried. Frank had netted two runs with that homer, but the eighth opened with the score four to three in favor of the Clippers, and Craven at bat. He grounded out to Clancy, Merrell fanned, and Runge flied to Lowe. Green again fanned three men, leaving Kess up, and the ninth inning was on. “All right, Billy,” said Chip quietly. “Every ball a jump.” “Hurray!” yelled Billy, in delight. “Nine balls, Merry!” Ironton was up. Merry put the first ball down to him right in the groove, and he swung viciously at it. The ball seemed to leap over his bat into Billy’s glove. “Hey!” cried Ironton, amazed. “What’s the matter with that ball?” “Take another look,” said Chip, with a grin. Again he sent it squarely over the plate, and again Ironton failed utterly to find it. The third ball looked even better, and with wondering desperation Ironton brought around his bat. “Out!” “What kind of a ball is that?” demanded Ironton savagely. “Plain straight ball,” chuckled Billy. “Couldn’t you see it?” The grand stand began to appreciate a change in Merriwell’s pitching as Johnson came into the box and proceeded to strike out also. “He’s using a new ball!” yelled the traveling man who had recognized Green-Diggs. “Look at Johnson swing!” shrieked another fan excitedly. “Where’d he get that ball? What is it?” Johnson watched the third one come, and tried helplessly to find it. He was motioned out, and flung his bat away heatedly. “There’s some crooked work here!” he cried. “And it smells like Southpaw Diggs,” chirped Clancy, as Green came out swinging two bats. He flung one away and stepped into the box. The Fardale fans began to pluck up hope. They roared out hoarse entreaties to fight it out, and as he glanced at the grand stand Merry saw Colonel Gunn standing up and excitedly waving his hat, dignity utterly forgotten, while Randall clutched him around the neck and yelled like a crazy man. “Here’s a nice straight one for you, Green,” said Chip.