This sudden proposal had been simmering in Merriwell’s brain for some moments. He knew that it would be hard for him to get away from Fardale later in the season, and if these local players had any talent, there might be a chance of defeating the Clippers at once. The group broke up. Merry and Billy set off together, while the others spread the news through the town in great excitement. “We’ve undertaken a big contract, Billy. Let’s go up and see the colonel now.” “I’m willing,” said Billy Mac. “But he’ll want to bet on the game, Chip.” “He’ll--what?” McQuade explained hastily. It seemed that Colonel Carson was used to plunging heavily on his own team, in common with a number of other men who followed the Amateur League. Some large sums of money changed hands as a result of the games. “If he only knew it,” exclaimed Merry, frowning, “that will hurt his chance of ever buying into a big-league team. That sort of a man is not wanted in baseball to-day. However, we’ll see if he’s willing to play us.” The two friends wended their way to the large white house occupied by Colonel Carson. They were met at the door by that gentleman, in person, who did not ask them inside, but stiffly inquired their business. Merriwell stated it, saying that he understood the Clippers had an open date on Saturday, and that he would like to meet them with a pick-up Carsonville team. The colonel tugged at his goatee suspiciously. “What’s your object?” he snapped. “Want to play for the gate receipts?” “Not at all,” said Chip. “We just want to play the Clippers off their feet, and we intend to do it.” “Humph!” grunted the other. “Got a mighty good opinion of yourself, hey?” His face cleared suddenly. “Mebbe you’d like to make a little side bet, you or Billy?” “No, thanks,” returned Merriwell. “I don’t gamble, and I don’t think Billy does.” “Well, look a-here,” went on Colonel Carson wheedlingly, addressing Billy. “I know you’ve got some insurance money, McQuade. You put it up on this game, and I’ll give you odds, two to one. How’s that? Ain’t that fair?” “Fair enough,” grinned Billy Mac. “Only, I’m not in your class as a gambler, colonel. No, we’re in this just to show up that club of yours, and do it proper. That’ll satisfy us.” “But if you won,” persisted the other, taking no heed of the taunt, “you’d have enough to pay off that mortgage, and some over!” Billy wavered, but only for an instant. “Nothing doing,” he declared firmly. “If you want to play us, we’ll make your old team hump itself. If you’re scared of getting beaten, all right. Just say so.” “What! The Clippers scared o’you!” Colonel Carson laughed scornfully as he eyed the two. “Well, I guess not! It’s a go. The reg’lar umpires will be here, anyway, so I guess we can use ’em?” “Certainly,” said Merriwell. “We may have the ball park for practice?” “Not much,” retorted Colonel Carson. “Get your own practice ground. Mebbe you had a notion I’d lend you uniforms!”