Your loving father, FRANK MERRIWELL, SENIOR.” Merry looked up to meet his friend’s startled gaze. “What does he mean by that, Chip?” “Search me,” said Merry, as he stowed away the letter. “But you can be sure that father means something, all right.” “I guess he does,” rejoined Billy, new hope dawning in his eyes. “My eyes! It’s a promise, Chip! I’ll bet he means that if we beat the Clippers he’ll lend you the coin!” “No,” and young Merriwell shook his head decidedly. “He doesn’t think it a good plan, old man, and that ends it. Father doesn’t have to say a thing twice. Yes, it’s a promise, I imagine. I’ve no idea what he means by it, of course, but he has some kind of plan up his sleeve. You quit worrying.” “I’ll try,” said Billy, with a sigh. “But I wish he’d said something a little more definite than that.” “So do I, Billy,” confessed Merry. “He didn’t, so there’s no use wondering. I’m not going to say anything to Clan about this business, so now let’s go around to Jim’s house with him, then we’ll get out to the ball field again.” Merriwell decided that the McQuades’ trouble was a personal affair. He had entered into it largely through accident, and he did not consider it a matter to share even with Clancy. So all three of the friends piled into the _Hornet_, Billy standing on the running board, and they made a triumphal progress to the Spaulding residence. Despite his unbounded confidence in his father, Chip could not help feeling disappointed over that letter. However, the definite promise at the end served to relieve his anxiety, to some extent, but he could see no light upon the subject. How could his father prevent Colonel Carson from carrying out his threats? As he obtained no answer to this mental query, Merriwell tried to forget the whole thing, and trust that his father knew best. But it was no easy matter. That afternoon they met the other Clippings on the village green, going from there to their practice ground. Chub Newton had been given a vacation until Saturday night, and his employer had promised that if the Clippers were beaten, Chub would get full pay. In fact, the entire town was already plunged into excitement over the sudden contest. Public disapproval of Bully Carson had long simmered beneath the surface, kept under cover by the influence and general fear of Colonel Carson. It was not yet daring enough to show itself openly, but it peeped forth in minor ways. Every one knew that Billy McQuade, prompted by his guest from Fardale, Chip Merriwell, had dared to defy Colonel Carson. Also, that half a dozen of the town’s best local baseball talent had joined the two friends.