Billy called for a fast drop. Although doubtful of its wisdom, Frank put it across, and Ironton murdered it. With a clean crack, the ball began to soar toward center field, and Ironton went racing toward first. “Wake up, Nippen!” roared the fans. “What’s the matter with the elephant?” The huge fruit-picker stood staring up at the ball. Suddenly he turned and began lumbering toward the fence. He did not even look over his shoulder at the ball, but continued through the ten-foot gap, while the crowd sent a storm of catcalls after him. “He must be going for a swim!” gasped Merry. “Whoop!” yelled Dan McCarthy. “Look there!” Nippen had turned abruptly. The ball was seen to fall squarely into his glove--and stick! A wild roar rose from the crowd, then it died away into a groan, as the base umpire motioned Ironton to hold third. “What does this mean?” exclaimed Frank, walking back. “That ball was caught!” “Outside the fence,” said the umpire. “That gap shouldn’t be there by rights. It went over the fence, and Ironton is entitled to his three-bagger.” “By gum!” yelled McCarthy wrathfully. “What kind of----” “Quiet!” snapped Frank. He turned and waved back his angry players, who were crowding forward. “That’s a mighty queer decision,” he said, forcing himself to calmness. “Does it go for every ball that drops outside the fence?” “Yes,” said the umpire. Frank saw that the umpire regretted his hasty decision, but would not change it. “All right,” he said. The crowd looked at it otherwise, however. One howl of indignant surprise went up as Ironton was seen to be safe. The mob threatened to pour out on the field, and only when Frank was seen to be taking up his position again did the fans restrain themselves. As for the Clippings, they could not understand the decision. It looked to them like foul play, though Merry saw that the umpire had not meant to be unfair. Nippen started to bellow out his rage, Spaulding managed to quiet him, and the game proceeded. But the Clippings had been demoralized. This became evident when Johnson popped up a foul. McCarthy went after it, and let it drop. He made a throw to catch Ironton at the plate, and sent the ball into the grand-stand wiring. Ironton scored and Johnson stopped at second. Frank saw that the balloon was going up, and wasted no more time. He struck out Murray with three pitched balls, and then Carson slouched up to the plate with a wide grin. “Good-by!” he called cheerfully. “Here’s where we knock the Fardale wonder out!” His hopes were not realized, however. Frank handed him a fadeaway, and Carson swung vainly. Billy called for the double shoot. Carson saw the ball break for an in, and brought down his bat, but the sphere suddenly curved away from him. “Strike--uh--two!”