Renewed sounds of commotion came from within the house. Clancy dashed at the window. Billy gave him a boost to the sill, and the red-haired chap shot over the edge headfirst and tumbled to the floor inside. He found himself in a darkened room, evidently the dining room of the farmhouse. It was in wild confusion. Chairs were flung around, the floor was littered with smashed crockery, and over in the corner Clancy made out two figures in furious combat. As he rushed up, he saw that Chip Merriwell was being gripped by the enraged Brundage, and that the young athlete was fighting furiously for his freedom, despite the handicap of handcuffs on his wrists. “Whoop-ee!” yelled Clancy, charging across the room. “Here we are, pard!” Merry managed to break loose, and, raising his handcuffed wrists, he brought them down across the brow of the farmer, who toppled forward. Clancy caught his chum in his arms as the man fell senseless. “Come along, Chip----” he cried, but Merry broke in. “Get the key for these irons, Clancy! He’s got it in his vest pocket.” Clancy leaned over, and, after a short search, found the key of the handcuffs in the farmer’s pocket. Straightening up, he inserted it in the lock, and Merry’s hands fell free. “Bully for you, Clan! I thought you were never coming!” “We’ll put these fellows over the road,” cried Billy, who had also entered. “This will land the Carsons in jail, all right.” “I guess they’re all right,” said Merry. “They got me over here on the pretext that Uncle Dick was here. This man Brundage slipped the irons on me, and they imprisoned me and the chauffeur. Where’d he go?” “Went home on the jump,” said Clancy. “What happened?” “Brundage came in and released him. Then he went to the door a moment. The chauffeur was almost wild with rage and fright, and he started to smash his way out. I guess he did it, all right!” “Looks that way, Chip! Say, do you know it’s ’most noon Monday? Let’s get out of this!” The three hastily left by the window and ran to the _Hornet_. “We’re off for Fardale and the big game,” cried Clancy exuberantly. “You can’t get us there in time, can you?” asked Merry anxiously. “By thunder, I can try!” returned Clancy. “Hang on, Billy! We’re off!” And the _Hornet_ darted away. CHAPTER XXV. WON IN THE NINTH. Fardale field was clothed in gloom. The only bright spot was the stand occupied by the Franklin rooters, and they were certainly making things lively in that quarter. The great game was on, but as far as Fardale’s chances were concerned, it seemed to be all off. Inning after inning had run along, and time after time Fardale had been saved from disgrace only by mere good luck. As it was, the eighth inning had started with the score four to one in favor of Franklin. And Peters, the Franklin pitcher, had tightened up after the first inning, and was invincible.