“Got him in a hole, Billy!” chuckled Rush. “Now he’s got to put ’er over.” Merry had no intention of putting the next one straight over. It was his object to keep it shoulder high and on the inside corner. This time, however, he did not gauge it accurately, and, to his dismay, he did put it over the middle of the pan and a trifle lower than the batter’s shoulder. “Just what the doctor ordered!” cried Rush, as Cronin hit the ball. It was a clean drive to left field, and, by swift running, Cronin succeeded in reaching second before the ball could be fielded in. “Why, how easy he is!” laughed Rush. “Put it over the fence, Sparks.” Sparks, the centre fielder of the Elks, was the next batter. Although Merry was greatly displeased with himself, he did not betray it. He knew it was the easiest thing in the world for a disappointed pitcher to take the spirit out of an entire team. Hodge was cheerful. “Accidents will happen, Merry,” he said. “Never mind that.” Apparently Frank did not mind. “I’ll have to try the double shoot for a strike-out ball,” he mentally decided. Sparks expected to find Frank easy. “It’s a shame to do it,” he declared. “I’m afraid you’ll loss your reputation to-day, my boy.” “Don’t let that worry you,” said Frank, with perfect good nature. “Oh, I’m not worrying. Still I’m sorry for you. It can’t be helped, you know. We can’t afford to let you youngsters have this game. The whole Central League would laugh at us.” The Elks had discovered that Hodge was a beautiful thrower to the bags, and it was not difficult to hold Cronin close to second, although he took sufficient lead to go to third on a sacrifice or any sort of a scratch hit. Cronin was a fast runner, and Frank knew he might score on a clean single. Merry worked carefully. Finally, with two strikes and three balls called, he ventured to try the double shoot. Sparks was fooled handsomely and missed. “Str-r-r-rike—kah! You’re out!” said the umpire. “Now you’re doing it, Merry!” nodded Hodge. But Frank had hurt his ankle with that final delivery, and he limped about the pitching plate a few moments. “Can’t use the double shoot unless I’m willing to go onto the shelf,” he decided. “It’s out of the question.” He felt now that it was necessary for him to win the game without resorting to his most effective curve. “Try it on me,” invited Rush, the talkative, as he danced out to the plate. “I’d like to,” thought Frank. “You’re one fellow I’d enjoy striking out.” “Get after him, Rushie!” urged an Elktonite. “You say he’s easy. Now prove it.” Rush made no retort to this, but he hit the second ball pitched. The ball was driven straight at Badger, who was playing at short. Buck felt sure of it, and Cronin did not try to take third, although he was ready to move to draw a return throw if the stocky young Kansan whistled the sphere over to first.