“That is quite true, and thus far I have looked in vain.” “It is a shame that a stranger here should be treated thus. The hotels have declined to take you in?” “Yes, miss; likewise the only boarding house and several private houses where we have made application.” “If you will depend on me I’ll find accommodations for you and your friends.” Merry’s surprise increased. His face cleared and he gave her one of those rare, manly smiles that made him so wonderfully attractive. “You are very kind, but I fear——” “Do not fear anything. I live here, and this outrage upon strangers has awakened my indignation. If you will enter my carriage and ask your friends to follow us I’ll see that you are taken care of.” “I hope you will not be putting yourself to any inconvenience in this——” “Not at all; it gives me pleasure and satisfaction. Do not hesitate. Speak to your friends at once.” Thus urged, Merry called his followers from the store and made known the offer he had received from the unknown woman. Hodge surveyed her suspiciously and then found an opportunity to whisper in Frank’s ear without being observed: “Look out for some kind of a trick, Merry.” “Nonsense!” laughed Frank. “Come on.” He entered the carriage and took a seat beside the lady, who made room for him. Thus they were driven away along the street, the others following on the sidewalk. “You appeared just in time to save us, miss,” said Merry. “We were beginning to get desperate.” She urged him to tell her just what had happened, which he did, passing over the attack upon him by the ruffian Madison. “It’s all very mysterious to me,” admitted Frank. “I wonder if you can throw any light on the situation.” “All I know is that there is trouble in town over baseball affairs. During a number of seasons, and up to last season, baseball here was conducted by the cheapest element in the town, and the place acquired a very bad reputation. Outside teams, I have heard, were robbed and mobbed here. It became so bad that no manager who knew the exact condition of affairs would bring his team here. Last season a number of people who enjoy clean baseball resolved to put a stop to the hoodlumism. They secured the ball ground through some stratagem, and the tough characters found themselves out in the cold. A baseball association of respectable people was formed and Mr. Gaddis was chosen manager. The ruffians made him a lot of trouble, but he ran a team through the season. This year he was warned that he would not be permitted to conduct a team here. He paid no attention to the warning, but went ahead and made up his team. Immediately there was trouble, and it became evident that an attempt would be made to drive Gaddis out of baseball. The same ruffianly element that had predominated before his appearance started to make it warm for him. In doing this the whole place has been terrorized into backing up the ruffians. No one seems to dare to do anything different. Another man by the name of——”