“He has traveled much, making his living by gambling. His former home was here, and he returned here a few months ago. As a boy he was a baseball enthusiast, and that explains his wonderful interest in the game. When he came back here he sided with the vicious element, and I believe he has been appointed manager of the team they mean to put in the place of the one organized by Gaddis. I do not know much about it, but I have learned that they believe this team will be able to defeat anything in these parts. He has secured a number of players blacklisted in the big leagues. Cameron will run the team to make money for himself.” “How can he make money out of baseball in a town like this?” “He will gamble on the games.” “But if he has a team that is far superior to any team it meets he’ll find no one to bet on the other teams.” “When that happens he will bet on the other teams himself.” “You mean——” “That I know his treacherous nature. He will betray his friends. He’ll not wager money openly on an opposing team. It is likely he will openly bet small sums on his own team. His supposed-to-be friends will do the betting. Some agent of Cameron will bet Cameron’s money, and you may be sure that his team will lose that game.” “In short, he will double-cross his friends, and that is the worst form of treachery.” “That man is capable of anything, Mr. Merriwell! To carry out his ends he would commit murder!” “He’ll reach the end of his rope some day.” “I trust that day is not far in the future!” By this time they had reached the outskirts of the town. The road led up a low hill, near the crest of which, set back amid some trees, could be seen a rather gloomy-looking house. This house the mysterious woman indicated with a slight gesture, explaining that they were bound thither. “It is your home?” questioned Merry. “For the time being it serves me as home,” she replied. “I have occupied it two months.” “You do not belong in this town?” “No; before coming here two months ago I had never seen the place. I shall be happy when I leave it to return no more.” “You do not like Cartersville?” “I detest the place! It is run by hoodlums and ruffians. There are some respectable people here, but the vicious element predominates, and respectable people are afraid to stand up for their rights.” “A fine place in which to play baseball!” laughed Merry. “No worse place in Iowa.” “Perhaps it is just as well that we are not going to play here.” “You are better off.” The boys were not far behind when they reached the gate and turned into the grounds surrounding the gloomy house amid the trees. The house was shuttered, and many of the shutters were closed. At the front step Merry sprang from the carriage and assisted his strange companion to alight. As the others of his party came up Frank said: