“See here,” he whispered, “do you want to follow Hug Murphy?” “I ain’t t’inkin’ of doin’ dat.” “Well, you will if you kick up a disturbance here. Merriwell will spot you, and he’ll push you, too.” “Speakin’ one ter yerself, I t’ink,” sneered Pink. “Wot would he do ter youse if he ketched ye?” Manton and his companions were genuinely alarmed. “Pay him, Manton!” hissed Frost. “Get rid of him somehow.” But Manton had wagered all his ready money on the game and had nothing left with which to pay the thug. He resolved, however, to get rid of Cassidy, if possible. “Wait until after the game,” he said. “I’ll have some money then.” “How’s dat?” “I’ve bet all my ready money on the game.” “Tell it ter somebody else!” “It’s straight.” “How did you bet?” “On the Outcasts.” “Den yer will have money, fer dey’ll win in a walk. Yer won’t be able ter make no squeal arter der game.” “No danger of that. I’ll pay you then.” “All right; I’ll stay wid yer till I git me coin.” That did not suit Manton, who had no liking for the company of Pink Cassidy. “You move!” he exclaimed. “I’m taking no chances. Merriwell may spot you.” “If youse t’ink yer goin’ ter git rid o’ me dat way, ye’re makin’ a mistake,” said Pink. “I’ll move, but I’m goin’ ter watch ye close, an’ I’ll nab yer der moment der game is over. You won’t dodge me in der crowd.” “I shan’t try. I may want you some other time, and I’m willing to do the right thing.” “Dat soun’s good, but I t’ink ye’re willin’ ’cause ye can’t help it. I’m onter your curves.” “Think anything you like, but slide out of this.” Repeating his promise to see Manton after the game, Cassidy moved. Manton, Frost, and Necker breathed easier. “He’s a dangerous ruffian,” hissed Frost. “You can’t tamper with him, Hobe.” “I’ll tamper with him!” growled Manton. “If I wasn’t worrying about being spotted by Merriwell, I’d give him all that was coming, and don’t you forget it!” “Are you going to pay him any money after the game? “Not on your life! Not a dollar to that thug! When the game is over and the crowd begins to move I’ll take chances. If he bothers me, I’ll give him a sleeping slug on the jaw.” CHAPTER XVIII. ON AN ERROR. Frost and Necker were disturbed when the Merries secured their run in the second inning. “What do you think of that, Hobe?” asked Frost. “It begins to look bad to me.” “Oh, don’t worry!” returned Manton, although he was a trifle disturbed himself. “This is just the beginning of the game. Merriwell can’t keep up the pace he has set. Those fellows will get onto his style of pitching after a while, and then you’ll see something happen to him. Those chaps behind him would go to pieces if the Outcasts began hitting.” “I hope they’ll begin,” said Necker, a trifle dolefully; “but I’m afraid they won’t.”