"Did his 'ittle tootsie wootsy treat him mean?" asked Swanson in his most exasperating tones. "Aw shut up, you big dub," snapped McCarthy angrily, resorting to ball players' repartee to cover his feelings. "Maybe his lovey dovey is just jealous and will forgive her 'ittle pet," taunted the giant. "Petty mustn't mind what lovey says in her notes." "Oh," said Swanson, with vast relief when he found Swanson was barking up the wrong tree, "I forgot all about the note." He dragged the missive from his pocket and scanned it hastily, then tossed it across to Swanson. "Date is off," he announced joyously. "Needn't watch me to-night." Swanson read: "Dear Larry: "Don't come to-night. Uncle will be here--with friends--and I'm afraid. I must see you soon as possible. Will try to arrange to meet you somewhere to-morrow. I will telephone. H." And while Swanson read the note McCarthy was at the telephone. "Miss Tabor," he was saying eagerly, "this is Mr. McCarthy. I find my engagement for this evening is canceled. Please ask Mr. Clancy if I may go. Please. Yes, I said please. Shall I say it again?" "And, Miss Tabor, if that spare seat is in the tonneau---- No, Mrs. Clancy should sit with her husband." CHAPTER XXII _A Victory and a Defeat_ Another crowd of enormous size greeted the Bears as they raced onto the ball field early the next afternoon to play the doubleheader that was to complete the season's series against the Jackrabbits. The paper that had printed the attack upon the team had given space to a partial retraction, and, although the players did not know it, the reporter who had written the article had been suspended during an investigation that was inspired because Technicalities Feehan had, after overwhelming two editors with his statistics, convinced them that no basis of truth existed for such charges. The Bears were happy and confident. With a full game the advantage and only five more games to play, and those comparatively easy; with the pitching staff in good condition, they considered the pennant as won. McCarthy and Swanson almost had forgotten to keep watch upon Williams. They despised him, and in the club house and on the field they ignored him completely. Several of the other players, although they knew nothing of the plot, had come to ignore the pitcher, and he shunned them all. He seemed nervous and laboring under a heavy strain. Two or three times he started toward Clancy as if to speak to him, but each time the manager, who was watching him, turned away to address another player. Finally, Williams seemed to gather his courage, and with a pretense of indifference he sauntered toward Clancy, who was talking with several of the players. "Which game do I work, Bill?" he asked, tossing his glove down and picking up a bat. "I think I'll save you for the first game of the World's Series, Adonis," replied Clancy. "It's a shame to waste you beating these dub clubs."