The latter seemed to be in fine form, and started off by fanning Cy Russell. The second man up flied out to center field, and then Fargo came to the bat. Elgin’s first delivery just missed the outside corner of the plate. He then put over a straight, swift one, and Fargo, seemingly “playing the game,” let it pass. The cub pitcher then wound himself up for the elusive curve which was one of his pet specialties. The ball whirled toward the pan, apparently heading straight at the batter. Fargo took a quick step back, then lunged forward. The next instant he dropped his bat with an exclamation of anger and pain as the sphere struck his arm with a dull impact. His face contorted, the big backstop trotted toward first, rubbing the injured member, and shooting at Elgin some extremely vivid and forceful comments out of the corner of his mouth. The incident flustered the latter to such an extent that he whipped a straight one over, which cut the center of the pan, and it was smashed out by Siegrist. The next man up sacrificed Fargo home, but Elgin took a brace; and shut out the regulars from further scoring. The game progressed in comparative peace and harmony for two innings. Then, strangely enough, Fargo was hit again by the second pitched ball, and instantly the air was blue. His previous remarks were as nothing to the words which now issued from his lips as he glared at the offending youngster, and they only ceased when Jim Brennan ordered sharply: “Quit that blackguarding, and take your base.” In spite of these two unfortunate happenings, the cubs nailed the game by a single run; for their opponents had not yet reached the point where they were willing to exert themselves overmuch. That run was scored in the last inning by Elgin, cleverly assisted by Ogan and Andy Whalen; and the instant the game was over the players streaked across the field toward the gate. Elgin alone lingered behind to get his glove, which he had tossed over near the bench. Oddly enough, it was nowhere to be seen. Having been much too occupied to notice anything outside the diamond during the past ten minutes, he had failed to see Fargo scoop up that same useful article when returning from the pursuit of a foul, and toss it over into the grandstand. Thus it happened that, while Elgin was searching vainly for his property, the field was deserted by all save himself and one other man. The latter was Fargo, who had started out with the rest, and then, halfway to the gate, paused, and turned back. He was within ten feet of the cub twirler before the latter glanced up, giving a slight start as his eyes took in the expression of cold menace on the big backstop’s face. “You common mucker!” rasped the latter fiercely, his big fists clenched as he strode rapidly forward. “If you think you can put a trick like that over me a-purpose, you’re a bigger chump than you look.” Elgin took a step backward, his face blanching. “I――didn’t do it on purpose,” he stammered. “It was――”