At this moment a ball, thrown from the field, went bounding past them into the bench of the visitors, where Lefty Locke sat. Immediately he secured it, and stepped forth to throw it to the signaling batter. The Buccaneers’ new pitcher stopped short, and stared in astonishment at Lefty, who did not seem to observe him. “Well, I’ll be hanged!” exclaimed the surprised man, his eyes fastened on Locke. “It’s you, is it? You didn’t last so long in big company, did you?” He finished with a sneering laugh full of unspeakable satisfaction and joy. Lefty looked him over blankly. “Speaking to me?” he asked. “Who did you think I was speaking to?” retorted the other as he passed on, still laughing. Frowning, Locke stared after him. “Who’s that man?” he asked, a few seconds later, as old Jack came to the bench. “That man?” repeated Kennedy. “He’s the Buccaneers’ new pitcher. His name is Bert Elgin.” “Queer,” said Lefty. “He seemed to have an idea he knew me, but I’ve never seen him before.” CHAPTER XXX BASEBALL LUCK The words were uttered in such a sincere manner that they came near dispelling Kennedy’s last doubt. “He’d be a fool to try to keep up a bluff like that,” thought the manager, “and Lefty Locke never was no fool.” Aloud he said: “That’s the cub I was tellin’ you ’bout who put up a job on my southpaw pitcher when he was gettin’ a try-out with the Hornets. He can pitch, but he’s got a yaller streak, and he’s about as mean as dirt.” “Will he pitch to-day?” asked Lefty. “Dunno. Perhaps so. Bristol won’t use him ’less he has to. I see he’s goin’ to warm up with the others. Keep your eye on him. “Somethin’s gone wrong with the man,” he muttered, as he turned away. “It’s no bluff. His noddle is twisted.” From the bench, Locke watched the two teams take turns at practice, but for the most part his interest seemed to center in the opposing pitchers, who were warming up. Having been told all about the crippled condition of the Deers’ staff, he realized the probable advantage of the home team with a new man ready to jump on to the slab if needed――a man considered by Bristol a star of the first magnitude. The critical nature of this game turned out a crowd which filled the bleachers and packed the stands――a crowd bubbling with enthusiasm for the locals, who could obtain an added grip on first position by taking this contest. And more than nine-tenths of the assemblage seemed to believe such a result a foregone conclusion. In warming up, Elgin attracted the most attention, for nearly everyone had heard of Bristol’s new man. Knowing the eyes of the crowd were upon him, he posed vainly, and finished limbering his flinger by whipping three or four speedy ones to the catcher which caused many witnesses to gasp.