“To tell the truth, I don’t, but, if you say so, I’ll swear he plays divinely.” “You have a habit of speaking the truth always?” “It is my intention to follow the practice when possible.” “Do you think a lie is ever excusable?” “One of the leading divines in the country has said that a harmless white lie is permissible when it shields a friend from truth that would cause pain.” “Do you know there are those who think you were not truthful when you denied that you are Paul Hazelton, of Princeton?” “I believe that there is one, at least, who thinks so. The doubt in Benton King’s eyes was too plain to escape me.” “But you are _not_ Paul Hazelton?” “I am not. I hope you believe me, Miss Harting.” “I do,” she answered. “But I can’t understand why they persist in trying to make out that you are he. The Bancroft _News_ printed a piece that would lead people to believe it.” “Which is evidence that there are those besides Benton King who wish to believe it, and, of them all, doubtless Manager Riley, of Bancroft, is the most eager; for he pretends to have some sort of a claim, according to the rules of the Northern League, upon the services of Paul Hazelton. If I am the Hazelton in question, he means to take me away from Kingsbridge, even though he may fail in compelling me to pitch for the Bullies. That’s his game, Miss Harting. When he has pushed it to the limit, he’ll find that he’s barking up the wrong tree, and the laugh will be on him and the others who have fooled themselves in the same way.” Although he smiled a little, his words were spoken with such sincere frankness and honesty that she was shamed by the thought that even the slightest shadow of doubt had clouded her confidence in him. A man with such steady eyes, set well apart; such a mouth, unmarred by the soiling touch of guile; such a voice, deep, strong, yet suppressed, like the softened notes of an organ――that man could not lie. “I am beginning to understand,” she said hastily. “It is just like those Bancrofters; they are determined that Kingsbridge shall not get ahead of them at anything. They are terribly wrought up because we have beaten them at baseball, and they’ll do anything to weaken our team. I――I’m glad they can’t get you away from us. Do you think we have a good chance to win the pennant this year?” “If the games are played on their merits, with no underhanded work, I see no reason why Kingsbridge should not stand as much chance to win as Bancroft. You did not come out to the Lakeport game.” “How do you know?” “I looked for you.” “But――in all that crowd――” “I am sure you were not there; if you had been, I should have seen you.”