“’Twas only a joke,” he mumbled, “but some fellers they never see anything funny.” “Not when the joke endangers human life, and there were lots of kids around in the ball-grounds. Here, take the bandana, and stop pulling chestnuts out of the fire for Lef Seller, just like the cat did for the monkey.” Bill finally accepted the handkerchief, and tried to put a bold face on the matter, saying: “Guess if anything, the old bull he’s got a right to kick, ’cause he near had the life pounded out of him with them bats. It’s white of you not to peep, Frank. I reckon I’ll take your advice, and cut Lef out.” But Frank was not deceived. He knew the kind of fellow Bill was, and that there would be a very small chance of reforming his ways. “Yes,” Frank was musing to himself as he walked away, “they say there was a certain old gentleman with horns and cloven hoofs who, when he was sick, sighed to be a saint; but when he got well was he? Not any! And Bill Klemm only feels sorry when he thinks he’s in for a licking at home, or in school.” When Mr. Allen and Uncle Jim returned, Ralph was on hand. He and the lawyer went “into executive session,” as the latter laughingly said, and remained in the library for a full hour. “He’s going to fix it for me,” declared Ralph, later on, as he and Frank walked down the road together. “Then he thought it a clear case, did he?” asked his chum, eagerly. “So much so that he says he will start across to Italy in a week, after his big case is over with, and see the lady himself,” replied Ralph, promptly. “Bully for Uncle Jim! Didn’t I tell you he was game. But what does he do that for, when he could cable?” “He’s a lawyer, and cautious. Besides, he says, and it looks good to me, that a man who could steal a baby away from his sister for the sake of gain, wouldn’t be above opening her mail, or even reading a cablegram. It might put him on his guard, and spoil things. And so he’s going himself. Oh, Frank, that will be a long month to me!” “But with such happiness coming you can stand it. Think of the past, and how different things look now. Ralph, old chap, I’m sure glad it’s happening this way. Besides, it’ll give a fellow a chance to repeat that name Langworthy a few times to myself, so as to kind of get used to it.” “Don’t be too dead sure,” remarked Ralph. “You know the old saying, there’s many a slip between the cup and the lip. But I’m glad you say your arm is getting on nicely, for you’ve just got to pitch next Saturday, and pull old Columbia through to glory.” CHAPTER XXIII WHEN CODDLING WEAKENED Crash! “Wow! Look at that ball go, will you?” “And two men on bases! Here’s where we climb all over poor old Columbia!” “What’s the score now?” “Seven to five, and this makes it----”