The try-out game went on, growing more fierce as each player struggled to make a record. Bill was a marvel with the ball. But one hit was registered off him during the five innings that he pitched. After the contest there was a consultation among the captain, manager and coach and it was announced to the anxiously waiting ones that Bill Smith would pitch the first five innings of the opening game with Tuckerton, with Mersfeld as second pitcher, while Cap Smith would catch for his brother, and Dean Denby for Mersfeld. “I told you that’s how it would be!” cried Whistle-Breeches clapping Bill on the back with such heartiness that the pitcher’s glasses nearly flew off. “Boy, I’m proud of you!” spoke Cap fervently. Mersfeld said nothing but there was a bitter feeling in his heart. “An upstart Freshman!” he muttered as he passed by Bondy Guilder. “That’s what,” agreed the rich youth, “and I’d like to see him taken down a peg. Do you know how it can be done?” “No,” replied the rival pitcher. “Come here and I’ll tell you,” suggested Bondy, and the two walked across the diamond arm-in-arm, talking earnestly, and the talk boded no good for Bill Smith. CHAPTER XV THE CONSPIRATORS There was plenty to talk about that night. The rooms of the Smith boys were thronged with some old and many new admirers, for nothing succeeds like success, and now that Pete was officially named as Varsity shortstop, now that Bill had the preference, at least in the opening game, as pitcher, and when Cap was named to catch for his talented brother our heroes found themselves very much in the lime-light. “To think of all three of us making the Varsity in our first year!” exclaimed Bill, as he received the congratulations of several new acquaintances. “It’s great!” declared Cap. “I’m afraid our rivals will dub it the ‘Smith Nine,’ instead of Westfield.” “Let ’em,” declared Captain Graydon, who was present. “I don’t care what they call the nine if we keep the league pennant. But let me tell you Smith boys, and all you other baseball fellows who are here, it’s going to be no easy matter. Tuckerton has a battery that’s hard to beat, and Haydon has a better team than ever before. We’ve got our work cut out for us.” “And we’ll make good!” exclaimed Whistle-Breeches, who was happy because he had been promised at least part of the opening game, even though he was in centre field. But among the visitors to the rooms of our heroes Mersfeld and Bondy were conspicuous by their absence. The failure of Mersfeld to call was commented on, and it was openly said that he was jealous. And as Westfield was an institution where the school spirit was especially strong this was all the more marked. “I’m sorry there’s a feeling between the two pitchers,” said Captain Graydon to Mr. Windam as they walked to their dormitories together after the informal little visit. “For both Smith and Mersfeld are fine fellows. We may need them both before the season is over.”