“Hit by a ball, I suppose,” went on the president. “And yet they say baseball is comparatively harmless. Why, you look almost as if you had been through a football scrimmage, Smith.” “Ye—yes, sir,” stammered Cap. “Better have it attended to right away,” continued Dr. Burton. “That eye looks very painful.” “It is,” murmured Cap. “And you had better wear a stronger mask,” were the doctor’s parting words, as he turned aside. There was a queer smile on his face, and his eyes twinkled behind his glasses. He opened his book at the place where a cautious finger had kept the pages apart, and passed on. “Talk about luck!” exclaimed Whistle-Breeches hoarsely. “He never even suspected that there’d been a fight. Oh, you Cap!” “Suspected!” burst out Bill. “I’ll bet he knows all about it!” “He did not!” declared the other lad. “Why, he’s so interested in that book that I don’t believe he remembers now whether he spoke to us or not.” “He doesn’t; eh?” exclaimed Bill. “Say, he went off reading his book upside down, and if that doesn’t indicate that he’s on to our game, and is laughing at our attempts to keep it from him, I’d like to know what it does mean?” “Was his book upside down?” “Surest thing you know. Say, what the doctor doesn’t know wouldn’t cover a postage stamp. But it was white of him not to let on. You’re lucky, Cap!” “Yes, regular Smith luck,” put in Whistle-Breeches. “Well, don’t take any chances. Cut away to your room. I can get you some raw beefsteak for the optic.” “An oyster is better,” declared Pete, and they scientifically discussed the various merits of the two. “If we had Professor Clatter here he’d paint it with some eye dope and Cap would look all to the merry.” suggested Bill. But the traveling medicine man was not available, and Cap had to do the best he could. It was some days before he was decently presentable and North was just as bad. Of course the faculty must have suspected the reason for the darkened eyes and bruised faces, but as there was no official report or complaint, nothing was said of it, and the matter was dropped. The upper classmen took up the question, and a sort of truce was patched up between Cap and the bully, but though North professed to be friendly there was a sullen look in his eyes, and Cap knew he would do him a bad turn if he got the chance. Mersfeld and North were thicker than ever, and the Smith boys agreed among themselves to be on their guard. Meanwhile there was baseball a plenty. Some league games were played, and a number of minor contests took place. It was drawing close to the time for the annual Freshman battle on the diamond with Tuckerton, and this game was always a hotly contested one, and eagerly looked forward to by the first year students and their friends. “We stand a better chance to win this time, than ever before,” remarked Armitage, who was captain of the first year team. “We’ve got Bill to pitch, and he’s a wonder.”