“I can’t now. He has disappeared.”
“What did he look like?”
“He has a sandy beard, and is dressed in a brown suit.”
“Abe, my boy, you’re dreaming. You’re nervous. Forget it, Abe. Your enemies are far away. We have fooled them handsomely.”
“Perhaps so; but I am afraid, cap’n, they are near. Something tells me they are near.”
“Well, just you linger by my side, and you will be all right. Have no fear of the minions of iniquity, for my good right arm will defend you to the extremest extremity. I have vowed to Frank that never again shall harm befall you while you are in my charge. And Little Walter always makes good.”
Although the boy tried to throw off the feeling of apprehension that weighed heavily upon him, he was unable to do so.
The head of Franklin’s batting list again came up in the third inning. Dustan had started off at first with a beautiful hit, and he tried to repeat the performance. This time, however, he, like those before him, was handsomely fooled by Merriwell’s curves, and he cast down his bat in disgust, on striking out.
“This is getting monotonous for us, captain!” cried Darrell. “You’re not giving us anything to do. Do let them hit it once in a while.”
“Don’t worry!” retorted Nort Madison. “We’ll get after him again before long.”