Laughing with malignant satisfaction, Arlington disdainfully turned his back on the agitated man and walked away.
CHAPTER XXII
WINNING THE PENNANT.
Owen Bold was the first batter to face the Maplewood pitcher in the last half of the ninth inning. After two balls had been called, Bold hit a savage liner in the direction of Connor, who was playing at short. Connor made a sidelong leap and caught the ball with his bare right hand.
It was a startling play, but it caused many of the spectators to groan with dismay.
“Robbery!” muttered Bold as he turned back toward the bench. “That was a clean hit in nine cases out of ten. He didn’t know he had it.”
Billy Bradley followed Bold, and he felt his nerves quiver under the strain.
“Great codfish, do hit it out!” implored Uncle Gid Sniffmore. “We’ve got ter have this game, boys.”
Bradley responded by smashing a hot liner toward Dillard, who made a beautiful stop and snapped the ball to Hunston, on first.
Bradley was out.