“Saying Hardy got out because he saw Yale did not have a show this season. Saying that you would be made captain, and that you’d get all the blame for Yale’s hard luck. They laughed over it like fiends. Oh, they were having a jolly time to think how it would pull you down.”
Frank’s lips closed and were pressed together. A hard, resolute look settled on his face, and still he smiled. There was confidence in that smile, and there was scorn in it.
“My enemies have thought the same thing about many things I have taken part in,” he said, quietly.
“But this is different,” Rattleton declared. “I tell you this is a plot, and I believe Phil Hardy is in it. He knew they would put you in captain, and that is why he got out. There’s no more trouble with his heart than there is with mine.”
“He has the doctor’s certified statement.”
“That’s nothing. Bet he had to pay for it.”
Still Frank refused to believe that. He had known Hardy but a short time, but he believed the fellow on the level. Phil had played fast ball on the team the season before, although he had not been friendly with Merriwell, who was one of the regular pitchers. He had been chosen to captain the nine, as well as manage it, and, with few exceptions, the choice was considered a good one. It did not seem possible now that because Yale had not turned out as strong a team as usual, Hardy had weakened and resorted to a trick to get out of his position of responsibility.
“You must remember, Rattles,” said Frank, “that he had a bad spell in the game last Saturday.”
“Made it.”
“Then he is a corking actor.”