The red-haired chap nodded and stepped to the plate. Carson sent over a wide one, and Clancy swung viciously, drawing a chuckle from Squint. Again he swung at a poor one, then Carson lashed a fast high one across.
To the surprise of the Clippers, Clancy choked his bat and laid a neat bunt down the third-base line. So astonished was Bangs that Clancy beat his throw easily, and Frank came up to bat, smiling.
Carson paused, scowling. He did not like Merry’s smile, and knew that his speed had not fooled Frank before. So he wound up as if delivering a fast one, and his famous slow fadeaway floated down toward the plate.
Instantly Clancy was sprinting for second. Merry was not altogether fooled by that delivery, and he fell on the ball for a short, choppy stroke that sent the sphere zipping along the ground to Carson.
The pitcher tried to stop it, but it went through him. Murray was backing him up, but before the ball reached first, Merry was standing on the bag, and Clancy was safe. Roar upon roar swelled out from the fans; but Frank did not again hear the voice which had startled him.
Billy McQuade strode out and pounded the plate with a determined air. Carson fooled him twice with a slow fader, and, at the second strike, Merry gave Clancy the signal for a double steal, doubting whether Billy could connect.
As Carson unwound, the two sprinted for third and second. Billy saw the movement, and stepped forward desperately. He managed to bunt, and, although he was nailed at first, Clancy and Frank were safe.
It seemed as though they would remain safe, however, for Spaulding put up a foul tip that was easily smothered by Squint Fletcher. Moore came up, and as he was a notoriously weak batter, Frank gave his chum the signal to steal.
Clancy grinned, ready for anything. Carson kept him close to third, but, as the big pitcher wound up again, Clancy went toward home like a streak. Instantly Carson let the ball fly.
Moore, however, knew his business. He was in his box, and, although Squint yelled at him to get out of the way, he stepped forward and bunted the ball along the first-base line. Clancy came sliding to the plate in a cloud of dust, and the umpire motioned him safe, Moore, in the meantime, getting to first.