“I beg your pardon, miss,” protested Frank, “but I have certain scruples about betting. I may have made wagers in the past, but I am sure I shall never again do so, either with my own money or that of another.”
“Let her bet on us, if she wants to,” urged Hodge warmly. “I, too, feel it in my bones that we’ll take a fall out of Cameron’s great aggregation. I know every fellow on the team will play as if for his very life.”
Merry shook his head.
“I can make no exceptions to the rule I have laid down for myself,” he said. “Even if Cameron is confident of success, and begins a square game, he may resort to treachery if he becomes alarmed before the finish. He’ll not intend to lose the opening game with his team. That would disgust the tough element that is backing him. He would lose prestige at once.”
Frank was immovable on his point.
The boys were greatly surprised when Merry informed them of the challenge and acceptance.
“Py Shimminy!” cried Dunnerwurst. “Ve vill gif them der greatest run their money for that you efer saw. Id vill peen a satisfaction to dood them up. Yah!”
Frank explained that they were to supply the umpire, which caused no small amount of satisfaction.
“We are to move to the Mansion House, fellows,” he said. “We’ll impose on Miss Blake no longer.”
“You have not imposed on me in the least,” assured the hostess. “If you defeat Cameron, I shall be more than repaid.”