Nine pins fell.
Hodge uttered an exclamation of bitter disappointment, followed by another of exultation; for the tenth pin, which had been tottering, finally fell.
“That’s great luck for you, Merriwell,” declared Manton. “You got that strike by the skin of your teeth.”
“It would have been a shame had he missed,” said Hodge. “He struck the pins perfectly.”
“Still you know such things happen and leave pins standing at times. I thought he struck a trifle too far to the right.”
Fisher and Frost exchanged glances and moved closer together.
“This Merriwell is no slouch at it,” said Fisher, in a low tone. “He’s keeping right after Manton.”
“That’s right; but I don’t believe he can crowd him very hard. He’ll slip up pretty soon.”
“It’s not impossible for Manton to slip up.”