“Tom, you might as well go on home,” he said. “It’s almost half-past five. I’m going to talk to Mr. Wright about you while I’m feeling brave,” he added, “and I guess I’ll get on better if you’re not there.”
“If there’s anything I can do to help,” offered Mr. Talbot, “I’ll be very glad to stop in with you.”
“N-no, I guess not, thanks. If it comes out all right, I’ll let you know and Tom can start in with you Monday.”
When Tom reached home he found Mr. George pitching at the fence in the side-yard. “Hello, Tom, you’re home early,” he said. “Haven’t been fired, have you?”
“Not exactly,” laughed Tom. “I’ve been pitching for the high school scrub team. Five strike-outs in two innings, Mr. George!”
“Well, that’s going some, Tom. Let’s hear about it.”
So Tom recounted the happenings of the afternoon and the detective was delighted that Tom was to have a chance to put into practice what he had taught him. Mr. Talbot’s suggestion that he come out and coach the pitchers pleased him, too.
“Say, I’d like to do that if I had the time,” he declared.
“I think he’d like to have you. I know I would. Why don’t you talk it over with him? You know him, don’t you?”