[CHAPTER XXX]
THE WINNING GAME
Frank Watson’s face was a study in emotions as he stood beside his stepfather, confronting Ned, Bob and Jerry. He tried to speak, but, for a moment, could not.
“You boys must have shaken hands a lot of times already,” went on Mr. Hobson, “but shake again, Frank, and I will too, for it isn’t every day I have my life saved, you know,” and he laughed, though there was deep feeling in his words.
“They saved your life?” asked Frank hesitatingly.
“That’s what they did—from my burning auto. And they put out the fire, too, and saved the machine. I got it back from the garage all right, Jerry,” he went on. “Much obliged to you.”
Frank held out his hand toward the tall lad.
“Fellows, I—I—er—I guess I’ve been just a plain cad,” Frank confessed with a shame-faced air. “Will you shake?”
“Of course!” cried Jerry heartily, and their hands met in a firm clasp. In turn Ned and Bob shook hands with the baseball captain.
“What does it mean?” asked Mr. Hobson. “Weren’t you boys—Didn’t you know one another—and playing on the college nine?” he cried.