"Won't he be worried when the time comes to open the game," muttered Si Voup to himself.
Voup and Boardman had returned to Lakeport in high feather over the success of their plot against Joe and Fred. Marcy was also in town, but keeping shady. Each of the three was putting up his money on the Excelsiors, confident that, with Joe and Fred out of the game, the Lakeports could not possibly win.
Both the Rush family and the Westmore family were much disturbed over the prolonged absence of the two youths, and after dinner Mr. Rush said he would drive up to Hollow Cove to see what had become of them.
"If you find them bring them back just as quickly as you can, Mr. Rush," said Harry. "We need them on the baseball team."
"I suppose you do, Harry. I will do my best."
"If they don't show up I don't know what we are going to do."
"Haven't you enough players?"
"Oh, yes, but Fred is our best catcher and Joe our best pitcher. With them out of the game we won't stand near as good a chance of winning."
Promptly on time the members of the Lakeport Club assembled at the room. The first question asked by each was concerning Joe and Fred.
"This is the worst blow yet!" cried Bart. "If they don't show up what in the world are we to do?"