"All we can do is to put Link in as pitcher and Matt as catcher, and then rearrange the rest of the players," answered Harry.
"I'll do my best," said Link. "But I must say I thought Joe would be here to do the twirling for us."
"So will I do my best," added Matt. "But you all know Fred is the best catcher in Lakeport."
"If I knowed where to look fer 'em, I'd go after 'em red-hot," came from Teddy Dugan.
"Maybe we'd all go after them," said Walter.
It was not long after this that a number of friends came up to the clubroom. When it was announced that Joe and Fred were missing many looked glum.
"And to think that I just bet Boardman two dollars that the Lakeports would win," said one of the visitors.
"Boardman and Voup are betting all around," said another visitor. "I never knew they had so much money. And somebody said Dan Marcy was around and that he was betting on the Excelsiors, too."
"Do they know that Joe and Fred are missing?" asked Walter.
"I don't know, but they will know it as soon as we appear on the ball field."