"Hello! I want to speak to Lanky Wallace, please," came a strange voice.
"Well, that's me, I guess. What is it?" demanded the boy.
"If you play that Lef Seller crowd to-day, look out for fouls! They've got it arranged to just knock several of your fellows out, so they can't play Clifford next week. I heard 'em talkin' just by the merest accident, and wanted to tell you."
"Say, that's mighty kind of you. I seem to recognize the voice, but can't just place you. Who is it talking, please?" asked Lanky; and then he nearly fell over when the voice through the wire went on placidly:
"Who, me? Oh! I'm just Bill!"
CHAPTER VII
FORCED TO PLAY
"Hold the wire!" exclaimed Lanky. "You've taken my breath away! Don't break off yet, please, Bill!"
"All right, if you say so. I'm on my way back to that snug little hangout up on Rattail Island; but there ain't no great hurry. I had my breakfast, thanks," came drifting over the wire.
Lanky by a great effort managed to recover his wits.