“That’s just what I want to know,” replied Jim soberly. “As you say, it’s all against the chances that we should run across him here by accident. If he’s here, he’s come with some purpose. And that purpose means nothing good for you. He’s exactly the sort of man that won’t forget that thrashing.”
“I guess he won’t,” replied Joe grimly. “My knuckles ache now when I think of it. But if he’s looking for another licking, he sure can have it.”
“He isn’t looking for another,” Jim returned. “He’s looking to get even for the first one you gave him. You know he swore at the time that he’d pay you up for it.”
“He’s welcome to try,” declared Joe indifferently. “But really, Jim, I think you’re mistaken. It seems too improbable. There are plenty of men in the world who look like Braxton.”
“Of course, I wouldn’t swear it was he,” admitted Jim. “I only saw him side-face, and he slipped past the door like a ghost.”
“Well, we’ll keep our eyes open about the hotel and around the town,” rejoined Joe. “But now let’s think of pleasanter things. Our train goes at six, and we’ve got lots to do in getting our duds packed. Then, too, I’ve got to wire to Hank and must get the tickets for as far as the cars will carry us.”
The afternoon proved a busy one, but by train time they had completed their packing, said good-by to the rest of the team, who frankly envied them their luck, and were snugly ensconced in the day coach, as the little road had no sleeping cars, and even if they had the frequent changes they had to make would have made a sleeper not worth while. As it was, they slept in snatches, had luck in their connections, and about an hour before dawn stepped off the train at the little station of Martinsville.
Both Baseball Joe and Jim Barclay had expected to find the town asleep, but were surprised to find a large number of the inhabitants, chiefly the younger men, at the station. Still another group stood in the lighted doorway of Hank Bixby’s garage, which was directly across the street.
“What’s the big idea?” Jim asked Joe, as he looked in surprise at the crowd that drew close about them.
“Blest if I know,” replied Joe. “Maybe there’s been a fire or something.”