“Is that lad one of your contestants?” asked an Exter youth of Tom, who at the time was standing off by himself.
“Which one?” inquired the tall pitcher.
“Shambler, I think he calls himself,” and the new student was pointed out.
“Oh, yes, that’s Shambler,” replied Tom. “He’s going in the mile run for us. We’re counting a lot on him. But why do you say he ‘calls’ himself Shambler?” and Tom’s old suspicions at once recurred to him. “Isn’t that his name?”
“Yes, as far as I know. I wasn’t just certain of it, that’s all. So he’s going to run for you? Do you know much about him—where he came from?”
“Harkness, I believe. Why, do you know him?”
Tom was somewhat impressed by the curiosity of the Exter student.
“I think I have seen him before,” was the slow and rather puzzling reply. “But maybe I’m mistaken. You’re going to take part; aren’t you?”
“Well, I’m a sort of filler-in,” laughed Tom. “Baseball is my strong point.”