Ere the horsehide was brought down between Rod's
shoulder-blades, his hand had found the plate.
"Safe!" shouted the umpire.
And the game was won by the pitcher who had taken Springer's place in the fifth inning.
CHAPTER XIII.
RACKLIFF'S TREACHERY.
Like one stunned Roy Hooker passed out through the gate and turned down the street, dully conscious of the continued rejoicing uproar behind him. Alternately buoyed by hope and weighted by fear, he had passed the most trying hour of his life, and now in his bosom he carried a heart that seemed sick and faint and scarcely able to pump the blood through his veins.
"I was a fool to listen to Rackliff," he muttered; and over and over he kept repeating, "I was a fool, a fool!"
Suddenly apprehensive lest he should be overtaken by some one who might observe his all-too-evident wretchedness, he quickened his steps and made straight for his home. He did not enter the house, and as he slipped through the yard he cast sidelong glances toward the windows, hoping his mother might not be looking out. In the carriage house he sat down on the box beside his motorcycle.