“Sure; he will do it,” said Dolph. “Well, shall we say Monday?”
The others hesitated. Finally—
“I—I expect to be pretty busy Monday,” faltered Prentiss.
“No, you don’t squirm out that way,” replied Dolph firmly. “We’ll go over on Monday, the three of us.”
“Well,” sighed Walker, “maybe we might as well, and get it over with. Things don’t get any better for waiting.”
[CHAPTER VIII]
THE PEACE EMBASSY
Maple Ridge played her second game that afternoon, winning from Warrenton High School, 11 to 5. Jack played in left field during the last four innings, and did very well; so well, in fact, that Cook, who was Jack’s competitor for the position of first substitute, was a bit worried. Cook was only a fair batsman, and, although he had been playing ball for three years, seemed unable to improve. Jack, on the other hand, was beginning to show an ability with the stick that for an inexperienced player was almost startling. In the Warrenton game he made two hits, one a clean liner past second and the other of the scratch variety, and when the game was over had a run to his credit besides. In the field he had two chances and got them both. Hal Morris pitched the first three innings, and, while Warrenton touched him up pretty freely, he was able to hold the opponents down to four hits. Although Mort Prince didn’t say so, I believe he was secretly regretful that he had connived at the kidnapping of Sam, since if it hadn’t been for Sam’s absence from the field the preceding Saturday Morris would, perhaps, have never proved what he was capable of. Still, there were many games ahead, and Maple Ridge had full need of all the pitchers she could find.
After school on Monday, Chester Harris drove the Peace Embassy, as they called themselves, to Farmer Finkler’s. Chester had provided a two-seated carriage and a stylish roan, which, it was hoped, would attract Mr. Finkler’s admiration and perhaps soften his heart. They had to drive nearly a half-mile, for, although the Finkler property and the school grounds adjoined, yet the farmer’s residence was at the end of a long lane, and his entrance was some distance up the road from the school.