by sharp work, just managed to throw Kane out.

Three runs so quick it was hard to tell how they had come. Not in the
major league could there have been faster work. And the ball had been
fielded perfectly and thrown perfectly.

"There you are," said Delaney, hoarsely. "Can you beat it? If you've
been wonderin' how the cripped Stars won so many games just put what
you've seen in your pipe and smoke it. Red Gilbat gets on--Reddy
Clammer gets on--and then Reddie Ray drives them home or chases them
home."

The game went on, and though it did not exactly drag it slowed down
considerably. Morrissey and Healy were retired on infield plays. And
the sides changed. For the Grays, O'Brien made a scratch hit, went to
second on Strickland's sacrifice, stole third and scored on Mallory's
infield out. Wehying missed three strikes. In the Stars' turn the
three end players on the batting list were easily disposed of. In the
third inning the clever Blake, aided by a base on balls and a hit
following, tied the score, and once more struck fire and brimstone from
the impatient bleachers. Providence was a town that had to have its
team win.

"Git at 'em, Reds!" said Delaney gruffly.

"Batter up!" called Umpire Fuller, sharply.

"Where's Red? Where's the bug? Where's the nut? Delaney, did you
lock the gates? Look under the bench!" These and other remarks, not
exactly elegant, attested to the mental processes of some of the Stars.
Red Gilbat did not appear to be forthcoming. There was an anxious
delay Capt. Healy searched for the missing player. Delaney did not say
any more.

Suddenly a door under the grand stand opened and Red Gilbat appeared.
He hurried for his bat and then up to the plate. And he never offered
to hit one of the balls Wehying shot over. When Fuller had called the
third strike Red hurried back to the door and disappeared.

"Somethin' doin'," whispered Delaney.

Lord Chesterfield Clammer paraded to the batter's box and, after
gradually surveying the field, as if picking out the exact place he
meant to drive the ball, he stepped to the plate. Then a roar from the
bleachers surprised him.

"Well, I'll be dog-goned!" exclaimed Delaney. "Red stole that sure as
shootin'."

Red Gilbat was pushing a brand-new baby carriage toward the batter's
box. There was a tittering in the grand stand; another roar from the
bleachers. Clammer's face turned as red as his hair. Gilbat shoved
the baby carriage