in
front of the stands, the applause followed him like a wave. It was
clear some hint of the truth was spreading through the crowd. Williams
hung back when the team started for the field.

"I can't, Bill. Oh, God, I can't," he wailed. "Please"----

"Get out there and pitch! Pitch whatever Kennedy signals for, and if
you don't"----

"I'll try, Bill. But if"----

"There are no ifs," snarled the manager, half rising.

Williams walked to his position, a glare of terror in his eyes, as if
he contemplated flight. He was wild and erratic at the start. Two
balls sailed wide from the plate, and Swanson ran to him.

"Get that next one over or I'll signal Clancy," he said.

Williams put every ounce of power into his throwing arm, and the ball
cut the heart of the plate, jumping.

"The old hop on it!" yelled McCarthy. "That's pitching, Adonis; that's
pitching."

Williams stood staring toward him as if dumfounded. A grateful look
came into his eyes.

"Now the old hook, Adonis," yelled McCarthy. "Something on every one
to-day, remember!"

An outburst of cheering arose from the crowd. Those who had heard or
read the stories and rumors of the enmity between the two thought they
recognized the magnanimity of the third baseman and admired him.
Another strike whizzed over the plate, and a fast ball hopped while the
batter swung. The strike out was greeted with a howl of applause.
Williams glanced toward the stands. His eyes met those of Edwards
fixed upon him, and his nerve broke. He pitched without looking to see
what Kennedy signaled, and "Sacred" White, the center fielder of the
Blues, drove the ball to left center for three bases. Kennedy gave a
quick glance at Clancy, who sat staring straight ahead. Swanson rushed
upon Williams, who, trembling with fear, waved him back. He pitched
desperately, but Wertheim hit a long fly to center and "Sacred" White
scampered home.

"I didn't do it, Bill. Honestly, I didn't," pleaded Williams, as he
returned to the bench and resumed his seat next to the manager.

"Williams," said Clancy coldly, "you pitched without a signal. I've
got men in the stands to pass circulars telling exactly what you have
done. If that happens again I'll signal them, and when the crowd gets
you, may the Lord have mercy"----

"I'll pitch--I was trying," begged the pitcher. "Don't turn the crowd
loose on me. They'll kill me."

"Then win," ordered Clancy.

The fifth came with the sc