n end when the ball was sent among the
spectators. Seeing it coming towards him, Bob Bangs leaped up and tried
to catch the sphere. It hit the tips of his fingers, stinging them
greatly. Then the ball came towards Randy and he caught it and threw it
back into the field.

"What are you doing here?" demanded Bob Bangs, as he caught sight of
our hero.

"Watching the game," answered Randy, quietly.

"Humph!"

"Pretty nice game, Bob."

"Humph!" muttered the rich boy again.

"I see you are feeling fine again."

"I am not--I am real sick," answered the rich boy, quickly.

"Sick in bed, eh?" went on our hero, with a grin.

"I was in bed."

"Last night, I suppose. So was I."

"I'm sick yet."

"You showed it--by the way you were cheering and yelling."

"When did you come in?"

"Right after you."

"Humph! Have you been watching me?"

"Yes."

"You might be in a better business," sneered the rich boy.

"I don't think so. You need watching. You and your father want to cheat
the steamboat company by pretending that you were hurt in that
collision, and here you are as well and hearty as ever," added Randy in
a loud voice, so that those nearby might hear.

"I ain't well--I'm sick."

"You said that before--but nobody will believe it."

"You're well enough to go to a ball game and yell and smoke cigarettes,
anyway," put in the merchant sitting next to Randy.

A good play brought forth a cheer from the crowd which drowned out
further talk. In the midst of the temporary excitement Bob Bangs
sneaked from the stand and from the ball grounds.

"He feels sick over this," laughed the merchant.

"Well, he can't sue the steamboat company for that sickness," laughed
our hero in return.

CHAPTER XXI

RANDY VISITS HIS HOME

As soon as he returned to the steamboat, Randy acquainted Captain
Hadley with all he had seen and heard and gave the captain the card of
the merchant.

"You have done well, Randy," said the master of the steamboat. "I fancy
this will cook Mr. Amos Bangs's goose."

At Nyack, Mr. Shalley came on board and heard what our hero had to say.

"I am glad you have a witness," said he. "I have heard of Mr. Budmister
before."

"A good business man," said Captain Hadley. "He will make a good
witness--if the case comes to a trial."

But it never did come to a trial. Andrew Shalley received one letter
from a lawyer, threatening the suit, and in return wrote back the
particulars of what Randy