the beat!"

It took the High School onlookers a few seconds to gather the
full importance of what they had seen. Then a wild cheer broke
loose:

"Ripley? Oh, Ripley'll pitch for the nine!" surged up on all
sides.




CHAPTER X

DICK & CO. TAKE A TURN AT FEELING GLUM


"What's the matter with Ripley?" yelled one senior.

And another answered, hoarsely:

"Nothing! He's a wonder!"

Fred Ripley was unpopular. He was regarded as a cad and a sneak.
But he could pitch ball! He could give great aid in bringing
an unbroken line of victories to Gridley. That was enough.

By now Coach Luce was a bit red in the face. He realized that
his momentary relapse into the old college enthusiasm had made
him look ridiculous, in his other guise of High School submaster.