JACK U6HTfDOJ5 • J OILl:l'IMA' • ' l'i ', • . crit A·JRAITORON Tlf f DIAMOlf D .shers' Note "T•cb tbe Amerkaa bo)' bow to become - atblete, and lay tbe lolmdatloa tor a Comtttatloll creater tban tbat PublI • ef the UnlJed States."-WIM eaylnp from " Tip Top. " There bu never been a time when tbe boys of tbi1 great coaatr,. took ao keen an lnternt In all manly and bealth·glvtnc s ports u the,. do to-cta,.. A• proof of tbl• wltneu tbe record-breaklnc throne• that at tend college at ruccle1 on t be c rtdlron, u well u athletic and bueball c ames, and other teats of endurance and skill. la a multitude of other channels this love for t be "life strenuous" I• making Itself menlfeat, 10 that, u a nation, we are rapldl)' forctnc to tbe front as aeekera of boneat 1port. Recognlztnc t his " handwr it ing on the w all," we have concluded that tbe time bu arrived to clve thla vut army of young e11- t bu1lu tl a publication devoted exclusively t o invigoratinir out-door life. We feel w e are jU1tifled In antlclpatin1t a warm re1pon1e from our 1turd)' American boys, who are s are to revel la the ltlrrinc pbBSel of •port and adventure, through whfcb oar characters pus from week to w eek. ALL-SPORTS LIBRARY Juwtl Wuli/y, By Sfll>1cript wt1 # :1.50 Jw year. &twed according 111 Act oj

By MAURICE STEVENS.

CHAPTER I.

CHARACTERS IN THIS STORY. FRO M T HE LAND OF MYSTERY. J ack Lightfoot, the best all-round athlete in Cranford or v icinity, a lad clear of eye, clean of speech, and, after he had conquered a few of his faults, possessed of a faculty for doing things while others were Jack Lightfoot heard his name called, and, turning talking, that by degrees caused him to be looked upon as the natural leader in all the sports Young America delights in-a boy who in round, saw Mr. Snodgrass' messenger and house serv- learning to conquer himself put the power into his hands to wrest victory from others. Tom Lightfoot , Jack's cousin, and sometimes his rival ; though ant standing in the door, beckoning to him. their striving for the masterr was always of the friendly, generous kind. Tom was called the ' Book-Worm" by his fellows, on ac­ count of his love for studying such secrets of nature as practical "Hello!" said Lafe Lampton, who was with Jack observers have discovered and published; so that he pos~10ssed a fund of general knowledge calculated to prove useful when his at the time. "I wonder what he wants?" wandering spirit took him abroad into strange lands. Ned Skeen, of impulsive, nervous temperament, one of those who followed the newcomer, Birkett, being dazzled by the dash of his "I don't know. We'll see." manner, and the free way in which he 6ung money around. Nat Kimball, an undersized fellow, whose hob by was the•stu d y of "Likely old Snod wants to make you his heir-he's jiu-;i"tsu, and who had a dread of germs. Lafe Lampton , a big, hulking chap, with an ever present craving taken such a fancy to you lately! Some fellows are for something to eat. Lafe always had his appetite along, and proved a stanch friend of our hero through thick and thin. born lucky;. and others are--" Brodie Strawn , one of the baseball team, and a great admirer of Phil Kirtland. Phil Kirtland, once Jack's bitter rival, but now a fair friend and He stopped the fl.ow of his words to munch a peanut. holding down one end of Cranford's crack battery. Sol. Russell, pitcher of the Highland team. "What?" Boralmo, an East Indian juggler. Reel Snodgrasa, who claimed to be a nephew of the rich man of "Born lazy and hungry, like me." Cranford. Mr. Snodgrass, a m illionair; of Cranford, who had often proven He moved along at Jack's side, looking the personi­ himself a gooJ friend of Jack's. fication of laziness as he shuffled heavily over the ,pave-

• 2 ALL-SPORTS LIBRARY. rnent, his jaws working and his hands thrust into his an East Indian, with a queer-looking teakwood box pockets. in front of him. He wore a turban and flowing trou­ "I've got that tired feeling all the time now, since sers, and there was a scarf or sash about his waist that this warm weather came on." held a curved sword and a dangerous-looking dagger. He grinned, and felt round in his pockets for more By the side of this queer figure stood ·a boy of sixteen peanuts. or seventeen, clad in much the same fashion, except "You were just as lazy in the winter," said Ja k. that he carried no weapon. "Why don·t you brace up, straighten your shoulders, The singular thing about . this boy was the fact that and step along with some vim?" he was fair-haired, and light-complexioned. "What's the use? That would only make me more The man was an Oriental; the boy a European, or an tired than I am." American. "Well, I should hate to feel tired all the time!" As Jack and Lafe stopped, speechless, when they "Oh, I don't feel tired all the time." beheld these queer figures, Snodgrass stood regarding "When don't you?" • them with almost childish delight. "When I'm asleep " He clapped his hands softly together and laughed The dapper little servant, a boy himself-who was in a way that Jack had never heard. Snodgrass was so trim. and neat that Lafe declared his belief that he given to quiet joking and some attempts at dry humor kept himself stored away in a dress-suit case most of at times, but never to such hilarity as he now evinced. the time-came out to the gate, as Jack and Lafe ap­ Jack could not have been more astonished if the old proached. gentleman had proceeded to execute a toe dance. "Mr. Snodgrass told me to watch for you, and to "The thing surprises you, does it?" he asked, with send you in if I saw you go by." that strange smile, again clapping his hands sof_tly to­ "That l~t's me out," said Lafe. gether. "I knew it would! I knew it would!" "Oh, come along in," Jack urged. "I shan't be here Neither Jack nor Lafe knew what to say. more than a minute or two, probably." "Come right on into the library," said Snodgrass. The boy did not object, and Lafe Lampton followed Then, to Jack's surprise, the boy spoke: his friend into the yard and on into the house, the boy opening the door for them and piloting them into "Yes, come in; we won't bite you!" the broad hall. Lafe still stood with his mouth open, forgetful of Snodgrass appeared in the hall through the door the peanut he had been munching. that led to his library. But he followed Jack, as the latter entered the li­ His face was pale, a thing so uncommon that it at­ brary. tracted Jack's attention at once; but, in contradiction "Now, we'll have a show!" cackled Snodgrass, mo­ to this, his manner was almost hilarious. tioning them to chairs. "What is the first thing on "Come right in!" he urged. the program, Boralmo ?" Lafe stood ill hesitation, his hat in his hands. Boralmo was evidently the Hindoo. . . "You, too," said Snodgrass; "come right in." He was staring very hard at the visitors, with eyes Then they passed on into the library, which had been that held a dull gleam of red back of their midnight darkened and was lighted only by a lamp, follo;ving blackness. Such eyes, scintillating, fiery, serpent-like, Snodgrass, who walked with the springy step of a boy. Jack had never seen in the head of any human being. Both Jack and Lafe were considerably astonished by The very look of them made him feel creepy. what they saw when they reached the library door. The Hindoo seemed almost a gayly colored snake Seated in the center of the rich Oriental rug, which coiled there on the rich rug. covered the floor, was a w~ritable Hindoo, or, at least, And the thing_ he did now made him seem more

• - ALL-SPORTS LIBRARY. 3 snakelike than before; for, opening the box before the room with sickly, greenish shine, very unlike him, he revealed a hooded cobra. healthy daylight. The srt.:i.ke lay coiled closely in the box, packed about The greenish glow fell full on the Hindoo as he with what seemed to be folds of cotton. It appeared played his flute, and on the box in which the cobra lay. to be dead, for it did not move or show any signs of Then, the music further quickening, the cobra lifted life. its hideous hooded head. It seemed to be rousing from a deep sleep. "Jiminy crickets!" Lafe whispered to himself. Higher and higher the head was lifted, the hood It was th~ limit of Lafe's present ability to express his astonishment. Not knowing what he was doing, expanding ominously. Looking from the snake to the Hindoo, Jack fan­ he fished up a peanut, broke it open mechanically, and cied he saw in the wicked little eyes of the serpent the as slowly poked the kernels into his staring mouth. same red glow that seemed to shine from behind the Jack settled back in his chair and looked at the Hin­ orbs of the snake charmer. doo, at the snake, and at the boy, with a glance of sur­ The cobra now moved in the box with a sliding, prise now and then given to Mr. Snodgrass himself. rustling motion, and threw half of its length out upon Jack was as much astonished as Lafe, but he could the floor, and lay there, with its head on the floor and conceal his emotions better, and was, besides, in spite its tail still in the box. of Lafe's heavy and lethargic manner, much steadier Then its entire length trailed out of the box. of nerve, and cooler. With a feeling of stupefaction and almost horror Yet his heart quickened its beats as he watched this Jack saw it advance in his direction. scene and saw the strange, red glow of the Hindoo's It had its head well erect, its hood expanded, and he eyes. feared it might strike him. Taking out a sort of flute, or pipe, the Hindoo put Then the boy dashed in, caught it up, and threw it to his lips and b~an to play softly. it into the air. The music was almost a monotone, with a certain The green light failed utterly, then flashed forth swinging cadence. with a blinding radiance; and the snake was gone. Both Lafe and Jack declared afterward that it made Jack looked about, gasping. them feel sleepy just to listen to it. "Jee-iminy crickets!" he heard Lafe exclaim, softly. By degrees the movement quickened, and the notes Yes, the snake was gone! Jack could not see it any- rose a little higher. Yet they were still soft and flute­ where. like. But the box was closed, and the Hindoo, opening it, Jack found himself rubbing his eyes as if to keep showed the cobra lying asleep again in the cottony himself awake, and observed Lafe doing the same. folds that lined it. Then he made the startling discovery that the room The boy now came forward with something that re­ was growing darker. sembled a green cloak. Jack had not seen the boy move from his position by He threw it over the open box. the side of the' man; but when he discovered that the The cloak rose up in the center, and Jack was sure room was growing darker, he saw that the boy had that the cobra had lifted itself and was trying to get out of the box through the cloak. risen and was slowly turning down the lamp. l Then something that resembled in its general ap­ But when the Hindoo whisked the cloak away, both pearance a mirror, and which stood behind the Hin­ snake and box were gone, and a little tree seemed to doo, an article of furniture that Jack did not remember be growing up from the center of the rug. to have ever noticed before in that library, began to The boy threw the cloak over this sprout of a tree, glow in a singular and phosphorescent way, lighting and Jack saw the center of it rise still higher. 4 ALL-SPORTS LIBRARY.

When the Hindoo whisked away the cloak the tree Jack was to have an answer to this question that was seen to be much taller, and had blossoms on it. same evening. "J ee-iminy crickets!" Lafe muttered. He was seated in the shed room at home, tall<'ing with Again the cloak was thrown over, and again taken Tom Lightfoot, telling him of the Hindoo snake off; and there stood forth in the center of the room a charmer, when there was a tap on the door. small tree with fruit, and the fruit was apples. \i\!hen Jack opened it he saw Snodgrass and the boy. The boy took one from the tree .and tossed it to Lafe The boy had discarded his ~fast Indian garb and Lampton. was clothed in ordinary costume, so that at first Jack "Try it!" he said, with something like a chuckle. did not recognize him as the youngster he had seen at Lafe was dazed, but he caught the apple mechanic­ Snodgrass' house. ally, as if it were a baseball. Snodgrass came in, in respq:mse to Jack's invitation, The glowing, mirror-like piece of furniture behind and the boy entered with him. the Hindoo winked into darkness again. There was some~hing strange in the old gentleman's A moment later the lamp was turned on full, by the manner. Jack could not tell what it was, but he had boy. never. seen Mr. Snodgrass look so before. I Tree~ snake, box and Hindoo were gone. The boy put his hands into his pockets in a self-con- But the boy stood there, smiling before Lafe; and fident way and stared round at the things on the walls in his hand Lafe held a red-cheeked apple. of the room-at the crossed fencing foils, snowshoes, "Test it!" said th~ boy. and other objects, and at the pictures and books. Lafe was about to set his teeth in it. "Gee!" he cried. "I like this!" Then he checked himself. He was giving the boys not the slightest attention, "No," he said, "I'm going to keep this thing, to see until Snodgrass spoke. if this is all a dream. If I've got a real apple in my "Reel," he said, "these are the young fellows I was fist when I wake up I'll know I've seen things. If I telling you about." haven't, I'll know I was asleep." The boy turneq round then, and advanced across the room. "Say," he said, extending his hand in almost a CHAPTER IL patronizing way to Jack, "I think I shall like this. JACK'S VISITORS. What are those things up there?" When the servant let Jack and Lafe out of the house "Those are snowshoes," said Jack, as he took the and they stood again in the bright sunshine of the extended hand. outer world they had the queer feeling that what they "Oh, yes; you do have snow up here! I'd forgot had beheld had not been real, but only a dream or a about that. And can I learn to walk on those things?" figment of the imagination. "This is Jack Lightfoot, and that is Tom Lightfoot," "I've heard of those East Indian magicians," said said Snodgrass, by way of introduction. Jack, "but I never thought I'd get to see one." "So this is Jack, is it? We've rubbed' noses before. "Nor I," said Lafe. Glad to meet you. Glad to meet you." He looked at the apple and took a bite out of it. • "This is an apple, all right. Try it." He shook hands, also, with Tom. Jack tried it through curiosity. "This young gentleman is my nephew, Reelward "It wasn't any dream," he declared. Snodgrass," explained the old man, with something "I wonder when that Hincloo came? I don't think like an air of mingled pride and helpless resignation. anybody knows he's here." "\i\Thich one of you is going to teach me?" asked ~'I wonder who that boy is?" Jack added. Reelward Snodgrass, looking from one to the other. 4 ALL-SPORTS LIBRARY.

When the Hincloo whisked av•;ay the cloak the tree Jack was to have an answer to this question that was seen to be much taller, and had blossoms on it. same evening. "J ee-iminy crickets !" Lafe muttered. He was seated in the shed room at home, talk-ing with Again the cloak was thrown over, and again taken Tom Lightfoot, telling him of the Hindoo snake off; and there stood forth in the center of the room a charmer, when there was a tap on the door. small tree with fruit, and the fruit was apples. ·when Jack opened it he saw Snodgrass and the boy. The boy took one from the tree .and tossed it to Lafe The boy had discarded his ~ast Indian garb and Lampton. was clothed in ordinary costume, so that at first Jack "Try it!" he said, with something like a chuckle. did not recognize him as the youngster he had seen at Lafe was dazed, but he caught the apple mechanic­ Snodgrass' house. ally, as if it were a baseball. Snodgrass came in, in respamse to Jack's invitation, The glowing, mirror-like piece of furniture behind and the boy entered with him. the Hindoo winked into darkness again. There was something strange in the old gentleman's A moment later the lamp was turned on full, by the manner. Jack could not tell what it was, but he had boy. neve1: seen Mr. Snodgrass look so before. ' Tree~ snake, box and Hindoo were gone. The boy put his hands into his pockets in a self-con- But the boy stood there, smiling before Lafe; and fident way and stared round at the things on the walls in his hand Lafe held a reel-cheeked apple. of the room-at the crossed fencing foils, snowshoes, "Test it!" said th~ boy. and other objects, and at the pictures and books. Lafe was about to set his teeth in it. "Gee!" he cried. "I like this!" Then he checked himself. He was giving the boys not the slightest attention, "No," he said, "I'm going to keep this thing, to see until Snodgrass spoke. if this is all a dream. If I've got a real apple in. my "Reel," he said, "these are the young fellows I was fist when I wake up I'll know I've seen things. If I telling you about." haven't, I'll know I was asleep." The boy turneq round then, and advanced across the room. "Say," he said, extending his hand in almost a CHAPTER IL patronizing way to Jack, "I think I shall like this. JACK'S VISITORS. What are those things up there?" When the servant let Jack and Lafe out of the house "Those are snowshoes," said Jack, as he took the and they stood again in the bright sunshine of the extended hand. outer world they had the queer feeling that what they "Oh, yes; you do have snow up here! I'd forgot had beheld had not been real, but only a dream or a about that. And can I lear:i to walk on those things?" figment of the imagination. "This is Jack Lightfoot, and that is Tom Lightfoot," "I've heard of those East Indian magicians," said said Snodgrass, by way of introduction. Jack, "but I never thought I'd get to see one." "So this is Jack, is it? Vv e've rubbed noses before. "Nor I," said Lafe. Glad to meet you. Glad to meet you." He looked at the apple and took a bite out of it. f "This is an apple, all right. Try it." He shook hands, also, with Tom. Jack tried it through curiosity. "This young gentleman is my nephew, Reelwarcl "It wasn't any dream," he declared. Snodgrass," explained the old man, with something "I wonder when that Hindoo came? I don't think like an air of mingled pride and helpless resignation. anybody knows he's here." "vVhich one of you is going to teach me?'' asked "'I wonder who that boy is?" Jack added. Reelward Snodgrass, looking from one to the other. ALL-SPORTS LIBRARY. 5 "We'll come to that in a minute, Reelward, if you'll If you must wave it, go out into the center of the room be quiet," said the old gentleman. with it." "But I'd like to know about those snowshoes! You "Is this the bat you play with?" Reel ward asked. don't expect to have snow soon, do you?" "No," said Jack. ''We use it sometimes in practice "Not before next winter," said. Jack. games." "So long as that? I think I'd like to try them right "This young gentleman is the son of my unfortunate away. You couldn't walk on them, if there wasn't any brother," said Snodgrass, seeing that if he told his snow?" story he would have to go on in spite of the boy's "Why, yes; but there wouldn't be any fun in it." interruptions. "My brother was lost sight of for a "Then I'll try them to-morrow. And what was that good many years, and we didn't know ·what had be­ you said, uncle, about skating?" come of him. But it seems that lie died in Bombay, "That will come next winter, too," said Snodgrass, leaving this son, who at the time was but an infant. sinking into the chair which Jack offered him. "The The boy's mother died there also, of fever. You re­ boys think of nothing now but base all." member the Hindoo who gave that most wonderful "Oh, I can play that, all right. We used to have a performance at my house this afternoon?" nine in Bombay. Don't you know I was telling you It was not likely that Jack could ever forg€t that· about that, uncle, and about the home-run hit I made Hindoo. that time? Gee! here's a bat!" "The boy was taken charge of by him, and has He picked it up from the corner of the room and been with him most of the time since. My brother, swung it round as if he were swatting at a ball. when he died, left some money, and it has been used "Oh, say, that will be great! When are we going to educate Reelward and pay his expenses." to have a game?" "Oh, but say, it doesn't cost anything to live in that "There's to be a game next Saturday," Jack an · country, as it does here!" the boy cut in. swered. "Reelward, let me tell this story!" "Then I'll be in it! vVhoo-ee ! That's all right!" "\Veil, you know it doesn't, uncle! \Vhy, clown at He swung again with the bat. that hotel in New York we had to pay five dollars a "Reel ward, do be careful!" urged Snodgrass. "You clay apiece. Wasn't that something fierce?" came near hitting the lamp then." He swung again with the bat. But, though he seemed nervous and strangely soft­ "\!\Then the money was gone Boralmo came to this spoken, he smiled indulgently. country in search of me," Snodgrass continued. "He "I have brought Reelward down here to introduce had my address, which my brother had left. It seems him to you. He is to live with me hereafter." strange that in all these years he did not write to me, "That's me," said Reelwarcl, as he dropped into a but Boralmo is a strange man, and it perhaps did not chair and looked at Jack and Tom, nursing the bat occur to him. Well, he came here, and then found me, across his knees. ''I'm from Bombay, India. I was bringing Reelward vyith him. They arrived this after­ brought up in Bombay and in other parts of India, and noon." · never saw this country until a few weeks ago. .The "And it was a hot, old ride, too, in that stuffy train!" way I happened to--" said the boy. "vVhy don't you Americans have cars Snodgrass made a deprecating motion. like the English, instead of cars where everybody sits "Reel ward, I'm to tell this story!" together in one big room? I like the compartment ''All right," said Reelward, taking up the bat and cars the best myself. \l\Thy, to-day I actually had to swinging with it again. "Be sure you get it straight." sit by a man who made me think of a hog. Ugh!" "I'll get it straight," said Snodgrass, with a flu sh. "As I said," Snodgrass went on, "Reelward is 'o "But for pity sake, don't knock me over with that bat! live with me now. I've been telling him about the boys 6 ALL-SPORTS LIBRARY.

here, and especially about you, Jack. Ancl now I"ve "No, I attend the academy; he goes to the high brought him down here, and I'm going to put him school." under you, for you to train in athletics. He already "And you're his cousin! Well, that's funny! understands baseball. But most of the things the boys Which is the best school?" know and do here he seems never to have even heard "I don't dare to answer that," said Tom, with a of." smile. "If I say the academy Jack will challenge me, "And ,,·hen will you begin?" said the boy, looking for he thinks the high school is." at Jack. "Can't we. ha Ye a ball game to-morrow?" "Which is the most stylish-the most fashionable? Jack smiled at the enthusiasm -0f this strange young Oh, what is the word-swell? Yes, that's it. Which fellow. is the most swell?" "Perhaps we can have a practice game," he an­ "The academy," said Jack. swered. "Then I think I'll join the academy. The swell "That will be all right. Anything. Just so I can crowd always gets the most plums of all kinds in this get to swat the ball. And, say, I want to play in that • world," game Saturday. \\There is that gai;ne to be?" Snodgrass smiled indulgently. "Here. Cranford plays Highland Saturday." "Reelward, as you'll find, has some strange notions. "\Vhaf s Highland?" I don't think, though, that he'll attend that academy, "It's the name of a town, and of the nine from that while Prof. Sanderson is at the head of it. He's a town." man I haven't any use for." "vVell, can't I be in that game?" "\i\fhat's the matter with him?" the boy demanded. "I'm ;:i.fraid not," said Jack. "We have our nme "I don't like him." already made up. And, besides, no one can play on "Just the same, I"m going to the swellest school. the nine who is not a student either of the high school o cheap schools for me. When I was in Bombay I or of the academy." attended the finest school there." "\Vell, I can belc.ng to one of those schools, can't I?" "Jack hasn't said that he will undertake to train "The term closes now right away. The summer va­ you in athletics," reminded Snodgrass. cation is at hand." "But the school hasn't closed yet?" The boy gave Jack a sharp look. "No." "Oh, but he will!" he cried. "And he'll put me on "Then I'll belong to it, just to get on that nme. that nine, when he sees that I know how to play. What else do I have to do?'.' Won't you?" "\Vell, you have to be a pretty good player." He came over to Jack, laid his hand on Jack's shoul- "I'm that, all right. Wow! I'll get on that nme. der, and looked him in the eyes. Say, I'll go to that school right off, and join the nine, Jack laughed. and play in that game on Saturday." "I'm willing to show you what I can, of course." "V.,T ell, the cheek you show is the limit!" was the "Oh, you won't need to show me anything about thought of Tom Lightfoot. baseball. I'm up in that already." As if he knew Tom's thought Reelward turned to "I'll do what I can for him," said Jack, directing his him. words to Snodgrass. "Are you on that nine?" "That's good," said Snodgrass. "\Ve can't ask "Yes," said Torn. more than that. And, mind you, Reelwarcl, when Jack "But he's the captain?" says that it means something." Tom nodded. Reel ward dropped back into his seat, still holding "I suppose you belong to the same school?" the bat. ALL-SPORTS LIBRARY. 7 "Get me into that game, Saturday," he said, coax­ can come home later, for I want you boys to get ac­ ingly. quainted." The boy's manner amused Jack. "I'll tell you what I'll do. If you'll explain those CHAPTER III. tricks that Hindoo did this afternoon I'll teach you everything I know in the way of athletics." REEL SNODGRASS The boy shook his head. "He·s an easy guy," said Reelward, as soon as Snodgrass had taken his departure. "I couldn't." • I "Why not?" He pulled his chair up to the workbench, and, throw­ ing his feet up on the bench, leaned back in the chair "It belongs to the mysteries. If I did that Boralmo would kill me. And, besides, it would be violating the in a comfortable attitude. oath." "What makes you say that?'" Tom demanded. "What oath?" "He'll do anythin~ a fellow wants." "\Veil, when you learn those things you have to join He looked companionably at Jack and Tom. a certain secret society. I s'pose that's what you'd call "CaU me Reel," he said. "Uncle Snod says the it. The jugglers of India never teach their secrets ex­ name in full all the time, and it's tiresome. I'd rather cept to members of their own families or caste, or to be called Reel. vVe are going to get acquainted now, certain other ones. I don't know much now, myself­ and you're to teach me athletics and put me on that that is, not much compared with what Boralmo does. baseball nine. Uncle Snod said you would, before he I help him, that's all. When I was left with Boralmo came down here. He says you like him and you'd do by my father, before he died-that is before my father th~t just to please him. I'd rather you'd do it just

"\Veil, yes, that's one reason. But there are others. "Hi! there," he would shout. "There's a silver quar­ You'll learn what they are if you ever go there." ter in your ear!" "I'm going there to--day, and I'm to join the baseball Then he would reac~ up and seem to pick that quar­ nine, and Saturday I'm playing with you fellows against ter right out of the ea_r of the person he had addressed. Highland." Once when he thus appeared to pull a quarter out "Oh, mamma !" gurgled Lafe, falling back against of a boy's ear the boy claimed it as his property, and the fence in a pretended state of limp helplessness. there came near being a fight between him and Reel as "Who told you all that?" to its ownership. "He wants to do those things," Jack explained; "and Altogether, the first day at the academy was a great Mr. Snodgrass wants him to." day for Reel, and when he came down to Jack Light­ "Got any more ot those apples?" said Lafe, changing foot's, after school hours, he was filled with content­ the subject abruptly. .ment and enthusiasm. "Wasn't that a good one?" Reel demanded. The boys of the athletic club and the nine were anx­ "It was! Great." ious to meet Reel Snodgrass, for his singular story "\rVell, then, here is another off the same tree. Uncle had flashed all over town that day. Snodgrass said you were crazy for apples, and I Jack introduced him to such of the boys as he had brought it down for you." not already met, and an impromptu game of baseball Lafe caught it as it was thrown to him, looked it was introduced at once for his gratification. over carefully as if to assure himself that 1t was gen- Jack found that Reel did not need much coaching. uine, then set his teeth into it. He was not as good a ball player as the best members "It's alJ right," he said. "How much do you want of the nine, but he was really better than some of the for that magic tree? I think I'd like to buy it." substitutes. Reel could not get enough of baseball, and the boys continued on the diamond until sunset. CHAPTER V. Then they scattered hurriedly for home, for that HOW REEL SNODGRASS GOT ON TIIE NINE. night the Hindoo was to give an exhibition of his Reelward Snodgrass was accepted as a student very wonderful skill as a sleight-of-hand performer in the promptly by Prof. Sanderson. As the nephew of Mr. public hall, and all the boys wanted to go. Snodgrass, Reelward would be a rich young fellow, There was a crush at the hall that night. It seemed and that was the sort Sanderson liked to get into his that nearly the whole town turned out. academy. The exhibition was a success i? every way, for the Jack was not surprised when, almost before the day Hindoo was able fo do tricks on the stage, assisted by was done, Reel Snodgrass had become one of the most Reel Snodgrass, which were so mysterio~s and appar­ popular of the boys at the academy. ently so impossible that they were the talk of the town The strangeness of his appearance in Cranford, the for days afterward. fact that he had come there with a Hindoo snake charmer, who was even then at Snodgrass' house, and When Reel appeared at the academy the next morn­ the further fact that Reel knew a lot of interesting and ing after some further exercise at the hands of Jack confusing juggling tricks, drew the boys, and the girls, Lightfoot, he found •that his popularity had grown to too, round him in swarms. an amazing degree. The boys, and the girls, too, And Reel enjoyed every minute of this popular at­ fairly.swarmed about him. tention. Reel had some new things on tap, and to furtJ1er He had a very good opinion of himself and was a gain their good will he showed them how he did some bit vain. And he liked to surprise the students with of the more simple of his tricks. his jugglery. Then they plied him with questions concerning the 12 ALL-SPORTS LIBRARY.

marvelous tricks ,performed by the Hindoo the night This was not eno1.,1gh. before in the public hall. "Uncle wants me to be in that game Saturday. "I can't do those myself," Reel confessed, but in a He's very anxious about it." way to make them believe that he could if only he "I can't promise anything more than that I'll put would and that he had a vast fund of mysterious lore you on if there's a chance." which he chose to keep from them. That afternoon Mr. Snodgrass met Jack on the This was another day of triumph for Reel Snod­ street. grass. He was smiling and seemed more like himself. Jack Even Phil Kirtland, who never liked to play second noted the difference in his manner. Yet he was not fiddle to anyone, seemed quite won over by the clever­ yet the familiar Mr. Snodgrass Jack had known. ness of the boy from Bombay. "Reel has been telling me about )'our offer to put That evening Reel Snodgrass was made a member in good and regqlar standing of the academy athletic him on the nine for the Saturday's game if you see an opportunity," he remarked. club, and his name was the next day presented to Jack Lightfoot by Phil Kirtland as a candidate for the posi­ "Yes, I promised him I would if tbere was an open­ tion of substitut11 on the Cranford baseball nine. ing," Jack answered. There were some things about Reel Snodgrass that "Can't you make an opening for him ? Can't you Jack had not been able to like, notably the trick, if it do that just to favor me, Jack?" was a trick, by which Reel had put him to sleep. "I would do anything in the world to please you, Mr. / Yet there were other things in Reel which he rather Snodgrass," said Jack, quite truthfully. "And if I fancied, and he was above all anxious to please Mr. could put him on the nine for the Saturday g~me with­ Snodgrass,,. who for a long time now had been his out doing wrong to any member of the nine, as it is especial friend and admirer. now made up; I should be glad, to do so. But unless So, as the thing seemed to me t the wishes of the one of the nine steps out of his own free will I don't .boys, Jack gave Reel Snodgrass a position as substi­ see how I can do anything." tute. The next morning Jubal Marlin came up to Jack, That appeared to put Reel in the seventh heaven of smiling. It was the day before the game. delight. "By hemlock, naow, if yeou had a chance tew Yet his ambition was not satisfied. He wanted to make twenty-five dollars without

"I don't understand you!'' To speak flat, we're in the hole a thousand dollars if "You will, if you'll say whether you think you'd like Cranford wins, and we're billed to win an equal amount to make some good money or not." if Cranford loses. We thought we had a dead sure "\Vhy, I've already paid twenty-five dollars for the thing when we made those bets, for we had some tips privilege of being on the nine to-morrow." showing that Highland was far and away the best nine. The men laughed. But we find we were fooled. The chances seem good "So? That will be nuts for Highland, if they hear right now that Cranford will win, if something isn't about it!" done to prevent it. Jow do you see what we're driv­ "They won't like it, you mean?" ing at?" "Hardly." "I can see that you don't want Cranford to win, "Why not?" but I know that I do." "It makes you a professional, doesn't it?" The man who had done most of the talking laughed "I don't think I understand you," said Reel. again. "\Vell, you're an innocent guy for a ball player. A "How much would it be worth to you to throw that professional is one who plays for money. An amateur game.?"' , is one who plays merely for the love of it. Quite a "A thousand dollars," said Reel, cool as a cucumber. differenc~, you see." "Phew ! You come high !" "But I'm not playing for money-I've paid money "Of course I know you wouldn't pay it. So that's for the privilege of playing!" why I said it." Reel explained further. "But, seriously, how much do you want?" They laughed again, and one of them, who was "I'm not for sale." smoking a cigar, flicked the ashes of the cigar away "Oh, every man is for sale, if the right price ts with a finger on which a big ring blazed. named. Some think they're not. But that is because "Kow, see here! You're name is Snodgrass, I be- enough money was neYer offered to them." lieve?" "\rVhat are your names?'" Reel demanded. "Yes. Reel Snodgrass." "And you're a stranger here:-'' "If we told you that, Snodgrass, you'd know as much as we do. And be sure that we know a good deal "11y uncle lives here." • more than you· suspect." "But you've jus~arrived ?" "Yes." "Oh, you can't bluff me!'' said Reel. "I've traveled. ' "Now, how would you like to get that twenty-five I've been about. Just remember that I wasn't brought back and a lot more? Did you fork over that your­ up in any little two-by-twice village like this." self?'' "No, you're from Bombay!" "My uncle paid it." "It was the second man who spoke, and he shot this "\Vell, say that twenty-five and some more-a good at Reel in a savage tone. deal more-on top of it. You'd like to have a wad of "Suppose I am, what of it?'' Reel demanded. money?" "I just wanted to emphasize that you're from Bom­ "I never saw the fell ow that wouldn't." bay--nit!'' The man laughed easily and softly. "What do you mean by that?" Reel asked, but his "Kor I. And, Snodgrass, that's just what we're tone had changed and the man observed it. after-money. \Ve're after a lot of it, and we want "I doubt if you ever saw Bombay. And as to that it. To make the thing clear, we're sporting men­ Hindoo, " ·e know more about him than is good for betting men, perhaps you'd say. We've got a big bet, hi~. So, you might as well talk sense to us, and not several of them, in fact~ up on this game to-morrow. be SO flip I" 16 ALL-SPORTS LIBRARY.

Reel stared at the man in the half light with some­ patience. He threw the half-smoked cigar to the thing like fear in his manner. ground. "I don' think I want to talk with you at all," he "Come here in the morning at seven o'clock, and declared, and turned as if to walk back into the town. have your answer right; and that you may be sure to But the voice of the other man detained him. get it right, say to that Hindoo that my name is "Now, see here! As my friend says, we know al­ Blondin!" cogether too much for the good of your Hindoo friend, He snapped out the words impatiently. and for you." "That's all," he said; and he turned and walked back "Perhaps you think I'm not what I claim to be?" toward the town. said Reel. "But' I am. I'm the nephew of Mr. Snod­ The other man followed him, and Reel heard them grass, one of the best known men in this town, and if talking together, the tones seeming to indicate that the I put him after you he'll make it hot for you." second man was trying to dissuade the first from some "But you won't put him after us!" course on which be was determined. "What did he mean by that?" Reel asked hinself. He puffed his cigar coolly, and again flicked off the "Blondin! I never heard the name." ashes with his gemmed finger. He remained there until the men had disappeared ; "Now, we'll give you three hundred dollars in cash, then he hastened to Snodgrass' home for an interview if you'll throw that match to-morrow. And we'll hold with the Hindoo. . off from your Hindoo friend and let him work hi s 'little game, whatever it is. We're not interested in that, and don't care anything about it." CHAPTER VII. Reel stood in hesitation, as if he desired to go back THE GAME OPENS. into the town and at the same time feared to. The game between Highland and Cranford w~ "What do you say? Three hundred to you, and about to be called. we keep our mouths closed about what we know." The people had gathered by hundre~ s, as they al­ "I don't know what you want me to do--that is, how ways did at Cranford when two baseball nines were to you want me to work it?" meet on the diamond. " ow, that's better-a good deal better. You know Jack Lightfoot was there with his nine, which in­ the si_gnals Cranford is to use, of course, for you're on cluded Reel Snodgrass, and the Highland nine had the nine. Contrive a way by which you can transmit appeared, led by Sol Russell. the signals to the captain of the Highland nine. The Sol Russell was a comparatively new man in High­ other members of the Highhnd nine needn't know any­ land, but he was a good baseball player and leader, and thing about it-just you and the captain. You can had been made captain of the nine, after it had gone meet him in the morning before the game. vVe'll fix to several defeats under the old captain. that. And you and he can agree on your method." It was reported that in Russell's hands it had become He stopped and again took a pull at his cigar. a splendid nine, and the Highland people were confi­ dent that it could to-day whip Cranford. "Young man, I think you'd better accept it. It will Jack Lightfoot looked with some interest at the cap­ be healthier for the Hindoo." tain of the rival team, and saw a smooth-faced, blue­ "I'm playing a straight game here!" Reel declared, eyed young man, who seemed to have all the physical almost desperately. energy needed. His manner was somewhat abrupt and "Maybe. But the Hindoo isn't. And we're not sure harsh with his men, but he controlled them, and that that you are." was a thing much needed. Highland players were "I-I don't think I can go into this with you." said to be a wild lot, and the former captain had not For the first time the man with the cigar showed im- held them very well in subjection. ALL-SPORTS LIBRARY.

As for Russell, he was looking at Reel Snodgrass bag, the position which Jubal Marlin had held down rather than at Jack Lightfoot, and Reel flushed under heretofore, and held down very creditably. his rather steady gaze, as if he found it annoying. Lafe had gone to second bag, giving up the catcher's Old Mr. Snodgrass had driven down to the grounds position because the work was hard there, but chiefly in his shining buggy, as was his custom, and he seemed because Phil Kirtland was crazy for the honor of being to Have gained much of his old-time manner, a thing in the battery. Jack was glad to observe. And Phil had shown himself to be a good catcher; so He spoke to Jack encouragingly, before the play that Jack was willing to make the change, so long as began, in his customary, cheering way. Lafe was equally willing that it should be made. "You f11USt win to-clay, Jack! I'm more interested Kirtland's vanity was thus flatteced, so that he did than ever, since Reelward has a place in the nine." not object to playing under the captaincy of Jack Light­ "We'll win to-day," Jack replied, knowing that a foot, and did less "kicking." confident statement was what Snodgrass always Jack, in managing a ball team, found that he had wanted. to consider things like this, if he wished to keep "That's right-that's right! When you say it that harmony in the organization. way I know you will do it. And Reelward is a pretty Harmony helps to win games, and Jack was anxious good player, Jack?" to win. The Cranford rooters broke forth again, when Perli~ "First rate," said' Jack, feeling that he could say this Hyatt, as the first batter up, faced Jack Lightfoot, who quite truthfully. was in the pitcher's box. "Ah! I'm glad to hear that. If I was a boy now­ Jack started in well, by striking out Hyatt-a thing if I was a boy now, I' cl be on your nine myself. Go in that the Cranford enthusiasts greeted ~i th cheers. now, Jack, and do them up." Then Jack's luck seemed to change. Jack felt that he was prepared to do that very thing, He signaled to Phil that he would send a wide ball, for his nine was in tiptop condition. iust over the corner of the plate. The line-up of the two teams was as follows : He sent it, with a sharp twist-but-­ CRANFORD. HIGHLAND. Crack ! Perlie Hyatt, cf. Tom Lightfoot, rf. Sol Russell, p. Brodie Strawn, 1st b. Sol Russell caught it on the end of his long bat and Tom Johnson, 3d b. Phil Kirtland, c. Bill Miller, If. Ned Skeen, ss. sent it sailing. Kit Carver, 1st b. L>afe Lampton, 2d b. Wilson Crane was not 'able to get it and field it in Ben Yates, 2d b. Reel Snodgras$, 3d b. Link Porter, rf. Wilson Crane, cf. before Russell was on second bag. Phin Hester, ss. Mack Remington, rf. Jack now signaled to the catcher that he would send Cale Young, c. Jack Lightfoot, p. a slow drop. There had already been some warming-up work, He sent it. and a toss up had given choice of position to Highland, Crack! which they considered first blood, anc:! they went to the Tom Johnson, a hard hitter, gathered that in on the bat, amid the encouraging cheers of the Highland end of his bat and lined it out. rooters. It was another two-bagger, and Russell came over The important changes in the positions to be played the home plate, while Johnson gained second. by Jack's team was that Phil Kirtland was catcher, the position so long held by Lafe Lampton, and that Lafe Up in the grand stand sat the two men who have was on second base now, and Tom Lightfoot" in right already been presented to the reader. field. They smiled knowingly, when they beheld this work. Of course it will be noticed. that Reel occupied third "I guess our money is safe," said one, in a whisper.

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"Sure thing!': the other agreed. "We can't lose Jack now saw the left fielder move into position and to-day." assume an expectant attitude. Then Jack was hit again; and he only prevented an­ But Skeen, who was not the best batter on the nine, other run by throwing out Tom Johnson at the home failed to make a place hit, and instead sent the ball off plate. the tip of his bat into right. Kit Carver went out at first on a hot ball from short­ Brodie came home on that; but Kirtland,, forced to stop, thus retiring the side. second, was put out. "Gee!" said Jack, as h ~ came in to the benches. "I . Lafe Lampton came up to the plate with Old ·wagon don't know what's the matter with me this afternbon ! Tongue, and Lafe could always be depended on to do I couldn't gi ve them anything bu.t that they got it. I good work. must be losing my science. T-hey seemed to know Jack made no signal to Lafe, and Lafe, getting a every time just. what was coming and were ready comparatively easy ball, slammed it into center. for it." Skeen took third and Lampton second. · "Oh, a bad start makes a good ending!" declared Then-Reel Snodgrass hit up a high fly, which was Lafe, hopefully. "You can't expect to strike men out caught, and the side went out. all the time." Russell had shown himself a good batter, and the CHAPTER VIII. Cranford boys who had never seen him in the box were anxious to see his work as pitcher. A TRAITOR ON THE DIAMOND. But on the se~ond ball in, Tom Lightfoot hammered When Jack Lightfoot went into the pitcher's box him for one bag; and Brodie Strawn, following Tom, again, determined to overcome hi s "bad luck" by using laced out a two,• sending Tom to third, ·which was all the skill at his command, he had little better success hopefully well on the way home. than before. Jack signaled now to Phil Kirtland to bunt down He tried swift balls and slow balls, drops, rises, in close to the plate. and outcurves, alternating with the spit ball. This throwing away of a possible chance to bat the He struck one man out, but the others hit him hard. ball into the outfield was a thing Phil never liked to do, The second man was put out by a catch made by but with Brodie, his close friend an

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Jack felt that he had never clone such poor work A strange thrill of indignation shot through Jack in pitching, yet he had never tried harder to do effect­ Lightfoot when he observed these things. ive business. The batters of the Highland nine seemed But he was not yet sure of anything. All Reel's mo­ to be able to hit him almost at will. Only by using the tions with the bat might mean nothing at all. He de­ eccentric and often unreliable spit ball could he do tennined to watch further. anything. The side was out before Jack could settle the thing "I'll have to use nothing but the spit ball," he said, that was stirring him, and he went into the box. speaking to Lafe. 4'Everything else they seem to be Reel held clown the bag at third, where he could ready and waiting for." readily see every signal and motion which Jack made "Well, those fellows have certainly improved a lot to the catcher or to anyone else. since we played before!" was all Lafe could say. Without appearing to do so, Jack took a quick look at Reel at third just after giving his signal of what­ As for the Highland nine and the rooters from that tver kind to Phil. town they were hilarious and jubilant. They felt that the Cranford boys were on the run, and that the game He discovered, in doing so, that whenever he sig­ was sure to go to Highland. naled that he would send an outcurve Reel crossed his legs. Up in the grand stand two young men sat smiling, When Jack signaled that he would cut the corner of and now and then whispering to each other. the plate or give a wide ball, Reel stood with his legs ."It's a singular thing to me," thought Jack, as he apart. sat in the benches, watching one of his batters step , ·when the signal indicated to the catcher that a slow into position. "It certainly is singular that if I hap­ drop was coming Reel put up one hand as if scratching pen to signal to a fellow to try to put the ball in any his face or his ear. particular place the fielder at that point appears to get When a swift, sharp curve was to be given, Reel put ready for it. I wonder if they have dropped to our up the other hand in much the same way. signals?" For every signal that Jack had, he discovered that He haq wondered about that before, and had Reel had some movement of his legs, his arms, or his watched the Highland boys, hoping to discover the bo

The Highland rooters were yelling their enthusiasm, So it had come about that rather poor batters like certain that their team would win. Skeen, who were seldom able to get a place hit, were The Cranford enthusiasts were still cheering all they the best batters on the Cranford nine, so far as puzzling could for Cranford, but they began to feel that this was the opposition were concerned. was not Cranford's clay. More than once when Skeen tried to put the ball in From the first the game had gone against Cranford. left it rolled off his bat and flew into right, and the left There even began to be some mutterings _against fielder, who was ready for it, had his effort for nothing. Jack; and Jack heard the disheartening words more Ilaving seen just what was going on, Jack Lightfoot • than once-words that give pain to any pitcher: now found himself in a -curious and unpleasant di­ "Take him out of the box-he's no good!" lemma. Even Jack's best friends began to think he had lost Mr. Snodgrass was desirous that Reel should be on his grip. the nine that day. Jack kept his temper, used the. spit ball all he could, Snodgrass had often befriended Jack, and at times and with splen.did support from the fielders and the when Jack sorely needed a friend. catcher tried to keep the score down. Snodgrass was one of Jack's most enthusiastic ad­ mirers. CHAPTER IX. It was as plain as anything could be -that if Jack JACK LIGHTFOOT's DILEMMA. accused Reel Snodgrass of treach:ry and giving away Jack Lightfoot's indignation had finally reached the the signals, Snodgrass would be offended. boiling point. Reel would, of course, deny the whole thing, would He had by careful watching proved to his own satis- even become indignant and make ugly countercharges. faction that Reel Snodgrass was giving the signals to And the chances were great that Snodgrass would the Highland team. believe Reel and would disbelieve Jack. He had observed that Sol Russell, the Highland cap- • Jack had the feeling that he could not afford to lose tain and pitcher, watched closely every movement Reel the good opinion of Mr. Snodgrass. made. It seemed almost better to let the game be played The members of the Highland team seemed to watch out to the finish, and let Cranford lose, rather than their captain, instead of Reel; so it was apparent that forfeit the good will of such a friend. Russell was receiving the signals from Reel and then But there was the team to be considered, and the repeating them to the Highland players. Thus it had come about that when Jack signaled to people of Cranford, who trusted in him and believed in Phil Kirtland that he meant to pitch a low ball the him. man at the bat was ready to receive a low ball. To permit the game to go on in this way would be \Vhen Jack signaled that the ball would be wide out, treachery to the Cranford nine and the Cranford peo- or a drop, or an incurve, the batter was ready for it. ple. In the same way, when the Highland boys were in "But"-Jack compressed his lips in determination- the field and Jack signaled to one of his batters to try "what is right is right! The fellow is a young scoun­ to place a ball, or to steal a base, or any other thing, drel and traitor, and he ought. to be exposed. If he the Highland boys were ready for this particular hit or isn't, the game is gone, and I will be really to blame. movement. If I hadn't discovered it, the thing would be different. Instead of trying to do great work in the pitcher's Now that I have discovered it there's nothing left for box, Russell was letting the Cranford batters hit him me to do but to act." and place the balls, knowing that his own men were He now spoke to several members of the nine-to

ready for whatever hits came. Lafe and Tom, to Ned Sk.een, an.cl to Brodie and Phi11 ALL-SPORTS LIBRARY. 21

telling them of his discoveries and asking them to Then he broke clown, and, shaking with nervous­ watch Reel Snodgrass and Sol Russell. ness, seemed about to cry. Suddenly Brodie, after watching a while, sprang at "Jack," said Snodgrass, giving Jack a look the lat­ Reel Snodgrass with a tigerish l~ap, and caught him ter could not forget for some time, "I'm astonished! by the throat. I am sure that you are utterly mistaken, and--" he, "You scoundrel!" he cried. "We're onto you! too, trembled-"you haven't heard the. last of this!" Now, you'll get off this diamond, or be kicked off." He seemed about to conduct Reel to his buggy; but He flung Re~l upon the ground. Reel, whose face was red an_d then white by turns, Reel staggered up, white-faced and panting. broke from him, and disappeared in the gathering "vVhat do you mean?" he sputtered, apparently crowd that thickened like flies round the speakers. frightened. The two young men in the grand stand who had so Brodie faced him. far ~atched the progress of the game with tlie utmost All the members of the nine and the substitutes gath­ satisfaction became excited when they beheld that com­ ered round these two. motion and gained some inkling of what had happened. "A fight!" somebody cried; and people came tum­ "The fool has been too bold and has been caught," bling down f.rom bleachers and grand stand, and the one whispered. umpire came forward, while Kennedy, the watchman, They tumbled down from the seats, and, pushing appeared. into the crowd, made anxious inquiries. "You know what I mean," said Brodie, his dark "One of the nine turned traitor and gave the sig- face aflame. "You're a traitor. We've been watch­ nals away," they heard a Cranford man explaining. ing you, and you've been repeating our signals to the "But 'twasn't one of our boys?'' some one asked. Highland captain." "No, that young nephew of Snodgrass." Sol Russell had come forward, and was indignantly "You're a liar!" shouted Reel. denying the whole thing. It was as Jack had feared. Reel was determined to He declared that he had received no signals from deny it. anyone. Brodie leaped at him, when that accusation was •The members of his nine kept still. shouted, but Jack caught Brodie and held him back. They had not known that one of the members of "That's not the way, Brodie!" the Cranford team was playing traitor. What they Then he, too, faced Reel. had thought was that their captain had in some man­ "You're retired from the nine!" he declared. ner learned the signals himself. "All right," said Reel. "I can stand it." "Anyway, we're all right," said one of the young "What is it? What is it?" demanded Mr. Snod- men to the other, as they climbed back to their seats. • grass, having heard something which showed that Reel "Eight innings and a half have been played, and the was in trquble, as he pushed into the crowd. score is now seven to two in Highland's favor. Cran­ Jack turned to the man who had often befriended ford can't overcome that lead, no matter what they him. do. Let 'em kick. ,· They can't prove anything, and "Mr. Snodgrass, we're satisfied that Reel hasn't been they made the discovery so late that they've lost the playing fair by us-that he has been repeating our sig­ game." nals. I'll explain everything to you later. Just now But had they lost the game? the game must go on. Reel is retired from the game, . That important question was to be settled. and Bob Brewster goes in as his substitute." Reel had disapp'eared. "It's a lie-all a lie!" shouted Rer.I, facing Snod- . And Mr. Snodgrass had left the ball grounds m grass. anger. 22 ALL-SPORTS LIBRARY.

CHAPT'ER X. Lafe did not stop until he rested securely on the sec­

THE GAME GOES ON. ond bag. So far Jack had given no signal. The Cranford nine went to the bat 111 the second half of the eighth inning with the score overwhelm­ Now he signaled to· Bob Brewster, as it seemed to Russell, to try to get a place hit in right. ingly against them-seven to two. Russell saw that signal and wig-wagged to the Yet they were more than ever filled with a deter­ right fieldee. mination to win the game. But here was where Russell was making a mistake. "I was a fool in one thing," was the thought of Jack had shifted to a new set of signals, which the Sol Russell, as he entered the pitcher's box. "Why nine had used before and with which they were well didn't I make that idiot teach me the Cranford signals, instead of having him signal them to me? That cer­ acquainted. What had seemed to Russell a signal for a hit into tainly was the worst break I ever made! But I know some of them-more than half of them, and I'll take right field was really a signal for a hit into left field. advantage of it." Jack smiled grimly, when he saw the right fielder get into position to receive that right-field hit, while the But he had still a few things to learn. left fielder stood inattentively. Ned Skeen was the first name called by the um­ pire. Jack rather doubted Bob Brewster's ability to make that place hit, yet he knew the good-natured, red­ Ned foule , and then fouled again, and finally struck headed giant would make the best attempt he could. out. Twice the ball came over. This was ·a very bad beginning, and Neel flushed as Then-- he threw down the bat and walked back to the benches. Crack! "Howling mackerels, that was awful!" he confessed. Brewster placed it deep in left field, to the amaze­ "But I couldn't help it. He's throwing a different ball ment of the fielder, who was not looking fo r it, and from what he did before." to the disgust of the man in right, who was in posi­ This was true. tion and ready to receive it. Up to this time Russell had not sought to do the On that deep-left place hit Lafe Lampton came very best he coLild as a twirler, relying rather on his home, and Bob Brewster gained second. fielders and the knowledge he had of Jack's signals. The encotiraged Crainford fans tuned up, shaking But sturdy Lafe Lampton was the next batter called out the little flags they had supplied themselves with by the umpire, and Lafe was a sure, hard hitter. and yelling to crack their tl11ioats. Grand stand and He lounged to the rubber as if he felt too lazy to bleachers were a sea of waving color, as the fans lift the bat, but when he stood in position his blue eyes screamed their joy. .. were alert and he was ready for anything that came. "That batter did that by pure accident," was the Russell sent him a swift in-shoot, and got a strike. thought of Sol Russell, who had not yet discovered ' Then he gave Lafe a slow drop. that Jack had made a change of signals. Lafe gathered it in, and it went into the outfield so Long-legged Wilson Crane now poked his long nose deep that the fielde: had to run for it. over the rubber and held up Old ·wagon Tongue. Sprinting for first, and then on to second, no one Jack signaled for a place hit in right field, and Rus- who saw Lafe thus running would have thought he was sell, again mistaken, thought it was for a grass cutter the boy who had loafed so lazily up to the plate. Lafe · past third, and so signaled. was lazy in a good many things, but never so lazy that \Vilson got his place hit, after being almost struck he was not equal to an emergency when it came to out. him. But the right fielder was more wide awake this time, ALL-SPORTS LIBRARY. and sent the ball so quickly to first that Wilson came Jack let them go by, studying them, until two balls near going out there. and one strike were called. Yet Bob Brewster had succeeded in gaining third. Then he connected. Mack Remington now came to the rubber, and Jack Crack! was a bit afraid of Mack's batting abilities. It was a terrific hit, right over the head of the center fielder, who had run in to back up the shortstop and He signaled to Mack to bunt. the second baseman. Russell wrongfully interpreted the signal to mean Ned Skeen popped to his feet like a jumping jack, a hit past short. wildly excited, while that glorious hit stirred the en­ He signaled to his fielders that the batter was to try thusiasm of every member of the nine, as well as the for a hit past short, and he himself got ready to get how ling fans. the ball if it came near him. "Go! Oh, that was a beaut! Howling mackerels! The catcher, who had also observed Russell's re­ Look at it! That fielder can't get it in a week!" peated signal, looked for a ball to short, if the place Jack was "going," and so was Macklin Remington hit was secured, and so ~as not prepared for a bunt. and Wilson Crane. In trying to get his hit Mack knocked a little fly. Mack had been on first and ·Wilson on second It popped over into the midst of some spectators Wilson came home. who had crowded too close to the diamond, but was Mack Remington, crowding him hard, also came still not foul. home. The catcher had to run for it, and the spectators Jack went to second, then to third. interfered with him, so that before he could secure Ned Skeen, who had run to third to coach, yelled the ball and get back to the rubber, Bob Brewster, for him to "go home!" who had come lunging in with the speed and force of And Jack went, like lightning. a steam engine, was safe. In bleachers and grand stand people were standing Wilson had gained second and was almost a third up, simply howling-howling. of the way to third, but the catcher threw to Russell The ball was coming in. and drove him back for safety. Sol Russell ran out to get it. But when he turned with it to throw to the rubber, Then Jack Lightfoot took up the timber, as his name Jack had thrown himself in a slide and was safe. was called by the umpire. Tom Lightfoot now sent a ball into right-and was There was no better batter on the nine. caught out. Russell knew that. Brodie Strawn had two strikes called on him-an He watched Jack closely, to see the signal he gave unusual thing for Brodie-and then pulled two bags. to Wilson on second. Then-it was a sickening thud for his proud spirit Wilson was playing off daringly, believing that Jack -Phil Kirtland, in trying to make a place hit that would be sure to get a hit. would bring Brodie in, sent the leather straight into Jack signaled that he would try for one in deep Russell's hands, and .was out! center. But what a change had been made in the score cards! Russell, still deceived by the change in the signals, Now the score stood seven to seven. took it to mean that he would try for a bounder down past second. The game was a tie. Hence, instead of getting back, the outfielders crept in, just the thing they should not have dog.e. CHAPTER XI. Jack smiled to himself when he saw that. THE NINTH INNING. He understood the situation, and knew how he had fooled Russell. The Highland boys came to the bat in the opening of the ninth inning feeling rather queer. Russell was anxious, as a pitcher, to strike Jack out. They had gained their great lead not through su­ It would be something of a plume in his bonnet, if perior playing, but through treachery, and now they he could do that. had lost it. Hence he began to send in swift curves. The thing for them to do now was to get as many: 26 ALL-SPORTS LIBRARY.

Jack was in his•room upstairs; and when his mother Jack not only wrote this, but when Reel told him to called up that Reel was in the yard, Jack asked him to he signed his name to it. come up into his room. Reel put the slip of writing in his pocket, replaced Reel looked confused and humiliated as he shuffled the writing material where he had found it, and th& in, something like a peacock after its gaudy feathers went out of the house. have had a soaking in a rain storm. He spoke to Mrs. Lightfoot, in the hall below, saying He dropped into a chair almost without a word of that Jack was going to bed, and then he let himself greeting. out of the yard a.t the paling gate and hastened on Jack sat down close by him, after giving him a uptown. friendly greeting. · Jack still sat m the chair, without motion, after "I want to tell you how that was," said Reel, in a Reel's departure. low voice. "Of course you've made out a bad case After half an hour had passed he struggled as if he ' against me, in your mind. But ler me tell you how it were trying to arouse himself from sleep. was." The fact that, on discovering he was falling asleep He looked at Jack keenly with his bright eyes, fairly under the hypnotic influence of Reel's words and eyes, boring him with them. Jack had made a fierce struggle to throw off and over­ ''All right," said Jack. "Go ahead. I'm quite will­ come the influence, had kept Reel from succeeding as ing to hear whatever you've got to say by way of ex­ fully as he believed he had. planation." Jack was temporarily well under the influence which Reel began to talk in an apologetic tone. Reel had been able to exert. But instead of beginning the explanation which Jack He had again been taken unawares, and so had suc­ expected, he began to talk about the Hindoo and his cumbed. But the resistance he had made bore now marvelous skill 'as a magician. He told of the life of strange fruit. a wandering magician in India, and of his own life as He did not recover his ordinary wide-awake con­ sciousness, but appeared to be in the telepathic state he wandered from place to place with Boralmo. \Yhich sometimes accompanies the hypnotic trance. It was a marvelously fascinating tale that he SJlun, This is the condition which clairvoyants are said to whether true or false, and Jack was soon listening fall into when they see things that are otherwise un­ with the greatest interest. knowable. / . According to Reel's story he had been pretty well Jack had some singular telepathic power now. He all over India, encountering many strange people and knew what had happened to him, though unable to meeting many queer adventures. cast it off. He knew that Reel Snodgrass had been As he ta1ked on Jack began to grow sleepy. there in the room and had thrown him into this con­ dition. More than that, he felt that Reel contemplated Noticing it, he tried to straighten up, but somehow something sinister and deadly, or that the Hindoo did, the charm of Reel's words kept him from doing so, against Mr. Snodgrass. and he sat there in the chair while Reel continued his He seemed to see Reel as he retreated up the street fascinating narrative. Then he struggled again, al­ toward the Snodgrass residence. Whether this was most fiercely this time, but Reel's will overcame him. telepathic seeing or merely his fancy that he saw Reel After a little Reel arose with a strange smile on his can hardly be known. It seemed to him real, at any face, and Jack sat still in the chair, staring as if at rate. vacancy. ·with the feeling on him so strongly that the Hindoo Taking from Jack's desk, near at hand, writing ma­ meant harm to Mr. Snodgrass, Jack got out of his terial, Reel put them in Jack's hands and told him to chair, put on his hat, and walked softly downstairs. write, dictating the words : • • He was now like one who walks in his sleep. He "DEAR MR. SNODGRASS : I find that I was mistaken looked straight ahead of him, as if he did not see any­ in what I said against Reel. He did not do the things I thought, and I beg your pardon and his for saying thing, yet h.e opened and closed the lower door, went that he did." softly: into the yard, and then on into the street. ALL-SPORTS LIBRARY. ~7

His mother had retired, when Reel told her that where he was, and he felt confused. Then he saw that Jack had gone to bed, and she knew nothing of the he was in Snodgrass' yard. More, he saw that the fact that her boy was now leaving the house. window near which he stood was open. Beyond the When in the street Jack took the familiar path to window he heard strange words in some outlandish the residence of Mr. Snodgrass. tongue-words that seemed to be muttered as if the · As he hastened along he seemed to see Reel enter the speaker were talking to himself. house and go into the room where the Hindoo was. Then Jack recalled what had happened to him. The He knew th i; room, for he had been in it once himself. thing was as hazy as a half-remembered dream, but It was the bedroom which Snodgrass occupied very he recollected enough of it to enable him to under­ often, and adjoined the library, connecting with it by stand how he came to be there in the darkness by that a curtained door, so that late at night, when tired of window. reading or writing, Snodgrass could slip in there and The whole thing was so singular and uncanny that go to bed without disturbing anyone in the house. he felt himself trembling, while perspiration came out Jack seemed to see Mr. Snodgrass in there, con­ all over his body. fronted by the Hindoo. He began to wonder, too, what would be said if he Reel did not appear to be present in this room now, were seen there. and Jack did not now seem to kno\v just what had The words he had heard now came again. become of him. But he saw, or thought be saw, the They showed impatience and irritability. Hindoo very plainly, and the presence of the Hindoo in Then a tiny light flashed, coming from what ap­ that room boded ill of some kind to Mr. Snodgrass. peared to be a small, electric torch. With this feeling on him, Jack quickened his steps By that light Jack saw the Hindoo down on his and was soon in front of the Snodgrass house. knees before Snodgrnss' private safe, while Snodgrass The street was gloomy and the house was dark. All himself lay stretched on the bed as if dead. about the house and within it was silence. All Jack's fears for Mr. Snodgrass' safety, and the If Jack had been in his ·nonnal an~ ordinary state feeling that the Hindoo meant harm to him, came of mind he would have stopped at the gate, for there back. was nothing to be seen or heard to create the least Yet he hesitated, trembling. susp1c1on. He could not afford to make a mistake here. Yet he sti11 believed he saw into that room. He He was about to run round to the front of the house seemed to be able to look right through the walls, his and ring the bell for the purpose of summoning Mrs. vision pentrating solid substances as the mysterious Snodgrass or the servant. x-ray penetrates solids. Whether he saw anything or Then he heard the Hindoo at the open window. not, he had the feeling and the belief that he did. The light flashed again, and showed that the Hindoo A certain cunning caution came to him now. bore some sort of bag in his hands. He knew if he rang the bell that would arouse the The Hindoo let himself through the window, closed house and warn everyone within of his presence. He it softly after him, and turned as if to go. chuckled as he thought how clever he was to think Though he had no proof more than he had seen, of that and to take precautions. Jack was as certain Boralmo had rifled the safe and Hence, after passing through the gate, in doing now had its valuables in that bag as he had ever been wh ich he made no more sound than if his feet were of anything in his life. shod with velvet, he walked softly round the house At any rate, as he had seen the Hindoo slip softly until he approached the window which he knew opened out of the room, in this suspicious manner, Jack felt into the bed chamber that adjoined the library. that he could with justice now interfere. At this point something seemed to snap in Jack's He stopped only for a moment to consider the dan­ head. He reeled drunkenly, as if he were about to fall. ger to himself. It was great enough to have de­ He put his hands to his face, for a mist swam before terred most boys. his eyes and he felt giddy. Then he called for help as loudly as he could, and But instantly the feeling was gone. threw himself upon the astonished Hindoo. Jack looked around. So sudden and unexpected was Jack's assault that He had come out of the hypnotic, sleep-walking the Hindoo tumbled back against the wall, dropping trance, and was bewildered. At first he did not know the bag out of his hands. ALL-SPORTS LIBRARY.

"Help!" Jack yelled, clutching the little, brown man "How did that get open?" he inquired. by the throat., "Help! Help!" "The Hindoo opened it," said Jack, "and I think he His voice rang through the silent street. took whatever of value was in it. He had something The Hindoo, struggling and frantic with sudden in a bag, which he dropped when I tackled him. Mr. fear, struck at his assailant with the knife he carried Kennedy now has that bag." in his belted sash. "And I've got a queer knife here, too," said Ken­ The keen blade ripped through Ja~k's coat, .and its nedy, now coming through the window. point scratched the skin. Snodgrass was staring. Jack half released his hold and struck the knife hand "The Hindoo ?" he gasped. "What Hindoo ?" a terrific blow with his fist. , "Why, Snodgrass, are you crazy?" said his wife. The Hindoo struggled again and cried out strangely, "What Hindoo? That's a pretty question." / while Jack clung to him and once more called for "Well, I say again, what Hindoo? What are you / help. talking about?" Then the agile magician slipped out of his gaudy Then he remembered, hazily, as Jack had done, some upper garment, as an onion peels out of its skin, and of the many things that had occurred to him. Jack fell back holding the garment in his hands while He had undoubtedly been hypnotized and induced the Hindoo fled out into the darkness. to give up tj:Je c~mbination of the safe. And he de­ There were cries of alarm in the house and a pat­ clared, later, that he must have been under hypnotic ter of running feet on the street. influence when he did some of the other queer things A light flashed in the bedroom, shining out into of which he had been guilty that week. Jack's pallid face, and a shriek came from the lips But he stuck to one thing, and that was that Reel of Mrs. Snodgrass. Snodgrass must be his nephew, for he did have a Kennedy, the night watchman, came leaping into brother who died in Bombay, leaving there a son, the yard, ewinging club and revolver. under the circumstances which the Hindoo and Reel He saw Jack reeling and white in the light of the had reported. lamp from the window. But Reel had vanished, too, with the Hincloo. "What's up?" he demanded. The money and other things taken from the sa~e "Take this!" said Jack. "I'm going into this room!" were found in the bag. He tossed the garment to the bewildered watchman The knife that had slashed Jack's coat and cut to and sprang through the window. the flesh Jack kept as a souvenir, while Snodgrass took Kennedy was about to follow, when Jack told him possession of the queer East Indian garment which to pick up whatever he found on the ground by the had. dropped from Boralmo as he fled. · window. "It's a lucky thing he left these things," said Jack, Within the room J•(:k found Mrs. Snodgrass bend­ speaking to Kennedy. "Otherwise there are people ing over Snodgrass, who had come out of the hypnotic who might think I am lying and had something to do state into which the Hindoo had thrown him. with robbing that safe myself. But I don't feel at all proud of what I did, when I remember how easily Reel Jack came to the conclusion later that the cry which threw me into that queer trance." the Hindoo uttered had released Snodgrass from his singular trance. "But Reel will come back!" said Snodgrass, posi­ tively. "He is my nephew, I'm sure, and he'll come The private safe of Mr. Snodgrass was open and the back. I don't believe that he had anything to' do with money it had held was gone. this attempt at robbery. He'll come back!" Snodgrass was reeling as if he could not understand where he was or what had happened. THE END. Mrs. Snodgrass begged him to lie back on the bed, Next week's issue is No. 19, and it is another capital insisting that he was sick. baseball story, "Jack Lightfoot's Cyclone Finish; or, "No, I'm not sick," he declared, "but I feel queer. How Victory Was Snatched from Defeat." The base­ Something's the matter with my head." ball season is in full swing now, and nearly every boy "Where is that Hindoo? Did he do that?" Mrs. in America is playing the great American game. And Snodgrass asked, indicating the open safe. every boy will want to read and will be pleased with Snodgrass stared at the safe. this baseball story. •

A CHAT WIT·H YOU

Under this general head we purpose each week to sit around and many a great game was played before they ever were the camp fire, and have a heart-to-heart talk with those of our thought of. But first, last and all the time, the success­ young ~eaders who care to gather there, answering such letters as may reach us asking for information with regard to various ful pitcher must be able to send the ball where he wants healthy sports, both indoor and out. We should also be glad to, without the shadow of a doubt. to hear what you think of the leading characters in your f,avorite Don't pitch with your arm only. Learn to use every publication. Besides answering the various letters and giving muscle of your shoulder and back. Lots of young play­ advice on athletics, we are publishing from week to week a short essay upon some timely topic, such as "How to pitch a drop ball," ers think all they have to do is to stand both feet flat and other things that most boys desire to know, told in a manner on the ground and let the ball drive by the good strength that may be easily understood. It is the editor's desire to make of their biceps. It ruins the arm. Let your body swing this department one that will be eagerly read from week to week with your arm, and when it comes to the throw you'll by every admirer of the Jack Lightfoot stories, and prove to be of valuable assistance in building up manly, healthy Sons of Amer­ have the battery of swing, back, neck and shoulders be­ ica. All letters received will be answered immediately, but may hind the ball. Such play will not injure your control not appear in print under five weeks, owing to the fact that in the least and will save your arm. the publication must go to press far in advance of thcYdate of Take care of your arm. That's your bank, and if you issue. Those who favor us with correspondence will please bear this in mind, and exercise a little patience. neglect it you may find yourself out of the game for good. Don't consider any indication of wrong as too trifling; if your arm aches, take a rest. The player who PITCHING. goes on the principle of always working is a fool. A little idleness is a good thing. Keep the arm protected, Once there was a young amateur ball player who did but not wrapped up. To wear bandages is to weaken not want to be pitcher. That's a fairy story. Every the muscles and eventually lose power. Don't use ad­ real boy thinks that he is the pitcher, the coming pitcher vertised remedies, warr~nted to take away1hat tired feel­ of the game. There's something doing round the pitch­ ing; many a professional player has burned all the life er's box all the time, and every live American lad wants out of his muscles by trying such nostrums. Avoid them. to be where there is something doing. Then, there is Protect your pitching shoulder, too; constant exercise the fun of putting the other fellows out. As the Bow­ develops these muscles so highly that they become very ery boy said: "De pitcher's de cheese," every time. Most sensitive to even slight draughts. Wear a piece of flan­ professional players were pitchers once before they took nel for protection's sake. When your arm gets tired, , up work in other positions, and the captain of the amateur rest it and rub it with witch hazel; let it soak in a warm team usually finds everyone thinks he can pitch, and bath now and again. When you can, give it a little mighty few who are willing to play elsewhere, until they massage or rubbing. With proper use of your body and learn better. these simple remedies when tired, and judicious rest, your If you want to pitch, ask yourself if you have fair arm will seldom trouble you. control of the ball. Standing in the box, can you place Pitching is a big subject, and as our space for "Cha~' the ball where you want it to go? If you can't, you'll is limited, further points in the pitcher's work, with a have to learn how to before you can play ball in that discussion of some of the season's plays, will be deferred position. Don't trouble your head about speed, but prac­ to the two succeeding issues. tice until you can hit your mark every time. And don't make the mistake of training yourself to hit a bull's-eye. The man behind the bat is not a target. Pitch to a Will you please tell me what a boy of fourteen should catcher over some sort of a plate, a square of ground, measure and weigh to be just about the right thing? I a piece of board, a glove ; aim to send the b~ll to the am five feet four inches tall and tip the scales at a hun- right, to the left, over the center. If you can, get some dred and twenty-seven. J. B. L. one to take the bat; but if you can't do that, practice Raleigh, N. C. over some sort of a plate. When you can place the ball All we can say, my dear boy, is that you are evidently where you want it to go, you've got control of the ball, living on the fat of the land in your borough. Raleigh and that means that you can pitch and have the batter at your mercy. Forget curves, unless you're left-handed, must be a healthy place to grow up in. You could easily "south-armed,'' as the professionals call it; then, pitch knock off fifteen or seventeen pounds and still be in prime to overcome that habit. A left-handed pitcher will do condition, for the proper weight of a young fellow of some queer stunts unless he has perfect mastery of the your height is something like one hundred and ten ball, and he must work hard and constantly until he is pounds. Still, it is difficult to tell with boys of your age, able to throw as straight and sure as the right-handed man. 'Vhen you can control the ball, it's time enough usually grow'mg very rapidly. As to what your measure­ to think of curves; many a good pitcher never uses these, ments should be in order to meet the requirements of ath-

• ALL-SPORTS LIBRARY. •

1ctic development, we would say a girth of some 33 inches I write in connection with your publications. They around the chest; 26 inches about the waist; hips, 33 are taking right along in my town, considering what a inches; thighs, 19 inches, and calf, 13 inches, would about short time it has been since they made their appearance. My first order of two copies for each has been increased fill the bill. Take more exercise and reduce your weight, to eight. They are, indeed, all that you claim for them. if you wish to be called an athlete. Fat is the deadly How about an applause column for ALL-SPORTS? We enemy to distinction in that line. could then tell who the readers were all over the coun­ try. I am a reader of, as well as a dealer in, your pub­ Perhaps you may think it a funny thing for me to lications. I like to sell good books to boys, and I think say I felt glad Jack Lightfoot's team was beaten at base­ ALL-SPORTS the best on the market. b'1ll in a recent number of the ALL-SPORTS. An author, Ripley, Miss. J. R. BAINS, in my opinion, makes a big mistake when be has his hero Manager "Little Bonanza News Company." always win in everything he attempts. Boys soon learn Those are cheery words, and we thank you, friend • to look upon such a character as unreal, since it does not Bains, for the deep interest that you have taken in ALL­ stand to reason. He must have bis poor days, and take SPORTS, both as a reader and a selling agent. You evi­ his "knocks" along with the rest. Of course every reader and admirer delights to see Jack come out ahea,d in the dently know about what the boys want, and what will majority of his battles, though only through superior do the most good in making them more vigorous, manly abilities and a shutting of his teeth together with a snap, and generous-hearted. We hope to grow in time; but, rather than because luck favored him. Mr. Stevens after all, it is quality, not quantity, that counts, and our seems to understand a boy's nature from the ground up, best efforts will be directed toward excelling all others and I hope he will continue to give us such genuine stories of real "sport" as he has up to the present. We in the class of material we offer the great reading public are not ashamed to be found reading the ALL-SPORTS LI­ of "corning men of America." BRARY. Indeed, I take mine home openly, and the rest of the family are pretty nearly as much interested in the I see you have opened a department where the readers Cranford crowd as I am. I would like very much to see of ALL-SPORTS can have a friendly chat once a week, and this in print, bet:ause I really think many boys believe perhaps compare notes in connection with athletic matters. just as I do about Jack. He's all right, and so are some That is as it should be. I have always thought that such of the other fellows. I think that Phil Kirtland would a thing drew the readers of a boys' paper closer, and become quite a fine character if only, he could throw off aroused a greater interest in what was going on. I con­ his desire for show, and wanting to play to the galleries. fess that I'm a great admirer of your publication. In Mt. Sterling, Ky. ' DAVID R. CooK. the first place, the stories please me, being just the kind We rather think you will find that Mr. Stevens can I've always liked. Then again, I find that I can pick be depended on to look out for his boys. He tells us up many use ful hints in connection with things athletic, to which my fancy seems to run. And now that you have that it is his desire to gradually develop the characters found it necessary to open an applause and athletic de­ of several who figure in these stories, building them up partment in order to answer the many letters received, by degrees, as they meet with trials and adventures in the my joy is complete. Count on me to stand by you right wide field of sport, until he hopes his readers may have along, and more than that, I think every boy who enjoys · come to look upon them in the light of old friends, and ALL-SPORTS should feel it his duty to interest his com­ gladly renew their acquaintance from week to week. And rades. I've already influenced three fellows to take it, and every time they see me they declare it's all I boomed what you say about the rest of the family liking ALL­ it up to be. By the way, is my weight up to the standard SPORTS pleases us because that is what we are trying to for a young fellow standing five feet six in his socks? make it, a clean sheet, of which no lad need feel ashamed. I tip the scales at a hundred and twenty-three pounds. Thanking you in advance, and hoping that I may see this Is there any way in which I can increase my height? in the Chat columns soon, CHATZ G. BROWN. I am very 'Sensitive about being undersized, and would Rahw.ay, N. J. go to a great deal of trouble if in some way I could only We think you present our case very strongly, friend grow faster. I am fourteen. A Bov. Chatz; and can only repeat once more our assertion that Now we fear you have put us "in a hole," so to speak. we feel confident of heing able to influence any lad for You remember the Good Book declares most positively the better who becomes a constant reader of ALL-SPORTS. that in no wise may a man increase his stature even one By this we mean both morally and physically. While cubit. All we can say is that there seems to be J?lenty Jack and l)is chums do not pose as saints, but healthy of hope for you. At fourteen we have seen many lads boys, prone to stumble and even fall at times, they have who appeared to be stunted in their growth when, in fact, high aims and ambitions, and seek to elevate themselves they had not as yet n~.ached the growing age. Meeting as they move along their appointed path in life. And we them a few years later we found them husky young warmly thank you for spreading the fame of ALL-SPORTS giants. Keep cheerful, exercise freely, feed well, and among your friends. Such missionary work is the best above all, avoid the use of stimulants and tobacco, for evidence of your deep interest in the success of your fa­ these do more to retard the natural growth of young fel­ vorite paper. As to your weight, you seem to be pretty lows than all other agencies combined . close to the average, only a couple of pounds too heavy.

• • •

·comE BOYS, CO~E CET THE L -SPORTS LI R .A RY

u Teach the American boy how to beoo•we an athlete and so lay the foundation of a constitution greater than that of the United States.,, -Wise Sayings from Tip Top. OU like fun, adventure and mystery, don't you? Well, you can find them all in the pages of the ALL-SPORTS LIBRARY. As the name implies, the ALL­ Y SPORTS LIBRARY is devoted to the sports that all young people delight in. It has bright, handsome, colored covers, and each story is of ge!lerous length. You are / looking for a big five cents worth of good reading and you can get it here. Ask your newsdealer for any of the titles listed below. He has them in stock. Be sure to get ALL-SPORTS LIBRARY. Like other good things, it has its imitations.

1-Jack Lightfoot's Challenge; or, The Win­ 12-Jack Lightfoot, Pacemaker; or, What Hap­ ning of the Wager. pened on a Century Run. 2-Jack Lightfoot' s Hockey T earn ; or, The 13-Jack Lightfoot's Lucky Puncture; or, A Rival Athletes of Old Cranford. Young Athlete Among the Hoboes. 3-Jack Lightfoot's Great Play; or, Surprising 14-Jack Lightfoot, the Magician ; or, Quelling a the Academy Boys. Mutiny in the Nine. 4-Jack Lightfoot's Athletic Tournament; or, 15-Jack Lightfoot's Lightning Battery; or, Kid­ Breaking the Record Quarter - Mile naping a Star Pitcher. Dash. 5-Jack Lightfoot in the Woods; or, Taking the 16-Jack Lightfoot's Strategy; or, Hare-and­ Hermit Trout of Simms' Hole. Hounds Over Cranford Hills. 6-Jack Lightfoot's Trump Curve; or, The 17-Jack Lightfoot in the Saddle; or, A Jocl{ey Wizard Pitcher of the Four-Town for Just One Day. League. r 18-Jack Lightfoot's Dilemma_; or, A Traitor on 7-Jack Lightfoot's Crack Nine; or, How Old the Diamond. "Wagon Tongue" Won the Game. 19-Jack Lightfoot's Cyclone Fiqish; or, How 8-Jack Lightfoot's Winning Oar; or, A Hot Victory Was Snatched From Defeat. • Race for the Cup. 20-Jack Lightfoot in Camp ; or, Young Athletes 9-Jack Lightfoot, The Young Naturalist; or, at Play in the Wilderness. The Mystery of Thunder Mountain. lo-Jack Lightfoot's Team-Work; or, Pulling a 21-Jack Lightfoot's Disappearance; or, The Turning-up of an Old Enemy. Game Out of the Fire. I II-Jack Lightfoot's Home Run; or, A Glorious 22-Jack Lightfoot's "Stone..,.., Wall" Infield; or, Hit in the Right Place. Making a Reputation in the League.

P~ICE, . . . For Sale by -11 Newsdealers, or aeat, postpaid, upoa ncelpt of price by publishers . . : WINNER LIBRARY CO., 165 West Fifteenth St., NEW YOR.11 • IHI: RED RAVl:N LIBRARY TI:I~ILLI~G SEA. STO~I:ES

This library represents an entirely new idea. It is totally different from any other now published. The stories detail the adventures of three plucky lads wlto set out to capture the notorious Captain Kidd. Every real boy has longed to read more about the doings of this boid marauder of the seas and the opportunity is now given them. The stories are of generous length and without equals in thrilling adventure and interest. The best sea stories ever written.

1-Capt. Kidd's Sea Swoop; or, Carried Off by 15-Capt. Kidd's Long_Chase; or, Thad and His · Pirates. Chums in the Tropics. 2-Capt. Kidd's Buried Treasure; or, Adven­ 16-Set Adrift by Pirates; or, Thad's Adven­ tures of Three Boys Among the Buc­ tures in the Saragossa Sea. caneers. 17-To Sink or Swim; or, Thad and His Friends 3-The Silver Cutlass ; or, Thad and His Chums On Blue Water. Lost in the Swamp. lhCapt. Kidd's Drag-Net; or, · How Young 4-Defying the Sea Wolf; or, Thad at Bay in Thad Hoodwinked the Buccaneers. the Powder Magazine. 19-The Phantom Pirate; or, Thad and His 5_,The Jolly Red Raven ; or, Capt. Kidd's Dar­ Chums on the Haunted Ship. ing Raid on Old'New York. 20--The Winged Witch; or, How Three Boys 6-The Corsair Captain; or, Thad and His Saved the Treasure Galleon. Chums Afloat. 21-Capt. Kidd in New Orleans; or, The Pirate 7-The Death's Head Rovers; or, How Thad Scourge of the Rigolets. Outwitted the Coast Freebooters. 22-Tiger of the Sea; or, The Three Castaways 8--.Walking the Plank; or, The Last Cruise of of the Gulf. the Flying-Scud. 23-The Pirates of The Keys; or, Our Boys sr-Capt. Kidd's Revenge; or, Thad Among the Afloat on the Spanish Main. Tigers of the 5ea. 24-Capt. Kidd at Bay; or, Marooned On a lo-The Chest of Doubloons; or, How Three Sand-Spit. Boys Defied the Buccaneers. 25-The Silver Barque; or, Capt. Kidd's Last Prize. II-The Rival Pirates; or, Thad and His Chums 26-Among the Buccaneers; or, Thad and His in Irons. Chums in Desperate Straits. 12-Capt. Kidd's Stratagem; or, Simple Simon 27-The Red Scourge; or, How Morgan, the Takes Soundings. Buccaneer, Stormed the Citadel. 13-The Red Raven's Prize; or, How Young 28--The Chase of the Slaver; or, Thad Among Thad Sailed a Pirate Barque. th_e Indigo Planters. 14-Nailed to the Mast; or, The Last of Capt. 2sr-Morgan's Coast Raiders ; or, Thad at the Kidd's "Hole in the Wall." Sacking of Maracaibo.

J?~ICE, FI"'V"E For Sale by all Newsdealer10, or sent, postpaid, upon receipt of price by publishers WINNER LIBRARY CO., 165 West Fifte enth St., NEW YORK

I ' Thrilling Tales of Bold Buccaneers in THE RED RAVEN LIBRARY

A new five-cent library fo r boys, totally different from any other now being published. It deals with the adventures of a trio of lads who sought to capture the old time sea tigers. T hese tales do not glorify piracy. but detail in a most entrancing way, the experiences of our heroes in suppressing Captain K idd and the freebooters of the Spanish Main. The stories are of generous leng th and the covers the most attractive ever put on a five­ cent library.

HANDSOME COLORED SOLD BY ALL NEWS· COVERS Price, 5 Cents DEALERS

HERE ARE THE LATEST TITLES: l l. The Rival Pirates; · or, Thad and His Chums in Irons l2. Captain Kiddt s Stratagem; or, Simple Simon Takes Soundings l 3. The Red Ravents Prize; or, How Young Thad Sailed a Pirate Barque l4. Nailed to the Mast; or, The Last of Captain Kidd's "Hole in the Wall" l5. Captain Kiddts Long Chase; or, Thad and His Chums in the Tropics l 6. Set Adrift by Pirates; or, Thad's Adventures in the Saragossa Sea l7. To Sink or Swim; or, Thad and H is Friends on Blue Water l8. Captain Kiddts Drag-Net; or, How Young Thad Hood:vinked the Buccaneers 19. The Phantom Pirate; . ot, Thad and His Chums on the Haunted Ship 20. The Winged Witch; : or, How Three Boys Saved the Treasure Galleon

If your dealer does n ot sell this library an y number will .be sent to any address, postpaid, upon receipt of Five Cents, by THE WINNER LIBRARY COMPANY, 2 Duane .St., New York