On that Saturday evening there was a momentous discussion under way at the quarters of Colonel Gunn, principal of Fardale Academy. It was here that Coach Trayne occupied a room, and in his room was seated Ted Crockett, the present captain of the Fardale baseball team. The two were discussing the future destinies of the nine.
Crockett was extremely popular among his teammates. Coach Trayne knew that his influence would go far toward the selection of a new captain, and had asked him over for a frank talk. He had certain information which was bound to startle Captain Crockett, and which would startle all Fardale when it was made public. The coach did not intend that it should be made public for the present, however.
Meanwhile, Villum Kess had seen Crockett enter Colonel Gunn’s quarters, and the astute German lad guessed at once that a consultation was going on regarding the new captain of the nine. He started off hastily, and bumped into a dark figure.
“Who’s that?” demanded the voice of Lee Chester.
[124]
“Kess,” returned Villum, panting.
“Guess?” cried Chester. “Get out into the light, you dub!”
“Kess!” shouted Villum. “Dot iss vot I——”
“Oh, it’s you!” said Lee Chester, with a chuckle. “What’s your hurry?”
“Vait! You hafe mein vind pumbed avay!”
Villum hung on to Chester’s arm for a moment, then straightened up.
“Grogett hass yust gone into der house, yes, no,” he cried excitedly. “Dey vos goin’ to elegtion a gaptain, Jesty!”
“Whew!” gasped Chester. “Looks like business, eh? Think they’re going to make a choice to-night?”
“Yah, aber ve moost hellup oud Chip. I should faint fits oof dey bicked any one else. I bet you’ve moost get der poys togedder und root!”
“Say, you’re not so far off, old scout!” exclaimed Chester. “Come along! We’ll settle Randall’s hash right here!”
And the two disappeared in hot haste.
The captain and coach of the Fardale nine were engaged in animated discussion, while Villum Kess and Chester were getting to work. Captain Crockett was learning something that carried dismay to his heart, for the success of Fardale was very dear to him, and it looked as though Fardale’s hopes were going glimmering for that year.
[125]
“I’m afraid I have bad news for you, Ted,” said Coach Trayne gravely. “I suppose you know that Frank Merriwell, senior, ran over from Bloomfield last Thursday?”
“Yes, sir,” said the perplexed Crockett. “I know he made a hurry visit, and I supposed that it had something to do with Clancy’s jumping off for Carsonville.”
“Not altogether. He came over to make certain arrangements, and to let me know about something important that has just turned up. Mr. Merriwell gave me permission to use the information at my discretion. I suppose you will regard it as confidential if I pass it on to you, Crockett?”
“Why, certainly, sir!”
Crockett sat up, his eyes beginning to bulge. He knew that something serious had come up, for it was seldom that Coach Trayne used his “business tone” when off duty.
“I hope that nothing really grave has happened, sir?”
“You can judge for yourself, Ted. We’re likely to lose the services of Chip Merriwell for the rest of the season.”
“Wh-a-a-t!”
Crockett stared at the trainer as if he thought the latter’s senses had taken flight. Lose Chip Merriwell, just when Fardale was counting on sweeping all her foes before her! Impossible!
[126]
“Are you joking, Mr. Trayne?” he gasped.
“I’m sorry to say that I’m not,” returned the worried trainer. He sighed, for he, too, had had visions of what his team would do with Merry in the box.
“No, it’s anything but a joke, Crockett. I am not at liberty to say very much, and in fact I’m not aware of the definite reasons myself, but the fact remains that Chip may leave school before long.”
“But why?” queried the astounded captain of the nine. “He’s not sick or anything, is he?”
“No. As I understand it, his father and uncle are going West, and intend to take Chip with them. Mr. Merriwell did not go into details, but it’s easy to imagine that it must be something of importance to necessitate Frank’s leaving school at this juncture. It’s going to be a hard blow to the team, for he was the mainstay.”
Crockett nodded. He was absolutely unselfish, and realized fully that much of the school’s success in sports was due to Frank Merriwell, junior.
“That’ll be awful news to get out!” he murmured. “It’s going to jar things on the campus, all right!”
“Well, don’t let it out for a while,” went on the coach. “I’ve told you about it because I wanted to ask you who you had in mind to fill your position when you leave. I’d like to have[127] the election held right after Monday’s game, if possible.”
“Well,” replied Crockett gloomily, “if you hadn&rsqu............