“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 the election held right after Monday’s game, if possible.”
“Well,” replied Crockett gloomily, “if you hadn’t told me this, I’d have said that Chip himself was the man. He’d make a better job of it than I would, in fact. But since he’s going to drop out also, I’d say Bob Randall.”
“Randall? Yes, he’s a good man, Ted. But if Chip does leave, isn’t that the very reason why he ought to be elected?”
“Huh! I don’t get you,” said Crockett, his mind in a whirl.
“It’s like this,” smiled Coach Trayne: “Frank has done a whole lot for the school, and for the baseball team. It’s not settled that he’s to leave, remember; but I think that whether he does or not, the school ought to avail itself of the chance to give him honors while it can.”
“You’re right,” assented Captain Crockett quickly. “Yes, I get your angle now, sir. I suppose he’ll go in the box for us on Monday? That’ll cinch the game, and it’ll throw everything his way when I mention to the boys that he ought to be captain.”
“I’m glad that such is your opinion,” said the coach, with a breath of relief. “I happen to know that Randall is moving heaven and earth to get the election, and---- Hello! What’s all this?”
From in front of the house had risen a sudden burst of cheering. Coach Trayne went to the window and flung it open. Instantly a renewed shout went up.
A crowd of students was gathered before the windows. They had been hastily marshaled by Chester and others of Merry’s adherents, and more were assembling at every moment. On the edge of the crowd, hidden by the darkness, stood Bob Randall. He was flushed and angry, but he knew better than to give way to his inclinations before this gathering.