The Washington herald., 1912-01-14

A-ray 10 pierce through Here, safe
y from pursuit or treachery, they gave
themselves up to their favorite delight
ana enjoyed the battle to their hearts
content. Both. OF course. were absolute
ly nonpartisan when they entered the
park-the troubles OF Newark and Jer-
sey City were nothing to them. Before
the game was half an inning old. how
ever. they had become rabid bugs" and
were abusing each other in the glorious
fashion that only lovers of the game can
Know. SoIano became an ardent admirer
OF the Jersey City club; Brockett allied
himself with Newark, and each cast vir-
Ilent aspersion on the others Judgment.
opinions, and personality.
Newark, to the intense delight of
Harry Brockett, drew ahead and won
out while Solano. after declaring that
MS friend was a base-born IDIOT that
the umpires were q porch-climber and a
door-mat thief, respectively. and that
the Jersey City manager was solid stone
above the shoulders. calmed down. smote
rat man two rows ahead OF him with
bag Of peanuts, and looked innocentIy
at the setting Western sun. Then the
boys, vastly refreshed and cheered by
the afternoons diversion, mingled with
the outgoing myriads. As they poured
across the field in the ruck, they crossed
the track OF the Newark players, bear
ing their bats tTiumphantly away, A
gray-sleeved arm reached out from the
group Of victors and caught Brockett by
the shoulder. The boy turned and
looked into the grim, weather-beaten
race OF Iron Man McGinnity.
You're Young Brockett, the college
slugger. aren't your growled the Iron
Man, in what he meant for an amiabls
and conciliatory tone. 'Uh huh;
thought 50. You see. son. I don't often
forget faces, specially when they belong
to kids who did what you did to my
pitching two years ago. rather ex-
pected you'd take up the game when you
left college"
Scores OF curious fans were staring at
the Iron Man and the boys. The grating
voice Of Joe McGlnnity carried a long
distance, and II there was any one with
In twenty yards who hadn't heard him
that person must have been stone deaf
from childhood. Brockett, nervous and
agitated at this loud announcement Of
his name. yet secretly pleased at the
patronage Of the great old warrior,
flushed and stammered, while Solano's
eyes bespoke chagrin and apprehension.
Tell you something. Brockett." the
Iron Man went on. II know a ball player
when I see one. and IL you want to take
up the game you don't have to start with
any Class z leagues I'll take you on to-
morrow. II you want. Come see me IN
Newark during the day. will your
Solano's eyes telegraphed a message
and Brockett understood. Speaking in a
voice loud enough to be heard halfway
to the grand stand, he answered. Yes.
Two o'clock be all right? I'll be there"
And then, shaking the Iron Mans hand,
retreated once more TO the shelter Of the
crowd
Annoying luck, that" remarked SoIano.
If any one was hunting US In that ball
park it's a certainty that Mr.. McGinnlty
tipped US OF In grand style. You made
the proper play. though, by making an
appolntment-which we will be unable to
keep Il may lead some one OF our faith
full followers astray."
Baseball luck Is a queer thing" said
Brockett. half angrily. Il was lucky
enough to hit McGinEity for two singles
and a three-bagger the afternoon We
played the Newark team-and he didn't
forget II. II he had struck me out three
times he'd never have remembered me. I
wish he had famed me three trips on
nine pitched balls
The youngsters wandered around Jersey
City for e brief period, doubling on their
tracks several times. They glanced be-
hind and around them ever and anon,
and were unable to discover any trailers
or pursuers but vague sense OF worry
and uneasiness, an indefnable dread,
seemed to be uppermost IN their minds.
Finally. when II had grown amply dark.
they hurried to the row Of ferries that
fringe the shore, OF the North River, and
slipped aboard In the swarm Of Jerseyites
seeking Manhattan for their evenings
pleasure.
As the boys trailed alcng IN the crowd
which fiocked to the front OF the boat as
II approached the eastern side, Brockett
imagined that he felt a hand touch lightly
against his left hip. or in his pocket. He
turned instantly, but could not detect
the probable pickpocket in the jostling
crowd. Thrusting his hand in his coat
pocket he felt the outlines Of an envelope
and clutched Il tightly. A moment later
he stepped ashore and walked rapidly
away.
I've something with me that didn't
have when we went on the ferry" spoke
Brockett in an undertone, continuing TO
pece along
What's that? An enlightened intel
lect?' the Cuban bantered. Brockett
drew out the envelope. noted that II was
innocent of address or mark OF any kind. |
and returned It to his pocket.
Subway train might be a good place |
to look at that, whatever IL Is" said |
Ramon. and they walked sturdily across |
town TIL the kiosks OF a subway station |
met their view. As they descended the |
stairs the clangor Of an approaching |
train was heard. Putting on a burst Of |
speed they scurried forward. slapped |
their coins upon the ticket window. and |
leaped upon a car without the fraction
of a second to spare.
One seated and their breath recovered,
they bent over the strangely delivered
letter. Inside the envelope was one
small sheet Of note paper, and across
the sheet was written, in Brockett's own
cipher:
Twp TC Fin Pos W sH ABB sH 2BH |
HR E E HR E 2BH BIB SH PO PO PO
TC TC BA SB TC W BA SH PO PO
wP"
(which reads" translated Brockett,
"You are beginning well-look out for
Kelly"