Evening star., 1934-10-06
INSTALLMENT XIV.

N~N--~
put up good fight. The
l. Cleveland Reds took the lead
in the third inning and in
spite Of a slight nervousness on the
part of the team as a whole they
maintained that lead to the very end.
Big Boy Planer played with more
than his customary skill. He knocked
out two home runs and each time the
great audience fairly held its breath
as Planer circled the diamond, Both
times as he crossed the plate and
doffed his cap there was sigh Of
relief.
In the press box with the final out
scored against the Blues, there was
a clicking of typewriter covers going
down over machines.
"Coming?" Craven said, turning to
Terry.
Il think I'll hang around for bit
to see the fans leave" Terry won-
dered what his bodyguard would be
doing IN the meantime That gentle
man had risen when the game was
over and Terry saw him standing in
the stand looking out over the field
as hundreds of others were doing.
The crowds surged toward the
exits, but here and there were strag-
glerS trying to get down on the field.
The police were herding them back.
II wonder" Craven said If Planer
will go for his hot dogs today. They
may want him to keep low today on
account of all this publicity"
Il could do with a bite myself, y
Terry said.
Let's CO." Reynolds suggested. ITS
a bright idea, Terry"
The press men from New York all
moved down through the stands and
made their way to the lunch counter
back of third base near the Reds
dugout. The boys We're clearing up
and putting their stuff away. There
were a number of frankfurterS still
being kept hot on the griddle. The
boys turned their eyes toward the
Reds dugout-part Of the fun of their
job was to feed numberless dogs to
Planer after a game.
II guess he amt coming" one OF
the boys said to another lad who was
stacking empty pop boxes.
Let's get going, then"
"Aw, here's a bunch after some
thing" Terry heard as they ap-
preached the stand.
Terry. Craven, Reynolds. Mullins
and Biers ordered hot dog apiece.
The stands we're thinning out. Most
of the crowd had gone. The police
we're letting up on their watchfulneSs
and occasionally a straggler got onto
the field Several more people came
up to the stand and ordered dogs
and beer.
"Oh, boy, here he comeS!" the lad
who was tending the griddle said to
his pal. Get out those nice fat
ones We put aside. Give me EN-
quick"
Sure enough. Planer was coming
toward the stand with that easy
gait Of his which marked him in
any crowd of men.
He smiled at the press men and
spoke to them as he came up. The
boys grinned back as he said. How
about it?''
Just minute" the lad said and
pulled out nice clean mustard pot
and put in down within easy reach of
Planer.
These lads were afraid you
wouldn't come out" Terry said.
Il had to argue with Button. "
Planer explained easily. He wants
to pack me in wool. I couldn't disap-
point these kids"
you can't blame him. Reynolds
said. and moved nearer to Planer.
"Shucksl Most of this is hysteria. -
He leaned his back against the
counter, facing the field.
Here you are" the boy said, hand
ing frankfurter to Planer.
Just at the moment there was
sharp report out on the field A
puff of smoke rose from the ground
All eyes followed the smoke for a
moment. Then all eyes came back to
Planer. 1t was concerted action.
Planer smiled, swung round and
dipped up big COB of mustard on
wooden paddle and started daubing
his frankfurter.
What do you suppose that was?'
Craven asked. "Firecracker?"
Probably" Planer was munching
his roll He kept eating one after
Eanother until he had downed five.
L guess we'll call it day" he said
to the admiring lads behind the
counter.
You've only had FIVE" the boy
said. And l have another nice big
one all hot and Drowned for you
just the way you like them"
"All right" Planer winked at the
men standing near him and took
the sixth frankfurter. Rather de-
liberately he smeared it with mustard
and took 4 bite. Il guess I'll eat this
one on the way over to the dugout. "
he said to the boys. With a wave OF
his hand to the others he started
off.
Come on. Let's CO." Terry sug-
gested.
Back at the hotel Terry rested a
bit before going down for dinner. His
shadow did not ride down in the
elevator with him and he wondered
where the man could be. AS Terry
stepped forth he heard a voice say
There's another one. There-that
one"
1t was the boy from hebind the
lunch counter at the field and he
was pointing at Terry. A detective
stepped forth and touched Terry on
the arm. Come over here for a
moment"
Terry followed the man across the
lobby. we need information and
would like you to go over to the