CHAPTER XXX
CHAMPIONS OF THE WORLD
Wheeler went out on a fly to Milton, Willis fanned, and Larry closedthe inning with a pop up to second. But the Giants had scored firstblood, and in such a close game as this promised to be, that run stoodout like a lighthouse.
In the third, McCarthy fell victim to Joe's curves and went out onstrikes. Banks was lucky and got to first on a grasser to Iredell thattook a wicked bound just as the shortstop was all set to receive it andjumped into left. He was nipped a minute later, when Joe saw out of thecorner of his eye that he was taking too long a lead off first and madea lightning throw to Burkett. Hays, after fouling off two, struck outon a mean drop, and the inning ended without damage.
Hays put one over for Denton that the latter pickeled for a dandygrasser between third and short. Rose at left was slow in retrievingthe ball, and Denton by fleet running and a hook slide reached themiddle station. Here, however, he was caught napping. Then Hays bracedand set the next two players down on strikes. It was a deft exhibitionof "getting out of a hole," and deserved the generous applause that itreceived.
In the Yankees' half of the fourth, Milton sent one to Willis at thirdthat the latter stopped neatly but threw to first too wide, the ballalmost missing Burkett's fingers as he reached for it. Pender knockeda grounder to Larry, but the latter hesitated a moment as to whetherto make the play at first or second, and when he finally chose second,Milton had reached that bag, and both men were safe. Then Rose came tothe bat, with the Yankee partisans shouting wildly for a homer.
Joe fooled him twice, but Rose caught the third one and poled a hitto right. Wheeler and Denton both raced for it, and the latter by aherculean effort just managed to get under it. In the meantime, Miltonhad started forward, and Pender too was on his way. Quick as a flash,Denton straightened up and sent the ball on a line to first. Pender hadturned and was running back, but was an easy out. Burkett shot the ballto Larry, putting out Milton, who was scrambling back to second. It wasa superb triple play and the crowd went crazy.
Iredell started the Giants' fourth with a liner to McCarthy, thatsettled comfortably in the third baseman's glove. Burkett lammed asingle into right. Joe walloped a shrieking three-bagger between rightand center, that brought Burkett galloping to the plate for the secondrun of the game. Wheeler was ordered to sacrifice, but his attemptedbunt resulted in a little fly to Hays, and Joe was held on third. Haysturned on steam and struck Willis out.
The fifth inning passed without scoring by either side. Both Joe andHays were pitching magnificent ball, and the crowds cheered each inturn lustily.
The first real hit that Joe yielded came in the sixth, when afterMcCarthy had struck out, Banks lined a beauty into right between firstand second. It did no harm, however, for Joe tightened up immediatelyand made Hays and Milton hit at empty air.
The Giants in their half went the Yankees one better in the matter ofhits, and yet could not score. Curry sent a twister over second thatMullen could not get under. Iredell followed with a slow roller downthe third base line, that McCarthy could not reach in time to field. Amoment later, however, Curry was caught napping at second, and Burketthit into a snappy double play, retiring the side.
In the seventh, the Yankees broke the ice. Pender got a life, when hishigh fly to third was muffed by Willis. Kid Rose came to the bat.
"Put it over, Joe, and see me lose it," he called. "I was robbed lasttime."
"That's nothing, Kid," chaffed Joe. "You'll be killed this time."
The first ball, which completely baffled the most dangerous slugger ofthe American League, seemed to bear out this prediction. On the second,however, Rose sent a neat hit to right that was good for two bases andbrought Pender over the plate, amid the thunderous roars of the Yankeesupporters. Russell tapped a little one in front of the plate, that Joegot in time to put him out at first, but not to head Rose off at third.Walsh went out on strikes. Mullen rolled one to Burkett, and Joe ranover to cover the bag, but Burkett's throw hit the dirt and Rose cameover the plate, tying the score. McCarthy fanned, and the inning wasover. One hit, sandwiched in with errors, had knocked the Giants' leadinto a cocked hat and tied up the game.
Not for long, however. Joe was the first man up, and came to the platewith blood in his eye. The first two offerings he let go by. The thirdwas to his liking. There was an explosion like the crack of a gun andthe ball started on its journey.
That journey was destined to be talked about for years to come. It wasthe longest hit that ever had been made on the Polo Grounds. On itwent over right field, over the bleachers and over the fence, clearingit at a height of fifty feet.
In the wild roar that went up as Joe loped around the bases, eventhe Yankee supporters joined. It was an occasion that rose abovepartisanship, an outstanding event in the history of sport. Thespectators cheered until they were hoarse, and it was a minute or twobefore play could be resumed.
The rest of the inning was short and sweet. Wheeler, Willis and Larrywent out in order, the first two on strikes and the latter on agrounder fielded by Mullen.
The eighth was on the same snappy order. Joe was determined to maintainhis advantage, and was invincible. Banks grounded to the box, and Joetossed him out. Hays fanned for the second time and Milton followedsuit.
Hays, too, was going strong, and the Giant batsmen went down beforehim like a row of tenpins. Denton made three futile attempts and threwdown his bat in disgust. Mylert cut three successive swaths in theatmosphere and went back to the bench, while Curry fouled out to Banks.
In the ninth, the Yankees again sewed it up. Pender got to first, whenLarry was slow in fielding his grounder. The mighty Rose came up amidfrantic cheering. But Joe summoned all his cunning, and for the secondtime that day struck him out, while the crowd cheered his sportsmanshipin not passing him to first. Russell popped up an infield fly thatWillis and Iredell ran for but collided, the ball dropping betweenthem. In the scramble that ensued, Pender reached third and Russellmade second. Iredell was still a little shaken by the collision, andfumbled the easy grounder of Walsh that ought to have resulted in anout at the plate, Walsh reaching first in safety. In consequence Penderscored, and again the game was tied at 3 to 3. A single now would havebrought in another run, but Joe by a quick throw caught Walsh asleep atfirst and struck out Mullen, thus ending the inning.
With the frenzied adjurations of McRae and Robbie in their ears, theGiants came to the bat for the last half of the ninth. Iredell madea mighty effort, but came back to the bench after three fruitlessswings at Hays' benders. Burkett sent up a towering skyscraper that wasgathered in after a long run by Milton in center.
On Joe now rested the Giants' hopes. Twice that day he had poled outhomers, and once he had ripped out a three-bagger. Could he repeat?
Hays was determined that he shouldn't have a chance. Amid the jeersand taunts of the crowd, he deliberately sent three balls wide of theplate. In attempting to do the same with the fourth, however, he sentit a trifle too close. Joe caught it on the end of his bat.
How that ball traveled! Almost on a line it whistled through the airin the direction of the right field bleachers. On and on went thatterrific, screeching liner straight into the crowd in the bleachers whoscrambled frantically to get out of its path.
Round the bases went Joe, amid shouts and yells that were deafening.Down on the home plate he came with both feet. The game was won, theseries was over and the Giants were the champions of the world!
Like a deer Joe made for the clubhouse, to escape the crowds that cameswarming over the field. He reached it just as a man was being carriedinside.
"What's the matter?" he asked. "Any one hurt?"
"Only a glancing blow," remarked the club doctor, who had been lookingthe man over. "He's dazed, but he'll come to his senses soon."
Joe bent over to look at him and started back in surprise.
"Why, I know that man!" he exclaimed. "His name's Fleming!"
"It's Fleming all right," said Jim'
s voice beside him. "And he's gotjust what was coming to him."
Joe looked up and saw Jim and Reggie. They were grave and worried, andJoe's sixth sense told him that something was wrong.
"What's happened?" he asked in alarm. "And where is Mabel? What kepther from the game? Don't stand there dumb! Tell me, quick!"
"Now, Joe----" began Jim soothingly, but was interrupted by the injuredman who opened his eyes, looked wildly around and struggled to asitting posture. His eyes dilated with fright when he saw Joe and Jim.
"I didn't do it!" he half screamed. "I didn't kidnap her! It wasBraxton. He----"
Jim interposed.
"Clear a space here," he commanded. "This is a private matter for Joeand me. Now, Fleming," he went on in short, menacing words that cutlike a knife, "tell me this instant where Miss Varley is. You know.Tell me. Quick! Don't lie, or I'll tear your tongue out by the roots."
Before the blazing fury in his eyes Fleming quailed.
"She's at Inwood," he muttered. "She's safe enough. She's----"
"Reggie," commanded Jim, "jump into the car and take the wheel. Joe,help me to get this man into the car. Don't talk. I'll explain as we goalong. Doyle," he continued, turning to a police lieutenant who was awarm admirer of the boys and who happened to be standing near, "comealong with us if you don't mind. It may be a case for you."
"Sure thing," replied Doyle. "I'm with you."
They half dragged, half carried, Fleming to the car, and Reggie put onspeed. The lieutenant sat in front with him, and his uniform preventedany question on the part of the traffic policemen. Fleming, pale andapprehensive, was thrust into a corner of the tonneau, while Jimexplained the situation to Joe, who was boiling with rage.
The headlong speed at which Reggie drove soon brought them to thevicinity of Inwood, and following the faltering directions of Fleming,they drew up before a little house that was a block away from any ofits neighbors.
They tiptoed up the steps, Joe having his hand so tightly on Fleming'scollar that his knuckles ground into his neck.
"You know what you've got to do, Fleming," he whispered. "If you don'tdo it----"
His grip tightened and his fist clenched.
Trembling, Fleming opened the front door with his latchkey, and theparty went softly through the hall. They stopped in front of a doorfrom behind which a man was heard talking.
"I'm sorry to have to incommode you, Miss Varley," he was saying insuave polished tones that the boys recognized at once as Braxton's."But unfortunately it is necessary to the success of my plans. Youcan't complain that we haven't treated you with perfect respect outsideof the little violence we had to use to get you into the car."
There was no reply, but the party could hear the sound of sobbing.
"Knock," whispered Joe, emphasizing the command by a twist of Fleming'scollar.
Fleming knocked.
"Who's there?" came from within.
"It's Fleming," was the weak answer. "Open up."
The door opened and the party went in with a rush.
There was a cry of joy from Mabel and a startled exclamation fromBraxton. He looked toward the door, but the burly policeman had closedit and stood with his back against it. The next instant Joe had smashedBraxton straight between the eyes and the rascal measured his length onthe floor. An instant more, and Mabel was in Joe's arms, sobbing herheart out against his breast.
For a few moments the reunited ones were dead to the world around them.When at last they had come to their senses, Joe, with a final caress,relinquished Mabel to Reggie's care.
"You'd better go out to the car, dearest," he said to her. "I'll bewith you soon. I've got a little business to attend to here."
The brother and sister went out, and Joe turned to the rest of theparty. Braxton had been yanked to his feet by Jim and jammed down hardinto a chair, where he sat glowering with rage and fear. Doyle stoodguard over Fleming, who presented a miserable picture of abjectness.
"Shall I take them in charge, Mr. Matson?" asked the police lieutenant."You seem to have a clear case against them. They ought to get tenyears at least."
The fear in the rascals' faces deepened.
"No," answered Joe thoughtfully. "I don't want any scandal and I don'tbelieve I'll make a charge. At least, not yet. Jim, can you skirmisharound and find pen and ink?"
In a minute or two Jim had found them.
"Now, you contemptible skunks," began Joe, "listen to me. I'm going toget a written confession from you of this whole business. Put down,Jim, that matter of the anonymous letter. Don't try to lie out of it,you scoundrel," he said, as Braxton started to protest. "Put down, too,that hiring of the auto bandits to cripple me." Here Braxton gave aviolent start. "Put down that attempt to dope me in Chicago. That hitsyou on the raw, doesn't it, Fleming?" he added, as the latter cringedstill lower in his seat. "We'll pass over the matter of hiring BugsHartley to do me up in St. Louis, for he may have done that on hisown account. Now add this kidnaping incident and the record will becomplete."
Jim wrote rapidly and soon had the document ready.
"Now we'll ask these gentlemen to sign," said Joe, with exaggeratedpoliteness.
"I won't sign," snarled Braxton, livid with rage.
"Oh, you won't?" said Joe. "All right, Lieutenant----"
"I'll sign," said Braxton hastily.
Both he and Fleming signed, and Joe put the document carefully into hispocket.
"Now," he said, "I have you rascals on the hip. Dare to make one othermove against me as long as you live, and I'll have you clapped intojail so quickly it will make your heads swim. I'll put you where thedogs won't bite you."
Both Braxton and Fleming rose to their feet.
"Where are you going?" asked Joe, in apparent surprise.
"You're through with us, aren't you?" growled Braxton.
Joe laughed outright.
"Oh, dear no," he said, as he rose to his feet. "There's just onelittle thing to attend to yet. I'm going to thrash you within an inchof your life."
Braxton made a dash for the door, but Joe caught him a clip on the jawthat sent him staggering back into a corner.
"Now Jim," said Joe, "suppose you take that little rat out," pointingto Fleming, "and drop him somewhere. He got his dose when the ballknocked him out in the bleachers, and that perhaps will be enough forhim. Lieutenant," he went on, turning to Doyle, "you're a policeman,and might feel called on to stop any scene of violence. I feel it in mybones that there's going to be a little violence here--just a little.Would you mind stepping outside and seeing whether the car is allright?"
"Sure," replied Doyle, with a grin and a wink.
"Now, you cur," said Joe, as he turned to Braxton, "take off your coat.It's a long account I have to settle with you, and I'm going to giveyou the licking of your life."
There was no way out, and Braxton took off his coat and closed in. Hewas a big man and fought with the desperation of a cornered rat. He gotin one or two wild blows that did no damage. Joe smashed him right andleft, knocked him down and lifted him to his feet to knock him downagain, until Braxton, beaten to a finish, refused to get up, and lay ina heap in a corner, fairly sobbing with rage and pain and shame.
"Just one little bit of news, Braxton," said Joe, as he turned toleave. "You've lost your bets. The Giants won!"
He ran lightly down the steps and jumped into the car, where Mabelsnuggled up to him.
"What kept you so long, Joe?" she asked anxiously.
"Just settling an account, honey," he replied, as he drew her closer."It was a long one and took some time."
"An account? What do you mean?" the girl asked, and then addedsuddenly: "Oh, Joe, you are all--all mussed up!"
"Am I, dear? Well, if I am you ought to see the other fellow, that'sall."
"It was a--a fight?" she faltered.
"Hardly that, Mabel. Braxton had it coming to him--and I gave it to himwith interest. But let us forget it. It's over now, and all I want tothink about is--you!" And he hel
d her closer than ever.
* * * * *
A few weeks later the wedding march was played in Mabel's home, and sheand Joe joined hands for life. Clara was bridesmaid and Jim was bestman. Mr. and Mrs. Matson, the latter greatly improved in health, werepresent. It was a glorious occasion, and all of them, the bride andgroom especially, were happy beyond words.
"I'm quite a royal personage," said Mabel, as the happy pair, amida shower of rice, started off on their honeymoon. "To think of poorlittle me marrying the king of pitchers and king of batters."
"As Reggie would say, you're 'spoofing' me," he laughed. "At any rate,I'm luckier than most kings. I've picked a perfect queen." And BaseballJoe smiled broadly.
And he had a right to smile, don't you think so?
THE END
THE BASEBALL JOE SERIES
BY LESTER CHADWICK
_12mo. Illustrated. Price per volume, $1.00, postpaid_
BASEBALL JOE OF THE SILVER STARS _or The Rivals of Riverside_
Joe is an everyday country boy who loves to play baseball andparticularly to pitch.
Baseball Joe, Home Run King; or, The Greatest Pitcher and Batter on Record Page 31
