The Heroes of the School Part 10

"Keep your eye on Sandy Merton."

Indeed Sandy did seem to be unusually busy. He went about from one part of the grounds to another, talking first with one boy and then with another. Most of them were lads with whom the chums were not on very familiar terms.

"What do you s'pose he's up to?" asked Bart.

"Can't guess, unless it has something to do with baseball."

"I'm going to find out," spoke Bart.

He approached one of the boys with whom he had seen Sandy conversing.

"What was Sandy asking you, if it's no secret?" inquired the captain of the nine.

"Well, it is a sort of secret," replied Fred Jenkins. "You'll hear of it soon enough though," and he turned away.

"Looks like a plot," commented Ned with an uneasy laugh.

Several other boys, whom Bart asked regarding Sandy's activities, returned evasive answers. None of the intimate friends of the chums had been approached. Bart had no time to pursue his inquiries further as the bell rang for school to a.s.semble.

At noon, however Sandy's actions were explained. On a bulletin board, used to post announcements of athletic and other school events, was this notice:

"There will be a meeting of the Athletic Committee this afternoon to take action on a certain matter."

"That's some of Sandy's work," said Bart. "Well I'm ready for whatever happens."

Several boys crowded around the board to read the notice. Sandy was not among them.

"Who wrote it?" inquired a number.

"Whoever did was afraid to sign his name," commented Bart. "It's in printing, so we couldn't tell whose writing it is. Well, I'll be at the meeting."

It was an expectant group that gathered in the court which was used, after school, for sessions of the various clubs and teams. Sandy was on hand, talking earnestly to a number of the pupils. Finally he walked up to the big iron post where the chairman of whatever gathering was called, usually stood.

"We're here to elect a new captain of the High School baseball nine,"

Sandy announced.

"What's that?" asked several, and the four chums looked at one another.

"I'm a member of the Athletic Committee," went on Sandy. "I called this meeting."

"It takes a majority of the committee to call a session," interrupted Ned.

"Well, a majority did," responded Sandy. "Fred Jenkins, Peter Rand, and John Andrews, with myself, const.i.tute a majority. There are only seven members. Now we've decided to have an election for a new captain," Sandy went on. "There's some objection to the present one," and he looked at Bart.

"Who from?" called Fenn.

"Plenty; ain't there fellows?" asked Sandy, turning to a group of his friends.

"Yes," came the rather feeble answers.

"I move that Lem Gordon be made captain," called Fred Jenkins, evidently in furtherance of the plot Sandy had laid to oust Bart.

"Second it," came from Peter Rand.

"Look here!" exclaimed Bart, and his friends noticed he was pale. "Why didn't you come to me like a man, Sandy Merton, and tell me there was opposition? I'd have resigned in a minute. But this is a sneaky way of doing things and I'll fight it, do you understand? I'll resign if the majority says I ought to but not before. Now go ahead and hold your election!"

"Hurrah for Bart!" called some one and there was a loud shout.

"Order!" vainly called Sandy.

"We don't want an election!" sang out another boy. "Bart is the best captain we ever had! Didn't we lick the Preps?"

"That's right!" yelled a number. "Bart for captain!"

"Let them have the election!" cried Bart. "I'm not afraid. I know what it's all about. It's because I didn't let Sandy pitch that game. And what's more," he added, "I believe he deliberately put Lem out of business so he might have a chance!"

"That's a falsehood!" cried Sandy, making a spring toward Bart.

"Ask Lem," was Bart's reply. "If you want to fight, Sandy Merton, come on!"

"Don't talk that way," counseled Ned. "Let's see if we can't settle this thing peaceably."

"Go on with the election!" called Bart, who was getting excited. "I'm not afraid! I'll resign if you want me to!"

"We don't want you to!" cried a score of voices.

"All those in favor of Lem Gordon for captain say 'aye,'" called Sandy.

"I won't take it!" shouted Lem. "Bart's the captain for me."

"That's right!" yelled a dozen voices.

"All those who want Bart to continue captain say so!" cried Ned.

"Yes!" and the shout made the windows rattle.

"That settles it. Election's over," declared Ned.

"I say it isn't!" yelled Sandy. "The rules provide for ballots."

"This is good enough for us," came from a number of boys, as they crowded around Bart to shake hands. "Bart's the captain!"

"That was a mean, sneaking plot!" declared Ned. "Sandy thought he could work up enough sentiment against Bart to get a candidate of his own in and get back on the team. But he failed."

"You bet he did!" exclaimed Fenn. "Come on, fellows. It's all over."

Most of the boys began leaving the court. Sandy, the picture of disappointed rage, stood in a group of his friends.