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 you are he. The Bancroft News printed a piece that would lead people to believe it."

"Which is evidence that there are those besides Benton King who wish to believe it, and, of them all, doubtless Manager Riley, of Bancroft, is the most eager; for he pretends to have some sort of a claim, according to the rules of the Northern League, upon the services of Paul Hazelton. If I am the Hazelton in question, he means to take me away from Kingsbridge, even though he may fail in compelling me to pitch for the Bullies. That's his game, Miss Harting. When he has pushed it to the limit, he'll find that he's barking up the wrong tree, and the laugh will be on him and the others who have fooled themselves in the same way."

Although he smiled a little, his words were spoken with such sincere frankness and honesty that she was shamed by the thought that even the slightest shadow of doubt had clouded her confidence in him. A man with such steady eyes, set well apart; such a mouth, unmarred by the soiling touch of guile; such a voice, deep, strong, yet suppressed, like the softened notes of an organ—that man could not lie.

"I am beginning to understand," she said hastily. "It is just like those Bancrofters; they are