The tricky Sphinx

The Sphinx pushed the ball through the slot. The cowboys started spinning frantically. The Sphinx got control of the ball, nudged it sideways about an inch, and, with a flick of his wrist, blasted it into Seth's goal.


"Wow!" Seth said.


"Your serve."


Seth put the ball in play. Flailing with his cowboys, he knocked it all the way to the Sphinx's goalie. Using controlled movements, the Sphinx passed the ball across the table, from row to row, until he slammed it into Seth's goal from a tricky angle.


"You're amazing!" Seth said. "Did you say Kendra beat you?"


"Your sister needed confidence. Yours is a different problem. Plus there is no chance of me telling you my secret unless you earn it. "

Seth put the ball back in play, and the Sphinx swiftly scored again. The same thing happened two more times, the final point coming from a shot that put a spin on the ball so it curved into the goal.


"You skunked me!" Seth cried.


"Do not tell your sister that I went easy on her. Tell her you beat me, if she asks."


Chapter 9