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> THE PLOT FOP THE PENNANT,
BY HUGH S. FULLERTON .
Wi v . ' x
TTTK Panther!* and are nearing the end
of a bitter etrusfile for the baseball
championship, when the Rears lose their
heaviest hitter an 1 speediest base-runner. This
results In their defeat by the Panthers in the
first frame of a crucial series.
On the eve of the Fecond fame a college
player, who has quarrelled with his rich uncle
and has been obliged to take up professional
baseball. Joins the team under the assume'!
name of McCarthy. His skill as a pinch hitter
wins the second game, and his exultant team
mates promptly christen him Kohlnoor” Mc-
Carthy.
Bitter enmity develops between “Kohlnoor”
CHAPTER Vlll.—(Continued.)
The Mysterious Appointment
TO girl this time,” replied Williams un
|\| suspectingly. "Fellow who gives me
* ’ money wants to see me.”
He hurried out of the room, and before the
door slammed behind him Swanson had leaped
from bed and was dressing with great haste.
"Fellow tnat owes him money,” he snorted
“Kohlnoor, that was Easy Ed Edwards calling
him.”
"What are you going to do?” Inquired Mc-
Carthy.
“Get a move on yourself.” ordered the giant.
"Something is up and 1 want to know what it
is. Walt a minute.” he added, as if by sudden
inspiration, and ran to the telephone
'516110,” he said to the operator "Can you
tell me where that call for Mr. Williams came
from just now? He has forgotten which hotel
he is to meet his friend at.” "Thank you,"
he said after a moment's w-aIL
"Hurry. He’s going to the Metropolis Hotel,"
he ordered. "We must catch up with him.”
They dressed with the speed of ac
customed to changing clothing four or five
times a day, and before Williams had been
five minutes on his way they were racing for
the elevator. From the doorman of the hotel
they learned that Williams had walked, and
Swanson, hastily leaping Into a waiting taxi
cab. ordered the driver to make all possible
speed to the corner nearest the Metropolis
Hotel.
'•What is up?" asked McCarthy, ae they
settled back In the cushions of the taxi as it
lurched over the pavement
"There Is something funny going on in this
ball club." said Swanson, panting a little from
excitement and the exertion of their rapid
movements "And I am going to find out what
it Is. Whatever it Is, Williams is mixed up in
it. He's been acting off color for two weeks. I
want to find out why he Is meeting Edwards
tonight and what Is up.”
"What do you think?” asked McCarthy.
"I haven't got It figured out.” said Swanson,
scratching his head. . "There has been some
thing wrong for two weeks —ever since you
joined the club Williams hasn’t been natural.
He acts mysterious off the field and worse
than that on it. He has only won one of hie
last three games, and ought to have lost them
all the way he pitched. I know Clancy is
watching him all the time."
The taxi jerked to a stop at the corner op
posite the hotel, and Swanson, after recon
noitering carefully, led the way across the
street and into the case. •
‘‘l used to know thia place like a hook when
I was hitting the booze,” he said. "They'll he
in’here —or 1 don't know Williams. Let's take
the corner booth so we can eee who comes
in and goes out ”
Five minutes later two men came through
the swinging doors from the hotel lobby.
Swanson, half hidden in the shadow, could see
them, buj McCarthy was out of the range of
vision. Swanson dreiy back deeper into the
booth.
"Who is It?" inquired McCarthy In a whisper.
”Sh —h! It’s Williams and Edwards. They're
going into the booth next to us. Put your
ear close to the partition. I'd give a farm to
hear them." •
The players sipped their soft drinks, while
In turn they strove to hear what was passing
in the next booth. Occasionally they could
distinguish a voice, but the words were unin
telligible. the double thickness of oak cutting
off the sound. /
Ten minutes of vain listening ensued Then
a heavy man in evening clothes hurried into
the case, and after a hasty glance Into the
booths entered the one In which Edwards and
Williams were waiting. The eavesdropping
“I’m not a bit interested in baseball,” Baldwin
retorted, ‘‘except to make money
out of the teams.”
SYNOPSIS OF PRECEDING CHAPTERS
Continued from Last Sunday
IWI3, by B*ar Ontnmny
•nd "Adonis” Williams, th- tram's star pitcher,
and la heighten**! by the fact that both m*n ar*
In love with Betty Tabor, the daughter of the
club's secretary, who is travelling with the
team. Although nobody suenects It, Williams
has fallen Into the power of "Easy Ed" Ed
wards. a gambler, who ts using every effort to
nduce the pitcher to throw the championship
to the Panthers
Helen Baldwin, the girl on who** account his
unde cut "Kohlnoor" off. calls at th* hotel to
see him. She says she can never marry a pro
fessional ball player.
That night McCarthy hear* his enemy- Will
iams receive* a mysterious telephone message
•nd sees him leave the room to keep an en
gagement
players heard voices as In greeting and listened
intently without results
"I wonder who that fat man is?" whispered
Swanson.
"It’s a lucky thing he didn't recognize me."
replied McCarthy In low tones. "That's Harney
Baldwin, the broker and politician, one of the
big men of this part of the country—and a
crook."
"Whew,” whistled Swanson. "Let's sneak.
Wa can't hear anything—and the water is
getting deep.”
CHAPTER IX.
Politics and Baseball.
THE events that led up to the midnight con
ference between Barney Baldwin, Ed
Edwards and Adonis Williams in the booth at
the Metropolis Hotel that night would have
been of vast interest to several millions of base
ball enthusiasts had they known of them.
They started with the arrival of Easy Ed
Edwards in the city of the Travelers. He had
run down to watch the garqe between the Bears
and the Travelers In rather a pleasant frame
of mind. His plans for a huge gambling coup
seemed to be working out well, and, with the
Panthers holding a lead of a game and a half,
with but eleven more games to be played, he
was adding to his line of wagers and tempting
the backers of the Bears to risk more by judi
ciously lifting the odds each day. Instead of
hedging his bets, as many of his fellows had
done, he continued to wager on the Panthers
steadily, in spite of the fact that McCarthy had
closed the gap in the Bears' ranks, and after
making his secret arrangement with Adonis
Williams he had proceeded even more confi
dently. The double defeat of the Panthers the
preceding afternoon and the easy victory of the
Bears on that day had placed a new aspect on
the league race, with the Boars again favorites.
Edwards had left the baseball park jn the mid
dle of the game In a frenzy of nnifcr It was
too late now for him to attAnpt to lay off his
bets, and he stood to lose more than SIOO,OOO
If his plans to have the Panthers win the pen
nant from the Bears went astray. He knew
that the loss of that sum meant his financial
ruin. It was in this mood that he returned to
the hotel and commenced to make drastic
plans. Jn the lobby of the hotel he encountered
Barney Baldwin.
"Hello, Parney,” he said, shaking hands with
the broker. "What brings you down?”
“Hello, Ed,” replied the big man cordially.
"Let's have a drink I've been away a month
out West visiting the family. Brought my
niece on* East with me. Just got home anil
heard that things are going wrong, so I ran
over here last night to see what sort of cattle
have been breaking up my political fences while
I've been gone. A fellow has to watch every
hour or things get away from him. What
brings you over here?”
Baseball ran down to see the game to-day.
Rotten game.”
"Didn’t know you were Interested in base
ball,” said the politician. "I'm pretty well satis
fied with the situation—both my clubs up there
fighting for the lead, and I'm getting it coming
and going.”
"Both your clubs?" ejaculated the gambler.
"I knew you had some stock in some club. How
much of the Bears and Panthers do vou own?"
“Well, I can control both In a pinch. 1 don't
pay much attention to them. They're about
the best Investments I have—big' dividends
and no worry. 1 let the fellows 1 hire as presi
dents of the clubs do the worrying.”
. If ow> U ? wn . both thPSP c,ubs > ou and I ran
do a little business,” said the gambler lowering
alv2° Ce .< * *? me ° n llp t 0 n,v rooms and we’ll
uik dr ‘ nks s, ’ nt there whpre we ean
win h "| V u nt much timp ' Ed ” Protested Bald
here and l-”' n ' pp ' sonlp of the boys down
stacking " hOW ,hp P oll «c»> situation is
getting friJkv " "T" ° f the tract,on crowd are
SR > and want to run things”
- - --—..V IIUUSB
It won’t take much time,” Ed
wards said. "Let’s go where we can
talk confidentially."
Very well; but I can't spare more
than half an hour.”
They ascended to Edward's room
in silence, and when thev were seat
ed th gamblelr Irian for wine. and.
leaning forward, said:
"You want your man. Hoskins, to
go the Senate when the Legislature
meets this Winter?”
"Why—not exactly—mv political
plans are rather indefinite. Hos
kins is an acceptable man”
Oh. chop it, said the gambler
sharply. “There's no use for us to
try to bunk each other. Let s get
down to eases. You want to put
Hoskins over, and you know you're
going to have a deuce of a time
crowding him through,"
“Admitting that to be the case,
what then?"
“I think I can push it over for
you.” the gambler said easily. “Up
home I've got four members of the
Legislature where they will do what
1 say—and perhaps can handle two
others. Four sure—they've taken
money from me - anti they'll do what
1 want them to do. 1 think with those
four your mat. would go over—if you
have lined up as many members as
the papers say you have”
“Rather early to count noses.”
Baldwin started to protest “We may
line up several others"
Hoskins over, an dyou know you're
wards sharply. “You've got all you
can -the others are lined up either
with the high brows or against vou
under Mullins. I can deliver four,
possibly six. of Mullins's votes that
he counts as sure.”
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“I wish I did,” snarled Williams, now growing mean from the effects of drink. “I’d like to
get something on that fellow. Who’s the woman?”
“What do you waut out of It?” The politician
was Interested at last, and in spite of his ef
forts to restrain his eagerness, he betrayed it
by his looks and tone.
“Does it make any difference to you whether
the Bears or the Panthers win?" Edwards put
the question as if casually.
"Stick to the subject, Edwards,” insisted
Baldwin. "Can you deliver those votes, and
what do you want for them?"
”1 asked you what difference it made to you
which team wins the pennant in the league,
and I am sticking to the subjecL” replied the
gamblffr quietly.
“It don't make any difference to me,” Bald
win retorted curtly. “I'm not a dashed bit in
terested in baseball—except to make money
out of the teams. I bought the stock as part
of a political deal —to help some one out—
and it turned out a good investment. What
has that to do with it?”
“Baldwin," said the gambler, leaning for
ward again and speaking in low tones. “You
see to it that the Panthers beat the Bears out
in that pennant race, and I'll deliver you at
least five votes for your man.”
“That's easy,” remarked Baldwin. "I can
turn that trick qui.kly enough, but 1 don't see
where you get off."
“You make it a sure thing and I'll tend to
my own part of it," said the gambler. “I'll get
mine, but I'm not so certain you can do it as
easily as you think."
“Why not—don’t both the clubs belong to
me?"
“Sure they do.” said the gambler, "but base
ball is a hard thing to monkey with. You've
got to handle it carefully, for if the fact came
out we'd be in such hot water we'd both scald."
“Nonsense,” said Baldwin testily. “I'll call
the presidents in, explain what 1 want and let
them do it.”
"Keep off that stuff." warned the gambler.
“You don't seem to know much about this
game, if you ean reach the managers, if you
can handle Clancy, who manages the Bears,
so he'll send the weak pitchers in, it will be
simple, but I don't think you can —that way.
You see. this game is played by ball players—
and to fix it you've got to be careful, if you
tried to tell Clancy to lose this pennant he'd
run straight to some reporter, and the whole
country would be up in arms. I shouldn't won
der if they’d lynch you. You've got to handle
it delicately."
“Then how do you propose having it done?”
asked the political boss, for once willing to
listen to advice. He had no qualms of con
science, nor, indeed, much of a conception of
the magnitude of the thing he purposed doing.
To him baseball meant a game, and the fact
that hundreds of thousands of persons in all
parts of the country were vitally interested
either in the Bears or the Panthers, did not
count with him He, in his selfishness, took
no thought of the players, or patrons. Indeed
he did not think of them at all —only sought
the easiest and safest way to accomplish his
ends without arousing suspicion.
"1 have one of the Bears fixed," said Ed
wards. "But I'm afraid of him. He is crooked
and willing to deliver, but he is yellow—lacks
courage- and he is likely to fail to deliver just
when 1 need him most. The first thing 1 want
you to do is to help stiffen this fellow's back
bone. After that we’ll try to get at someone
else. If you say it's all right and promise to
protect them we will find it easier.”
"This must be a big thing for you. Edwards,"
suggested Baldwin as another drink was served
and the waiter departed.
“I don’t mind telling you that if the Bears
win I'll almost be smashed,” replied the
gambler angrily. “I'm in deep and it's got to
be a sure thing. I’m in so deep now I'm plac
ing it all or nothing."
"llow'd you ever get into that fix? j thought
you played the sure things.”
“I got caught In my own trap,” snapped ths
gambler. “I was fool enough to play the game
myself. I picked the Panthers to win and made
a lot of scattering bets all Summer, figuring
they would beat out the Bears on their pitch
ing strength. Then Carson, the Bears’ third
baseman, broke a leg. They tried to keep it
quiet as long as possible, and said the injury
wasnU serious. 1 had a friend in the club who
tipped off to me an hour after it happened that
Carson's leg was smashed in two places. I
jumped right in and plunged, thinking that
without Carson the Bears hadn’t a chance. They
were 6 to 5 favorites then, even with Carson
out, as everyone thought he’d play In a few
days. 1 laid over $50,000 against them in two
days and added some more at even money.
When the news that Carson was out for the
rest of the season broke loose the Panthers
were 7 to 5 favorites and 1 was loaded up and
laughing at the rest of the fellows. Then along
comes this blanked red-head and turns it all
upside down."
“What rad-head?”
“McCarthy—that kid third bapeman. He's
been winning games right along that they ought
to have lost, and It looks as If the Bears will
win out anyhow—unless you can stop them.”
"McCarthy, eh?” Baldwin smiled patroniz
ingly for the first time. "My boy, don't worry.
You may know baseball better than I do—but
you’ve hit something I know about. I think I
can handle this McCarthy. I believe you can
get ready to deliver those votes. I must be go
ing now.”
"I’m going to send for that pitcher I’ve got
fixed to-night," said Edwards. “I want to make
this certain.”
“Have him down about ten. or a little later,”
suggested Baldwin genially as he arose to
leave, “I’d like to have a little talk with him
about this —McCarthy. I believe you call him.”
It was the arrival of Baldwin in the barroom,
a few hours later, to attend the meeting with
Adonis Williams and Easy Ed Edwards that
Silent Swanson and Kohlnoor McCarthy saw—'
and It was well for McCarthy’s peace of mind
that he did not hear what transpired at that
meeting.
CHAPTER X.
The Three Conspirators.
BALDWIN, by nature, was pompous and pat
ronizing. In his capacity as political
boss, representing certain more or less ques
tionable financial interests, he distributed
political patronage with an air of one bestow
ing great favors personally. In spite of his
undoubted wealth, and his alleged political
power, Barney Baldwin was what Easy Ed
Edwards would, with the keen discrimination
of a trained gambler and student of human
nature, have designated as a "four-flushing
figurehead.”
Baldwin's rise to riches and to a certain de
gree of power had been a strange one. He had
started life as a bartender, and had by a cer
tain selfish economy and a discreet "touch
ing of the till” acquired sufficient money to
purchase the saloon in which he was em
ployed from the honest German who had
trusted him almost to the verge of bankruptcy.
Certain wealthy men and some others inter
ested in public utilities had seen in Baldwin a
proper catspaw, and. in a small way. had used
him in politics. From that he had developed
quickly into an official collector of graft money
from disorderly houses, saloons, and places
where gambling was conducted. He collected
rigidly and turned over the money, reserving
only a small and safe "holdout” for himself, to
persons who were afraid to do the collecting
themselves and were willing to pay him for
the additional chances he took. They, in turn,
held out a share for themselves and passed
the bulk of the crime-laden coin along to the
bosses, who distributed it in order to maintain
their political power, re
serving, of course, large
sums for their private use.
Baldwin had become more
and more independent
financially, and more power
ful politically as he learned
the game. He was shrewd
in his way and quick to
learn. His share of the col
lections became larger and
larger until in time he was
admitted to the higher cir
cle of graft, and, having
served his apprenticeship,
he had others to collect for
him and take the greater
risk of going to prison.
Eventually, by clever cater
ing to big interests, he be
came the recognized pollti
‘ cal boss of his city, stock
holder in several public
utilities, and head of a brok
erage firm, which he main
tained more to account for
his possession of wealth
than to do business, al
though favored in many in
stances in bond deals.. His
purchase of stock in base
ball clubs had been inciden
tal. He knew little of the
game and cared less. He
bought the controlling in
terest li the Panthers when
baseball, as a business, was
t a low ebb. in order to ex
tend his political power,
and he saw his property in
crease tenfold In value In
a few years through the
rapid growth of interest in
the game. He had come to
the rescue of a sportsman
In distress , secured some
stock in the Bears, by press
ing his claim against that
sportsman, and, when the
opportunity presented, he
had secured control of the
club just at the time it was
developing into a winning
team. He was satisfied with
the large returns on the
stock and avoided publicity
in advertising himself as
owner of either team
through fear of causing an
increase in the demand,
"Where did you get it?”
His political power, or.
rather, the power of those
who, fearing to do things
themselves, made him their
proxv, had extended from
the city over the county.
then to the State, and the till - robbing
bartender had become a man whose support
if not counsel, was sought even in highest
national affairs. ... , ~
Easv Ed Edwards, while waiting in the
booth of the Metropolis Case had told Adonis
Williams, the Bear pitcher, the name of the
man for whom they were waiting.
“Now* get wise, Adonis,” he advised, in
friendly tones. “I'll tip you to something no
one outside a few is on to. Baldwin owns this
club you're pitching for, and he owns the
Panthers. I had it from him to-night that he
wants the Panthers to win the pennant this
season. You toss off a game or two to help
him and you’ll be strong with him for life.
You know he holds this State in his vest
pocket. He can do a lot for you after your
salary wing is worn out if you make good
now.”
"Ain’t I trying my best?” said Williams.
"Clancy won't let me work often now. He was
working me to death until a couple of weeks
ago and now he’s always saving me for some
other team. 1 asked him to get in to-morrow.
Maybe I’ll work. If I do I’ll make good and
lose it.”
"Here he comes now,” said Edwards in a
low tone as Baldwin came pompously into the
bar room in search of them. "I'll talk and let
you hear wjiat he wants.”
"Ah, here we are,” said Baldwin, pompously,
as he discovered them. “Order a bottle of
wine, Ed, and introduce me to your friend.”
He already was well warmed with drink and
•looser and less cautious in his conversation
than customary.
“Glad to meet you, Williams.” he said as
Edwards went through the formalities of in
troduction. “I’ve seen you pitch. Had a good
season ?”
"Fair,” said Williams, striving to appear
modest. "I’ve won twenty-six and lost eleven
—some of them tough ones, especially lately."
He cast a meaning glance toward Edwards
as if expecting some show of appreciation of his
caution.
“Sorry to spoil your record, my boy," said
Baldwin patronizingly, "but you must lose a
few more for the interests of all concerned."
“Not so loud, Baldwin,” warned Edwards.
“Talk as if you were talking politics.”
“All right, all right,” assented Baldwin un
vexed. “Let’s have another bottle.
“Now. young fellow," he continued in a low
tone when the drink was served, "you know
who I am. I don’t forget my friends. That’s
my motto. Any one who does anything that
helps me, or helps a friend of mine”
He paused to wave his hand indicating that
Edwards was the friend.
“Any one who helps a friend of mine,” he re
peated, “makes himself solid with me. You
know, it is a saying in politics that Barney
Baldwl.. always takes care of his friends, and
always gets even with those who try to throw
him down.”
The man was half drunk and too loose with
his talk to suit the more cautious gambler.
"Adonis here is all right,” said the gambler
suavely. "I don’t blame him for being a little
bit cautious. You see, Barney, Adonis wasn’t
sure the big men behind the game wanted it to
go that way and I don’t blame him. 1 wanted
him to understand how the owners feel.”
“I'm wise. I guess,” said Williams, warming
with the wine. “All I need is the chance, and
I'll make the Panthers win it.”
“You understand," Baldwin said pompously,
"it wouldn’t do at all for owners to have any
thing to do with the games; -that’s the reason
I don’t care to have my name mentioned in con
nection with the Bears or the Panthers, but in
this case it is to all our interests to have the
Panthers win. My boy, I'll take care of you
well, if you deliver the goods.”
"You may count on me. We have ten more
games to play, and I ought to work three,
maybe four. T can lose two or three and make
it a cinch.”
Williams was commencing to feel the effects
of the champagne and growing confident.
“That’s the talk," said Baldwin genially.
“You know which side your bread Is buttered
on.”
“Yes,” remarked Edwards, "he does — but ho
wants It on both sides. He's had chances al
ready to end this race, and won instead of los
ing.”
"I couldn't help It,” retorted Williams. "You
know, Ed, I tried to lose but that red-headed
four-flush was lucky enough to keep me from
IL You know I don’t dare make it too raw.
Clancy might get suspicious.”
“This McCarthy seems to be the trouble
maker all ’round,” suggested Baldwin. "With
him eliminated It ought to be easy, hadn’t It?"
"Him a good ball player?" ejaculated Will
iams angrily. "Say, he’s a bum. He’s just
lucky.”
“I don’t want any more such luck." eneered
Edwards. "You may have wanted to lose that
game and yet you wanted to look good to the
crowd. That was what was the trouble. The
next time you’re In there you lose the game
right—you hear? Let them get a big bunch of
runs right quick so no one can save the game.
You needn’t be afraid. Baldwin owns the club
and he’ll see you get a raise of pay."
“Maybe Clancy won’t let me pitch,” objected
the star whiningly. “I can’t make him let me
pitch.”
‘TH see to that," said Baldwin casually. 'TH
see the president In the morning and have him
tell this Clancy to let you pitch. Then he'll put
you in.”
“Don't be too certain of that," said Edwards.
"Clancy usually runs the team to suit himself—
and he plays to win. If he thinks Williams is
off his best form it will take a lot of orders to
make him let him pitch.”
"You leave that to me," replied Baldwin com
placently. “I usually get what I want. Mean
time I think I can fix this young fellow Mac. I
have an idea that I have something on him that
will make him see reason. I’ll have a little talk
with him In the morning.”
"Don't let him find out that yon know either
of us,” warned Edwards. “He’s a pretty cagey
young fellow from what I hear.”
"Trust me for that,” said the big man. "I've
handled wise fish before now, and landed them
without using a net I think he’ll do as I want
him to do.”
“You know anything about him?” Inquired
Williams.
"Yes—and no. Anyhow I am pretty dose to
some one—a woman—who knows him and
knows all about him.”
"I wish I did,” snarled Williams, now grow
ing mean from the effects of drink. "I’d like to
get something on that fellow. Who’s the
woman?”
"She’s some one whose name won’t appear
In this matter," replied the politician reprov
ingly. "She’s a relative of mine. I think he is
in love with her and she turned him down cold.
Let’s have another bottle and break up the
party.”
“He was in love with her?” asked Williams
eagerly, as a plan for revenge flashed through
his mind.
“I believe so,” said Baldwin c .relessly.
"Family affair. Never heard the details. Os
course she couldn't marry a fellow of that
class.”
The big man was guessing, not knowing how
near the truth he was hitting, although his only
knowledge of McCarthy was from seeing him
talking to his niece in the hotel parlor.
“If we can get that redhead out of the way
I could deliver easily,” said Williams, after
another bottle of wine had been served.
“I’ll get him out of the way easily enough,"
volunteered Baldwin as they arose from the
table. “I'll see about it to-morrow.”
“You try,” agreed Edwards. "If you fall
down I have a scheme that ought to fix Mc-
Carthy. I'll see you to-morrow evening. Barney
Williams, you’d better not see us again until
its over, unless I send for you.”
The three men emerged from the booth, Will
iams and Baldwin flushed and unsteady from
the drink. Edwards cold and revealing not a
trace of the wine.
"Williams, you’d better go out the front
door,” he said quietly. "It wouldn’t do for
you to be seen around the lobby with us at
this hour.”
The trio of plotters shook hands, Williams
hurrying out the case door onto the street, w-hile
the other two sauntered into the lobbv and
bade each other good night at the elevator.
Fifteen minutes later Swanson and McCarthy,
in their beds, heard Williams enter the ad
joining room unsteadily and hastily prepare for
bed.
CHAPTER XI.
An Eventful Day.
P VENTS crowded upon each other rapidly
L-< the following day. The first was a tele
phone call soon after breakfast that summoned
Manager Clancy to the Metropolis Case, In
which the scenes of the preceding evening had
been transacted. The manager of the case, a
grave, gray-haired, quiet fellow, met the base
ball leader with a worried frown.
“Hello, Mac,” said Clancy, gladly. "How
you hlttin’ em? Haven’t seen you in an age.
’How's tricks?”
Pretty good, Bill. You’re looking fine,” re
plied McMahon, manager of the case, who in
his youth had played ball on the team with
the now famous Clancy. “I was worried about
something I heard this morning and thought I’d
send.for you. I couldn’t come up.”
“What it is? Let's have a drink—make mine
grape juice.”
When I came down this morning Johnny,
the night man, told me one of your players was
in here until after midnight last night,” said
the old ballplayer.
"Which one?” demanded the manager
angrily. This is a fine time to be starting a
joy club!”
"He didn't know him, except that be was a
ballplayer. Johnny don’t know much about the
game. He was a sandy-haired fellow, rather
slender and wiry looking."
“McCarthy— maybe,” said the manager
thoughtfully and worried. “I didn’t think that
bird would do it. Something funny."
He had leaped at the identification, forgetting
that McCarthy’s hair was red while the defini
tion “sandy” might be used in describing Will
iams.
“That Isn’t the worst of 1L Bill,” continued
McMahon, “that fellow was with Easy Ed Ed
wards and a big fat guy in a dress suit.”
To Be Continued Next Sunday