l."

"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 won't do at all for
owners to have anything to do with the games; that's the reason I don't
care to have my name mentioned in connection 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. I can lose two or three and make it a cinch."

"That's the talk," said Baldwin genially. "You know which side your
bread is buttered on."

"Yes," remarked Edwards, "he does--but he wants it on both sides. He's
had chances already to end this race, and won instead of losing."

"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
it. You know I don't dare to 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 Williams angrily. "Say, he's a
bum. He's just lucky."

"I don't want any more such luck," sneered Edwards. "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."

"Maybe Clancy won't let me pitch," objected the star whiningly. "I
can't make him let me pitch."

"I'll see to that," said Baldwin casually. "I'll 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."

"You leave that to me," replied Baldwin complacently. "I usually get
what I want. Meantime, I think I can fix this young fellow Mac. I'll
have a little talk with him in the morning."

"Don't let him find out that you 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."

"You know anything about him?" inquired Williams.

"Yes--and no. Anyhow I am pretty close to someone--a woman--who knows
him and knows all about him.