the clubs do the
worrying."

"If you own both these clubs you and I can do a little business," said
the gambler, lowering his voice. "Come on up to my rooms and we'll
have our drinks sent up there where we can talk."

"I haven't much time, Ed," protested Baldwin. "I want to meet some of
the boys down here and learn how the political situation is stacking
up."

They ascended to Edwards's rooms and when they were seated the gambler
rang for wine, and, leaning forward, said:

"You want your man, Hoskins, to go to the Senate when the Legislature
meets this winter?"

"Why--not exactly--my political plans are rather indefinite. Hoskins
is an acceptable man"----

"Oh, chop it," said the gambler sharply. "There's no use for us to try
to fool each other. 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 I
say--and perhaps can handle two others. With those four your man would
go over--if you've 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"----

"Nothing doing!" exclaimed Edwards sharply. "You've got all you
can--the others are lined up either with the high brows or against you
under Mullins. I can deliver four, possibly six, of Mullin's votes
that he counts as sure."

"What do you want out of it?" The politician was interested at last.

"Does it make any difference to you whether the Bears or the Panthers
win?" Edwards put the question as if casually.

"It don't make any difference to me," Baldwin retorted curtly. "I'm
not a bit interested in baseball--except to make money out of the
teams. I bought the stock as part of a political deal--to help someone
out--and it turned out a good investment. What has that to do with it?"

"Baldwin," said the gambler, leaning forward 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 quickly enough, but
I 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