"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." "I wish I did," snarled Williams, now growling mean from the effects of drink. "Who's the woman?" "She's someone whose name won't appear in this matter," replied the politician reprovingly. "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 carelessly. "Family affair. Never heard the details. Of course she couldn't marry a fellow of that class." The three men emerged from the booth, Williams 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." Fifteen minutes later Swanson and McCarthy, in their beds, heard Williams enter the adjoining room unsteadily and hastily prepare for bed. CHAPTER XI _McCarthy in Disgrace_ Events crowded upon each other rapidly the following day. The first was a telephone call soon after breakfast that summoned Manager Clancy to the Metropolis Café.