"I wanted to," replied McCarthy savagely. "I can't see where he gets into this affair at all. There's something queer all round." "Listen, Kohinoor," said Swanson. "Someone wants to beat the Bears out of this pennant, and whoever it is is turning every trick possible to beat us. I suspect they've got to Williams and that he is trying to throw games, and I've been working all night trying to get the goods on him. We can't run to Clancy with a yarn like that unless we're ready to prove it. Now go to sleep and get ready to win to-morrow's game--to-day's, rather." McCarthy lay staring, sleepless, into the darkness, his brain whirling as he strove to penetrate the maze of intrigue and plotting of which he seemed the center. Half an hour passed, then, as he turned in bed, a sleepy voice from the next bed asked: "Asleep, Kohinoor?" "No." "Then quit worrying. I had a talk with Betty Tabor to-night, and you needn't worry. She don't believe all she hears." "What did she say, Silent?" asked McCarthy, sitting up in bed suddenly. "Aw, go to sleep," responded Swanson, as he rolled over, chuckling at the manner in which McCarthy had betrayed his interest. It was nearly noon when Swanson and McCarthy descended to the hotel lobby in better frames of mind. Manager Clancy, serious and worried, was talking with a gray-haired man and a younger man. McCarthy observed them and grew uncomfortable under their close scrutiny as the three turned toward him and focussed their eyes upon him. He felt relieved when the smaller man shook his head positively and was not surprised a moment later when Clancy came forward toward him and said frankly: "Forget it, Kohinoor. Case of mistaken identity." He grasped McCarthy's hand and gave it a crunching grip as he added: "When you get ready to tell me what you know I want to hear it." The manager did not attempt any further apology, but McCarthy felt as if a load had been lifted from his mind. "I can't make any charges until I have proof," he replied steadily. "If ever I can back up what I suspect, I'll tell you--first." "Swanson explained partly," said the manager. "I understand. Get in there to-day and hustle."