Before going aboard his train, he bought the latest edition of an evening newspaper, and, naturally, turned at once to the sporting page. Almost by instinct his eyes found something of personal concern, a statement that Manager Garrity would strengthen the Rockets by securing an unknown "dummy" pitcher who had been discovered by Scout Skullen, and was said to be a wizard. Skullen, it was intimated, was off with a commission from Garrity to sign up his find. There was no longer any doubt in Locke's mind that Skullen had watched the work of Mysterious Jones, and intended to nail the mute for the Rockets. Even now, he had departed on his mission. Probably he had left at three-thirty-four on the very train Lefty had meant to take. If so, he would reach Florida many hours ahead of the southpaw, and would have plenty of time to accomplish his purpose. True, Locke had made a fair and square bargain with Wiley and Jones, but, having been unable to get Jones' signature on a Blue Stockings contract at the time, the deal would not be binding if the mute chose to go back on it. Not a little apprehensive, Lefty sent still another message to Cap'n Wiley. After which he went aboard the train, found his berth, and turned in. CHAPTER XXI THE MAN AHEAD Locke was the first passenger to leap off the train when it stopped at Vienna. He made for one of the two rickety carriages that were drawn up beside the station platform. The white-wooled old negro driver straightened on his seat, signaling with his whip, and called: "Right dis way, sah; dis way fo' the Lithonia House." "Is there a baseball game in this town to-day, uncle?" asked Lefty. "Yes, sah, dere sho am. Dey's gwine to be some hot game, so ever'body say. Our boys gwine buck up against dem Wind Jabbers, an' dere'll be a reg'ler ruction out to de pahk." "What time does the game begin?" "Free o'clock am de skaduled hour fo' de obsequies, sah. Dey's out to de pahk now, sah, an' 'most ever'body could git dere has gone, too." Locke looked at his watch. "Thirty minutes before the game starts. How far is your park?" "'Bout a mile, sah, mo' uh less." "Two dollars, if you get me there in a hurry." "Two dollahs, sah? Yes, sah! Step right in, sah, an' watch dis heah streak o' locomotion transpose yo' over de earth surface. Set tight an' hol' fast."