With scarcely an exception, the players had sent, along with their contracts, brief, friendly letters congratulating Locke and expressing confidence in his ability to manage the Blue Stockings successfully. He had won the regard of them all; in some cases that regard fell little short of genuine affection. With him as their leader they would fight with fresh spirit and loyalty. "It's fine, Lefty!" exclaimed Janet, as she read some of those cheery letters. "There was a time when I could not have believed professional ball players were such a fine lot of men." "I might have had some doubts myself before I was associated with them," he admitted; "but experience has taught me that they measure up in manhood as well as any other class. Of course, black sheep may be found in every business." As he spoke, he hurriedly opened a letter that had just attracted his attention among those remaining. He read it aloud: MY DEAR HAZELTON: I am writing in haste before sailing for Liverpool on the _Northumberland_. As I thought, you were wrong about having seen Virginia in New York. She is in London, and in trouble. I've had a cablegram from her which, however, explains very little. She needs me, and I am going to her at once. If you should wish to communicate with me, my address will be the Cecil. As I know that both you and Mrs. Hazelton feel some anxiety about Virginia, I shall let you hear from me as soon as I have any news. Wishing you the success and good fortune you deserve as a baseball manager, I remain, sincerely yours, FRANKLIN PARLMEE. When he had finished reading, he stood staring at the letter in surprise. CHAPTER XXIV WHEELS WITHIN WHEELS "Well, now, what do you know about that?" cried Lefty. "Sailed for Liverpool! The man's crazy!" "But he says he has had a cable message from Virginia," said Janet. "She is in trouble in London. You were mistaken." "Was I?" queried the southpaw, as if not yet convinced. "You must have been. All along I have thought it likely, but you persisted--" "I saw her distinctly in that passing limousine, which was brightly lighted. True, I obtained only one passing glance at her, but it was enough to satisfy me." "You are so persistent, Phil! That's your one fault; when you think you're right, all the argument and proof in the world cannot change you." "In short, I'm set as a mule," he admitted, smiling. "Well, there are worse faults. A mistake may prove costly or humiliating to an obstinate person who persists in his error, but, when he is right, such a person is pretty well qualified to win over all opposition. If I did not see Virginia Collier in that car, she has a perfect double in New York. I have great confidence in the reliability of my eyes." Janet, however, thoroughly convinced that her husband had been deceived by a resemblance, made no reply.