Sipping his coffee, Stillman listened to Locke's story. That there was sufficient interest in it the attention of the reporter attested. Janet watched the newspaper man closely, and once or twice she caught the flicker of an incredulous smile that passed over his face, giving her the impression that Stillman had a notion that there were holes in Lefty's narrative. "Do you mind if I smoke?" asked the reporter, when dinner was over, and the dessert had been placed on the table. Having received Janet's permission, Stillman lit a cigarette, and for a few moments said nothing, being apparently engrossed with his thoughts. Presently he said: "I wonder." "Wonder what?" Lefty wanted to know. "What I've told you is the straight fact. Weegman's the crook. Kennedy knew it. I knew it when I took the position of manager. Garrity's behind Weegman. What ails Collier, and why he was crazy enough to run away and bury himself while his team was wrecked, is the unexplained part of the mystery. But if we can block Weegman we may be able to put the whole game on the fritz." "I wonder," repeated Stillman, letting the smoke curl from his mouth. Locke felt a touch of irritation. "What are you wondering over? I've talked; now I'm ready to listen." The reporter gave Locke a steady look. "Evidently the possibility hasn't occurred to you that you may not even suspect the real crook who is at the bottom of the affair." "Weegman conceived it," replied Lefty. "He knew Garrity's reputation. He was sure Garrity would jump at the chance to help, and to grab a fat thing at the same time, by stepping in and gobbling the Stockings when the moment came. Of course, Weegman will get his, for without his undermining work in our camp the thing couldn't be pulled off. And Weegman's looking to cop the big chief's daughter when he gets the chief pinched just where he wants him." "Wheels within wheels," said Stillman, "and Weegman only one of the smallest of them. He's one of those egotistical scoundrels who can easily be flattered and fooled into doing scurvy work for a keener mind." "You mean Garrity?" "I wasn't thinking of him when I spoke." "Then who--" "I had a man named Parlmee in mind," stated the reporter. CHAPTER XXV HIDDEN TRACKS His lips parted, his eyes wide and incredulous, Locke sat up straight on his chair and stared at Stillman. Janet, who had been listening attentively, gave a little cry, and leaned forward, one slim, protesting hand uplifted. The reporter drew his case from his pocket and lit another cigarette. Presently Lefty found his voice. "You're crazy, Jack!" he declared resentfully. "Am I?" inquired Stillman. "Oh, it's impossible!" exclaimed Janet. "Absolutely ridiculous!" affirmed the southpaw. "Very likely it seems so to you both," admitted the newspaper man, his calm and confident manner proclaiming his own settled conviction. "I listened to Lefty's story, and I know he's wise to only a small part of what's been going on."