Lefty rose to his feet. "You're not looking for a manager, Weegman," he said. "What you want is a putty man, a figurehead. Under any circumstances, you've come to the wrong market." CHAPTER III THE FEDERAL POLICY Weegman was startled. "What--what's that?" he spluttered, staring upward at the towering figure in white. "What do you mean?" "Just what I've said," replied the pitcher grimly. "Under no circumstances would I think of stepping into old Jack Kennedy's shoes; but even if he were a perfect stranger to me you could not inveigle me into the management of the Blue Stockings on the conditions you have named. Management!" he scoffed. "Why, the man who falls for that will be a tame cat with clipped claws. It's evident, Mr. Weegman, that you've made a long journey for nothing." For a moment the visitor was speechless. Lefty Locke's modest, unassuming ways, coupled with undoubted ambition and a desire to get on, had led Charles Collier's secretary to form a very erroneous estimate of him. "But, man alive," said Weegman, "do you realize what you're doing? You're turning down the chance of a lifetime. I have the contract right here in my pocket, with Collier's name properly attached and witnessed. If you doubt my authority to put the deal through, I can show you my power of attorney from Mr. Collier. In case sentiment or gratitude is holding you back, let me tell you that under no circumstances will Kennedy again be given control of the team. Now don't be a chump and--" "If I were in your place," interrupted Locke, "I wouldn't waste any more breath." Weegman snapped his fingers, and got up. "I won't! I didn't suppose you were quite such a boob." "But you did suppose I was boob enough to swallow your bait at a gulp. You thought me so conceited and greedy that I would jump at the chance to become a puppet, a manager in name only, without any real authority or control. It's plainly your purpose to be the real manager of the team, for what reason or design I admit I don't quite understand. Just how you hypnotized Charles Collier and led him to consent to such a scheme I can't say; but I do say that no successful ball team has ever been run in such a way. You're not fit to manage a ball club, and you wouldn't dare assume the title as well as the authority; probably you know Collier wouldn't stand for that. Yet you intend to force your dictation upon a pseudo-manager. Such meddling would mean muddling; it would knock the last ounce of starch out of the team. If the Blue Stockings didn't finish a bad tailender it would be a miracle." Bailey Weegman was furious all the way through, but still he laughed and snapped his fingers. "You're a wise guy, aren't you?" he sneered. "I didn't dream you were so shrewd and discerning. Now let me tell you something, my knowing friend: I've tried to save your neck, and you won't have it." "My neck!" exclaimed the pitcher incredulously. "You've tried to save my neck?"