“It won’t make any great difference with your team if we win to-morrow,” said Fernald softly. “You will still be close enough on our heels to run us down before the season closes. It will make a big difference to me if we lose; I’ll have all the cranks in this town on my back. How would you like to make a good thing out of the game to-morrow?”
The Texan started slightly, then turned slowly and stared at his companion.
“I sure would like to make a good thing out of it,” he said, in a queer tone of voice. “That’s natural.”
“Perfectly,” nodded Fernald, fancying he had deftly secured an opening, and likewise imagining that this sturdy boy was willing to listen to a proposition. “I want to give you a pointer Buckhart. I am going to bet on the game to-morrow. There’ll be plenty of chaps ready to back your team. I am indifferent about making any money, but I don’t want to lose any.”
“It certain seems to me that you will either have to make some or lose some if you bet,” said the Westerner.
“I may win my bets without making any money.”
“I opine that’s impossible, Mr. Fernald. How can you do it?”
“Well, for instance, supposing I had it fixed with some one on your team that whatever I won should go to him in case I did win. By this I mean that if Rockford took the game I would hand over my winnings to a member of the Fairhaven team. It’s absolutely necessary, as I have explained to you, for us to stay in first position. That will be more valuable to me than any money I might win. If you can assure me that Rockford will hold her place by taking that game I will cover all the Fairhaven money that is pushed at me. You may send bettors to me and keep tabs on the amount posted. I don’t care how much is put up, as long as I stand no chance of losing.”
Brad’s left hand was lowered at his side, and he quivered a little as his fingers closed into a hard, bony fist. Although the man was not aware of it, in that moment he was in danger of being smitten by that fist.
“I reckon I understand what you mean, Mr. Fernald,” said the Texan. “You’re proposing to me that I do something to give Rockford the game?”