“Here he comes now,” said McGann.
Hurley was a well set-up young chap, with a businesslike air. His face was pleasant yet grave. He had the chin and nose of a commander, while his eye was quick and penetrating. He advanced and greeted Melvin McGann, who shook hands with him and then introduced him to Gowan.
The stout man shook hands without rising. There was little polish about him.
“Hope you’ve not been waiting for me a great while, gentlemen,” said Hurley. “I’ve been talking with Mat O’Neill, who was just thinking of starting for Hartford, where he has a chance to get into the Connecticut State League. I induced him to stop over until to-night. Told him there was something in the wind, and outlined enough of the scheme to interest him, without letting him into all the details. I had to do it, for O’Neill is just the man we want. You know him, Mr. McGann. He pitched in the Northern New York League last season and made a wonderful record. Collins picked him out, and gave him a trial in New Orleans. He lost the game, and he hasn’t been given another chance. The other pitchers panned out, and Collins dropped him. He had hard luck in New Orleans. If they’d tried him again I’m sure he would have opened their eyes. I’d like to run him against the champs.”
Hurley was a man of enthusiasm. He expressed it in his manner of speech, yet there was that about him which indicated that he was not headstrong and reckless.
“Sit down, Hurley,” invited McGann. “Tell us who you have on the string.”
The ballplayer took a chair and the three drew close together around one of the little tables.
“Is it a go?” asked Hurley. “Can you raise the backing, Mr. McGann?”
“If Mr. Gowan sees that the prospect is encouraging, I think he will come into the deal with me.”
“Good! He won’t regret it. There’s money in it, as sure as you’re a living man. If we don’t last more than three weeks, we can make money while we do last, providing, of course, that you’re able to keep your part of the agreement, and get a game in Hoboken with one of the three big-league teams we’ve mentioned; either New York team or the Boston champs. Why, we can pack ’em into the field over at Hoboken like sardines in a box!”