CHAPTER XXVIII
THE GAGE OF WAR
Janet had let some friends know that she was in the city, and had been invited out to a matinée performance at one of the theaters. Lefty urged her to go. “That’s better than sitting around the rooms alone,” he said, “and I’ll be so busy that I can’t be with you.”
So when, shortly after lunch, her friends appeared in a comfortable limousine, they had little trouble in persuading her to join them.
Kennedy dropped in a little later, and Locke told him of Garrity’s proposed trade.
“He sure did pick you for a mark,” said the ex-manager. “You handed it to him straight about Mundy and Pendexter. You’re going to need a pair of fast boys to stop the holes, but there’s better men in the minors than those two. You’ve got better ones on the reserve list. Besides that, I’m doin’ a little free scouting on my own hook. I’ve got friends scattered all over the country. Whenever an old player, gone to the scraps, has touched me up for a five or a ten, I’ve stood for the touch, asking him to keep his eyes open for anything good he might run across in the sticks. That way I’ve got a good deal of inexpensive scouting done for me. Maybe it’ll be worth something in this pinch. I’m going to interview an old friend over in Jersey this afternoon.”
“I’m not worrying over players just now,” said Lefty. “I’m anxious to get hold of Stillman.”
“You’ll hear from him in time–and Weegman, too. What Garrity knows Weegman knows, and so he’s wise that you’re right here. Be ready for him when he shows up.”
Kennedy had only just gone when Weegman appeared. He laughed when he saw Locke, but it was an ugly laugh.
“What do you think you’re trying to do?” he demanded. “Didn’t you get my telegram ordering you to report at the office of the club?”
“Yes.”