The southpaw stared, thunderstruck. “Philadelphia! You mean that he’s in this country?”
“He arrived to-day, and took a train at once for Philadelphia. I cabled him to come, and to keep his coming secret. Those were Garrity’s orders.”
Locke sat down heavily, still staring at Weegman.
CHAPTER XXXV
THE SHATTERING STROKE
That explained it. Now Lefty knew why he had received no answer to his cablegrams. Before the first was sent, Charles Collier was on the high seas, bound for America. He was home, and Garrity held him in the hollow of his hand. On the morrow the owner of the Blue Stockings was to feel the crushing grip of the triumphant schemer.
Weegman watched the southpaw’s face, noting the look of consternation upon it. Suddenly snapping his fingers, he began speaking again: “That’s why I came to you, Locke. What’s done must be done quickly. After eleven o’clock to-morrow it will be too late. You know what that means for you. Garrity hates you like poison, and you won’t last any time after he gets control. You can raise that money.”
“A hundred and fifty thousand dollars! You’re crazy!”
“You can do it, and save yourself. If you’ll do the right thing by me, I’ll tell you how to raise the needful. Together we’ll hand Garrity his bumps. What do you say? Is it a go?” He sprang up and approached, his hand extended.
Locke rose and faced him. The scorn and contempt upon his face would have withered a man less calloused. Weegman recoiled a little, and his hand dropped to his side.