CONTENTS

CHAPTERPAGE
IAn Unexpected Offer[11]
IISomething Queer[20]
IIIThe Federal Policy[28]
IVThe Magnetized Ball[37]
VA Man of Mystery[48]
VIPeculiar Behavior[56]
VIIThe Test[64]
VIIIAt Necessity’s Demand[72]
IXTorturing Doubt[79]
XThe Only Door[86]
XIBurning Speed[93]
XIIToo Much Temptation[103]
XIIIThe Perplexing Question[113]
XIVOnly One Way[120]
XVSigning the Manager[132]
XVIThe Wrong Stool Pigeon[139]
XVIIGetting into Action[146]
XVIIIThe First Deal[155]
XIXA Fleeting Glimpse[165]
XXA Riddle to Solve[175]
XXIThe Man Ahead[180]
XXIIA Doubtful Victory[186]
XXIIIAll Wrong[194]
XXIVWheels Within Wheels[202]
XXVHidden Tracks[210]
XXVINot Much Show[219]
XXVIIThe Suspended Ax[226]
XXVIIIThe Gage of War[233]
XXIXThe Jaws of the Trap[240]
XXXOne Against Three[248]
XXXILight on a Dark Spot[255]
XXXIIOne Chance[266]
XXXIIIOne in a Million[274]
XXXIVWeegman’s Proposal[281]
XXXVThe Shattering Stroke[288]
XXXVIThe Test of Mysterious Jones[296]
XXXVIIThe Return of Lefty[308]

LEFTY LOCKE, PITCHER-MANAGER

CHAPTER I
AN UNEXPECTED OFFER

Lefty Locke gave the man a look of surprise. The soft, bright moonlight was shining full on Weegman’s face, and he was chuckling. He was always chuckling or laughing outright, and Locke had grown tired of it. It was monotonous.

“What do you mean?” the pitcher asked. “Tinware for Kennedy! I don’t believe I get you.”

Weegman snapped his fingers; another little trick that was becoming monotonous and irritating. “That’s poor slang perhaps,” he admitted; “but you’ve been in the game long enough to understand it. Collier is going to tie the can to old Jack.”

Lefty moved his chair round on the little vine-covered porch in order to face his visitor squarely. Frogs were chorusing in the distance, and the dynamo in the electric power house on the edge of the town kept up its constant nocturnal droning.