“It’s fine, Lefty!” exclaimed Janet, as she read some of those cheery letters. “There was a time when I could not have believed professional ball players were such a fine lot of men.”
“I might have had some doubts myself before I was associated with them,” he admitted; “but experience has taught me that they measure up in manhood as well as any other class. Of course, black sheep may be found in every business.”
As he spoke, he hurriedly opened a letter that had just attracted his attention among those remaining. He read it aloud:
My Dear Hazelton: I am writing in haste before sailing for Liverpool on the Northumberland. As I thought, you were wrong about having seen Virginia in New York. She is in London, and in trouble. I’ve had a cablegram from her which, however, explains very little. She needs me, and I am going to her at once. If you should wish to communicate with me, my address will be the Cecil. As I know that both you and Mrs. Hazelton feel some anxiety about Virginia, I shall let you hear from me as soon as I have any news.
Wishing you the success and good fortune you deserve as a baseball manager, I remain, sincerely yours, Franklin Parlmee.
When he had finished reading, he stood staring at the letter in surprise.
CHAPTER XXIV
WHEELS WITHIN WHEELS
“Well, now, what do you know about that?” cried Lefty. “Sailed for Liverpool! The man’s crazy!”
“But he says he has had a cable message from Virginia,” said Janet. “She is in trouble in London. You were mistaken.”