Lefty’s lips tightened at the man’s tone. “You guessed right, in a way,” he retorted. “Twenty-four hours after I pledged with Toler, I had an offer from the Blue Stockings of a thousand dollars more than your scout promised me.”
The silence which followed this statement was eloquent. Some one in the little group near by whistled incredulously. Brennan’s eyes were fixed intently on the cub pitcher’s face, as if he were trying to make out whether this was the truth or a magnificent bluff. Accustomed as he was to judging men, he was forced to admit that the youngster did not look like a liar.
“And how much was that?” he demanded abruptly.
“Twenty-five hundred.” Already Lefty was sorry for his impulsive outburst. In a flash he realized that if he had kept his mouth shut he would have been free in a moment to accept the better offer.
“Humph!” grunted Brennan thoughtfully. If Doyle, of the Blue Stockings—the Hornets’ most bitter rivals—wanted this kid as bad as that, there must be something in him, and it would never do to let him go. Much as he hated backing water, the manager was too shrewd a man to allow personal feelings to influence his professional judgment. He scowled deeply, bit his lips, and then snapped sourly:
“Well, seeing as you’re here, you might as well make yourself useful. Trot out there and take that fellow’s place; I can use him somewhere else. Toss a few straight, easy ones over the plate. Stir your stumps now,” he went on, turning fiercely on the astonished group near by. “You boys get busy. We’ve wasted too much time. We’ll stop this general shillalah swinging, and take the field in regular positions. Every one of you run your hits out. You need the exercise.”
Without a word, Lefty turned, and made his way toward the cub pitcher, who had been shuffling around near the slab waiting for the altercation to end. He had been extremely foolish not to keep his face shut, but there was nothing to be gained by repining over the past.
An instant later, as his eyes met those of the man he was replacing, he started slightly, and a look of dazed surprise flashed into his face. It vanished swiftly, but as he reached the fellow his lips were compressed, his eyes hard and cold.
“Hello, Elgin,” he said stiffly.