“Wouldn’t he?” said Bent, with a faint sneer. “Why not?”
“Because he’s an honest young feller—honest and square as a brick.”
“How do you know that? Let me tell you, Cope, that a college man who will play summer ball for money, under a fictitious name, is not honest; and such a fellow wouldn’t choke a little bit over a lie.”
“Y’u’re wrong ’bout this chap—dead wrong; he’s on the level.”
“He may be,” admitted King, preparing to depart; “but I have my doubts. I wouldn’t trust him out of sight. Why, such a man might double cross you any time. He can be bought and sold. It may be a very good thing for the team to dispense with his services.”
Having said this, he left the office and the store, heedless of some parting words from Cope, who was far more agitated than he had been before the interview.
There was triumph in Benton King’s heart, for the last shadow of uncertainty regarding the identity of Kingsbridge’s star pitcher had vanished. He had felt before that he was on the right track, but now he was positive about it; Henry Cope’s refusal to answer his point-blank question had been admission enough.
CHAPTER XXV
THE TEST AND THE DENIAL
At the post office, as he had hoped, King met Janet. Since Sunday, he had scarcely caught a glimpse of her, but he knew she sometimes came for the mail near that hour, and the knowledge brought him there from the mill. As she was leaving, he joined her, making an excuse to walk in the same direction.