“There, there! You see—you see, you were mistaken, Bent. I knew—I knew you must be! I knew it could not be true. I was sure Lefty—he—Mr. Locke wouldn’t do a thing like that. I’m so glad!”
But, although surprised by the man’s nerve, Benton King was not jostled from the perch of belief on which he had settled. He had thought that the fellow, fairly cornered, would not dare to make a point-blank denial. It seemed, however, that Locke had elected to play the hand out, even with the leading trumps against him. He turned and smiled into the blue eyes of the rejoicing girl.
“And I am glad to know you felt so sure I wouldn’t do a thing like that. I trust your confidence in me may never waver.”
“For real, pure bluff,” thought Bent King, “that’s the limit! But it’s a losing game. He’s fouled himself now for fair.”
Getting his breath, he spoke aloud:
“It’s strange I should make such a mistake, Mr. Locke—very strange. Of course, I know that many college players go in for summer ball on the quiet. Just to satisfy my own curiosity, I’ve sent for some information concerning Paul Hazelton, who made a record by pitching and winning two of Princeton’s big games recently. Of course, as you say you are not Hazelton, I might have spared myself the trouble. Still, if the friend to whom I sent can get hold of a picture of Hazelton, it will be amusing to make a comparison between that likeness and yourself, just to see how strong the resemblance may be. I have an idea that Hazelton is almost your perfect double.”
“It would be rather odd, wouldn’t it, if it should prove so?” smiled Locke coolly. “Still, such things sometimes happen. I think I’ll hustle along to the hotel. Good morning, Mr. King. Good morning, Miss Harting. I trust I’ll soon have the pleasure of seeing you again at the games.”
They stood there and watched his retreating figure until he passed from view round a corner. Janet’s face, though showing satisfaction, was a bit haughty and accusing as she spoke to Bent.
“I hope you realize now,” she said bitingly, “that you have made a big blunder.”
“No,” he returned, “it was that man Hazelton who made the blunder in denying his identity.”