Mentally, Biff Towley agreed with Glade Tremont's choice. "Pinkey" Baird was the right man for the job at Glendale. There had been trouble because of Louis Steffan — but Louis Steffan had not been a product of the underworld.
With either Baird or Marsland serving Orlinov, there would be no repetition of the trouble that had occurred with Steffan.
Biff had left both men eager to meet him again. He knew that each was looking for a tie-up with a shady enterprise. Either could be bought cheap and would serve well.
Biff had promised nothing. He had merely intimated that he would like to see his acquaintances again. Tonight he would line up Baird and ease off Marsland. Unless — as was extremely unlikely — Baird should express a lack of interest.
Business was moving at the Club Savilla before the hour of nine. While Biff Towley was still enjoying the feature talkie, a throng of early comers was filing into the gay uptown nightclub. Among these early arrivals were the two men who were anxious to meet Biff Towley again.
They entered the club almost side by side, but did not speak to one another, for they were not acquainted. They had met Biff Towley separately, the night before.
Each took his place at a separate table, but both were close to the spot where Biff Towley made his headquarters on his nightly visits to the Club Savilla. Tilted chairs denoted the gang leader's reservation.
Cliff Marsland, husky and steady-faced, did not appear to be a gangster. Quietly puffing at a cigarette, he had the air of a wealthy club member. He was attired in a tuxedo, and his clothes were well-fitted and immaculate.
Pinkey Baird, twenty feet away, formed a contrast to Cliff Marsland. His face had a cunning look. His roving eyes were everywhere as though seeking someone whom he could interest in a gold-brick proposition.
Cliff's eyes met Pinkey's; but the stare was only momentary. Neither knew that the other was awaiting Biff Towley. In Pinkey, Cliff recognized the look of the shrewd confidence man. In Cliff, Pinkey saw only a stern-visaged person who would be too smart to fall for any plan that he might offer. So both lost interest in the other.