"Now listen to sense," continued Edwards, more quickly, "you saw to-day how easily you can lose a game and blame the other fellow. You can use your head and get rich instead of being in debt. If you don't like McCarthy, all you have to do is to make him lose games for you. The papers will yell, 'Hard luck,' you'll get money and I'll clean up a fortune."
"You can't make a crook of me," whined Williams. "Wanting me to throw down a bunch of good fellows"——
"Oh, shut up. You make me sick," sneered the gambler. "All you have to do is to make a sure thing out of a doubtful one. You'll be protecting yourself and getting even with a fellow you hate."
"I won't do it." Williams was at bay and defiant.
"All right," said Edwards sharply, "then to-morrow Clancy will get some news that will start something."
"Aw, say, Ed, you wouldn't cross a fellow like that?" whined Williams.
"Wouldn't I? Perhaps you think I'll let go of all that money and not fight? I'm starting home to-morrow. I won't see you any more. I am depending on you to deliver—or I'll protect myself."
"I won't do it." Williams was desperately defiant.
"Yes you will—when you think it over," Edwards replied easily. "Let's have a drink." He rang the bell and smoked in silence while Williams sat sullenly defiant.
"I tell you I wouldn't do it for all the money in the game," declared the pitcher.