After the meeting Foley again declared his certainty of winning, but there was a notable decrease of confidence in his voice.
"Yes," said Connelly, without much spirit. "But Baxter, he puts up a good talk."
"He seems to have facts to talk from," explained Brown.
"So have we," said Foley.
"Yes, but somehow at the meetin's his facts seem stronger," said Connelly.
"Oh, what o' that," Foley returned encouragingly. "More'n once in poker I've seen a strong bluff win over a strong hand."
The next meeting was a repetition of the second. Foley was keen in his wit, and insolently defiant; but Mr. Baxter got the better of every argument. The union's committee began to admit, each man to himself, that their position was weaker, and the contractors' much stronger, than they had thought.
And so, day by day, Foley continued to undermine their confidence. So skillfully did he play his part, they never guessed that he was the insinuating cause of their failing courage; more, his constant encouragement made them ashamed to speak of their sinking spirit.
But on the fifth day, at a consultation in Connelly's office, it came out. There had been an hour of talk, absolutely without a touch of enthusiasm, when Connelly, who had been looking around at the men's faces for some time, said with an effort: "On the level now, boys, d'you think we've got any chance o' winnin'?"
Foley swore. "What's that?" he demanded. "Why o' course we're goin' to win!"