The men laughed. Either they thought Joe was still incapable of hearing them, or they did not care if their identity and plans were known.
A multitude of thoughts rushed through Joe's head. He did not exactly understand what the men were going to do with him. They had spoken of taking him to the river. Perhaps they meant to keep him prisoner on a boat until his contract with the St. Louis team would be void, because of his non-appearance. And Joe knew how hard it would be to get back in the game after that.
True, he could explain how it had happened, and he felt sure he would not be blamed. But when would he get a chance to make explanations? And there was the game to-morrow! He knew he would be called on to pitch, for Mr. Watson had practically told him so. And Joe would not be on hand.
"Aren't we 'most there?" asked Wessel.
"Yes," answered Shalleg, shortly.
"What are we to do?" asked the other.
"You'll know soon enough," was the half-growled reply.
The cab rattled on. Then it came to a stop. Joe could smell the dampness of the river, and he realized that the next act in the episode was about to be played.
He felt himself being lifted out of the cab, and he had a glimpse of a street, but it was too dark to recognize where it was, and Joe was not well enough acquainted with Philadelphia to know the neighborhood. Then a handkerchief was bound over his eyes, and he was in total darkness.
He heard whispered words between Shalleg and the driver of the cab, but could not make out what they were. Then the vehicle rattled off.