end a performance at a theater that
evening. After dinner they were grouped around the lobby of the hotel,
when Edwards strolled through, going toward the desk. Manager Clancy
glanced at him in surprise and a worried look came over his face.

"I wonder what that crook is doing out here?" he remarked to a group of
players. "You fellows keep away from him. It's worth a player's
reputation for honesty to be seen with him."

As Edwards turned from the desk he glanced quickly at Williams, caught
his eye and beckoned slightly with his head. Williams suddenly pleaded
that he was too weary to attend the performance and remained in the
hotel, declaring his intention of retiring early. As soon as Manager
Clancy, escorting the women of the party, left the hotel, Williams
ascended to Edwards' room.

"See here, Ed," he said, "you're putting me in a dickens of a hole.
Clancy is sore on you. He said he would fine any player who talked to
you. I was afraid he'd see you tip me to come up. If he gets on I'll
lose a bunch of salary. I had to sneak to come up here."

"I wanted to talk to you," replied the gambler. "I told you last night
that the Panthers must win this pennant. I stand to lose close to
$80,000 if they don't. Of course they may beat you, but I want to make
it a sure thing and clean up on it."

"You ought to be feeling better about it to-day," said the pitcher, in
an aggrieved tone. "We lost to a dub club with me pitching. What more
do you want?"

"It wasn't your fault that you lost," retorted the gambler coldly.
"You tried hard to win it and you might have won if you had kept away
from that bunted ball."

"I'd have thrown him out at first easily if that four-flush third
baseman hadn't bumped me," snapped Williams, his pride hurt.

"Sure you would," sneered the gambler. "You'd have thrown me out of
about $160,000 just to have a better average. You had a chance to lose
that game without any trouble and you're sore because you did lose it."

"Why shouldn't I be?" demanded Williams. "If we win my part of the
world's series money will be close to $4,000--enough to settle what I
owe you and pay my bills."

"Now look here, Williams," said the gambler, laying aside his cigar and
leaning forward across the table. "You stand to win just enough to pay
your debts and you'll be broke all winter, without a sou to show for a
year's work. If the Bears lose I'll cancel all you owe me and make you
a present of