Read Online Thefts of Nick Velvet by Edward D. Hoch - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Edward D. Hoch
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game preserves back in the hills.”
Here and there along the highway were people to cheer and wave as the big presidential car went by. When the marble-faced auditorium came into view, the crowds grew thicker.
“This was really Jorge’s idea,” the President said, patting Asignar approvingly on the knee. “I had been training our own team for some years as a hobby, but it all meant nothing without real competition.”
“I hope you’re prepared to risk the wrath of my government,” Nick commented dryly.
Tras dismissed it with a wave of his hand. “The Beavers will be safely returned after a single game with the Jabali team. No one will go to war over it.”
The auditorium was about half full when they entered. Asignar motioned Nick to a seat on the side, saying, “General Tras and the cabinet ministers always sit in row J. You can follow the proceedings from here.”
“Fine,” Nick agreed. He’d been sitting only a few moments when a strikingly beautiful girl with long black hair slipped into place next to him.
“You’re Nick Velvet?” she asked quietly.
Her English was perfect, which was his first surprise. And she knew his name. “That’s right. And you are—?”
“Maria Tras.”
“The President’s—”
She laughed lightly at his hesitation. “Daughter.”
“Are you a baseball fan too?” Up on the stage Asignar was beginning to speak. Nick’s slight knowledge of Spanish indicated he was introducing the President.
“Not like my father,” the girl was saying in answer to his question. “In fact, I was against this whole scheme. I was at Columbia for four years and I know how seriously you Americans take your baseball.”
“That’s what I tried to tell Asignar.”
“That man!” She made a face.
“What does your father want? Just a game?”
“That’s all. It was wise of you to steal the Beavers. At least it’ll be something of an even match.”
General Tras mounted the stage and held up his hand for silence. Surprisingly, Pop Hastin was at his side. Tras spoke a few words in Spanish and then switched quickly to English. “I want now to welcome a fine and famous American baseball manager, the pride of the National League—our guest, Pop Hastin of the Beavers!”
Even Pop seemed taken aback by the applause with which the introduction was greeted. If he’d planned to denounce the kidnaping from the stage he must have had second thoughts. He cleared his throat, grinned weakly, and said, “I can’t approve of being brought here against our will, but I am pleased at the reception we’ve received. We look forward to meeting the Jabali team on the field.”
The audience cheered and General Tras smiled. Off to one side of the stage the shortstop Mike Nesbitt and some other players seemed far from pleased at the turn of events, but there was little they could do. General Tras resumed his speech. The big game would take place in two days’ time, on Wednesday. The teams would have Tuesday to practice.
“I can’t wait to see it,” Maria Tras told Nick as they left the building.
“I’m surprised that Pop Hastin gave in so easily.”
“Now that it’s done, the game should be an exciting one.” She glanced sideways at Nick. “Will you be staying for it?”
“I have no reason to. Asignar paid me the rest of my fee. But it might be wise to stay down here for a few days. Even though my true identity isn’t known I’m sure the authorities back in the States will be watching for me.”
“I wish you would stay.”
“Thanks.”
“And I hope you can dine with us at the presidential palace tonight. My father is inviting Pop Hastin and all the others.”
“I don’t know if I dare face him,” Nick told her. But there was something odd about the whole business, something that bothered him. He knew he’d be there.
The presidential palace was as regal as Nick had expected—a great white building that must have dated from the early years of the century. In certain
Here and there along the highway were people to cheer and wave as the big presidential car went by. When the marble-faced auditorium came into view, the crowds grew thicker.
“This was really Jorge’s idea,” the President said, patting Asignar approvingly on the knee. “I had been training our own team for some years as a hobby, but it all meant nothing without real competition.”
“I hope you’re prepared to risk the wrath of my government,” Nick commented dryly.
Tras dismissed it with a wave of his hand. “The Beavers will be safely returned after a single game with the Jabali team. No one will go to war over it.”
The auditorium was about half full when they entered. Asignar motioned Nick to a seat on the side, saying, “General Tras and the cabinet ministers always sit in row J. You can follow the proceedings from here.”
“Fine,” Nick agreed. He’d been sitting only a few moments when a strikingly beautiful girl with long black hair slipped into place next to him.
“You’re Nick Velvet?” she asked quietly.
Her English was perfect, which was his first surprise. And she knew his name. “That’s right. And you are—?”
“Maria Tras.”
“The President’s—”
She laughed lightly at his hesitation. “Daughter.”
“Are you a baseball fan too?” Up on the stage Asignar was beginning to speak. Nick’s slight knowledge of Spanish indicated he was introducing the President.
“Not like my father,” the girl was saying in answer to his question. “In fact, I was against this whole scheme. I was at Columbia for four years and I know how seriously you Americans take your baseball.”
“That’s what I tried to tell Asignar.”
“That man!” She made a face.
“What does your father want? Just a game?”
“That’s all. It was wise of you to steal the Beavers. At least it’ll be something of an even match.”
General Tras mounted the stage and held up his hand for silence. Surprisingly, Pop Hastin was at his side. Tras spoke a few words in Spanish and then switched quickly to English. “I want now to welcome a fine and famous American baseball manager, the pride of the National League—our guest, Pop Hastin of the Beavers!”
Even Pop seemed taken aback by the applause with which the introduction was greeted. If he’d planned to denounce the kidnaping from the stage he must have had second thoughts. He cleared his throat, grinned weakly, and said, “I can’t approve of being brought here against our will, but I am pleased at the reception we’ve received. We look forward to meeting the Jabali team on the field.”
The audience cheered and General Tras smiled. Off to one side of the stage the shortstop Mike Nesbitt and some other players seemed far from pleased at the turn of events, but there was little they could do. General Tras resumed his speech. The big game would take place in two days’ time, on Wednesday. The teams would have Tuesday to practice.
“I can’t wait to see it,” Maria Tras told Nick as they left the building.
“I’m surprised that Pop Hastin gave in so easily.”
“Now that it’s done, the game should be an exciting one.” She glanced sideways at Nick. “Will you be staying for it?”
“I have no reason to. Asignar paid me the rest of my fee. But it might be wise to stay down here for a few days. Even though my true identity isn’t known I’m sure the authorities back in the States will be watching for me.”
“I wish you would stay.”
“Thanks.”
“And I hope you can dine with us at the presidential palace tonight. My father is inviting Pop Hastin and all the others.”
“I don’t know if I dare face him,” Nick told her. But there was something odd about the whole business, something that bothered him. He knew he’d be there.
The presidential palace was as regal as Nick had expected—a great white building that must have dated from the early years of the century. In certain
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