Th-there's no one in the nation has
t-tried harder or f-failed worse!"

The youth turned to his work at the high desk. "Sir," said the general
to the first clerk, who rose, "the senator and I have been up to your
texas----"

"Contrary to orders," mildly said the first clerk.

"I admit it, sir, but our intentions were only th-the k-kindest. It
seems to us, sir, or to me--us or me, sir, as you will--that th-those
sons of our old friend Hayle are not getting justice."

"They ought to be mighty glad of that, general."

"S-s-sir, they'd rather have it! We admit, of course,--we or I--I, if
you prefer, sir, or if the senator prefers--I admit they are not
unbiassed."

"No, I admit they're not."

"Th-they are supe-perbly stiff-necked and illogical young barons from
four centuries back, sir, without a f-f-fault that isn't a v-v-virtue
overdrawn--or out of date."

The speaker turned to the actor and senator and they to him: "If those
boys have the pride of L-l-lucifer, Mr. Gilmore, they have also his
intrep-idity. Th-they may be as high-headed as giraffes, sir, but
they're as s-s-straightf-f-forward as a charging bull! Mr. clerk, the
splendid surge of their imp-pulses should excuse their f-f-foibles even
if their s-s-souls were _not_ wr-wri-writhing under the lash of a new
whip on old sores, sir."

"Will you just make that a little clearer, general?"

"I will," softly put in the senator--"by your leave, general?"

With limp majesty the general waved permission.

"All for peace, however," said the senator smilingly to the clerk.
"There's been enough strife."

"Never saw so much aboard boat," said the clerk.

"Well,"--statesman and clerk laid elbows on the shelf and dropped their
voices while the actor and the general drew a step aside,--"this thing can
be settled only by the right friends and it's now or never." The two
exchanged a look but the clerk was mute and the senator spoke on: "You've
heard of Dan Hayle--and the girl Phyllis, hmm?"

"I was first clerk on the _Quakeress_ when she burned."

"Why, so you _was_. These twins believe, bitterly, that in that
mysterious disaster all due search for their uncle was neglected to save
the captain's son and that the girl and Dan Hayle were never fully
accounted for."

"Shucks! Why--Dan--it was I found Dan's body."

"Yes, but they call it an outrage for him to have been there at all; to
give him the wheel and take her aboard on the same trip."

"_Law'_! what did