n without an introduction, and Bauer had
the same feeling for Walter's father. At the dinner table that night
Bauer soon forgot his timidity because everyone was so kind. There was
any number of questions to ask. Walter did a large share of the talking.
Mrs. Douglas looked proud and Helen was on her best behavior and in less
than ten minutes Bauer had lost his fear of her and was in danger of
entertaining the opposite feeling. Walter Darcy and Louis Darcy,
Esther's brothers, were present, and helped to make the meal a lively
and entertaining occasion. And Felix Bauer said to himself when the
evening was over that it was the pleasantest evening of his life.

The next morning Paul asked Bauer to go down to the office with him, The
_News_ was installing a recently invented linotype and Paul wanted Bauer
to see it.

They looked over the mechanism and then came back to Paul's office room.
Bauer was looking over some specimen type Paul had on his table when
three men came in.

Paul looked up, his face changed colour for a moment and he asked the
visitors to be seated. He knew two of the men and they introduced the
third.

"Senator Douglas, this is Judge Livingston of Camford. We want a talk, a
private talk with you on political business," said the speaker, the Hon.
George Maxwell, as he looked at Bauer.

"This young man is a friend of mine, spending the holidays with us,"
said Paul quietly, and he introduced Bauer to the three visitors.

There was a pause, and then Mr. Maxwell said, "We want a private
conference with you, Mr. Douglas, if you don't mind." Bauer started to
go out and Paul said to him, "You don't have to go unless you prefer."

"I'll go back to the house, Mr. Douglas," Bauer said, and immediately
went out.

Maxwell started to shut the door after him.

"Mr. Maxwell, that is not necessary," said Paul very distinctly. "I
think I know what you have come to see me about. Let me say, gentlemen,
once for all, that I have no secrets, and no use for any in my political
life. I do not believe in all this private conference and closed doors
in connection with any action of mine in the coming legislature. I am
not going to do a single thing that will require me to whisper or retire
behind any closed doors. So, seeing this is my office, and it is the
regular custom to leave the door open, we will leave it open."

The Hon. Maxwell looked doubtfully at Paul and the other visitors did
the same. They finally went ove