es."

"Can I see him?"

"Come in." Peter moved his bag off one of his chairs, and his hat and
overcoat off the other.

"Mr. Stirling," said the stranger as he sat down, "I am Senator Maguire,
and am, as perhaps you know, one of Porter's managers."

"Yes."

"We understand that you are friendly to us. Now, I needn't say that New
York is otherwise a unit in opposing us."

"No," said Peter. "My fellow-delegates from the sixth, Schlurger and
Kennedy, stand as I do!"

"Are you sure?"

"Yes."

"The change must have been very sudden. They were elected as Catlin men,
we were told."

"Yes. But there's quite a different feeling in the ward now, and they
have yielded to it."

"That's good news."

"We all three come here prepared to do what seems best."

The Senator's expression lost some of the satisfaction Peter's news had
put into it. He gave a quick look at Peter's face, as if to try and find
from it what lay behind the words. He hesitated, as if divided in mind
over two courses of action. Finally he said:

"I needn't tell you that this opposition of practically the whole of the
New York City delegation, is the most serious set-back to Porter's
chance. Now, we have talked it over, and it seemed to us that it would
be a great card for him if he could be nominated by a city delegate.
Will you do it?"

"I don't know him well enough, do I? Doesn't the nominating delegate
have to make a speech in his favor?"

"Yes. But I can give you the material to-night. Or if you prefer, we'll
give it to you all written for delivery?"

"I don't make other men's speeches, Mr. Maguire."

"Suit yourself about that. It shall be just as you please."

"The difficulty is that I have not decided myself, yet, how I shall
vote, and of course such an act is binding."

Mr. Maguire's countenance changed again. "I'm sorry to hear that. I
hoped you were for Porter. He's far away the best man."

"So I think."

The Senator leaned back in his chair, and tucked his thumbs into the
armholes of his waistcoat. He thought he had fathomed Peter, and felt
that the rest was plain sailing. "This is not a chap to be tolled. I'll
give him the gaff at once," was his mental conclusion. Then he asked
aloud:

"What do you want?"

It was a question susceptible of many different constructions, but as
Mr. Maguire asked it, it seemed to him to have but one, and that not
very honest. Peter hesitated. The temptation was strong to lead the
Senator on,