aid: "Better
that than that such a scoundrel shall win." But Peter was a politician,
and so saw no need of saying the unpleasantest thing that occurred to
him, even if he felt it. Instead, he said: "The Labor party will get as
many votes from the Republicans as from us, and, for every vote the
Labor party takes from us, we shall get a Republican vote, if we put up
the right kind of a man."

"Nonsense," cried Number One.

"How do you figure that?" asked another.

"In these panic times, the nomination of such a man as Maguire, with his
truckling to the lowest passions and his socialistic speeches, will
frighten conservative men enough to make them break party lines, and
unite on the most certain candidate. That will be ours."

"But why risk it, when, with Maguire, it's certain?"

Peter wanted to say: "Maguire shall not be endorsed, and that ends it."
Instead, he said: "We can win with our own man, and don't need to trade
with or endorse the Labor party. We can elect Maguire by the aid of the
worst votes in this city, or we can elect our own man by the aid of the
best. The one weakens our party in the future; the other strengthens
it."

"You think that possible?" asked the man who had sought information as
to what they "were here for."

"Yes. The Labor party makes a stir, but it wouldn't give us the oyster
and be content with the shells if it really felt strong. See what it
offers us. All the local and State ticket except six assemblymen, two
senators, and a governor, tied hand and foot to us, whose proudest claim
for years has been that he's a Democrat."

"But all this leaves out of sight the fact that the thing's done," said
Number One.

Peter puffed his cigar.

"Yes. It's too late. The polls are closed," said another.

Peter stopped puffing. "The convention hasn't met," he remarked,
quietly.

That remark, however, seemed to have a sting in it, for Number Two
cried:

"Come. We've decided. Now, put up or shut up. No more beating about the
bush."

Peter puffed his cigar.

"Tell us what you intend, Stirling," said Number One. "We are committed
beyond retreat. Come in with us, or stay outside the breastworks."

"Perhaps," said Peter, "since you've taken your own position, without
consulting me, you will allow me the same privilege."

"Go to--where you please," said Number Six, crossly.

Peter puffed his cigar.

"Well, what do you intend to do?" asked Number One.

Peter knocked the ash off his ciga