pidly ran over a list of names. "Will that satisfy you?" he
demanded. "You see, I trust you. Every man I have named will vote for
Burroughs whenever I say so. I may never call on them all--I won't
unless I have to. But"--the pause was purposely impressive--"they are to
have their money whether they are called upon or not, and so will you,
provided that Burroughs is elected."

"You'll never make me believe that Joe Hall can be bought--not until I
hear him give his vote for Robert Burroughs. I notice you have him
listed. He hates Bob more than I do, and that's saying a good deal."

"He was the easiest one of the whole bunch. He was the cheapest, and
he's afraid he won't earn his money."

"Does Burroughs sanction all this?" Senator Blair was amazed, not so
much at the men bought as at the sum total that must have been expended.
Why was Burroughs so anxious to go to Congress? He did not need the
money that was popularly supposed to accrue to senators in Washington
from land grants, timber lands and other large steals; he had millions
already.

"Well, he's putting up the dough, but I don't trouble him with all the
minor details," admitted Moore.

"Bob's not the only one who's offering good money for votes," said
Blair.

"Who has approached you?"

"That's like asking who yelled fire at a theater. There are some seven
candidates, and a thousand workers--I can't name them all."

"We expect to pay every member who votes for Burroughs--of his own party
or not. The man who votes for him without being paid is a fool."

"Might as well have a red flag of auction placed on the speaker's desk."
Senator Blair was inclined to moralize.

"Money is a legitimate source of influence in a Legislature." Moore was
on the defensive.

"I judge that you think so, if no one else. But, see here! I can't vote
for Burroughs, any way I see it!" (Moore thought of his vanished
thousand-dollar bill!) "I've promised Danvers to vote for the Governor.
My friendship for Phil--you know he saved my sister's life----"

"Friendship be damned! What difference does it make when you can get
cash and get it easy? Say!" Moore leaned forward in his earnestness. "If
you've been approached before, let me get my work in." He held up ten
fingers as indicative of what he would pay.

"Ten thousand dollars doesn't make much of a stir in Montana," spoke
Blair, scornfully.

"Fifteen, then!" The senator's eyes narrowed. "Twenty? Come, now! How's
that? Burroughs