instantly alive with suspicions tumbling over each other
in chaotic incoherency. There was a deal of some kind on foot. Jeff's
cousin was in it. Then Jeff must be playing him for a sucker. His teeth
set with a snap.

Meanwhile Big Tim was having a heart to heart talk with James K. Farnum.

The young lawyer had risen in surprise at the entrance of O'Brien. The
big fellow, laughing easily, had helped himself to a chair.

"Make yourself at home, Tim," he said jauntily.

"Anything I can do for you, Mr. O'Brien?" James asked with stiff
dignity.

"Sure. Or I wouldn't be here. Sit down. I'll not bite ye."

The lawyer continued to stand.

"I've come to tell you that I'm a dammed fool, Mr. Farnum," the boss
grinned.

James bowed slightly. He did not know what was coming, but he had no
intention of committing himself to anything as yet.

"In ever lettin' youse get away from me. I mistook yez for a kid glove."

Big Tim gazed with palpable admiration at the cleancut figure, at the
square cleft chin in the strong handsome face. It was his opinion this
young man would go far, and that every step of the way would be in the
interests of James K. Farnum. Shrewdly he guessed that the way to
pierce that impassive front was through an appeal to vanity and to
selfinterest.

James waited, alert and expressionless, but O'Brien, having made his
apology, puffed in silence.

"I think you suggested some business that brought you," James reminded
him.

"You've got in you the makings of a big man. Nothing on the coast to
touch youse, Mr. Farnum. And I didn't see it. I was sore on your name.
That was what was bitin' me. It's sure on Big Tim this time."

None of the triumph that flooded Farnum reached the surface.

"I think I don't quite understand," he said quietly.

"I'm eatin' humble pie because youse slipped wan over on me. You're the
best campaign speaker in the state, bar none, boy as you are."

James could not keep his gratified smile down. "This heart-felt
testimonial comes free, I take it," he pretended to mock.

"Come off with youse," O'Brien flung back good humoredly. "I'm not here
to hand you booquets, but to talk business. Here's the nub of it, me
boy. You need me, and I need you."

"I don't quite see how I need you, Mr. O'Brien."

"That's because you're young yet and don't know the game. Let me tell
you this." The boss leaned forward, his hard eyes focused on Farnum.
"You'll never get anywhere so long as youse