"Because I do." Nickleby set down his glass triumphantly. "I don't
mind letting you into a little secret, gentlemen. That
power-of-attorney has been destroyed."

"Are you sure?" gasped Ferguson.

"I ought to be. I burned it myself!"

"No! You're stuffing us, J. C. You may be clever; but you're not as
clever as that! Say, will you swear to that?"

"Here's a bible, Blatch. Make him swear to it and the deal's on." The
Honorable Milton handed a small bible across the desk as he spoke. "If
that's the situation, I guess it's safe to go ahead."

"You son-of-a-gun!" cried Ferguson, when Nickleby had duly taken his
oath. "I don't mind admitting that when I first heard your proposition
I thought it was impossible to get away with it. You buy a farm, turn
it into a subdivision, hand it over to us, then we hand it back to you
as collateral for a loan of $250,000, with which we purchase from you
the subdivision and all your stock in the company, which gives us
control of the transaction--Phew! give me air!"

"You understand, Nickleby, that we've got to be mighty careful how this
thing is handled," said Waring gravely. "It's taking chances."

"'Nothing venture, nothing win,'" quoted Nickleby. "But I'll cover it
up. Leave that to me."

"Lawson has a lot of friends, remember. There's Ben Wade, for
instance----"

"You needn't worry about him, Milt. He hasn't been able to get
together more than thirty per cent. of the votes."

"And there's Timothy Drexel--He's a director, isn't he?"

"That old fool! Yes, he's a director; but he's putty! Hand him some
taffy and you can pat him into any shape you like. You should have
heard his speech when he nominated me for president last year," and
Nickleby laughed heartily at the recollection.

The Honorable Milton Waring got up and began to pace the room. It was
evident that there were certain aspects of the deal which disturbed him.

"If my connection with this thing ever got out, Blatch," he said,
pausing in front of the lawyer, "it would mean--the finish!"

"Oh, hang the political end of it, Milt!" exclaimed Ferguson
impatiently. "Between us, J. C. and I will see that you are protected
legally. And anyway, what's the use of being in politics if you don't
get a share of the loaves and fishes while you've got the chance? All
politicians are supposed by the public to be feathering their own
nests, and you might as well feather yours when you've got to come
unde