read," Carl Metz suggests.

"I second the motion," says Professor Talbot.

Every committeeman votes for the adoption of the list.

The names are written on slips of paper and placed in a hat. As each
committeeman passes the table he draws a slip.

"You have all signified your willingness to carry out the terms of the
edict of annihilation," the chairman explains. "It now remains for you
to redeem your pledges. If there is one of you who regrets the step he
has taken it is not too late to withdraw."

There is profound silence, and the men stand immovable.

"Two months from to-day then, October 13th, our Syndicate of
Annihilation will declare its dividend; this will require the summary
taking off of the Forty Transgressors and our self-immolation." Chadwick
pronounces these words slowly, impressively:

"We will separate to-night never to meet again in this life.

"If we are true to our purpose we will not have died in vain." Without
formal partings the men leave the store-house.

Nevins is the last to depart; he draws the remaining slip. It bears the
name of "James Golding, Bond King; capital, $400,000,000; occupation,
United States Treasury Looter."

BOOK III.

The Syndicate Declares a Dividend.

CHAPTER XIV.

BIRTH OF A NEW PARTY.

"You will soon find that my assertion was based on absolute knowledge,
for your nomination will be unanimous," Nevins declares to Trueman as
they sit in private conference, on the eve of the Independence Party's
convention.

"Then you do not credit the statement that the Eastern delegations have
become disaffected?"

"That's only one of the rumors which the Plutocrats have set afloat
since they unearthed the fact that you are to be a candidate for the
vice-presidential nomination. Gorman Purdy is the instigator of all
these adverse stories. He has not forgotten that you were once his most
promising pupil."

The President-maker and his intended candidate are in daily
communication; they have become firmly attached to each other in the
short period of their acquaintanceship. This is not to be wondered at,
for there is a striking similarity in their temperaments. Each is
endowed with keen perception and wonderful magnetism. Their combined
influence has brought to their support the most contumacious of the
delegates. On the issue of the following day the hopes of each are
centered. Nevins has asked his young champion to visit him at his rooms
in an unpretentio