im
to quit. We are not in that business, sir."

The Vice-President summoned a forced smile to his lips.

"I think you misunderstood me, sir," he replied smoothly. "I would not
myself suggest special commission deals at these places. Of course I
agree with you that we should always respect our pledges. But at the
same time it struck me that--"

"I don't want to hear what struck you," retorted Mr. Wintermuth, with
unwonted asperity. "Let me see the proofs--I will take the necessary
action. Is that what you have there--those papers?"

"One or two of them, sir. My principal ones naturally come from word
of mouth. For example, I have talked with responsible men who have
seen the Trenton agent's bank deposit slips for certain sums, dated,
month after month, coincidently with the visit of a certain special
agent. I can give you all the proofs any one could wish--if you need
any more after what you have in your hand."

Mr. Wintermuth turned to his desk to indicate that the interview was
over and he wished to be alone. And it was a well-satisfied
conspirator who retired to his own office. Privately reflecting that
the deed was as good as done, Mr. O'Connor returned almost instantly to
his ruling passion of caution. Now to conceal or to make vague as far
as possible his own intent in the matter.

"Ask Mr. Smith to step here a moment," he said to Jimmy, and a shadow
of a smile crossed his face. The idea of using Smith to help serve as
a foil for himself had an element of grim humor to which Mr. O'Connor
was not entirely blind. Smith, of all men, by all means.

With a troubled expression on his face he turned to meet his
subordinate.

"I've been talking to the chief about the crooked work in the
Conference," he said. "Trenton and Syracuse and some of the rotten
spots. I'm afraid I made it a little strong. I swear I didn't imagine
he'd take the thing so much to heart or I believe I'd have kept still
entirely."

"What did you tell him for?" asked the General Agent, not especially
impressed.

"Well, I was getting pretty tired of seeing some of those fellows put
it over us, and I thought perhaps he'd let us fight fire with--well,
fireworks. Instead of which, he flew up to the ceiling. He wants to
get out."

"Get out? Out of the Eastern Conference?" Smith inquired with more
interest.

"Yes. And such a move might be justified, strictly speaking, but it
seems to me a little extreme--just a little unca