d. Archie had been with
the Governor so constantly and was so familiar with his tangential
mental processes that he was glad of an opportunity to watch the effect
of his patter upon a man of his own world. It was clear that the
Governor was at pains to make himself agreeable to Congdon. He touched
upon public affairs, sensibly and convincingly, then turned handsprings
through the arts and sciences.

"Rather odd my being here," he rippled on; "and I need hardly say that
it's a pleasure to meet on this bleak shore two gentlemen of your
caliber. I told a friend of mine in Chicago that I was enormously fed up
with cities and the general human pressure and wanted to go to the most
God-forsaken spot in America. And he answered without a moment's
hesitation that Huddleston, Michigan, would satisfy my loftiest ideal of
godforsakenness. He had been here straightening up some land titles and
camped out for a week with a surveyor and ate out of a skillet. He's one
of these fussy fellows who sends an order of chops back to a club
kitchen a dozen times before he's satisfied,--you know the type. He's
probably laughing himself to death right now thinking how miserable I
am. But I refuse to be bored; never in my life have I been bored! Even
the sawdust pyramids and the stumps are magnificent in their desolation.
I feel it in my bones that something extraordinary is going to happen.
Something's got to happen or the lake will rise in one vast wave and
destroy Huddleston. I hope you gentlemen share my feeling that our
meeting has been ordered by the gods and that we shall stand or fall
together."

"If we've got to put the responsibility somewhere the gods may have it,"
laughed Congdon. "I'm a cripple, as you see, but as Comly and I haven't
a thing to do we'll give you a day or two to kick up some excitement. It
may entertain you to know that my coming here was due to an anonymous
telegram."

"Excellent! I'm delighted to know that there's some of the old romantic
spirit left in the world! It pleases me clear through to meet a man who
will act on an anonymous telegram and not ring up the police to ask
their stupid advice."

With a wave of the hand he left them, declaring it to be his purpose to
spend the afternoon in the woods.

"What do you make of that chap?" Congdon asked as the Governor strolled
away, swinging a stick, and disappeared at the end of the street.

"He talks like a nonsense book," Archie replied. "I hope he won't bec