of Washington.

"Ah, good morning, governor," he called, turning slowly. "I trust I'm
well within the official hours."

"Quite."

"Mahomet is somewhat stricken in years, and night travel impairs his
digestion, but if need be, he can come to the mountain still."

"It was the governor of the state your message offended," said Shelby,
quietly. "Personally I'm not thin-skinned, as you know."

"Yet, in my poor way--" the Boss included the chamber in a comprehensive
gesture.

"Yes; in last analysis you put me here. I don't forget that."

The leader shrugged.

"You were always so devilishly direct, Ross," he let fall good-humoredly.
"It's your besetting sin, and spoiled the making of a clever politician.
You lack the diplomatic instinct."

Shelby proved him in the right immediately.

"You've come about the canal bill," he said. "Sit down."

"Yes; the canal bill--and other matters."

He laid his hat and stick upon a desk, and drawing a chair beside
Shelby's near a window embrasure, leaned to him, chin in hand, as in the
days of their hand-in-glove intimacy. "Between us two plain speech after
all is best," he went on. "You've no mistaken notions about me. You
recognize the newspaper bogy which goes by my name as a caricature. You
know that I am as proud of this state in my way as you are in your way.
You know also the manner and method of my ascendency in state affairs,
and by the same insight you know its scope."

"Yes. I know its scope."

"So far as knowledge of method goes, you are as capable of party
leadership as I. Indeed, if that were all, you might set up a rival
shop, as some of the editors kindly suggest, and attempt to put me out of
business. Naturally you don't share that delusion."

"No."

"No; you're too sane. My tenure doesn't rest on mere control of the
purse-strings. My great asset is forty years' dealing with all sorts and
conditions of men. Nobody else has quite my equipment."

"Why tell me what I know? All talk of my setting up a machine of my own
is idle. I am aware of the extent of your influence. You have tacitly
offered me the state delegation to the national convention in June, and
it is within your power to deliver it--probably to name the candidate.
Have you come to withdraw the offer?"

The Boss straightened.

"I have come in a spirit of compromise," he returned. "We've differed
widely on this question of a greater canal. You have evolved a plan best
suited