with your plans. Am I right?"

"Absolutely! Of course, it does not make any real difference--"

"But it does annoy you--investigations of your income tax and deporting
your men now and then?"

"Well, what of it?"

"Simply this. After some years of effort, I am at last able to say that
I control the Government."

"That is the silly brag of a child," sneered the Old Man.

"Not at all," and as he said that, Willowby reached down and picked up a
handful of pebbles. "See these stones? In the same way I hold in my hand
a majority of the Supreme Court, over two-thirds of the Senators and
most of the Representatives. I can swing the votes of enough of the
states to pass any kind of legislation I wish. Now here is my
proposition. You handle the cities. I will turn over the country to you.
Together we will run the nation, and all I want is just one thing--just
one little favor from you."

"I bet I can guess what that is," laughed the Old Man.

"No doubt, but let me tell you. I want to be the next President."

"I thought so."

"I think we ought to be together on this thing. Perhaps I could be
elected without your help, even in spite of your opposition. But if I
am, I will, naturally, try to destroy you. We might end up like the
Kilkenny cats. But if we are allies, I have eight years of power and you
have eight years of liberty in which to plunder the richest nation in
the world. How about it?"

The Old Man drew a deep breath.

"Is this on the level?"

"It has to be. I have a reputation, and it is respectable. I am placing
myself in your hands. What is there to prevent you from giving the press
an interview tomorrow?"

"You would deny it!"

"But no one would listen to me."

"I suppose not. What do you want me to do?"

"I want you to give the order to your leaders. There are a hundred of
them, perhaps a few more. No doubt my list is not absolutely accurate.
Call them in, from Chicago, St. Louis, New Orleans, Boston and
Philadelphia. Have them all in one room. You introduce me. Let me talk
to them. I will open the war chest, fifty million to start with, and
more to come. You promise them anything you want, and I will make the
promise good."

"And you will be there? Right in the room with me?"

"I will be there."

"I won't do it!" growled the Old Man. "I never have and I never will. I
don't do things that way. A whisper to one or two, and the business is
done, but not a hundred at one time. Some of these bo