t are you going to do? Either you do as I say, or not
one of the boys will vote for you. Now I want your answer."

"You want my answer, do you? Why--why----" Bruce glared down at the
old man in a fury. "Well, by God, you'll get my answer, and quick!"

He dropped down before his typewriter, ran in a sheet of paper, and
for a minute the keys clicked like mad. Then he jerked out the sheet
of paper, scribbled a cabalistic instruction across its top, sprang to
his office door and let out a great roar of "Copy!"

He quickly faced about upon Blind Charlie.

"Here's my answer. Listen:

"'This afternoon Charlie Peck called at the office of the
_Express_ and ordered its editor, who is candidate for
mayor, to cease from his present aggressive campaign
tactics. He threatened, in case the candidate refused, to
order the "boys" to knife him at the polls.

"'The candidate refused.

"'Voters of Westville, do your votes belong to you, or do
they belong to Charlie Peck?'

"That's my answer, Peck. It all goes in big, black type in a box in
the centre of the first page of this afternoon's paper. We'll see
whether the party will stand for your methods." At this instant the
grimy young servitor of the press appeared. "Here, boy. Rush that
right down."

"Hold on!" cried Peck in consternation. "You're not going to print
that thing?"

"Unless the end of the world happens along just about now, that'll be
on the street in half an hour." Bruce stepped to the door and opened
it wide. "And, now, clear out! You and your votes can go plum to
hell!"

"Damn you! But that piece will do you no good. I'll deny it!"

"Deny it--for God's sake do! Then everybody will know I'm telling the
truth. And let me warn you, Charlie Peck--I'm going to find out what
your game is! I'm going to show you up! I'm going to wipe you clear
off the political map!"

Blind Charlie swore at him again as he passed out of the door.

"We're not through with each other yet--remember that!"

"You bet we're not!" Bruce shouted after him. "And when we are,
there'll not be enough of you left to know what's happened!"

CHAPTER XIX

WHEN GREEK MEETS GREEK

Two hours later Bruce was striding angrily up and down the West
parlour, telling Katherine all about it.

She refrained from saying, "I told you so," by either word or look.
She was too wise for such a petty triumph. Besides, there was
something in that afternoon's