me, you know, _in case_!...
No-o-o, of course not; not a single line or scrap!"--a lower drop of
tone--"just in a plain, blank envelope--best way always, you know....
Yes, that gives us a safe margin in the Senate now, not even counting
upon what they do in committee--and Soakem'll take care of that end....
Yes, he went back to Albany this morning--he says the bill's safely
deader'n Hector _now_.... Er, by the way, Commissioner,"--the judge
cleared his throat and his voice sobered: "Little favor I want to
ask--h'm! I'm being greatly annoyed by some low vagabond confined at one
of the stations.... _Yes_, I really mean it!--Captain Clutchem's
precinct, you know--and this ruffian insists to them that he's my
son.... No, _indeed_, I'm not joking at all.... All right, you may
laugh, but I fail to appreciate the funny side, myself--especially now,
you know, when I'm up to my neck in this merger case.... How's that?
What do I want _done_? Oh, I wouldn't venture to say as to _that_! I
leave that to _you_!... _I_ know.... Yes, I understand all that, but ...
wait--wait just a minute! Now you listen--"

The judge concentrated more intensely over the instrument.

"You know what you asked me to do when I saw you last night--and I
refused"--another voice drop--"with the mayor, you know? Well--now
listen--you make assurance that this scoundrel will not bother me for
thirty days and--well, I give you my word that I'll do all I can to
bring things the way you want.... Good!... What'll you do with him? Why,
what in Sam Hill do _I_ care what you do with him?... Oh, but _say_,
Commissioner--yes, I do care, too!"--a laugh here like a jolly fiend--"I
_shouldn't_ like for him to be put away off in some nice, damp, dark
cell to cool off--he! he! he!--y'understand?"

He got so mixed up in his chuckling and coughing that he couldn't get
out another word for a moment. Then--

"Oh, no! _Cer_-tainly not; nor one too hot and airless, as you say--he!
he! he! And don't put him--don't put him--" the judge was gasping for
air now--"don't put him on bread and water, or anything of that kind,
nor in a cell with rude, rough men who would tame his playful
spirit--he! he! he!--oh, _don't_ do that!... What say? I didn't quite
catch--" And then, dash it, it seemed he _did_ catch it, for he began
waving his arm and pounding the desk. "Oh--oh, no, that would be _too_
bad--really!... Eh? Oh, well, you know best--it's up to you now!...
'Bye, and many thanks,