so different from what I am
_now_ that I cannot mix that identity with my affairs."

"But I cannot take a man into a matter like this unless I know all about
him."

Farr rose and bowed. "I'm sorry you can't accept me at face value, sir.
I'm very sorry, because I'd like to serve under such a commander as you.
However, I understand your position. I don't blame you. The rule of the
world is pretty binding: know a man before you associate with him. But I
am as I am. There's nothing more to be said."

"You sit down," commanded Converse. "This is a case where rules of the
world can be suspended. For I need the kind of man who dares to face
even Symonds Dodd in his office and tell him what he is. Oh, I have just
come from there," he explained in reply to Farr's stare. "He told me."

"I went merely as a voice, sir."

"But you seem to have been more than that in getting the confidence of
the men in your ward. I know an organizer when I see him. I watched the
faces of those men when you stepped before them. They have faith in
you. That's a rare quality--the ability to inspire faith in the humble.
First, faith--and then they'll follow. The movement I'm going to start
needs followers, Mr. Farr! Can you do with other men what you have done
with men in the Eleventh?"

"I believe I can, sir."

"Ah, you have led men in the past, have you?" Mr. Converse fired the
question at him. But he did not jump Walker Farr from his equipoise. The
young man took refuge behind that inscrutable smile.

"Well," sighed the lawyer, after a pause, "it's the dictum that one must
be as wise as a serpent in politics, therefore I am picking out a man
who will probably give a good account of himself. But it's a crazy
performance of mine--going into this thing--and I may as well plunge to
the extent of lunacy. Mr. Farr, the rebellious unrest in this state must
be organized. We need a house-cleaning. We need the humbler voters!
The men with interests are too well taken care of by the Machine to be
interested. I want you to go out and hunt for sore spots and get to the
voters just as you have in your ward. Find the right men in each town
and city to help you. You must know many on account of your work for
your water association. The fight will be financed--you need have no
worry about that. Perhaps you have organized political revolts before,"
pursued Converse, still craftily probing. "Then you'll tell me what
honorarium you expect."

"My expenses--no