It was Converse's voice and
it betrayed quick interest and some astonishment.

"I suppose that would be the legal name, sir. Wouldn't it be possible to
organize such a combination of the people, distinct from other municipal
responsibilities? Then if we can elect the right men to our legislature
we can go to the State House and ask for some legislation that will
enable us to take over systems by the right of eminent domain, provide
a plan of fair appraisal, give us a law which will make water-district
bonds a legal investment for savings-banks. In short, gentlemen, I
repeat, this plan is nothing more than an organization of the desired
territory and people into a new, distinct, and separate municipality for
water purposes only, leaving all other forms of municipal government to
pursue their accustomed functions precisely as though the district
had not been organized. That's the idea as best I can state it in few
words."

There was a long period of silence.

Dodd, listening to the mutterings of a revolt which threatened the whole
political fabric which protected him, his interest clearing his brain
of the liquor fog, could imagine the scene below. That assemblage was
staring wide-eyed at Archer Converse, the law's best-grounded man in the
state.

"It is very modest to call that suggestion an idea," stated Mr.
Converse, at last. "Mr. Farr, if I can find the necessary law in our
statutes to back it up, it's an inspiration."

There was the ring of conviction in his tones.

Mr. Dodd left the grating and escaped from the hotel.

He fairly cantered to headquarters in the First National block; he
felt a politician's frightened conviction that he had something mighty
important to tell his uncle.

XXV

A GIRL AND A MATTER OF HONOR

It had been a protracted session.

Judge Ambrose Warren, corporation counsel for the Consolidated, leaned
back in his chair and gazed at the ceiling over the peak of the skeleton
structure he had erected in front of his nose with his fingers.

Colonel Dodd squinted first at his nephew and then at the bouquet on his
desk.

The nephew had been attempting by all the methods known to the appealing
male to win only one return glance from Kate Kilgour; but the young lady
held her eyes on her note-book, poised her pencil above the page, and
waited for more of that conversation and statement of which she had been
the silent recorder.

"You think you have given us all the main points o