ed Dodd. They hurried away together, rushed
out into the alley and around to the front of the hall, the detective
pouring certain information into Dodd's ear as they made their way to
the big door and into the main corridor.

Then they bored through the crowds.

The detective led the way and showed his badge to compel the people to
give them a lane.

They entered the rear of the auditorium.

"You take the left side and I'll take the right," commanded Mullaney.
"We need to paralyze him first. That's all there's time for just
now--I've had short notice. But get that name to every man of your crowd
you can, and when the howl is started tell 'em all to join in."

Dodd had had scant time to digest the knowledge which the detective
had imparted on the run. But his eyes gleamed wickedly as he began to
whisper to men among the delegates. And as he moved about he noticed
that the girl in the gallery had marked his activity, even to the extent
of turning her gaze from Walker Farr, whose voice was ringing through
the spacious hall.

XXIX

THE BOMB

Walker Farr, towering over their heads, talked to the men in whose midst
he stood.

Mere eloquence no longer avails in these days of cynical disbelief in
the motives of political orators. But this young man who stood there
was sincerity incarnate. The wonderful and mystic magnetic quality which
wins men and inspires confidence radiated from him. And every now and
then, as he glanced up at one face in the gallery his voice took on new
tones of appeal and pathos. He was one crying from the depths to those
in authority! By the marvel of his language he made the men who sat
there as delegates understand that theirs was the power to make or
mar--to save or sacrifice their state in the crisis which was upon them.
He made them feel their responsibility after he made them understand
their power.

And he also made their duty plain.

The crux of the situation rested on such a man as they should place in
the highest office in the state.

In other times, under other conditions, some pliant and amiable
figurehead might serve them well.

He told them, with outstretched finger and vibrant voice, what must be
the masterful qualifications of the man who should assume the cross of
public service and carry it up the steeps where he would be lashed at
every step of his weary way by the thongs in the hands of privileged
capital.

Colonel Symonds Dodd had come back to the platform,