r. Converse fixed a penetrating gaze on the angry man.

"Colonel," he said, with meaning, "you are probably well aware that in
politics many things are done for a certain purpose--and many of those
things are a bit off color so far as the strict law is concerned. If you
particularly care about digging up the past of politics in this state I
will come with my own little shovel and assist with great pleasure."

"You're making an ass of me with this peek-a-boo business."

"Mr. Bristol," continued the nominee, with composure, "after long study
abroad and at home has devoted himself enthusiastically to study in
sociology and economics, and has preferred to gain his knowledge about
conditions by first-hand observation. He came into this state in pursuit
of his object, and by force of circumstances was drawn into our state
upheaval."

"Much more deeply than I intended to be drawn, Colonel Dodd," stated the
young man, with dignity. "I think you will remember that I said as much
to you in an interview we had. I called myself a Voice, if you will
recollect, and humbly begged you to attend to certain reforms. Your
refusal, and the manner with which you refused, rather forced me into
your affairs."

"And I give you warning right here and now," blustered the colonel,
"that I'm going to force myself into _your_ affairs. I'm going to have
you investigated from puppyhood to the present, Mr. Whatever-your-name
is."

"We may as well issue general warnings--all of us," said Mr. Converse.
"I have prepared a statement for the newspapers regarding my friend, Mr.
Bristol, and he will add a statement of his own relative to his project
in regard to water districts. If you care to malign Mr. Bristol on the
heels of that, Colonel, you may go ahead. But if you choose weapons of
that sort in the conduct of this campaign we shall be forced to use
a few cudgels of our own--for instance, we might be able to give the
people considerable information as to how the state departments have
been managed under your general direction. The funds of the state
treasury--"

Converse was about to mention the matter of the usufruct of the state's
money deposited in the colonel's banks for the benefit of the syndicate.

Colonel Dodd pulled himself out of his chair and exhibited instant and
alarmed confusion. "We'd better make it a gentlemen's campaign," he
broke in.

"Very well," agreed Mr. Converse, politely. "And now that we are
proceeding toward such an