feel certain, it's a case for the police, isn't it?"

"Hardly! The gambling gang control the police, wholly. They would
destroy the trail at once."

"Then why not warn the governor?"

"I don't know him."

"Suppose I make an appointment to take you to see him in the morning?"

This was agreed upon. At ten o'clock Governor Arthur received them at
his hotel, greeting Average Jones with flattering warmth.

"You're the amateur detective who scared the Honorable William Linder
out of the mayoralty nomination," said he, shaking hands. "What are you
going to do to me?"

"Give you some racing news to read, Governor."

The governor took the advertisement proof and read it carefully.
Characteristically, he then re-read it throughout.

"You think this is meant for me?" he asked, handing it back.

"I do. You're not exactly what one would call popular with the racing
crowd, you know, Governor."

"Mr. Morrison, in the politest manner in the world, has allowed me to
surmise as much," said the other, smiling broadly. "A very polished
person, Mr. Morrison. He can make threats of extinction--political, of
course--more delicately than any other subtle blackmailer I have ever
met. And I have met several in my time."

"If this were merely political extinction, which I fancy you can take
care of yourself, I shouldn't be taking up your time, sir."

"My dear Jones--" a friendly hand fell on the visitor's shoulder--"I
gravely fear that you lack the judicial mind. It's a great thing to
lack--at times." Governor Arthur's eyes twinkled again, and his visitor
wondered whence had come his reputation as a dry, unhumorous man. "As to
assassination," he pursued, "I'm a sort of Christian Scientist. The best
protection is a profound conviction that you're safe. That reacts on the
mind of any would-be assassin. To my mind, my best chance of safety lies
in never thinking of danger."

"Then," said Waldemar, "any attempt to persuade you against appearing at
Harrisonia to-night would be time wasted."

"Absolutely, my dear Waldemar. But don't think that I'm not appreciative
of your thoughtfulness and that of Mr. Jones."

"What is the program of the day, Governor?" asked Average Jones.

"Rather a theatrical one. I'm to ride along Harrison Avenue to the
reviewing stand, in the old coach-of-state of the Harrison family, a
lofty old ark, high as a circus wagon, which has been patched up for the
occasion. Just before I reach the reviewing stand,