interested in this, too."

"Well," said Roger, "I think there is something in this that will
interest people bigger than you or I or the state of Florida. I think
the United States Government is due to become interested down here."

The suspicion of a smile curved the corners of Garman's mouth. There
was a moment of pregnant silence; then Senator Fairclothe said
impressively:

"I represent the United States Government, sir."

"Do you really?" laughed Roger bitterly. "Then the poor old United
States Government is in a bad way indeed. But I deny your claim, sir;
I don't think you represent the United States Government, because the
United States Government consists of about a hundred million working
people like myself; and all you represent, sir, are the few rich men
and the few hundred millions of dollars which constitute the power that
put you in the Senate."

"Do I understand, sir, that you mean to impugn the honor of the august
body of which I have the honor to be a member?"

"No; I'm a busy man; I haven't any time to waste like that. But
there's going to be something said about using the mails to defraud
before this is over. That's Federal business."

"Be careful, sir; I am a member of and represent the Federal
Government, and I shall take care that nobody casts any aspersions upon
its honor or mine."

"What are you going to do about it?"

"What? Sir, do you mean to defy----?"

"Consider the aspersions cast. What are you going to do about it?"

"He calls," chuckled Garman; "show your cards."

"I shall----"

"Hm," interrupted Garman, and the Senator obediently hesitated.

"I shall not state here and now what means I shall utilize in meeting,
as befits it, this defiance of our sacred Government. Nor shall I
continue any communication or intercourse, or any association
whatsoever, with the party or parties guilty of such defiance."

"I reckon this young feller has tooted his horn long enough," drawled
the deputy sheriff. "Roger Payne, I----"

Roger turned his back deliberately and went down the stairs.

"Here! Come back here!"

Roger was walking across the lawn, bound for the path that led to his
camp. He heard the click of a revolver being cocked on the verandah,
but he did not look up.

"Oh, put that thing up, you ass!" said Garman disgustedly. "And go
back to Flora City and draw your time--Payne, you're a big, bold buck.
There's only one bigger in the country; and you and I are go