list; thought it
lightly. To-day, knowing what I know, I should be terrified to attempt
it for a week, a day! I tell you, Banneker, one who moulds the people's
beliefs ought to have the wisdom of a sage and the inspiration of a
prophet and the selflessness of a martyr."

A somber depression veiled Banneker. "One must have the sense of
authority, too," he said at length with an effort. "If that is
undermined, you lose everything. I'll fight for that."

With an abrupt motion his host reached up and drew the window shade, as
it might be to shut out a darkness too deep for human penetration.

"What does your public care about whether The Patriot loses the city
advertising; or even know about it?"

"Not the public. But the other newspapers. They'll know, and they'll use
it against us.... Enderby, we can beat Bob Laird for reelection."

"If that's a threat," returned the lawyer equably, "it is made to the
wrong person. I couldn't control Laird in this matter if I wanted to.
He's an obstinate young mule--for which Heaven be praised!"

"No; it isn't a threat. It's a declaration of war, if you like."

"You think you can beat us? With Marrineal?"

"Mr. Marrineal isn't an avowed candidate, is he?" evaded Banneker.

"I fancy that you'll see some rapidly evolving activity in that
quarter."

"Is it true that Laird has developed social tendencies, and is using the
mayoralty to climb?"

"A silly story of his enemies," answered Enderby contemptuously. "Just
the sort of thing that Marrineal would naturally get hold of and use. In
so far as Laird has any social relations, they are and always have been
with that element which your society reporters call 'the most exclusive
circles,' because that is where he belongs by birth and association."

"Russell Edmonds says that social ambition is the only road on which one
climbs painfully downhill."

The other paid the tribute of a controlled smile to this. "Edmonds? A
Socialist. He has a gnarled mind. Good, hard-grained wood, though. I
suppose no man more thoroughly hates and despises what I represent--or
what he thinks I represent, the conservative force of moneyed
power--than he does. Yet in any question of professional principles, I
would trust him far; yes, and of professional perceptions, too, I think;
which is more difficult. A crack-brained sage; but wise. Have you talked
over the Laird matter with him?"

"Yes. He's for Laird."

"Stick to Edmonds, Banneker. You can't find