e his
fellows was the splendidly abundant vitality that appeared unmistakably
in the rich colour of his cheeks, in his very posture, and in the
brightness of his reddish-brown eyes. It remained to be seen whether
this brightness might indicate intellect as well as health. For the
rest, for the quality that betrayed the man, his expression was not to
be read at a glance. Its major message seemed to be goodfellowship,
but the seeming failed to strengthen into certainty on closer
inspection. Here was a man who could think hiddenly, speak guardedly,
wait for others to show their cards, and do all this with a disarming
appearance of ingenuous friendliness. The atmosphere he radiated as he
sat waiting for his host to explain himself was one of tension without
nervousness.

Leigh began as most men would have begun under the circumstances. He
fostered the subject of the weather for a few minutes longer, and
produced a box of cigars.

"I never smoke, or drink either, for that matter," Emmet remarked
simply. "A politician is like a barkeeper; he can do his business
better if he lets drink alone. As for cigars, try one of mine. They
're part of my stock in trade. I guess this one won't explode and set
fire to the place."

Leigh smiled as he lighted the cigar, which he found to be a good one.
There was something that made for freedom in the unintentional
officiousness with which his guest had thrust aside his hospitality and
substituted his own.

"Possibly," he ventured, "you might imagine that I have some plan in
mind to hand over to you the vote of the college."

"A deal like that would please the bishop," Emmet returned, with
unexpected irony.

"It would please his daughter, at any rate, as I believe you know."

"Yes," Emmet assented, with a nod. "I know what a good friend of mine
Miss Wycliffe is."

"We were talking last night," Leigh continued, "about political
conditions here in Warwick; and I became very much interested, for
municipal reform is one of my hobbies. Wherever I 've lived, I 've
always been against the machine, at least to the extent of my vote.
Miss Wycliffe told me that you were trying to break up the clique that
has ruled Warwick since the war; and when she saw how much she had
enlisted my sympathy, she proposed that we become acquainted. That's
how I happened to send a message to you by the captain. I did n't know
when you were likely to be most at liberty." He paused, and flicked
t