of during his two terms on the bench. Many of our judges are simply
mentally crooked. But Freilig is a bribe taker. He probably believes
his decisions are just. All you fellows believe that upper-class rule
is really best for the people----"

"And so it is," said Davy. "And you, an educated man, know it."

"I'll not argue that now," said Victor. "As I was saying, while
Freilig decides for what he honestly thinks is right, he also feels he
is entitled to a share of the substantial benefits. Most of the judges,
after serving the upper class faithfully for years, retire to an old
age of comparative poverty. Freilig thinks that is foolish."

"I suppose you agree with him," said Hull sarcastically.

"I sympathize with him," said Victor. "He retires with reputation
unstained and with plenty of money. If I should publish the truth
about him, would he lose a single one of his friends? You know he
wouldn't. That isn't the way the world is run at present."

"No doubt it would be run much better if your crowd were in charge,"
sneered Hull.

"On the contrary, much worse," replied Victor unruffled. "But we're
educating ourselves so that, when our time comes, we'll not do so
badly."

"You'll have plenty of time for education," said Davy.

"Plenty," said Victor. "But why are you angry? Because you realize
now that your reform candidate for judge is of Dick Kelly's selecting?"

"Kelly didn't propose Hugo Galland," cried Davy hotly. "I proposed him
myself."

"Was his the first name you proposed?"

Something in Dorn's tone made Davy feel that it would be unwise to
yield to the impulse to tell a lie--for the highly moral purpose of
silencing this agitator and demagogue.

"You will remember," pursued Victor, "that Galland was the sixth or
seventh name you proposed--and that Joe House rejected the others. He
did it, after consulting with Kelly. You recall--don't you?--that
every time you brought him a name he took time to consider?"

"How do you know so much about all this?" cried Davy, his tone
suggesting that Victor was wholly mistaken, but his manner betraying
that he knew Victor was right.

"Oh, politicians are human," replied Dorn. "And the human race is
loose-mouthed. I saw years ago that if I was to build my party I must
have full and accurate information as to all that was going on. I made
my plans accordingly."

"Galland is an honest man--rich--above suspicion--above corruption--an
ideal cand