pened the moment there is a knock."

"It might have been Winnie. After you told me that you gave our
signal--that you wanted to go over this list before dinner--I've been
sick with fear that she heard your scratch. But evidently she didn't,
for she asked no questions when I returned. I don't want her to suspect
anything. I never wanted you to come through those connecting doors,
anyway. Why not come openly, as everyone else does?"

"I tell you it would never do!" angrily. "Miss Blair had better
suspect--than know," grimly. "What people don't see they can't prove."

"It might have been Arthur," still seeking justification.

"Well, it wasn't," replied the political manager, coolly. "Besides, he
has a latch-key, and we should have heard its click. Now, let's get to
work. I've got a dinner engagement with Charlie Blair to-night at
eight-thirty. Here's the list. Let's check up."

The Honorable was very methodical, very systematic. He called off
senators and representatives in alphabetical order, and checked or drew
a line through their names as Eva told of her efforts in Burroughs'
behalf.

"How do you do it?" asked the man with admiration, as she reported that
one particularly obdurate senator, too rich to be influenced by money,
had promised his vote.

"I told him frankly that it was a personal affair," admitted the fair
lobbyist. "He knows women well enough to understand why I have never
been satisfied to live in this little hill city----"

"And he thought it his duty to see that your brilliancy lighted wider
domains--I see." Moore finished the sentence to suit himself.

"He was very nice about it," returned Eva, haughtily. "He thinks that
Arthur should have some recognition from the government for all that he
has done for the party; and he added that Arthur was too big a legal
light to be eclipsed by the shadow of Mount Helena." She paused,
evidently hesitating to speak further. "Can't you get the others on the
list yourself? I'm getting tired of----" She was shaken by the
unexpected knock; suddenly, but too late, she was afraid of what her
husband would think--would say. Her aspirations seemed of small account
after that tap that could not be answered.

"Get Charlie Blair's promise, and we'll be satisfied," said Moore, not
unkindly. "You have done very well."

"Will Mr. Burroughs keep his promise? He knows that I----" Eva could not
speak to Moore of her fear of the man whose money she would accept.

"Burro