t to the young men of this
State--in my disgust at conditions, in my passion to do something to
clean out this nest!"

The lights from the brilliant shop-windows shone into the carriage.
Harlan leaned forward. The General's face was serious.

"Still, I can't understand it!" he cried. "I'm only--"

"I tell you, you typify for me at this moment the young men of my State!
I choose to decide in this fashion. Do you feel that an honest Governor
would help your self-respect?"

"I can answer that question, sir. I believe in you. Ever since you
promised my grandfather that you would accept the nomination I have
depended on that promise. I know what you can do for our State. If you
are not to be our next Governor the heart has gone out of me, and the
young men of this State have lost their best hope."

The carriage wheels had grated to a standstill against the curb in front
of the big hotel. The buzz of the crowded hive came out to them through
the open windows. General Waymouth glanced that way and frowned. But
when he turned and looked into the glowing face of the young man
opposite, his countenance cleared slowly. His smile returned. There was
a hint of pathos in that smile, but his eyes shone. He put out his hand
and took Harlan's in a firm clasp.

"That sounds like my call to duty, Mr. Thornton," he declared. "I
listen. I obey!" Then he dropped his earnestness. "Let this little talk
remain a secret between us. These practical politicians wouldn't
understand. A bit of an old man's weakness; perhaps that was it. A
little eccentric, eh?"

The driver had opened the carriage door.

"I believe I understand, sir. I do now. And I'm sorry."

The remark was a bit cryptic, but the General understood.

"And you'll appreciate better what this means to me when you are as old
as I. But that's the last of talk like this, my boy. There's one more
fight still in me. We'll just go ahead and find out how much honesty is
left in this State--and you shall help me hunt for it, for old eyes need
the help of young ones, and I'm going outside the politicians to find
honesty."

He led the way across the pavement to a side door of the hotel.

"We'll go in this way, quietly," he said. "I haven't any appetite for
that kind of a stew just yet."

CHAPTER XV

SITTING IN FOR THE DEAL

On the second floor of the hotel Thelismer Thornton was pacing the
corridor, hands behind his back, puffing his cigar. He was paying no
heed to the