to-night!" Presson
rushed out. He went into the main parlor, where the members of the State
Committee were in informal session.

Wasgatt was left with the Duke, and the latter fixed him with benevolent
gaze.

"Old Zavanna Dodge, up our way, got to courting two old maids, trying to
make up his mind which he'd take--and the one he didn't take sued him
for breach o' promise. After Zavanna put in his evidence in court, he
sat across from the court-house in the tavern window, waiting for the
arguments to be made and the case to be decided. Toward night Squire
Enfield, his lawyer, came across. 'How did she end out?' says Zavanna.
'Agin ye--for eight hundred,' says the Squire. 'Pretty expensive, Zav!'
Zavanna tucked a spill of whisker between his lips and chewed on it and
rocked for a little while. 'Unh huh!' says he, figuring it over. And
then he spoke up cheerful: 'Well, Squire, I reckon there's that much
difference between the two women.'"

Wasgatt chuckled.

"The point to that is--but no matter! It was to Luke that I was going to
show the point."

The old man got his hat from the window-sill and trudged toward the
private door, saying, partly to Wasgatt, partly to himself: "I reckon
I'll go to bed! Just at this minute the campaign doesn't seem to be
needing my help."

CHAPTER XVII

THE ODD TRICK

Thelismer Thornton was one of the first to stir next morning in the big
hotel. All night roisterers had flanked his room, there had been the
buzz of eager argument overhead, riot of dispute below, and continual
thudding of hurrying feet in the corridors. He had gone to sleep
realizing that the hive was in a state of upheaval extraordinary, but he
slept calmly in spite of it, and woke refreshed.

He picked his way past cots in the corridors. Men were snoring there.

His grandson had not returned to their apartments. But the Duke divined
his whereabouts. He had ascertained by the house telephone the number of
Linton's room. He tried the door when he arrived there. It was not
locked. He entered. Linton was asleep on the bed. Harlan was on a cot.
They had taken off only their coats and waistcoats. They did not wake
when he came in. He pulled a chair to the centre of the room and sat
astride it, his arms on its back. In a few moments both sleepers woke,
stirring under his intent regard. They sat up and returned his gaze.

"Well, my boys, what's the programme?" he inquired, pleasantly.

Heavy with sleep, perturb