this State. The god of good chance
lodged you in 'Traitor's Room,' last night, Mr. Spinney."

The man stared at him, frightened, not understanding.

"There's a false door and a slide in the wall of that bedroom, Spinney,
and the old politician who put it there years ago passed the knowledge
on to me. I'm willing every one should know it now. When you go back I
will have it shown to you. It will convince you that these affidavits I
hold in my hand are not guess-work. These men in this room now--for your
own men brought me word that you were hiding from them--made those
affidavits. Look at them, and deny--deny once more, Spinney!"

But the candidate had no voice now. He glanced furtively from face to
face.

"Spinney," one declared, bitterly, "we've got you dead to rights. There
ain't any use in squirming. We suspected you when you hid away from us,
and General Waymouth put us in the way of finding out just who was with
you. You might as well give in."

The General did not wait for Spinney to speak. He was in no mood then
for listening. He was in command. He was issuing orders. The battle was
on, and he was in the saddle.

"I propose to have your name go before the convention, Spinney. You
must walk out of this room and deny the rumors that are afloat. I
propose to have two of these men go with you and stay with you. And if
you deny half-heartedly, or if you attempt any more sneak tricks, or if
your name is not put into nomination to-day, I'll stand out and declare
what is in these affidavits. If you want to save yourself and the men
who bribed you, obey my orders."

"I don't understand why you want me to go ahead now," Spinney ventured
to protest.

"And I don't propose to take you into my confidence enough, sir, to
inform you. I simply instruct you to do as I say, and if you obey, I and
these men here will do all we can to cover up this nasty mess in our
party. It's in your hands whether you go to jail or not."

The General signalled to Harlan, and the young man opened the door.
Spinney went out with his watchful guardians.

"Now you ought to be able to hold your men together until we need them,
gentlemen," said the General, addressing those who remained. "But you'd
better get out among them and see that they stay in line. Defend
Spinney! God knows, the words will stick in your throats, but show a
bold front to the other side. Gather in your stragglers."

They filed out, plain and stolid individuals from the