ve. What I say is that
you'd better make your will before you vote for Frome. Make 'em pay fat,
for by thunder! you'll be political junk, Mr. Sam Killen."

Killen, sweating agony, turned appealingly to Jeff. "I haven't said I
was going to vote for Frome. Mr. Rawson's got no right to bulldoze me
and I'm not going to stand it."

"The hell you ain't," roared Rawson, shaking his fist at the unhappy
legislator. "I guess you'll stand the gaff till you explain."

"Just a moment, Bob," interrupted Jeff. "Let's get at the facts. Don't
convict the prisoner till the evidence is in."

Rawson hobbled his wrath for the moment. "That's all right, Jeff. You
ask Hardy. I'm giving you straight goods."

The keen-eyed, smooth-shaven man in a gray business suit who had been
listening silently to the gathering storm contributed information
briefly and impartially.

"Mr. Killen spent an hour last night with Big Tim at the Pacific Hotel."

"Sneaked in by the side entrance and took the elevator to the seventh
floor. The deal was arranged in Room 743," added Rawson.

"You spied on me," burst from Killen's lips.

"Sure thing. And we caught you with the goods," sneered the red-faced
politician.

"I'll not stand it. I'll not support a man that won't trust me."

"You won't, eh?" Rawson was across the floor in two jumps, worrying his
victim as a terrier does a rat. "Forget it. You were elected to support
R. K. Hardy, sewed up with a pledge tight and fast. We're not in the
primer class, Killen. Don't get a notion you're going to do as you damn
please. You'll--vote--for--R.--K.--Hardy. Get that?"

"I refuse to be moved by threats, and I decline to discuss the matter
further," retorted Killen with a pitiable attempt at dignity.

Rawson laughed with insulting menace. "That's a good one. I've sold out,
but it's none of your business what I got. That what you mean?"

"You surely must recognize our right to an explanation, Killen," Jeff
said gently.

"No, sir, I don't," flushed the little man with sullen bravado. "I ain't
got a thing against you, but Rawson goes too far."

"I think he does," Jeff agreed. "Killen is all right. Gentlemen, suppose
you let him and me talk it over alone. We can reach an agreement that is
satisfactory."

Hardy's face cleared. This was not the first waverer Jeff had brought
back into line, not the first by several. There was something compelling
in his friendly smile and affectionate manner.

"I'm sure Mr. Ki