him that he must anticipate
Killen's disclosure of his visit to The Brakes and so draw the sting
from it as far as possible. But his natural reluctance to shoulder blame
made him begin with Killen's defection.

"I told you to let me deal with the little traitor," Rawson exploded.

"He was quite satisfied when I left him yesterday. They must have got
at him again," Jeff suggested. "I left O'Brien with him. But I was dead
sure of him."

James cleared his throat and began casually. "I expect the little beggar
got suspicious when he saw Big Tim coming to my office."

"To your office?" Rawson cut in sharply.

The lawyer flushed, but his eyes met and quelled the incipient doubt in
those of the politician. "Yes, he came to feel the ground. Of course I
told him flatly where I stood. But Killen must have thought something
was doing he wasn't in on. It seems he followed me to The Brakes
yesterday afternoon when I called on Mrs. Van Tyle."

"Followed you to The Brakes. Good Lord!" groaned Rawson. "What in Mexico
were you doing there?"

"Thought I mentioned that I was calling on Mrs. Van-Tyle," returned
James stiffly.

"Wasn't that call a little injudicious under the circumstances, James?"
contributed Jeff with his whimsical smile.

"I suppose I may call wherever I please."

"It was a piece of dashed foolishness, that's what it was. You say
Killen saw you. The thing will fly like dust in the wind. It will be
buzzed all over the House by this time and every man that wants to sell
out will find a reason right there," stormed Rawson.

"Are you implying that I sold out?" demanded James icily.

Jeff put a conciliatory hand on his cousin's shoulder. "Of course he
doesn't. He isn't a fool, James. But there's a good deal in what Rawson
says. It was a mistake. The waverers will find in it their excuse for
deserting. Of course Big Tim has been at them all night. We'll go right
up to the House in your machine, Rawson. We haven't a moment to lose."

Rawson nodded. "It's dollars to doughnuts the thing is past mending, but
it's up to us to see. If I can only get at Killen in time I'll choke the
story in his throat. You wait here at the 'phone, Jeff, and I'll call
you up if you're needed at this end of the line. Better have a taxi
waiting below in case you need one. Come along, James."

If he did not get to Killen in time it was not Rawson's fault, for he
made his car flash up and down Verden's hills with no regard to the
speed l