two really big men he met Jeff
discovered a humility and simplicity that came from self-forgetfulness.
They were too busy with their vision of truth to pose for the public
admiration.

Part 2

It was while Jeff was doing the City Hall run that there came to him one
night at his rooms a man he had known in the old days when he had
lived in the river bottom district. If he was surprised to see him the
reporter did not show it.

"Hello, Burke! Come in. Glad to see you."

Farnum took the hat of his guest and relieved his awkwardness by guiding
him to a chair and helping him get his pipe alight.

"How's everything? Little Mike must be growing into a big boy these
days. Let's see. It's three years since I've seen him."

A momentary flicker lit the gloomy eyes of the Irishman. "He's a great
boy, Mike is. He often speaks of you, Mr. Farnum.

"Glad to know it. And Mrs. Burke?"

"Fine."

"That leaves only Patrick Burke. I suppose he hasn't fallen off the
water wagon yet."

The occupation of Burke had been a threadbare joke between them in the
old days. He drove a street sprinkler for the city.

"That's what he has. McGuire threw the hooks into me this morning.
I've drove me last day."

"What's the matter?"

"I'm too damned honest.... or too big a coward. Take your choice."

"All right. I've taken it," smiled the reporter.

Pat brought his big fist down on the table so forcefully that the books
shook. "I'll not go to the penitentiary for an-ny man.... He wanted me
to let him put two other teams on the rolls in my name. I wouldn't stand
for it. That was six weeks ago. To-day he lets me out."

Jeff began to see dimly the trail of the serpent graft. He lit his pipe
before he spoke.

"Don't quite get the idea, Pat. Why wouldn't you?"

"Because I'm on the level. I'll have no wan tellin' little Mike his
father is a dirty thief....It's this way. The rolls were to be padded,
understand."

"I see. You were to draw pay for three teams when you've got only one."

"McGuire was to draw it, all but a few dollars a month." The Irishman
leaned forward, his eyes blazing. "And because I wouldn't stand for it
I'm fired for neglecting my duty. I missed a street yesterday. If he'd
been frientlly to me I might have missed forty.... But he can't throw
me down like that. I've got the goods to show he's a dirty grafter.
Right now he's drawing pay for seven teams that don't exist."

"And he doesn't know you know it?"

"You b