No. No danger of that. Oh, trade's all right. And so's the first.
How's Mr. Gilgan?" Kerrigan extended his hand cordially.

"I have a word to say to you. Have you any time to spare?"

For answer Mr. Kerrigan led the way into the back room. Already he had
heard rumors of a strong Republican opposition at the coming election.

Mr. Gilgan sat down. "It's about things this fall I've come to see
you, of course," he began, smilingly. "You and I are supposed to be on
opposite sides of the fence, and we are as a rule, but I am wondering
whether we need be this time or not?"

Mr. Kerrigan, shrewd though seemingly simple, fixed him with an amiable
eye. "What's your scheme?" he said. "I'm always open to a good idea."

"Well, it's just this," began Mr. Gilgan, feeling his way. "You have a
fine big ward here that you carry in your vest pocket, and so has
Tiernan, as we all know; and we all know, too, that if it wasn't for
what you and him can do there wouldn't always be a Democratic mayor
elected. Now, I have an idea, from looking into the thing, that
neither you nor Tiernan have got as much out of it so far as you might
have."

Mr. Kerrigan was too cautious to comment as to that, though Mr. Gilgan
paused for a moment.

"Now, I have a plan, as I say, and you can take it or leave it, just as
you want, and no hard feelings one way or the other. I think the
Republicans are going to win this fall--McKenty or no McKenty--first,
second, and third wards with us or not, as they choose. The doings of
the big fellow"--he was referring to McKenty--"with the other fellow in
North Clark Street"--Mr. Gilgan preferred to be a little enigmatic at
times--"are very much in the wind just now. You see how the papers
stand. I happen to know where there's any quantity of money coming
into the game from big financial quarters who have no use for this
railroad man. It's a solid La Salle and Dearborn Street line-up, so
far as I can see. Why, I don't know. But so it is. Maybe you know
better than I do. Anyhow, that's the way it stands now. Add to that
the fact that there are eight naturally Republican wards as it is, and
ten more where there is always a fighting chance, and you begin to see
what I'm driving at. Count out these last ten, though, and bet only on
the eight that are sure to stand. That leaves twenty-three wards that
we Republicans always conceded to you people; but if we manage to carry
thirteen of them along with th