h and an extended wardrobe. It was then
that a handsome young Western Congressman, newly elected, invited her
to Washington to take a position in a government bureau. This
necessitated a knowledge of stenography and typewriting, which she soon
acquired. Later she was introduced by a Western Senator into that form
of secret service which has no connection with legitimate government,
but which is profitable. She was used to extract secrets by flattery
and cajolery where ordinary bribery would not avail. A matter of
tracing the secret financial connections of an Illinois Congressman
finally brought her back to Chicago, and here young Stimson encountered
her. From him she learned of the political and financial conspiracy
against Cowperwood, and was in an odd manner fascinated. From her
Congressmen friends she already knew something of Sluss. Stimson
indicated that it would be worth two or three thousand dollars and
expenses if the mayor were successfully compromised. Thus Claudia
Carlstadt was gently navigated into Mr. Sluss's glowing life.

The matter was not so difficult of accomplishment. Through the Hon.
Joel Avery, Marchbanks secured a letter from a political friend of Mr.
Sluss in behalf of a young widow--temporarily embarrassed, a competent
stenographer, and the like--who wished a place under the new
administration. Thus equipped, Claudia presented herself at the
mayor's office armed for the fray, as it were, in a fetching black silk
of a strangely heavy grain, her throat and fingers ornamented with
simple pearls, her yellow hair arranged about her temples in exquisite
curls. Mr. Sluss was very busy, but made an appointment. The next
time she appeared a yellow and red velvet rose had been added to her
corsage. She was a shapely, full-bosomed young woman who had acquired
the art of walking, sitting, standing, and bending after the most
approved theories of the Washington cocotte. Mr. Sluss was interested
at once, but circumspect and careful. He was now mayor of a great
city, the cynosure of all eyes. It seemed to him he remembered having
already met Mrs. Brandon, as the lady styled herself, and she reminded
him where. It had been two years before in the grill of the Richelieu.
He immediately recalled details of the interesting occasion.

"Ah, yes, and since then, as I understand it, you married and your
husband died. Most unfortunate."

Mr. Sluss had a large international manner suited, as he thought,