ania, asking many questions
about prospects in hardware lines in Ontario.

So that when at last he took his departure, laughing away apologies, he
left behind him a most favorable impression. Detective McCorquodale
departed next with a real cigar between his teeth and a feeling of
satisfaction in the recognition that he was no longer a "blithering
idiot." Stiles was told to "knock off for the day and go fishin'," and
accepted Podmore's five-dollar bill only when it was forced on him.

When the trio were alone once more Alderson produced a bottle and three
glasses.

"To the Campaign Fund," he laughed, holding his glass aloft.

"And the future of the Government," added J. Cuthbert Nickleby.

"And of ourselves," said Podmore reverently.

It was thus that they parted for the second time that afternoon.

Mr. Hugh Podmore went directly to his hotel. Not until he was safe in
his own room did he permit any unusual elation to show in his manner.
Once he had locked the door, however, and pulled down the
window-blinds, he threw himself upon the bed and indulged in a toss of
unrestrained mirth. Still very much amused, he felt in his pocket for
the key of the old walnut wardrobe with which his room was furnished,
unlocked it and lifted out a tan satchel.

Assuredly. In all fairness to himself he had to admit that it had been
about as neat a piece of work as he had ever known. For a first
attempt it had been carried through with credit, cleverly planned and
as cleverly executed. Everything had gone like a clock. Robert
Clayton, alias "Tuxedo Bob," had performed his end of it with
commendable finish, and Podmore felt that he had made no mistake in
hiring him to come on from Chicago. Fifty thousand dollars! It wasn't
a bad afternoon's work--not at all bad!

Setting the satchel upon the table, Mr. Podmore sank into the easy
chair and lighted a cigarette with a slow smile of satisfaction. The
smile lingered as he ran over the whole thing. Neat was not the word;
artistic was better. Clayton had "happened" in at All Saints' Mission
quite opportunely. Quite. It was proof of his ability that in three
days he had established himself so firmly in the friendship of young
Stiles. Poor, scared, white-faced kid!

And the duplicate satchels? An old trick, of course; but in simplicity
lay success. Podmore had purchased those two identical
imitation-leather satchels some days ago. In one he had placed the
package of bro