lling them of Thorne, his record, methods, and the
definite evidence he had acquired. Long before he had finished both men
relaxed from their more eager attention.

"That all?" commented Baker. "From what you said I thought he was in the
bastile!"

"He will be shortly," said Bob. "They've got the evidence direct. It's
an open-and-shut case."

Baker merely grinned.

"But Thorne's jugged them all up the range," persisted Bob. "He's
convicted a whole lot of them--men who have been at it for years."

"H'm," said Baker.

"But how can they dodge it?" cried Bob. "They can't deny the evidence!
The Department has upheld Thorne warmly."

"Sure," said Baker.

"Well," concluded Bob. "Do you mean to say that they'll have the nerve
to pass over such direct evidence as that?"

"Don't know anything about it," replied Baker briefly. "I only know
results when I see them. These other little grafters that your man
Thorne has bumped off probably haven't any drag."

"Well, what does Plant amount to once he's exposed?" challenged Bob.

"I haven't figured it out on the Scribner scale," admitted Baker, "but I
know what happens when you try to bump him. Bet you a thousand dollars I
do," he shot at Welton. "It isn't the wraith-like Plant you run up
against; it's _interests_."

"Well, I don't believe yet a great government will keep in a miserable,
petty thief like Plant against the direct evidence of a man like
Thorne!" stated Bob with some heat.

"Listen," said Baker kindly. "That isn't the scrap. Thorne _vs._
Plant--looks like easy money on Thorne, eh? Well, now, Plant has a drag
with Chairman Gay; don't know what it is, but it's a good one, a
peacherino. We know because we've trained some heavy guns on it
ourselves, and it's stood the shock. All right. Now it's up to Chairman
Gay to support his cousin. Then there's old Simeon Wright. Where would
he get off at without Plant? He's going to do a little missionary work.
Simeon owns Senator Barrow, and Senator Barrow is on the Ways and Means
Committee, so lots of people love the Senator. And so on in all
directions--I'm from Missouri. You got to show me. If it came to a mere
choice of turning down Plant or Thorne, they'd turn down Plant, every
time. But when it comes to a choice between Thorne and Gay, Thorne and
Barrow, Thorne and Simeon Wright, Thorne and a dozen others that have
their own Angel Children to protect, and won't protect your Angel Child
unless you'll chuck a front f