is something which your paper should print," said Senator Hanway.

Richard was with Senator Hanway in the latter's study sharp upon the
hour set. Dorothy was not there; her mother had carried her and the
yellow-haired sorceress, Bess, to the theater. It is to be doubted, even
if she were free, whether Dorothy's interest in her political studies
would have carried her through a night session. Besides, the preoccupied
Senator Hanway had begun to observe that Richard looked at Dorothy more
than he listened to him, and while he suffered no disturbance by virtue
of this discovery, the present was an occasion when he wanted Richard's
undivided attention. Once seated, Senator Hanway went to the heart of
the affair; he made himself clear, for years of debate had educated him
to lucidity. What he desired was a plain, sequential rehearsal in the
_Daily Tory_ of those claims and charges against Northern Consolidated.

"Nor will I," observed Senator Hanway, flatteringly confidential,
"conceal my reasons. In the first place the charges have been made, and
their effect is to injure Northern Consolidated. You will not state that
you know these charges to be true; you will say--if you will be so
good--that they are of common report. Once in print, I can make them the
basis of an investigation. I've no doubt--though you will please say
nothing on that point--but what an investigation will disclose how
groundless the charges are."

"You are an owner in Northern Consolidated?" asked Richard.

Richard felt no interest beyond a willingness to be of service to
Senator Hanway, and only put the question to show attention to his
eminent friend.

"No, no owner," replied Senator Hanway; "but to be frank, since I know
my confidence is safe, it will assist me in a certain political matter
the name of which I think you can guess."

Senator Hanway's smooth face wore a smile which he intended should prove
that he looked upon Richard as one possessing a rightful as well as an
intimate knowledge of those White House plans which he cherished.
Richard did not require the assurance; he was ready without it to come
to the aid of Senator Hanway, whom he liked if he did not revere.

The next evening Richard's letter carried the story against Northern
Consolidated. The afternoon of the day on which it was published,
Senator Hanway arose in his place and requested that the article be read
by the clerk. That done, he said he was pained and surprised by the