advice; but
he needed his help, and so gave him his confidence because he couldn't
avoid it.

Richard wore the honors of these confidences easily. Scores of times,
Senator Hanway had gone into the detail of his arrangements to trap
delegates, wherefore it bred no surprise in him when, upon this morning,
that statesman took up the question of an Anaconda influence, and the
extent to which it might be exercised. Senator Hanway showed Richard a
list of fourteen States, all subject to the Anaconda's system of roads.

"In my opinion," said Senator Hanway, "the Anaconda could select the
national delegations in these States. There is no doubt that the
fourteen, acting together,--for the list includes three of the largest
States in the country,--would decide the nomination. The query is, Would
Mr. Gwynn be so amiably disposed as to move in the affair? I may say
that I should not prove insensible to so great a favor."

"Mr. Gwynn," returned Richard, "has repeatedly instructed me that you
were to regard the Anaconda as yours, and the _Daily Tory_ as yours, for
everything that either or both of them can do in your interest. It will
not be necessary to see him unless you prefer an interview."

Senator Hanway never preferred an interview with anybody, where that
formality was not demanded by the situation. He held to the doctrine
that no one, not a fool, would talk beyond what was necessary to carry
his projects to success. His present word to Richard, however, did not
include this belief. He put it in this fashion:

"I do not feel at liberty," said he, "to disturb Mr. Gwynn with what are
no more than just my personal concerns. He has much more weighty matters
of his own to consider; and he ought not to be loaded down with those of
other men. Besides, in this instance, his magnificent generosity has
anticipated me. He tells you that I am to have the assistance of the
Anaconda?"

"In what form and to what extent you choose," returned Richard. "He even
said that, should you be set to head your party's ticket, the campaign
might count upon the Anaconda for a contribution of no less than a
half-million."

Senator Hanway's pale face flushed, not with gratitude, but exultation.

"I cannot tell you," said he, "which affects me most; Mr. Gwynn's
immense kindness or his even greater condescension."

Then getting to things practical, Senator Hanway asked Richard if the
President and General Attorney of the Anaconda might not again b