ner. Why wouldn't it be well to
talk to the people in the same manner even if one did not adopt the
theories expressed? Let Senator Hanway clearly announce his views and
give his reasons. The latter should defend him with thinking men."

"Thinking men," retorted Senator Gruff with an experienced smile, "are
in a hopeless minority. Talk reason to the public? One might as well
talk reason to the winds. Politics, as a science, is not addressed to
the intelligence but to the ignorance of men."

Senator Hanway, after sundry conferences with Senator Gruff and others,
offered the resolution asking for a committee to meet with the Ottawa
government on the matter of that Georgian Bay-Ontario Canal. The
majority opinion of those consulted was that the resolution ought to
strengthen Senator Hanway. Certain railways might object; there were
influences infinitely larger, however, that would applaud. Besides, the
resolution had a big look and sounded like statesmanship. It could not
do otherwise than dignify Senator Hanway in public estimation. Senator
Hanway gave Richard for the _Daily Tory_ an interview of depth and power
in which he urged the international value of such a waterway America
and Canada should dig and own it together; it would be a bond to unite
them. It would promote friendship, and what was better than friendship
between countries? Senator Hanway said nothing about Credit Magellan,
nor did he intimate any relationship between his Georgian Bay-Ontario
Canal and the investigation of Northern Consolidated.

* * * * *

Storri had become very fond of the company of Mr. Harley. He would find
him in the Marble Room in the rear of the Senate Chamber, or he might
cross his path at Chamberlin's. Washington is a small town; there it is
not difficult to keep a man in sight. Storri kept Mr. Harley excessively
in sight; and it wore visibly on Mr. Harley, whose health was breaking
down. Storri liked the pain his presence gave Mr. Harley; and besides,
he argued that to see him frequently strengthened his hold upon that
unhappy man. When they were together, Storri's manner was hideously
cheerful; he would talk Credit Magellan and consider Northern
Consolidated as though nothing were awry. This was the refinement of
cruelty, as when a cat pretends to let the mouse escape.

One day, when Storri and Mr. Harley were together, the former's face was
purposely dark. Mr. Harley grew uneasy; his courage had