chair tipped back and his feet on his desk. He was, in his own phrase,
"thinking out a brief." He fanned himself in a desultory fashion with a
palm leaf. Dan had carried in an arm load of books which Fitch indicated
should be arranged, back-up, on the floor beside him.

Dan lingered a moment and Fitch's "Well" gave him leave to proceed. He
stated Bassett's offer succinctly, telling of his visit to Fraserville
and of the interview at the Whitcomb. When he had concluded Fitch
asked:--

"Why haven't you gone ahead and closed the matter? On the face of it
it's a good offer. It gives you a chance to read law and to be
associated with a man who is in a position to be of great service to
you."

"Well, to tell the truth, sir, I have had doubts. Bassett stands for
some things I don't approve of--his kind of politics, I mean."

"Oh! He doesn't quite square with your ideals, is that it?"

"I suppose that is it, Mr. Fitch."

The humor kindled in the little man's brown eyes, and his fingers played
with his whitening red beard.

"Just how strong are those ideals of yours, Mr. Harwood?"

"They're pretty strong, I hope, sir."

Fitch dropped his feet from the desk, opened a drawer, and drew out a
long envelope.

"It may amuse you to know that this is the sketch of Bassett you printed
in the 'Courier' last fall. I didn't know before that you wrote it. No
wonder it tickled him. And--er--some of it is true. I wouldn't talk to
any other man in Indiana about Bassett. He's a friend and a client of
mine. He doesn't trust many people; he doesn't"--the little man's eyes
twinkled--"he doesn't trust Wright!--and he trusts me because we are
alike in that we keep our mouths shut. You must have impressed him very
favorably. He seems willing to take you at face value. It would have
been quite natural for him to have asked me about you, but he didn't. Do
you know Thatcher--Edward G.? He has business interests with Bassett,
and Thatcher dabbles in politics just enough to give him power when he
wants it. Thatcher is a wealthy man, who isn't fooling with small
politics. If some day he sees a red apple at the top of the tree he may
go for it. There'd be some fun if Bassett tried to shake down the same
apple."

"I know Thatcher's son."

"Allen? I met him the other day. Odd boy; I guess that's one place where
Ed Thatcher's heart is all right."

After a moment's reflection with his face turned to the open window
Fitch added:--

"Mr. Harwoo