over the traces that
way.

{Chalmers}

Disgruntled. Thinks he didn't get his fair share of plums out of
the Tariff Committee. Besides, it's his last term. He's announced
that he's going to retire.

{Hubbard}

(_Snorting contemptuously, mimicking an old man's pompous
enunciation._) "A Resolution to Investigate the High Cost of
Living!"--old Senator Elsworth introducing a measure like that!
The old buck!---- How are you going to handle it?

{Chalmers}

It's already handled.

{Hubbard}

Yes?

{Chalmers}

(_Pulling his mustache._) Turned it over to the Committee to Audit
and Control the Contingent Expenses of the Senate.

{Hubbard}

(_Grinning his appreciation._) And you're chairman. Poor old
Elsworth. This way to the lethal chamber, and the bill's on its
way.

{Chalmers}

Elsworth will be retired before it's ever reported. In the
meantime, say after a decent interval, Senator Hodge will
introduce another resolution to investigate the high cost of
living. It will be like Elsworth's, only it won't.

{Hubbard}

(_Nodding his head and anticipating._) And it will go to the
Committee on Finance and come back for action inside of
twenty-four hours.

{Chalmers}

By the way, I see _Cartwright's Magazine_ has ceased muck-raking.

{Hubbard}

_Cartwrights_ never did muck-rake--that is, not the big
Interests--only the small independent businesses that didn't
advertise.

{Chalmers}

Yes, it deftly concealed its reactionary tendencies.

{Hubbard}

And from now on the concealment will be still more deft. I've
gone into it myself. I have a majority of the stock right now.

{Chalmers}

I thought I had noticed a subtle change in the last two numbers.

{Hubbard}

(_Nodding._) We're still going on muck-raking. We have a splendid
series on Aged Paupers, demanding better treatment and more
sanitary conditions. Also we are going to run "Barbarous
Venezuela" and show up thoroughly the rotten political management
of that benighted country.

{Chalmers}

(_Nods approvingly, and, after a pause._) And now concerning Knox.
That's what I sent for you about. His speech comes off tomorrow
per schedule. At last we've got him where we want him.

{Hubbard}

I have the ins and outs of it pretty well. Everything's arranged.
The boys have their cue, though they don't know just what's
going to be pulled off; and this time to-morrow afternoon their
dispatches will be singing along the wires.

{Chalmers}

(_F