ink Allen needs a little of that
'inspiration' you spoke of?" she had kissed the girl, and answered
without hesitation, "Yes, dear; and you are just the one to give it to
him."

"Then this is my chance to enter business by proxy?" Alice asked again;
and Mrs. Gorham, smiling quietly to herself, had answered, "Perhaps."

IV

After his interview with Senator Kenmore, Gorham walked rapidly down the
slight incline from the Senators' office building to the hotel, where
the clerk passed out to him a handful of letters and telegrams. In the
lobby, unseasonably crowded by the extra session of Congress, he nodded
cordially to three or four men who obviously courted recognition, and
ascended in the elevator to his apartment.

"You don't know Gorham?" queried one of the men, turning to his
friend--"wonderful man, wonderful organizer, head of the great
Consolidated Companies. Thought the Consolidated Companies a myth? Well,
well! That's a great compliment to the man and his methods. You'll know
both well enough before long. But that's characteristic of Gorham--moves
along so quietly that you think he's doing nothing; then you wake up and
find that his corporation has tucked away a big government contract you
thought you'd tied up yourself. Better keep your eye on Gorham and the
Consolidated Companies."

"There you are, daddy!" cried a welcoming voice as Gorham threw open the
door, the words being quickly followed by a rustle of skirts and an
enthusiastic embrace. "I'm so glad you're back early. You know Allen is
coming to dinner, and couldn't we all go to the theatre afterward?"

Alice released her father partially, but still held one of his hands in
each of her own. Hat, letters, and telegrams had already fallen in
confusion upon the floor, as the result of the girl's onslaught. She
caught the look, half amusement, half dismay, upon his face.

"Never mind, daddy dear," she continued, reassuringly; "I'll pick them
all up in a moment. You will go with us to the theatre, won't you?"

Gorham looked significantly at the telegrams and the letters on the
floor.

"Let me see," he said, doubtfully. "I really ought to work on these
papers after dinner. How can I do that and go with you, Puss? There's
a problem for you!--unless I could use Riley for a secretary," he
continued, jocosely. "That's the only capacity he hasn't served in.
Where is he, anyway?"

"Couldn't I help you?" she asked, quickly, without answering his
qu