"Thank you, aunt! I shall take the afternoon train to Milwaukee, and
sleep there to-night."

Warner Powell hastened to catch the train, and, at six o'clock in the
evening, landed, with a large number of fellow passengers, in the
metropolis of Wisconsin.

CHAPTER XXXVII

THOMAS BROWNING'S SECRET

Warner Powell had learned wisdom and prudence with his increasing
years, and, instead of inquiring for the best hotel, was content to
put up at a humbler hostelry, where he would be comfortable. He made
the acquaintance on the cars of a New York drummer, with whom he
became quite sociable.

"I suppose you have been in Milwaukee often," said Warner.

"I go there once a year--sometimes twice."

"Where do you stay?"

"At the Prairie Hotel. It is a comfortable house--two dollars a day."

"Just what I want. I will go there."

So, at quarter-past six. Warner Powell found himself in the office of
the hotel. He was assigned a room on the third floor.

After making his toilet, he went down to supper. At the table with him
were two gentlemen who, from their conversation, appeared to be
residents of the city. They were discussing the coming municipal
election.

"I tell you, Browning will be our mayor," said one. "His reputation as
a philanthropist will elect him."

"I never took much stock in his claims on that score."

"He belongs to all the charitable societies, and is generally an
officer."

"That may be; how much does he give himself?"

"I don't know. I suppose he is a liberal subscriber."

"He wants to give that impression, but the man is as selfish as the
average. He is said to be a hard landlord, and his tenants get very
few favors."

"I am surprised to hear that."

"He is trading on his philanthropy. It would be interesting to learn
where his wealth came from. I should not be surprised if he were more
smart than honest."

Warner Powell found himself getting interested in this Browning. Was
he really a good man, who was unjustly criticised, or was he a sham
philanthropist, as charged?

"After all, it doesn't concern me," he said to himself. "The good
people of Milwaukee may choose whom they please for mayor so far as I
am concerned."

After supper Warner stepped up to the cigar stand to buy a cigar.
This, as the reader will remember, was kept by Jack King, an old
California acquaintance of Thomas Browning, whose first appearance in
our story was in the character of a tramp and would-be burgla