rs
eased of all responsibility, sat lunching early at the Hotel Dunston.
His repast consisted of a sandwich and a small bottle of well-frapped
champagne. To him, lunching, came a drummer of the patent medicine
trade; a blatant and boastful fellow, from whose methods the diplomat in
Mr. Belford Couch revolted. Nevertheless, the newcomer was a forceful
person, and when, over two ponies of brandy ordered by the luncher in
the way of inevitable hospitality, he launched upon a criticism of some
of the recent Certina legislative strategy as lacking vigor (a reproach
by no means to be laid to the speaker's language), Mr. Couch's tenderest
feelings were lacerated. With considerable dignity for one in his
condition, he bade his guest go farther and fare worse, and in
mitigation of the latter's Parthian taunt, "Kid-glove fussing, 'bo,"
called Heaven and earth and the whole cafe to witness that, abhorrent
though self-trumpeting was to him, no man had ever handled more
delicately a prickly proposition than he had handled the Certina
legislative interests. Gazing about him for sympathy he espied the son
of his chief passing between the tables, and hailed him.

Two casual meetings with Certina Charley had inspired in Hal a mildly
amused curiosity. Therefore, he readily enough accepted an invitation to
sit down, while declining a coincident one to have a drink, on the plea
that he was going to work.

"Say," appealed Charley, "did you hear that cough-lozenge-peddling boob
trying to tell me where to get off, in the proprietary game? Me!"

"Perhaps he didn't know who you are," suggested Hal tactfully.

"Perhaps he don't know the way from his hand to his face with a glass of
booze, either," retorted the offended one, with elaborate sarcasm.
"Everybody in the trade knows me. Sure you won't have a drink?"

"No, thank you."

"Don't drink much myself," announced the testimonial-chaser. "Just once
in a while. Weak kidneys."

"That's a poor tribute from a Certina man."

"Oh, Certina's all right--for those that want it. The best doctor is
none too good for me when I'm off my feed."

"Well, they call Certina 'the People's Doctor,'" said Hal, quoting an
argument his father had employed.

"One of the Chief's catchwords. And ain't it a corker! He's the best old
boy in the business, on the bunk."

"Just what do you mean by that?" asked Hal coldly.

But Certina Charley was in an expansive mood. It never occurred to him
that the heir of