THE AUCTION BLOCK

By REX BEACH


Author of "THE SILVER HORDE" "THE SPOILERS" "THE IRON TRAIL" Etc.


Illustrated




THE AUCTION BLOCK




CHAPTER I


Peter Knight flung himself into the decrepit arm-chair beside the
center-table and growled:

"Isn't that just my luck? And me a Democrat for twenty years.
There's nothing in politics, Jimmy."

His son James smiled crookedly, with a languid tolerance
bespeaking amusement and contempt. James prided himself upon his
forbearance, and it was rarely indeed that he betrayed more than a