"Mrs. Lockwin, as I said, I have been a hard man all my life, but your
little boy has enslaved me. Sixty-three years! I don't believe I
looked twice at my own three boys. But they are great men. Big times
at the _ho_-tel, Mrs. Lockwin. Four hundred people on cots. Here,
Davy, you can carry an orange, too. Well, Mary will be waiting for me.
Your servant, madam. Good day. I hear your husband is up for
Congress. Tell him he has my vote. Good day, madam. Yes, Mary, yes,
yes. Good-bye, Davy. Good-bye, madam."




CHAPTER VI

A REIGN OF TERROR

When a man is in politics--when the party is intrusting its sacred
interests to his leadership--it is expected that he will stay at
head-quarters. It is as good as understood that he will be where the
touching committees can touch him. His clarion voice must be heard
denouncing the evil plans of the political enemy.

The absence of David Lockwin from his head-quarters is therefore
declared to be a "bomb-shell." In the afternoon papers it is said that
he has undoubtedly withdrawn in favor of Harpwood.

The morning papers announce serious illness in Lockwin's family.

What they announce matters nothing to Lockwin. He cannot be seen.