minutes in wordless, moody gloom. Then turning to the sympathetic Mr.
Fox he broke forth: 'What do you think of that? He's tearing down a
better house than mine!' From that moment Mr. Croker went about the
tearing down of Mr. Carroll."

"I had not supposed him so small," said Fatfloat, "as to feel piqued
because Mr. Carroll would build a better house than his own."

"He didn't feel piqued," said Lemon; "he felt plundered, and doubtless
asked a question concerning Mr. Carroll that has been so often asked
about himself."

* * * * *

"And yet," observed Van Addle, appealing to Enfield, "I should love
prodigiously to hear your views on the situation in Tammany as it
stands. I confess both an ignorance and a curiosity for light."

"And I am sure, my dear Van Addle," returned Enfield, "you are
heartily welcome to aught I may know or believe on the subject. A
great noble of Rome observed that to direct a wanderer aright was like
lighting another man's candle with one's own; it assisted the fortunes
of the beneficiary without subtracting from the estate of the
Samaritan. For myself, I need neither the Roman argument nor the Roman
example to create within me a benevolent willingness to hang a lantern
in the tower of truth for the guidance of any gentleman now groping as
to the actual status of Mr. Croker with Tammany Hall.

"It requires no word to those initiate to convince them that Mr.
Croker no longer sits on the throne, and that his potentialities are