Aiken, the wireless operator, grinned derisively.

"At the service of THIS senator, they are!" he answered. "They call
him the 'king-maker,' the man behind the throne."

"But in your country," protested the Frenchman, "there is no
throne. I thought your president was elected by the people?"

"That's what the people think," answered Aiken. "In God's country,"
he explained, "the trusts want a rich man in the Senate, with the
same interests as their own, to represent them. They chose Hanley.
He picked out of the candidates for the presidency the man he
thought would help the interests. He nominated him, and the people
voted for him. Hanley is what we call a 'boss.' "

The Frenchman looked inquiringly at Marshall.

"The position of the boss is the more dangerous," said Marshall
gravely, "because it is unofficial, because there are no laws to
curtail his powers. Men like Senator Hanley are a menace to good
government. They see in public office only a reward for party
workers."

"That's right," assented Aiken. "Your forty years' service, Mr.
Consul, wouldn't count with Hanley. If he wanted your job, he'd
throw you out as quick as he would a drunken cook."

Mr. Marshall flushed painfully, and the French consul hastened to
interrupt.