genuine messages, and finished by sealing each in an envelope properly
numbered and addressed. Then the taciturn one made a delivery book to
match the messages.

"There!" exclaimed Senator Hanway, when at four in the morning the
taciturn one tossed the last forged message upon the pile and said that
all were done; "that's finished. Now at two o'clock put on a messenger's
uniform and come to the Capitol. It's 4 a. m. now, and this is Saturday;
the caucus convenes at two o'clock sharp. It will be held in the House
chamber. There will be ten ballots; I have arranged for that, and Patch
and Swinger will not withdraw before. The ten ballots will consume two
hours and a half--fifteen minutes to a roll call. After they have gone
through four roll calls, begin to send in these messages; the caucus
officer on the door will sign for them. Send first one to each member;
then two; then four; then five; then all you have. Give about fifteen
minutes between consignments. Have you got my plan?"

The taciturn one nodded.

"Here is a one-hundred-dollar bill," observed Senator Hanway, "for your
night's work. Four more wait for you when Mr. Frost is declared the
caucus nominee."

Saturday afternoon; and the caucus met behind locked doors. It was a
mighty struggle; now and then some waifword reached the outside world of
what Titan deeds were being done. There were speeches, and roll calls;
men lost their heads and then their reputations. The sixteen threatened
of the Anaconda Airline, with the fear of political death upon them,
voted for Mr. Frost. Messrs. Patch and Swinger held fast through ballot
after ballot, keeping their delegations together, while the Hawke