Kelly, who was nothing if not judicial. ``But Dorn's mighty
plausible. I hear sensible men saying there's something more'n
hot air in his facts and figgures.'' Kelly paused, and made the
pause significant.

``About that last block of traction stock, Mr. Hastings. I
thought you were going to let me in on the ground floor. But I
ain't heard nothing.''

``You ARE in,'' said Hastings, who knew when to yield. ``Hasn't
Barker been to see you? I'll attend to it, myself.''

``Thank you, Mr. Hastings,'' said Kelly--dry and brief as always
when receipting with a polite phrase for pay for services
rendered. ``I've been a good friend to your people.''

``Yes, you have, Dick,'' said the old man heartily. ``And I want
you to jump in and take charge.''

Hastings more than suspected that Kelly, to bring him to terms
and to force him to employ directly the high-priced Kelly or
Republico-Democratic machine as well as the State
Republico-Democratic machine, which was cheaper, had got together
the inside information and had ordered one of his henchmen to
convey it to Dorn. But of what use to quarrel with Kelly? Of
course, he could depose him; but that would simply mean putting
another boss in his place--perhaps one more expensive and less
efficient. The time had been when he--and the plutocracy
generally--were compelled to come to the political bosses almost
hat in hand. That time was past, never to return. But still a