you understand? Anything is possible here for a man with
influence. If he has ability with it, he can go to the top. If he
lacks ability--well, even then he can go to the top--it depends
entirely upon the influence."

"But I haven't any--" Kirk began. Then, catching her look, he
exclaimed: "Oh, say! WILL you help me? Really? That's too good to
be true."

He shook her hand warmly, that being the natural outlet for his
gratitude, and she smiled at him. "I wonder where I'd better start
in," he said.

"There's not the slightest choice. All paths lead up the mountain,
and if you go far enough you will reach the top. It would be quite
easy if you knew something about the railroad business, for
instance."

"Oh, I do. I've had that drilled into me ever since I was a child.
I grew up with it--was soaked in it. My father made me learn
telegraphy before he gave me a motor-boat."

"Why in the world didn't you say so?"

"Well, I have forgotten most of it," he confessed. "I had a
railroad of my own, too, when I was twelve years old. I was
president."

"Indeed!"