"Who is Colonel Jolson?"

"Chairman of the Isthmian Canal Commission. Your father knows
him."

"Do you mean that Stein is a--detective?" Kirk looked
uncomfortable.

"I do! Does he know you are the son of Darwin K. Anthony?"

"Why, yes, I suppose so."

"Colonel Jolson will be interested."

"Again I don't see the point."

"Your father is one of the most powerful and aggressive railroad
men in the country. Perhaps you know something about the railroad
opposition to the canal?"

Kirk smiled. "Well, to tell you the truth," said he, "the governor
doesn't consult me about his business as much as he ought to. He
seems to think he can run it all right without me, and we've only
been speaking over the telephone lately."

"One of the strongest forces the Government had to combat in
putting through the canal appropriations was the railroads.
Colonel Jolson has no reason to love your father."