the railroads, and Waterman and the Steel crowd put in Governor
Hannis to do nothing."

"It was rather staggering to me," said Montague, after a little
thought. "I didn't say anything about it, but you know Governor
Hannis is an old friend of my father's, and one of the finest men I
ever knew."

"Oh, yes, I don't doubt that," said Curtiss, easily. "They put up
these fine, respectable old gentlemen. Of course, he's simply a
figure-head--he probably has no idea of what he's really doing. You
understand, of course, that Senator Harmon is the real boss of your
State."

"I have heard it said," said Montague. "But I never took much stock
in such statements--"

"Humph!" said Curtiss. "You'd take it if you'd been in my boots. I
used to do business for old Waterman's Southern railroads, and I've
had occasion to take messages to Harmon once or twice. New York is
the place where you find out about this game!"

"It's not a very pleasant game," said Montague, soberly.

"I didn't make the rules," said Curtiss. "You find you either have
to play that way or else get out altogether."

The younger man relapsed into silence for a moment, then laughed to
himself. "I know how you feel," he said. "I remember when I first
came out of college, the twinges I used to have. I had my head full