on in Manitou. The police in Manitou are straight enough. That's one
comfort. I've done Felix Marchand there. I guess that the Chief
Constable of Manitou and Monseigneur Lourde and old Mother Thibadeau are
about the only people that Marchand can't bribe. I see I've got to face
a scrimmage before I can get what I want."

"What you want you'll have, I bet," was the admiring response.

"I'm going to have a good try. I want these two towns to be one.
That'll be good for your town lots, Jowett," he added whimsically. "If
my policy is carried out, my town lot'll be worth a pocketful of gold-
plated watches or a stud of spavined mares." He chuckled to himself, and
his fingers reached towards a bell on the table, but he paused. "When
was it they said the strike would begin?" he asked.

"Friday."

"Did they say what hour?"

"Eleven in the morning."

"Third of a day's work and a whole day's pay," he mused. "Jowett," he
added, "I want you to have faith. I'm going to do Marchand, and I'm
going to do him in a way that'll be best in the end. You can help as
much if not more than anybody--you and Osterhaut. And if I succeed,
it'll be worth your while."

"I ain't followin' you because it's worth while, but because I want to,
Chief."