Then I'll begin to come and buy your knowledge to keep my own
columns clean."

The speaker looked up to meet the gaze of an iron-gray man with a
harsh, sallow face.

"Excuse my interrupting," said the new-comer.

"Just one question, Waldemar. Who's going to be the nominee?"

"Linder."

"Linder? Surely not! Why, his name hasn't been heard."

"It will be."

"His Federal job?"

"He resigns in two weeks."

"His record will kill him."

"What record? You and I know he's a grafter. But can we prove
anything? His clerk has always handled all the money."

"Wasn't there an old scandal--a woman case?"' asked the questioner
vaguely.

"That Washington man's wife? Too old. Linder would deny it flatly,
and there would be no witnesses. The woman is dead--killed by his