He recovered slowly. His cheeks were pale and his voice uncertain as he replied:
"You? I beg your pardon. This campaign has played smash with my nerves."
He now noted that she was regarding him with a glance so intense that it seemed to concentrate all the passion and energy in that slim, nervous body of hers. He said uncomfortably:
"You wished to see me?"
"I wonder what you were thinking about," she said in her impetuous, direct way. "It makes me almost afraid to ask what I came to ask."
"Won't you sit?" said he.
"No, thanks," replied she.
"Then you'll compel me to stand. And I'm horribly tired."
She seated herself upon the log. He made himself comfortable at its other end.
"I've just come from Victor Dorn's house," said she. "There was a consultation among the leaders of our party. We have learned that your people—Kelly and House—are going to steal the election on the count this evening. They are committing wholesale frauds now—sending round gangs of repeaters, intimidating our voters, openly buying votes at the polling places—paying men as much not to vote as they usually pay for votes."