“Well, if they thought that, they got left.”

The next vote proved correct so far as numbers went, and once more the figures were announced:

“Hurrah, Jack, you’re going up!” cried Fred enthusiastically.

“You’re only two votes shy of a choice,” said Randy.

“I guess you would have been elected if Bart White hadn’t gone on the ticket,” returned Spouter.

At that moment both Walt Baxter and Bart White came rushing up to Jack.

“I’m going to retire in your favor, Jack,” said Walt.

“So am I,” declared Bart.