"Well, what about it?" persisted Bonds, eagerly. "Do you think he might know something on the Democrats that might help?"
"He might. We could try him out anyway. If he knows anything he'll spill it because he hates that crowd."
"How will you get in touch with him quickly? Write to him?"
"Certainly not," growled Williams. "I'll get expenses from Gay for the trip. He'll fall for anything now."
He rose and made for the elevator. Five minutes later he was standing before his boss, the National Chairman, a worried, gray little man with an aldermanic paunch and a convict's mouth.
"What is it, Williams?" snapped the Chairman.
"I'd like to get expenses to Richmond," said Williams. "I have a friend down there in Snobbcraft's office and he might have some dope we can use to our advantage."
"Scandal?" asked Mr. Gay, brightening.
"Well, I don't know right now, of course, but this fellow is a very shrewd observer and in six months' time he ought to have grabbed something that'll help us out of this jam."
"Is he a Republican or a Democrat?"