"Wait here, Tony," he said, "till I run in and get the mail. I shall be only a minute."
Entering the building he found Farrington sitting behind the counter writing. He looked up as Stephen entered, and laid down his pen. He was affable to all now, for election day was but a week off, and he needed every vote.
"Raftin' all done, Steve?" he asked as he handed out the mail.
"Yes, all finished," was the reply.
"Ye'll be to the p'litical meetin' to-night, Steve, won't ye?"
"Oh, I had forgotten all about it."
"But ye must come. I want ye to hear what I hev to say. Gadsby'll be thar, an' I've got a dose fer 'im which he won't soon fergit. I'll show 'im a thing or two, an' the people'll learn that they need a real, live practical man for councillor. Ye must certainly come."
"I'm not sure that I can come," Stephen replied. "I have an engagement to-night. I may be there, however, if I can get through in time. But I must be off now; Tony's waiting for me."
At these last words Farrington started, and an expression of concern swept over his face. He leaned anxiously forward and looked intently at Stephen.
"Did ye say that Tony Stickles is out thar?"