"I'll do it," said Allingham impulsively. "If you'd offered it to me a month ago—before you offered it to a half dozen others instead of afterward, I'd have refused straight up and down. But now, as things stand today, I accept the nomination."
"And I may go and report to the committee?" urged Watts.
"You may."
The chairman arose and shook Allingham's hand long and heartily. Then he departed to spread the good news. When he was gone, Morgan returned to his desk.
"Do you think there is need of sending out any more of those A-128 circulars, Jack?" he asked.
"No," answered Allingham. "Morgan, I'm an egregious fool, perhaps; but I've consented to accept the Republican nomination for mayor, myself."
The secretary gave vent to a long, low whistle.
"To run against Miss Van Deusen?" he asked, at length.
"To run against Miss Van Deusen," replied Allingham.
"H-m—this contributes something to the interest of affairs," said Morgan. "But, Jack—I wish you hadn't," he added doubtfully.