Morrison threw open the door. "That's all, Rellihan! Report to the chief!"
The newspaper men came crowding to the threshold.
"You have interviewed Mayor Morrison on the situation, haven't you?" demanded the Senator, breaking in on their questions.
"Yes!"
"To-night—for the time being—for now," returned Corson, dwelling on the point as emphatically as he had when he spoke before, "Mayor Morrison seems to be doing very well in all that has been undertaken. I have no statement to make—absolutely no word to say!"
He stepped back and allowed the Governor to lead the retreat; His Excellency collided with two of the more persistent news-gatherers. With volleyed "No! Nothing!" he marked time for the thudding of his feet.
Apparently Lana had entered into the spirit of that armed truce which, so her father's manner informed her, was merely a rearrangement of the battle-front. She hurried out of the chamber without even a glance in Morrison's direction.
Stewart's grim countenance intimidated the reporters; they went away.
For a long time the mayor paced up and down the Executive Chamber, his hands clasped behind him.
Miss Bunker thumbed the leaves of her note-book, putting on an air of complete absorption in that matter.