“I will confer with you,” admitted the colonel, his manner subdued.
“I will ask you to confer with Mr. Bristol, my partner. He will have full charge of the litigation. I am assured that the next city government meeting will attend to the matter of choosing him as counsel, with a suitable retaining fee,” said Mr. Converse, with pride. “I will appreciate it personally and as chief executive if your interests will favor the matter. It will be better all around.”
Colonel Dodd did not reply. But there was much significance in his bow as they retired.
“I trust I did not intimate that I was employing any sort of threats,” said Mr. Converse, when he and Bristol were on their way down-stairs.
“I think he understood, sir.”
“His suggestion that we have a gentlemen's campaign was very significant, coming from Colonel Symonds Dodd. The outlook is very hopeful,” stated the nominee. “We'll see the state committee chairman to-morrow, Thornton. I feel quite sure that he will have our speechmaking routes laid out. Mr. Breed is very convincing—sometimes—when he discusses the political situation.”
When they were at the foot of the steps of the Mellicite Club, the young man begged permission to go about some affairs of his own.
“But your own affairs must wait, my boy,” insisted Converse. “The party claims you from now on.”
“I will do my duty, sir,” said Bristol, smiling; “but this evening I must have for myself.”
“I have invited some gentlemen to dine with us. It's an important conference.”