West shrugged his shoulders; his face became almost sad. “I haven’t any schemes of that sort,” he said, softly.
Miss Wing laughed outright. “You haven’t any interest in railroad legislation?” she asked, with a lift of the eyebrows.
“It is true that I’m employed by a railroad. But as you aren’t a lawyer, I don’t see how you could help me.”
Miss Wing looked at him for a long time, her smile hardening. “I’m surprised that you should treat me like this.” Then her face softened. “I’m a little hurt, too.”
“You wanted me to be frank,” West replied, gently.
Miss Wing hesitated. When she spoke it was with a complete change of tone. “There’s really no use beating about the bush any longer. Everybody in Washington knows what you do for that railroad. Everybody knows that last year you spent more than a hundred thousand dollars for it—right here in this city. And everybody knows that Congressman Briggs is your tool. He is helping you push the bill through the House. But everybody doesn’t know one other fact that I know.” She held her head high and looked at West defiantly. She flushed, and the flowers in her hat trembled.
“What may that be?” he asked, quietly.
She sank back in her seat and smiled. “If I were to publish an article,” she went on, “showing that you had not only bribed Congressman Briggs, but had taken advantage of your hold on him to make love to his wife, that would make a dreadful scandal, wouldn’t it?”
West did not stir. He seemed even to control his breath. “I don’t know what you are talking about,” he said, in a low voice.
Miss Wing smiled and watched him. She admired a man who could take things so coolly. “I’ve suspected for a long time,” she explained, lightly, “and when I saw you drinking all that punch last night, I knew you were losing your head. Wasn’t it strong? I just sipped it. That was enough. Oh, you were amusing! You entertained me all the evening.”