"You see?" said Rockwell. "George can catch the noon train for Springfield and get there in time to take on the evening speech. Mr. Merriam will have made the two at Cairo and East St. Louis. He can go back to Riceville from Springfield."
Just then the telephone rang, and I believe every person in the room jumped.
Rockwell rose to answer it.
"Senator Norman? Yes, he is here. But he is engaged. This is Mr. Rockwell, his manager. You can give the message to me."
A moment later he put his hand over the receiver and turned to Merriam.
"He insists on speaking to the Senator. You'll have to answer. I think it's Crockett. For Heaven's sake, be careful!"
Merriam took the receiver:
"Hello!"
A voice which he remembered only too well from the night before at Jennie's replied:
"This is Mr. Crockett, I have the honour, I believe, of speaking to Mr. Merriam."