Again the Mayor stopped abruptly and stared. Then suddenly he rose.
"I was told the Senator had left the hotel. I think I was correctly informed. What sort of a trick is this? Who are you?"
"Damn you----" Merriam began, with realistic sincerity, but with the vaguest ideas as to what more substantial statement should follow.
At this moment, however, Rockwell opened his door and stepped into the room.
"Aha!" cried the Mayor. No stage villain could have said it better. "Mr. Rockwell! Of the Reform League, I believe!" He bowed sardonically. "'One-Thing-at-a-Time Rockwell!' Well, one thing at a time like this"--he pointed at Merriam--"ought to be enough for a reformer!"
"Good evening, Mayor Black," said Rockwell. "I believe you were about to sign the Ordinance."
"I was not. In spite of the Senator here. I don't get a chance to defy Senator Norman every day. I rather enjoy it!--And let me tell you," he added, "if you and your friends in that damned League make any more trouble for me or Senator Norman or the Ordinance or anything else after this--if you don't shut up and lie low and keep pretty damn quiet, we'll show you up, my boy. This would make a pretty little story for the newspapers--and for the State's Attorney, too! We might call it 'The Ethics of Reform!' Oh, we have you where we want you now, Mr. Reformer! As for this young impostor here, we'll have to look him up a bit. A very promising young gentleman!"
The Mayor evidently enjoyed the center of the stage. He towered tall and imposing and righteous, and looked triumphantly from Rockwell to Merriam and back again.
"I really think you'd better sign it," said Rockwell. He spoke rather low.
"What do you mean?" cried the Mayor.