“Yes! Wish to see him? What name, please?”
“Oh, just tell him it’s an old friend.”
The office man went into the inner room and soon returned.
“He is very busy on some special work. Would you mind calling in again?”
“Anybody with him?”
“No!”
Phil brushed past the man and walked straight into the Mayor’s office, closing the door behind him.
Brenchfield was sitting in an armchair, behind a desk, smoking a huge cigar and blowing clouds in the air; the very picture of municipal overwork.
“Thought it might be you! Heard you were in town. Sit down, Phil!”