“When are you going to turn on us, Banneker?”

“That’s a cheerful question,” retorted the young man good-humoredly, “considering that it is you people who have gone back on The Patriot.”

“Were any pledges made on our part?” queried Enderby.

Banneker replied with some spirit: “Am I talking with counsel under retainer or with a personal friend?”

“Quite right. I apologize,” said the imperturbable Enderby. “Go on.”

“It isn’t the money loss that counts, so much as the slap in the face to the paper. It’s a direct repudiation. You must realize that.”

“I’m not wholly a novice in politics.”

“But I am, practically.”

“Not so much that you can’t see what Marrineal would be at.”

“Mr. Marrineal has not confided in me.”