The next man to see was Bridge. Jim paused at the hotel long enough to send a message to the station agent to have a special ready in fifteen minutes; then he went to the office of his lieutenant.
Bridge was an architect with a yearning for politics. For several years he had tried to keep both irons in the fire, and as a result was not over-successful in either. But he was a shrewd, silent man, and could be trusted. Jim found him designing a stable.
“Sit down, Mr. Weeks. What brings you to Tillman?”
“Bad business,” responded Jim, shortly. “Blaney's sold out to the C. & S.C.”
Mr. Bridge sat upon his table and said nothing. When taken by surprise Mr. Bridge usually said nothing; that is why he had risen to the leadership of a faction.
“I don't know just what's happened,” Jim went on, “but there's trouble ahead.”
“Does Blaney say he's going to vote against you?”
“No,” said Jim, “but he gave himself away.”
“Can you block him?”
Jim passed over the question.