Haines laughed—the strong, hopeful, fighting laugh of the man who would combat the boss of the Senate on ground of the boss' own choosing.
"All right!" he cried. "If it's an open fight I'll enlist. I'll give them all a run. What are your orders?"
Carolina appeared indifferent.
"I don't know that I have any particular orders, sir knight, except to see that my father does all he can for the Altacoola naval base."
Haines paused, seized by a sudden tremor.
"The Altacoola naval base?" he stammered. "Well, all I can say is that the Senator will do what he thinks right. That might bring power and fame—a right decision in this case—but it can't bring money."
Carolina shrugged her shoulders.
"Money?" She laughed with affected carelessness. "Well, we'll have to let the money take care of itself for a time. But I do want him to vote for Altacoola, because I believe that will be the best for him. You believe in Altacoola, don't you?"
Haines hesitated, then answered:
"Well, between the two sites merely as sites Altacoola seems to me rather better."