"I think I'll just wait," suggested Norton. "I have to see the Senator as soon as possible, and he ought to return from that ways and means committee meeting pretty soon."
When Carolina had gone a slight feeling of constraint settled over the two.
"The Senator's pretty busy these days with his naval base matter coming up, isn't he?"
"Yes; keeps him pretty busy receiving delegations from Altacoola and Gulf City and patting them both on the back," said Haines. "Had a man from Gulf City in this morning with some pretty strong arguments."
The secretary watched Norton keenly to note the effect of this hint in favor of Gulf City."
"Gulf City!" Norton sneered. "Shucks! Who'd put a naval base on a bunch of mud flats? I reckon those Gulf City fellows are wasting their time."
"Think so?" suggested Haines. "Are you absolutely sure?"
Norton started.
"Why, you don't mean to tell me," he exclaimed, "that Senator Langdon would vote for Gulf City for the naval base?"
"I don't mean to tell you anything, Congressman," was the cool rejoinder. "It's not my business. The Senator's the one who does the talking."