An ugly sneer wrinkled the Congressman's face.
"Well, I'm glad he attends to his own business and doesn't trust too many people," he said pointedly.
The secretary smiled in puzzling fashion.
"That's exactly why I don't talk, Congressman," he said pleasantly. "The Senator doesn't trust too many people. If he did, there might be too much money made out of land speculation. Senator Langdon doesn't happen to be one of those Senators who care for that kind of thing."
"I suppose you think you're pretty strong with the Senator," ventured the Mississippian.
"Tell you the truth, I haven't thought very much about it," replied Haines, "but, if you come right down to it, I guess I am pretty strong."
"Suppose you've influenced him in the naval base business, then."
Still the secretary smiled, keeping his temper under the adroit attack.
"Well, I think he'd listen to me with considerable interest."
"But you're for Altacoola, of course."