Haines shook his head.
"No, I can't say that I'm for Altacoola. Fellow who was in here this morning put up a pretty good argument, to my mind, for Gulf City. In fact, he made it pretty strong. Seemed to show it was all to my interest to go in with Gulf City. Think I'll have to investigate a little more. I tell you, Norton," spoke Haines in a confidential manner, "this land speculation fever is a frightful thing. While I was talking to this fellow from Gulf City I almost caught it myself. Probably if I met the head of the Altacoola speculation I might catch the fever from him too."
"Why don't you put your money into Gulf City and lose it, then?" replied Norton, nodding his head scornfully. "That'd be a good lesson for a rising young politician like you."
Senator Langdon's secretary peered straight into Norton's eyes.
"Because, Congressman," he said, "if I were to put my money in Gulf
City perhaps I wouldn't lose it."
The Southerner took a step forward, leaned over and glared angrily at
Haines. His face whitened.
"You don't mean that you could swing Langdon into Gulf City?" he gasped.
Haines smiled.
"I can't say that, Norton, but I guess people interested in Altacoola would hate to have me try."
"I didn't know you were that kind, Haines," said Norton, his virtue aroused at the thought of losing his money. "So you're playing the game like all the rest?"