After re-reading the report he ordered his men to go to Broderick and Thorne with the request that they come to him immediately.
An hour later Graham Thorne made his appearance, Broderick waddling in after him. Murgatroyd passed over a box of cigars.
Broderick lighted, and after puffing contentedly for a time, commented:—
"Good cigars, these. Strikes me that they're your first contribution to the campaign fund, eh?" And helping himself to three more out of the box, he tucked them away in his pocket with a wink at Murgatroyd, and asked:—
"Any Challoner money in these?"
Murgatroyd smiled grimly.
"You seem ready enough to burn it, anyhow," he answered. And puffing also on his cigar he said, "I wanted to have a little confidential talk with you gentlemen."
Broderick nudged Thorne and remarked:—
"Perhaps the prosecutor's goin' to divvy with us, Thorne!"
Murgatroyd smiled and laughed; but somehow the smile and laugh did not include Thorne.