"Sure!" returned Broderick. "I'm no office-holder. You could publish it in the newspapers; nobody could find fault."
"The point is," continued Thorne, referring to a memorandum, "that I've passed over to you a sight of money."
"And you got a sight of influence in return," retorted Broderick.
Thorne passed over the five thousand dollar cheque, seized Broderick by the arm, marched him out, then he began to relieve his mind.
"Broderick, I want more influence. I've got a pet scheme, a great ambition that is overweening, overwhelming. It won't down; it owns me body and soul." He paused a moment before finally coming to the point. "I want some day to sit in the Senate of the United States."
"Phew!" whistled Broderick. "Nothing stingy about you!"
"I shall want every iota of your influence," Thorne went on; "I shall need it. And, Peter, I want to know whether I'm going to have it. I want to know that now."
Broderick stopped him in the middle of the sidewalk and shook him by the hand.
"Thorne," he exclaimed, "there isn't a man I'd rather send to the United States Senate than you! I mean it; there's my hand on it." And pushing Thorne into the waiting taxicab he commanded the driver to take them to Cradlebaugh's back entrance.
"Quick as you can!" he added, as they drove off.