“I told you to let me deal with the little traitor,” Rawson exploded.
“He was quite satisfied when I left him yesterday. They must have got at him again,” Jeff suggested. “I left O'Brien with him. But I was dead sure of him.”
James cleared his throat and began casually. “I expect the little beggar got suspicious when he saw Big Tim coming to my office.”
“To your office?” Rawson cut in sharply.
The lawyer flushed, but his eyes met and quelled the incipient doubt in those of the politician. “Yes, he came to feel the ground. Of course I told him flatly where I stood. But Killen must have thought something was doing he wasn't in on. It seems he followed me to The Brakes yesterday afternoon when I called on Mrs. Van Tyle.”
“Followed you to The Brakes. Good Lord!” groaned Rawson. “What in Mexico were you doing there?”
“Thought I mentioned that I was calling on Mrs. Van-Tyle,” returned James stiffly.
“Wasn't that call a little injudicious under the circumstances, James?” contributed Jeff with his whimsical smile.
“I suppose I may call wherever I please.”
“It was a piece of dashed foolishness, that's what it was. You say Killen saw you. The thing will fly like dust in the wind. It will be buzzed all over the House by this time and every man that wants to sell out will find a reason right there,” stormed Rawson.