The senator shook his head and laughed.
"Job is an independent cuss," he said, "I'm afraid he'd regard that as an unwarranted trespass on his preserves."
Mr. Crewe was ushered out by the stooping secretary, Mr. Freeman; who, instead of seizing Mr. Crewe's hand as he had Austen Vane's, said not a word. But Mr. Crewe would have been interested if he could have heard Mr. Flint's first remark to the senator after the door was closed on his back. It did not relate to Mr. Crewe, but to the subject under discussion which he had interrupted; namely, the Republican candidates for the twenty senatorial districts of the State.
On its way back to Leith the red motor paused in front of Mr. Ball's store, and that gentleman was summoned in the usual manner.
"Do you see this Braden once in a while?" Mr. Crewe demanded.
Mr. Ball looked knowing.
"Tell him I want to have a talk with him," said Mr. Crewe. "I've been to see Mr. Flint, and I think matters can be arranged. And mind you, no word about this, Ball."
"I guess I understand a thing or two," said Mr. Ball. "Trust me to handle it."
Two days later, as Mr. Crewe was seated in his study, his man entered and stood respectfully waiting for the time when he should look up from his book.
"Well, what is it now, Waters?"