Bassett studied a moment, fingering the memorandum he had written; then he looked at Dan quizzically. "Just between ourselves, Dan, do you really think the Colonel's straight?" "If he isn't, he has fooled a lot of people," Dan replied. He had no idea of what had happened, but he felt that all was well with Sylvia. It seemed a long time since Bassett had called him Dan! "Well, I guess the Colonel's the best we can do. I'm out of it. This is my formal withdrawal. Hand it to Robbins--you know him, of course. It tells him what I want done. My votes go to Ramsay on the next ballot. I look to you to see that it's played square. Give the Colonel my compliments. That's all. Good-night." * * * * * Harwood called Robbins from the room where Bassett's men lounged, waiting for the convening of the caucus, and delivered the message. As he hurried toward Thatcher's headquarters he paused suddenly, and bent over the balcony beneath the dome to observe two figures that were slowly descending one of the broad stairways. Morton Bassett and Sylvia were leaving the building together. A shout rang out, echoing hollowly through the corridors, and was followed by scattering cheers from men who were already hastening toward the senate chamber where the caucus sessions were held. Somehow Morton Bassett's sturdy shoulders, his step, quickened to adapt it to the pace of his companion, did not suggest defeat. Dan still watched as the two crossed the rotunda on their way to the street. Bassett was talking; he paused for an instant and looked up at the dome, as though calling his companion's attention to its height. Sylvia glanced up, nodded, and smiled as though affirming something Bassett had said; and then the two vanished from Dan's sight. CHAPTER XXXIV WE GO BACK TO THE BEGINNING "Sylvia was reading in her grandfather's library when the bell tinkled."