"I'm as conscientious as most office-holders," Hall interrupted. Something in the twist given the words inspired Moore with renewed courage to press his point. After he had talked earnestly for several moments, his guest interrupted: "Where is Bob to-night? You said last night that he would be here." "He's instructing the conscientious legislator." Hall laughed, and it was not long before he allowed himself to say: "Of course, if there's any money going, I want to get my share. I'd do as much for Burroughs' money as anybody." After a guarantee of good faith had passed from a safe to his pocket he left. "What do I care whether Bob Burroughs goes to Congress or goes to hell?" he muttered delightedly, as he felt the roll of bills in his pocket. "I've got a pricker coming that will sting his rhinoceros hide! This money ain't half what's coming to me from that mining deal; take it all in all, I'll even up with him before the session closes. Just you wait, Joe," he apostrophized, as he entered the elevator; "just you wait until the time comes!" [Illustration] Chapter VIII Danvers' Discouragement "Good evening, Senator!" Danvers was waiting at the elevator door as Hall stepped through it on the ground floor. "Good evening, Senator," returned Joe, thinking how little Danvers had changed in appearance since he first came to Fort Benton. The Senator from Chouteau County took the lift to the third floor. He went to the doctor's room, for he knew that his old friend from Fort Benton, who had but just come to the capital, would be waiting for the evening call and friendly smoke on the first day of his arrival. To-night the younger man was unusually silent, and after the first greetings nearly an hour passed before a word was spoken. But the doctor felt the silence--pregnant with the heart-ache of his friend, and at last he spoke. "How goes it, Phil?" "Pretty heavy luggage." "He'll get it?" No need to be more specific. "I'm afraid so," soberly. "I never dreamed it could be possible to mow down an Assembly as Burroughs is doing." "He would sell his soul for the senatorship," affirmed the doctor, "and yet he pretends that he doesn't want the office. He would have people think that he is in mortal fear of being politically ravished, and all the while he, and every man that he can control, are actively engaged in promoting a campaign of ravishment." "And Bill Moore is his chief procurer," added Danvers. "But the whole Legislature can't be bought." "Every one!" "You include yourself there, Phil," smiled the doctor. "But I know what you mean. It's damnable!" The believer in mankind felt the foundations of the State totter.