"I did not mean to be quite so bitter, but I am sick of the lack of principle that I find in the men sent to Helena. Burroughs has a long string of men who are now scattering their votes, on the pretext that our Republican caucuses do not pledge them clearly to any one candidate. This split in the party is bad for Burroughs, of course, and he is not only trying to get my men away from the Governor, but is angling for members of the Democratic party." After a moment he smiled. "Of course we are sure of O'Dwyer!" He then named several others who could be depended upon not to enter Burroughs' camp, either by reason of their own integrity or the pledges they had given to other candidates. "So many in the field scatters the vote," he continued, "and that gives us a chance to work." "How about Hall?" asked the doctor. "Senator Hall seems safe. He is one enemy whom Bob cannot buy. I never saw a man hold the idea of revenge as Hall does." "If Joe Hall doesn't vote for Burroughs it is the first time that he ever resisted easy money," quoth the doctor. "However, hate will make even money seem of small account. But Hall will do some dirty trick, one of these days, to get even on that mining deal. Those two are a good pair to draw to." "As politics now are it would not be hard to find three of a kind," added Danvers. The old man took up the evening paper, containing the list of the legislators and their city addresses. He checked off the names as he read, and presently looked up. "As far as we can tell Burroughs is shy several votes for a majority." "Looks that way." "We don't know who Moore's holding back--worse luck! But we do know who are solid against Burroughs. By the way, what's Charlie Blair up to?" "Politically or personally?" "I think one means the other these days, according to all I hear." "Possibly." After a moment Danvers added: "Blair has promised me on his honor not to vote for Burroughs. I do not think that he will deliberately go back on his word. As for--I can't speak of it, doctor! Poor Arthur!" "Eva's not a bad woman--she's only an ambitious fool," asserted the doctor, touching one of the sore spots in Danvers' aching heart. "I can overlook a woman's folly if it is the result of an overwhelming passion--some women are as intense as men. But to play with fire--while she is as cold as ice--as calculating as a machine----" The speaker made a gesture of disgust. "Be sure that she is promised something she thinks worth her while, by Bob or by Moore, for her sudden interest in politics and--Charlie Blair. She is a good catspaw. I thought she was making eyes at Charlie at the opera, but I couldn't believe my own. She and Moore are working the members of this Legislature by concerted action, or I am very much mistaken." "You haven't heard any open talk of Mrs. Latimer--Arthur would--I should fear for his reason--for his life--if scandal----"