He did not pursue the topic she had broached. There was a certain finality about her deliverance of the statement, a decisiveness that afforded no hint that she would consider any compromise or reconsideration. His face was very grave. "I have a little business--a few loose ends to take up with the Senator. Once more I beg that you will defer--" "I will go with you to the Executive Chamber. I'll be grateful for your escort. If you don't care to have me go along with you, I can easily find my way there alone." Her manner left no opportunity for further appeal. He bowed. He did not offer his arm. They walked together up the stairway. With side-glances she surveyed his countenance wonderingly; in his expression true distress was mingled with apprehensiveness. He had the air of an unwilling guide detailed to conduct an unsuspecting innocent to be shocked by the revelations of a chamber of horrors; she put it that way to herself in jesting hyperbole. The newspaper men, who had followed Mayor Morrison into the State House, had been holding aloof, politely, from a conference which seemed to have no bearing on the political situation. They hurried behind and overtook Stewart and the young lady at the head of the stairway; their spokesman asked for a statement. "I made it! Out there a few minutes ago! Boys, you heard what I said, didn't you?" "Yes." "Well, I talked more than I intended to! Boil it down to a few lines and let it go at that!" "We want to get the matter just right, Mister Mayor, and give credit where it's due." "I covered the matter of credit. There's nothing more to say," replied Stewart, curtly. The reporters surveyed him with considerable wonderment; his manner in times past had always been distinguished by frank graciousness. "We'd like to see Senator Corson and Governor North." That request seemed to provoke the mayor's irritability still more. "I'm not the guardian of those gentlemen or of this State House!" He turned on his heel abruptly. "Miss Corson!" She was waiting a few paces away. He rejoined her and by a gesture invited her to walk along. "I'm sorry! I did not mean to delay you!" The newspaper men followed on as far as the door of the Executive Chamber. Morrison faced them there. "I don't mean to interfere with you, boys, in any way. And you mustn't interfere with me. As soon as the Senator and the Governor finish with me they'll give you all the time you want, no doubt! Please wait outside!" He tapped on the door and gave his name. Rellihan opened. Morrison seized the officer's arm and pulled him outside. "Keep everybody away from the door for a few moments--till further orders."