Stewart escorted Miss Corson into the chamber with almost as much celerity as he had employed in escorting Rellihan out; and he promptly banged the door. He walked slowly across the room toward the big table, following Lana, who hastened toward her father. The Senator was standing behind the table, flanked by North and Daunt. The three of them formed a portentous battery. Morrison did not speak. His expression indicated humility. He drooped his shoulders. There was appeal in his eyes. "Here I am!" the eyes informed the glowering Senator. But a side-glance hinted: "Here is your daughter, too. Use judgment!" Lana was manifestly perplexed by what she saw. Three distinguished gentlemen were presenting the visages of masculine Furies. She looked away from them and received a little comfort from the placid countenances of Andrew Mac Tavish and Delora Bunker, but their presence in that place and at that hour only made her mystification more complete. She had been allowing her imagination to paint pictures before she stepped into the Executive Chamber; she had expected to find her father virtuously triumphant, serenely a successful molder of pacific plans. His scowl was so forbidding that she stopped short. "Father, it's wonderful--perfectly wonderful, isn't it?" She tried to speak joyously, but she faltered. "I saw it all! I saw how your plan succeeded." "Damn you, Morrison! What has happened?" The Senator did not merely demand--he exploded. The silence which followed became oppressive. Miss Corson was too thoroughly horrified to proceed. Apparently Governor North and Daunt had selected their spokesman and had nothing to say for themselves. Morrison seemed to be especially helpless as an informant; he wagged his head and pointed to Lana. "Answer my question, Morrison!" "I think Miss Corson better tell you, sir. She was an impartial observer." "Perhaps she _had_ better tell me! You're right! After this night I wouldn't take your word as to the wetness of water. Lana, speak out!" "I don't know what I can tell you--you have been right here all the time in the State House--" The Senator jammed a retort between the links of her stammering speech. "Yes, I have been right here! What has happened below, I ask you?" "Why, the troops marched out. They went away! Right through the mob! And it's all calm and quiet." Governor North stamped his way a half-dozen paces to the rear, and whirled and marched back into line. "Morrison, have you--have you--" Senator Corson choked. Not knowing exactly what to say, he shook his fist. "Father, what's the matter? It was only carrying out your orders." "Orders--my orders?" "Stewart Morrison, why don't you say something?" she demanded. "I'm sure your father prefers to hear from you." "Confound it! I do want to hear, and hear immediately!" Lana displayed some of the paternal ire. "Stewart, I asked you to be candid with me. You're leaving me to flounder around disgracefully in this matter."