Meanwhile, Scot’s political campaign had died down. If the Dodsons had been willing to let it alone, Ralph would probably have been nominated without opposition. But this was just what they could not do. They knew themselves that they had played a poor part in the contest with the McClintocks, and they were afraid that Nevada’s private judgment would be the same. Sinister whispers passed from mouth to mouth. They found a discreet echo in the newspapers friendly to the Dodson candidacy. Scot McClintock had broken up the home of Robert Dodson. He belonged to Nevada’s past and not her present. The disgraceful affair at Carson showed him to be a desperate man, in the same class as the men Hopkins and Dutch. This was hinted in veiled language and not openly charged by the press. It was at the Maison Borget, as good a French restaurant as could be found between New York and San Francisco, that Hugh first learned of these rumours. He had been too busy to read any newspaper except a local one. Senator Stewart, seated alone at a small side table, called to him. The young man took the place opposite him. “How’s the Colonel?” asked the senator. “He’s not out of danger, but we think he’s gaining.” “Fine. Glad to hear it. What about his campaign?” “It seems to have dropped by the wayside, Senator.” The big man stroked his long yellow beard. “Pity. I’d like to see him win. With these stories going around——” “What stories?” The senator told him. He ended with a startling question. “Why don’t you take the stump and answer the lies, Hugh?” “Me? I’m no orator.” “None needed. You can talk straight, can’t you? Call a lie a lie?” “I reckon. But it’s a game I don’t savvy, Senator. If I was going gunnin’ for statesmen I’d never snap a cap at Hugh McClintock.” “Just hit out hard from the shoulder. Talk right out for Scot as though you were with two or three friends. Carry the war into the enemy’s camp. Show how they’ve stacked the cards against your brother.” McClintock’s eyes blazed. “I’ll do it, Senator. I’ll give Scot a run for his white alley yet.” He did. To every camp and town in the state he fared forth and told the story. He told it at mine shafts, in saloons, around hotel stoves, and in public meetings called for that purpose. Much to his surprise he developed a capacity for public speaking. His strength lay in the direct, forceful simplicity of what he said. He was so manifestly a sincere and honest champion that men accepted at face value what he said. At one town Captain Palmer, who had organized the Aurora vigilance committee, introduced him in characteristic fashion. “You see the big head on his broad shoulders. It’s up to you to decide whether there’s anything in it,” he said bluntly. Hugh plunged straight at his subject.