“And as soon as I settle things with Reichman I’ll give you all the law business you can take care of--good, paying business--the kind that won’t hurt you with the people.” “I’ll take all of that I can get,” said Helm. “I want to make money. I’ve _got_ to make money.” “You’ve put me in the way of doing better than ever, my boy, and I’m not ungrateful.” George winced. But he laughed and said: “And don’t forget, my usefulness has only begun.” He reflected, smiled a peculiar secret smile as he went on: “The people allow the crowd that’s robbing them to pay big wages to the politicians who make the robbery possible. Why shouldn’t an honest man take away from the robbers a big enough share to keep him going and to put him in a position to serve the people better?” “That’s good sense,” said Branagan heartily. “It’s practical,” said Helm, staring gloomily. Branagan observed him with narrowed eyelids and cigar tilted to a high reflective angle. “You’re a queer one,” he said, at last. “I can’t exactly place you.” From time to time Helm had been nodding a thoughtful assent. He now said: “Last summer and fall I got a lot of experience, Branagan. Ever since, I’ve been turning it over in my mind. The time may come when a man can get where he wants to go by a smooth bee line through the air. But not now. Now he has to move along the ground, and the road isn’t as straight as it might be, or as smooth. I was all for the bee line through the air. I’ve found out better.” He looked pointedly at his hard-eyed companion. “I haven’t changed my _destination_, Pat. You understand?” Branagan nodded. “I’ve simply changed from the heavenly route to the human. And by human I don’t mean crooked.” “I understand, Mr. Helm,” said Branagan, with the respect a shrewd man cannot but feel in presence of an intelligence that has shown itself the superior of his. “I understand perfectly, George.” “You probably don’t understand,” said George. “But no matter. You can be boss of the machine, but you can’t be my boss. If you give me the nomination and I’m elected, I’ll not attack the--the shortcomings of my friends until I’ve settled with the crimes of my enemies. I’ll not forget that I owe you, and not the people, for the nomination. But neither will I forget that I owe the people, and not you, for the election.” “That’s the talk, Helm!” said Branagan, with enthusiasm. “I’ll accept your nomination _if_ you make up a good ticket throughout--one that ought to win.” “I’ve got to do that, George,” said the boss. “The Republicans outnumber us three to one. Yes, I’ll give you A1 running mates.” “After we’ve won--you’ll have to look out for yourself,” pursued Helm. “I’ll not stand _personally_ for any crookedness. I don’t like it, and I don’t think it’s good politics.”