“You see the situation as it is,” continued Sayler. “That’s why I come to you. What our side needs is another leader such as I’ve tried to be--one who shows the plutocratic fools their true interest--not to kill but to pet and fatten the goose that lays the golden eggs.” Helm was thinking. Sayler felt encouraged. He went on: “You can make yourself as rich as you please. Or, you can remain poor, if you like. You can--in fact, you must--keep your independent following--and increase it. It is the power you can use to keep your plutocratic clients in order.” Sayler observed the thoughtful face of the young governor narrowly. Then he went on: “There’s plenty of time to consider this proposition of mine. I guess it will be attractive or not to you according as you decide that you can or cannot control your plutocratic clients to reasonably, humanly decent conduct. I think you can. That’s why I make you the offer.” “You had another matter about which you wished to speak to me?” said Helm. “A good guess. Yes--I want to talk T. and M.” “To-morrow,” said Helm. “Not to-day.” “I suppose you know that your father-in-law----” “I’ve learned it.” “Being a public official, he’s had to keep his corporation connections very dark indeed. Perhaps I should have told you. But I knew the secret in a way that made it difficult for me to speak.” “It didn’t matter,” said Helm, grimly. “I’ve learned in good time.” Sayler rose. “Your father-in-law telegraphs me that he’ll arrive to-night.” “Keep him away from my house until eleven to-morrow.” “You wish to tell your wife first?” “No. I shall let him tell her. But no one ought to hear agitating news before the middle of the morning--after the day is well started but while there’s still most of the day left for thinking it over.” Sayler was touched by this evidence of Helm’s minute thoughtfulness for the woman he loved. “Thank you for that suggestion,” said he. “I’ve been letting my secretary tell me all sorts of news at any old time--with disastrous results to my health. My compliments to your wife. I’m hoping to see her before I go back to Washington.” * * * * * At noon the following day Helm left his office--an hour earlier than usual--and went home. At the sitting-room door he paused. After a brief hesitation he opened the door and entered. As he expected, there were his wife and her father. Helm glanced at the troubled face of his wife. Without greeting his father-in-law he said to her: “He has told you?” “It’s true then, George?” replied she. He nodded. Clearwater interposed with angry dignity: “I’ve been laying the whole case before my daughter, sir--your proposed attempt to disgrace and to ruin me.” Helm now looked at him. “You have had six warnings,” said he. “You could have made your corporation obey the laws--or you could have sold your holdings and gotten away from it.”