"Cardinal Manning, in his debate with Robert Ingersoll, declared, 'The greatest statesmen and rulers that the world has ever seen are the popes of Rome.' Cardinal Gibbons, in his book, 'The Faith of Our Fathers,' in the chapter headed 'Temporal Power of the Popes,' says: "'The Papacy,' they say, 'is gone. Its glory vanished. Its sun is set. It is sunk below the horizon never to rise again.' Illboding prophet, will you never profit by the lessons of history? Have not numbers of popes before Pius IX been forcibly ejected from their See, and have they not been reinstated in their temporal authority? What has happened so often before may and will happen again. "For our part we have every confidence that ere long the clouds which now overshadow the civil throne of the pope will be removed by the breath of a righteous God, and that his temporal power will be re-established on a more permanent basis than ever." "Well, I guess everybody has a right to his own opinion," said McBryan. "Yes, freedom of speech and freedom of the press is another of the Klan principles," replied Reverend Benton, as he rose from his chair. "If you will give me my insurance policy, Mr. Wilson, I will go." "The premium is nine dollars and forty cents," Wilson stated, as he handed the policy to the minister. "Will it be all right to let that go until the first of the month? I am short of funds now." "Yes, that's all right, but I didn't know that preachers ever got short," remarked the real estate and insurance agent, laughing. When Reverend Benton had gone out Wilson turned to McBryan. "I will appreciate it if you will give Harold King a chance at the city building, he is a fine fellow." "He has already spoken to us, and we have asked him to submit a perspective drawing. There are several other applicants." "He's a fine young fellow and a home man, and I'd like very much to see him get it." "He'll be given careful consideration," McBryan replied. "Other things being equal, I would prefer to hire a home man." Chapter IX The door between Ruth's office and the president's office was slightly ajar. She could hear the suppressed voices of Stover and another man. She caught a sentence that caused her to leave her desk and tiptoe to the door. She stood with her ear near the opening. Ruth had a high sense of honor. She would have been the last one to eavesdrop through idle curiosity. The sentence which she caught convinced her the conversation taking place on the other side of the door concerned her indirectly, if not directly, and she felt warranted in listening. She listened with bated breath while the color left her cheeks. She opened and shut her hands nervously. When the conversation ceased and Stover's caller left she sat down to her desk and wrote a note. She looked at her watch; it was almost quitting time. She stepped to the president's office. "Is there anything more tonight?" "No, Ruth, nothing more tonight. You may go if you wish to."