"Well, what is the matter between you and Stover?" Harold told Wing of his trouble with Stover, beginning back with his application for the position of architect for the city building. He went fully into detail. When he had finished Wing brought his fist down on the table. "I'd like to thrash him, the dirty hound." "He would have got the thrashing, all right, if he had stuck his head out from behind those bars," said Harold. "I don't doubt it and he certainly richly deserves it." * * * * * It was the middle of the afternoon. Ruth's mind had been greatly perturbed since the mail had brought her the disappointing letter. Since Harold had called, her disappointment vied with curiosity for the mastery. "Ruth, you are wanted at the 'phone," said Aunt Clara. "Oh, dear, I wish they wouldn't bother me when I feel so bad." "Hello!" "Is this Miss Ruth Babcock?" It was a man's voice. "Yes. This is she." "This is R.G. Wing speaking. If you have not yet accepted a position you can come to work for me in the morning. I have changed my mind since writing you." "Thank you, I will be on hand in the morning." Ruth's heart leaped for joy. The clouds of gloom were dispelled. The remainder of the afternoon the tasks she performed about the house seemed light. Frequently she hummed some joyous air. Chapter XXIV The night following the election jollification the Stover-McBryan machine gang met in their consultation room where they were in close touch with Hennesy's beverages and where they had the greatest secrecy. In addition to Stover, McBryan, Hennesy, Goldberg and Springer, McMichael, an attorney and special political advisor of McBryan, was present. "What's to be done now? What's the next move?" asked Springer. "About what?" asked Hennesy. "About the election and the Klan," Springer explained. "Well, the Klan won the election and it looks to me like my next move had better be to some locality where the night gown devils have not yet made their appearance." "What's the matter, Hennesy? Gettin' cold feet?" asked Stover. "Well, prospects here in Wilford Springs are not looking any too bright, I'm frank to admit," Hennesy replied. "Don't give up and quit the game. Stay with us and we'll whip them yet," McBryan assured him. "Well, I've a good business here, as you all know, and am perfectly willing to stay if there is any chance to win; but with Dan Brown, a Klansman, elected sheriff, and C.M. Stanton, another Klansman, elected county attorney, it looks mighty bad for my line of business." "We'll drive the Klan out of business, and when the sheriff and attorney find themselves without the support of hundreds of Klansmen whom they are expecting to back them when they take office, they will become tame enough." "But how are you going to destroy the Klan? It's growing stronger every day," said Stover. "I don't see why people are such fools," he added.