For a few seconds the two men sat eyeing each other; then the political boss suddenly leaned forward in his chair and placed his plump hand upon Owen’s shoulder. “Young man,” he said, “I like you for that. You make a hit with me. A fellow who is not afraid to speak out always has my admiration. I despise a man who will submit to injustice and tyranny for fear of losing his job, or the hope of getting a better one.” To say that Owen was astonished by this unlooked-for treatment would be to put it mildly. He looked at the speaker incredulously. The suspicion entered his head that, perhaps, Coggswell was merely playing with him as a cat plays with a mouse--handing him these verbal bouquets first of all in order to give the more force to the abuse and threats which were about to follow. “Yes,” the boss went on, “as soon as I heard that there was a young man at Branch X Y who had the courage to defy me, I made up my mind to send for him. I wanted to see what you looked like. I wished to find out whether you would have backbone enough to stand by what you had said to Jake Hines, or whether you would cringe and back water as soon as I put it up to you.” Owen, not knowing what answer to make to these amazing words, smiled lightly and remained silent. After a slight pause Boss Coggswell went on: “I am pretty good at sizing up men, Mr. Sheridan, and I like your style. I should be pleased to have you join my organization. We need young men of your caliber in this district.” “Thank you,” replied Owen, “but I don’t care to go into politics. And, besides, I am of the opposite party.” “I like you for saying that, too,” declared the district leader warmly. “It is refreshing to meet a young man who is so loyal to his party that he won’t desert it even to advance himself. I am sorry that we can’t have you in our organization, Mr. Sheridan, but I am going to help you, nevertheless; I have taken a great fancy to you, and I am going to see that you get ahead. “Tell me a little about yourself,” he went on. “How long have you been in the postal service?” “Nine months,” answered Owen. “And what is your ambition? Surely, a bright young chap like you doesn’t intend to remain a carrier all his life?” “Not if I can help it,” replied Owen, with a smile. “I am looking for the job of post-office inspector. That’s what caused me to enter the service.” “Ah!” murmured Coggswell; “a post-office inspector, eh? You know a good thing when you see it, don’t you? Got any pull?” “No, I haven’t. But I’m studying hard, and I think I shall soon be able to take the examinations, and----” A loud laugh from Boss Coggswell interrupted him. “The examinations? Pshaw! They won’t get you very far unless you’ve got a pretty strong pull, besides.” He looked keenly at the young man, and lowered his voice a trifle as he went on: “Now, as I presume you are aware, I have considerable influence at Washington. I think I shall use that influence to get you what you want, Mr. Sheridan.”