As Carroll spoke, he drew from his waistcoat pocket a folded slip of pink paper, and handed it to Hawley. “Why, what’s this?” exclaimed the latter, feigning great astonishment. “A check for five thousand dollars made out to my order! What is the meaning of this, Mr. Mayor?” “It means,” replied Carroll, a break in his deep voice, “that I have learned the secret of that five thousand dollars’ worth of advertising which your friend Mr. Cheston brought to the _Bulletin_ at a time when the money was sorely needed. I was suspicious of that advertising from the start, Frank, but it was only yesterday that I learned the truth about it--that it was nothing but a ruse on your part to get me to accept a loan from you. Old man, I shall never forget your kindness. You certainly are the best friend a fellow ever had. You had done so much for me already; then, to cap it all, you went and drew your savings---- “Oh, quit it!” Hawley interrupted gruffly. “For Heaven’s sake, put out the stump speech, Fred. The money was idle in the bank. I had no immediate use for it, and I knew that you had; so it was only logical that I should let you have it until such a time as the _Bulletin_ was making enough money to enable you to pay me back. If that time has now arrived, I’ll accept your check, and we’ll consider the incident closed. But I can’t take half of that amount. Rest assured, I didn’t give all those people free advertising. I made contracts with them through an agency, gave them very low rates, and in a little while I had part of the money back in the bank.” As Carroll still seemed intent on thanking him, the Camera Chap headed him off by hurriedly changing the subject. “How is Mrs. Carroll?” he inquired. “First-rate, thank you. Melba joins me, Frank, in thank----” “And how are you making out as mayor?” “Fine! If I do say it myself, I seem to be making a great hit with the people of Oldham. I’ve already put into effect several important reforms. One of them was the repealing of the anticamera ordinance. It’s a different town since the People’s Party succeeded that bunch of grafters who were running things in Henkle’s time. But I say, Frank, I really must express my thanks for----” “By the way, what has become of Henkle?” the Camera Chap inquired hastily. “He has retired to private life--says he’s had enough of politics. I shall never forget, old man, what you have done for----” “And the Gales? Are they still running the _Chronicle_? I understand they escaped being indicted for that bomb conspiracy.”