Now here is a portion of the dialogue which took place five weeks before election between this highly respectable gentleman and his right-hand man, Mr. John Dowling, the efficient practical manager of the People's Company. "Peter Lynch was here to-day," said Mr. Dowling. "And who may Peter Lynch be?" was the dignified but unconcerned answer. "Peter Lynch is Peter Lynch. Don't you know Peter? He's the Alderman from the fifth district. He has been Alderman for ten years, and so far as I can see, he is likely to continue to be Alderman for ten more." "Ah." "Peter was in good humor. He was smiling all over." Mr. Dowling paused, so his superior said, "Oh!" Then realizing that the manager was still silent, as though expecting a question, he said, "Why did he come?" "He wishes us to help him mend his fences. Some of them need repairing. The wear and tear of political life is severe." "I see--I see," responded Mr. Barnstable, reflectively, putting his finger-tips together. "What sort of a man is Peter?" Mr. Dowling hesitated a moment, merely because he was uncertain how to deal with such innocence. Having concluded that frankness was the most business-like course, he answered, bluffly, "He's an infernal thief. He's out for the stuff." "The stuff? I see--I see. Very bad, very bad. It's an outrage that under our free form of government such men should get a foothold in our cities. I hope, Dowling, you gave him the cold shoulder, and let him understand that under no consideration whatever would we contribute one dollar to his support." "On the contrary, I gave him a cigar and pumped him." "Pumped him?" "I wanted to find out what he knows." "Dear me. And--er--what does he know?" "He knows all about our bill, and he says he'd like to support it." This was a shock, for the bill was supposed to be a secret. "How did he find out about it?" "Dreamt it in his sleep, I guess." "I don't care for his support, I won't have it," said Mr. Barnstable, bringing his hand down forcibly on his desk to show his earnestness and indignation. "I wish very much, Mr. Dowling, that you had told him to leave the office and never show his impudent face here again." There was a brief silence, during which Mr. Dowling fingered his watch-chain; then he said in a quiet tone, "He says that the Underground Steam Company is going to move heaven and earth to elect men who will vote to give them a location." "I trust you let him know that the Underground Steam Company is a stock jobbing, disreputable concern with no financial status." "It wasn't necessary for me to tell him that. He knows it. He said he would prefer to side with us and keep them out of the streets, which meant of course that he knew we were able to pay the most if we chose. It seems Prendergast has been at him already." "Disgusting! They both ought to be in jail."