"Oh, take a pull at this!" And the decanter was pushed across the table. "Didn't Dr. Johnson once say that claret is the liquor for boys, port for men, but he who aspires to be a hero should drink brandy? And you must be a hero to-night. Get onto the Bureau and use the soft pedal. Then beat it to the club. You and Tower ought to be well soused in an hour. He's a good sport, all right. I'll mail him that sixpence if it's still in my pants." "Do nothing of the sort!" snapped Meiklejohn. "You're--" "Ah, cut it out! Tower wants plenty to talk about. His crooked sixpence will fill many an eye, and the more he spiels the better it is for you. Gee, but you're yellow for a two-hundred pounder! Now, listen! Make those cops drop all charges against Rachel. Then, in a week or less, I'll come along and fix things about the girl. She's the fly in the amber now. Mind she doesn't get out, or the howl about Mr. Ronald Tower's trip to Barnegat won't amount to a row of beans against the trouble pretty Winifred can give you. _Dios!_ It's a pity. She's a real beauty, and that's more than any one can say for you, Brother William." "You go to--" "That's better! You're reviving. Well, good-by, Senator! _Au revoir sans adieux!_" The big man swaggered out. Meiklejohn drank no spirits. He needed a clear brain that evening. After deep self-communing he rang up police headquarters and inquired for Mr. Clancy. "Mr. Clancy is out," he was told by some one with a strong, resonant voice. "Anything we can do, Senator?" "About that poor woman, Rachel Craik--" "Oh, she's all right! She gave us a farewell smile two hours ago." "You mean she is at liberty?" "Certainly, Senator." "May I ask to whom I am speaking?" "Steingall, Chief of the Bureau." "This wretched affair--it's merely a family squabble between Miss Craik and a relative--might well end now, Mr. Steingall." "That is for Mr. Tower and Mr. Van Hofen to decide." "Yes, I quite understand. I have seen Mr. Tower, and he shares my opinion." "Just so, Senator. At any rate, the yacht mystery is almost cleared up." "I agree with you most heartily." For the first time in nearly twenty-four hours Senator Meiklejohn looked contented with life when he hung up the receiver. Therefore, it was well for his peace of mind that he could not hear Steingall's silent comment as he, in turn, disconnected the phone. "That old fox agreed with me too heartily," he thought. "The yacht mystery is only just beginning--or I'm a Dutchman!" CHAPTER VIII THE DREAM FACE