“Most people wouldn’t think so. When you came to me, five years ago, you were on the verge of bankruptcy, and you hadn’t even begun to make your reputation.” West looked at Briggs to observe the effect of his words. Then he continued, with a wave of his hand: “And now see what you are! You’ve made a big name. You’re a power. You have all the swells in Washington at your parties. If you had gone under, five years ago, you never could have retrieved yourself. You know that as well as I do.” “And how much satisfaction do you suppose my success has given me?” Briggs exclaimed. “Since I began to prosper here I’ve not had one really happy moment.” West laughed. “You don’t believe that?” “Of course I don’t. You’re blue, that’s all. That newspaper man has hurt your feelings. That’s your only fault, Briggs--you’re too easily hurt. You want to have everybody’s good opinion.” “I could get along with my own,” Briggs replied, quietly. “By helping to put that bill through the House you’re doing the country a thousand times more good than you’ve ever accomplished through those reform schemes of yours. You aren’t practical enough, Briggs. Solid facts are good enough for me.” “I’ve observed that,” said Briggs, without a change of expression. “But I’ll tell you what you can do,” West went on, ignoring his host’s manner, “since that conscience of yours is bothering you so much. You can vote against the bill. That’s what I wanted to speak to you about. It would be a very good move just now.” Briggs looked interested. “How vote against it?” he said, wrinkling his forehead. “Simply vote,” West replied, with a smile and a wave of the hand. “After all the work I’ve done for it?” Briggs asked, in astonishment. “Who’s to know about that? If you like you can get up in the House and explain why you’ve changed your mind.” “_Speak_ against it, too?” Briggs could not resist the temptation to lure West on. The revelation of the workings of this man’s mind had a fascination for him; they were strangely free from any relation to the principles which he had always believed in, if he had not always practised them. “Yes. That will turn the tables on the papers that have been attacking you. It will make you seem like a martyr, too. It’s worth thousands of votes to you.”