Two days later, while Douglas Briggs was smoking his after-dinner cigar in the library and chatting with Fanny Wallace, whose presence in the house greatly relieved the embarrassment of his strained relations with his wife, Michael entered and announced Mr. Farley. “There are two gentlemen with him, sir,” said Michael, “Mr. De Witt and Mr. Saunders.” Briggs flushed. “Ah!” he said, as if the callers had suddenly assumed importance in his eyes. “Where are they?” he asked, rising hastily. “In the study, sir.” “All right. I’ll go in.” “Give my love to that nice Mr. Farley,” Fanny called after him. As Briggs entered the room Farley rose with the boyish embarrassment of manner that years of newspaper work had not changed. He introduced his friends. De Witt, a tall, slim young man, with a sweeping brown mustache and a long, well-cut face, took his host’s hand smilingly. Saunders, shorter, smooth-faced and keen-eyed, glanced at Briggs with a look not altogether free from suspicion. In Saunders Briggs recognized a type of political reformer that always made him nervous. “De Witt and Saunders are of the Citizens’ Club,” Farley explained. “In fact, we’re all of the Citizens’ Club,” he added, with the air of making a joke. “I’m very glad to see you, gentlemen. Won’t you sit down? I caught a glimpse of you at the reporters’ table at the caucus the other night, Farley.” “Hot time, wasn’t it?” Briggs took from the table a box of cigars, which he offered to his callers. De Witt and Saunders shook their heads and mumbled thanks. Farley took a cigar and smoked with his host. “Well, Congressman,” said Farley, “we haven’t come merely to take up your time.” Briggs smiled and nodded. “We’ve come to ask you some questions,” Farley continued. “You always were great on questions, Farley,” said Briggs, with a laugh. “We’ve been having a racket over you down at the Citizens’ Club,” Farley began, and Briggs glanced smilingly at De Witt and Saunders. “Farley has made the racket,” Saunders interposed. “I’ve been trying to persuade those fellows that you’re a much misunderstood man,” said Farley, his manner growing more earnest. “So we’ve come here to try to understand you, Congressman,” De Witt explained, amiably. Douglas Briggs continued to look amused. “Anything I can do, gentlemen,” he said, with an encouraging gesture. “I know I needn’t tell you that I’ve always believed in you, Congressman,” Farley remarked. “You’ve been a good friend, Farley. I’ve always appreciated that.” Farley leaned back in his chair. “The fellows have been--well, bothered by those stories the papers have been publishing about you. It’s because they don’t know you. They don’t know, as I do, that you’re incapable of any dirty work.” “Thank you, Farley,” said Briggs, in a low voice.