Enoch did not wire the exact time of his arrival in Washington, as he wished no one to meet the train. It was not quite three o'clock of a cold December day when Charley Abbott, arranging the papers in Enoch's private office, looked up as the inner door opened. Enoch, tanned and vigorous, came in, followed by Jonas, in all his western glory. Charley sprang forward to meet Enoch's extended hand. "Mr. Huntingdon! Thank the Lord!" "All set, Abbott!" exclaimed Enoch, "and ready to steam ahead. Let me introduce old Canyon Bill, formerly known as Jonas!" Charley clasped Jonas' hand, burst out laughing, and slapped him on the back. "Some story goes with that outfit, eh, Jonas, old boy! Say! if you let the rest of the doormen and messengers see you, there won't be a stroke of work done for the rest of the day." "I'm going to look Harry up, right now, if you don't need me, boss!" exclaimed Jonas. "Take the rest of the day, Jonas!" "No, I'll be back prompt at six, boss!" and Jonas, with his luggage, disappeared. Enoch pulled off his overcoat and seated himself at the desk, then looked up at Charley with a smile. "I had a great trip, Abbott. I went with a mining outfit up to the Canyon country. With Miss Allen's help, Jonas located me at the placer mine, and after several adventures, we came back with her to El Tovar, where I wired you." Abbott looked at Enoch keenly. "You're a new man, Mr. Secretary." Enoch nodded. "I'm in good trim. What happens first, Abbott?" "I didn't know what time you'd be in to-day, so your appointments don't begin until to-morrow. But the President wants you to call him at your earliest convenience. Shall I get in touch with the White House?" "If you please. In the meantime, I may as well begin to go through these letters." "I kept them down pretty well, I think," said Abbott, with justifiable pride, as he picked up the telephone. After several moments he reported that the President would see Enoch at five o'clock. "Very well," Enoch nodded. "Then you'd better tell me the things I need to know." Abbott went into the outer office for his note book and, returning with it, for an hour he reported to Enoch on the business of the Department. Enoch, puffing on a cigar, asked questions and made notes himself. When Charley had finished, he said: "Thank you, Abbott! I don't see but what I could have remained away indefinitely. Matters seem in excellent shape." "Not everything, Mr. Secretary. Your oil bill has been unaccountably blocked in the Senate. The intervention in Mexico talk has begun again. The Geological Survey is in a mix-up and it looks as if a scandal were about to burst on poor old Cheney's head. I'm afraid he's outlived his usefulness anyhow. The newspapers in California are starting a new states-rights campaign for water power control and, every day since I've returned, Secretary Fowler's office has called and asked for the date of your return."