“_So?_” he mused. “That’s the secret is it? I might have guessed. I’ve been wondering ever since, why you made such a point about being well received at the Club’s functions. For, unless I’m vastly mistaken, you’ve about as much desire for personal social welcome as a hermit thrush. I could see why you wanted to _stay_ in the Arareek, but why you wanted to attend its--” “You’re barkin’ up the wrong tree,” growled Caleb, uncomfortably. “At least you ain’t much more’n half right. Of course it’s nice not to have Dey made uncomfortable on my account. But I’m goin’ to push my way into that bunch for my own sake, too. You’ll see a whole lot of things if you look long enough. To-day was just a flea-bite to what’s comin’ before I’m done.” “Still bent on ‘taking the Kingdom of Heaven by violence?’” “Not quite that. I hear Heaven’s got only the _best_ society. I ain’t after the best. Only the highest. So Granite’ll do as well. Care to tell me anything ’bout the details of what happened after I left the Committee room?” “Everybody talked at once,” replied Caine. “The air fairly crackled with blue sparks of indignation. I never realized before how many names a man could be called. It was a liberal education in what not to say. Then, little by little, the Governors got out of breath, and I moved for a vote. Vroom amended my motion by suggesting a written ballot.” “I might a’ knowed it,” crowed Conover in high glee, “No one wanted the rest to know he was votin’ for me. Good for Vroom! He comes nearer havin’ hooman intell’gence than I thought.” “The amended motion was passed unanimously,” went on Caine. “Oh, it was a rare study in physiognomy when Standish announced the vote. Eleven to one in favor of retaining you.” “If there’d been two votes against me, Blacarda could have been arrested for repeatin’,” ruminated Conover. “Yes, that’s just how I figgered it would be.” “I wasn’t surprised at Vroom and Featherstone and the others you so pleasantly threatened to blackmail,” said Caine, “But I thought at least Standish and Hawarden--” “I told you I’d helped Standish’s bank and that he’ll want me again, soon,” answered Caleb. “His gratitood market is strong on futurities.” “But Hawarden? You didn’t threaten him. Yet he was muzzled after the very first attack.” “No, I didn’t threaten Hawarden to any very great extent,” assented Conover, “I just reminded him, quiet-like, that I’m payin’ his wife $8,000 a season to help Desirée in the society game, an’ that maybe the news might leak out an’ the supplies be cut off if I was fired.” “Mrs. Hawarden!” ejaculated Caine. “Are you in earnest?”