"I admit nothing," said Kent, curtly. "But for the sake of expediting present matters----" "Precisely," was the smiling rejoinder. "You will note that I said 'at that time.' Later developments--more especially this charge made openly by the public press of juggling with foreign corporations--have led me to believe that as the public prosecutor I may have duties which transcend all other considerations--of loyalty to a party standard--of----" Kent took his turn at interrupting. "Mr. Meigs, there is nothing to be gained by indirection. May I ask you to come to the point?" "Briefly, then: the course pursued by Senator Duvall in the Belmount affair leaves an unproved charge against others; a charge which I am determined to sift to the bottom--you see, I am speaking quite frankly. That charge involves the reputation of men high in authority; but I shall be strong to do my sworn duty, Mr. Kent; I ask you to believe that." Kent nodded and waved him on. "You will readily understand the delicacy of the task, and how, in the nature of things, I am handicapped and hedged up on every side. Evidence--of a kind to enable me to assail a popular idol--is exceedingly difficult to procure." "It is," said Kent, grimly. "Exactly. But in revolving the matter in my own mind, I thought of you. You are known at the capitol, Mr. Kent, and I may say throughout the State, as the uncompromising antagonist of the State administration. I have asked myself this: Is it possible that a cool-headed, resolute attorney like Mr. David Kent would move so far and so determinedly in this matter of antagonism without substantially paving the ground under his feet with evidence as he went along?" Kent admitted that it was possible, but highly improbable. "So I decided," was the smile-tempered rejoinder. "In that case it only remains for me to remind you of your public duty, Mr. Kent; to ask you in the name of justice and of the people of the State, to place your information in the hands of the public prosecutor." Kent's face betrayed nothing more than his appreciation of the confidence reposed in him by the man whose high sense of official honor was making him turn traitor to the party leader who had dragged him through a successful election. "I have what evidence I need, Mr. Meigs," he declared. "But if I make no secret of this, neither do I conceal the fact that the motive _pro bono publico_ has had little to do with its accumulating. I want justice first for what might be called a purely private end, and I mean to have it." "Pre-cisely," smiled the attorney-general. "And now we are beginning to see our way a little clearer. It is not too late for us to move in the _quo warranto_ proceedings. If you will call at my office I shall be glad to reopen the matter with you." "And the price?" said Kent, shortly.