“You bet she has. So you see where you come in, Chick. She’s under everlasting obligations to you, and so am I.” The boy shifted his weight from one foot to the other, and reached out a caressing hand to the gate-post. “You ’member,” he asked, “what you promised me the night I give you back the letter?” “Sure I do. I promised you I’d do you any favor in my power, any time.” “Well, you can do it now.” “How?” “Vote for Sergeant ’Cormack to-morrow.” Fred Lewis looked questioningly into the eyes of his visitor and for a moment he did not speak. Finally he said: “Chick, that’s a poser. You know I work in the Barriscale, don’t you?” “I know it.” “And I’m looking for promotion there.” “I s’pose so.” “And Ben is counting on my vote.” “Most likely.” “Then, what can you expect?” Chick did not answer the question, but he asked another. “Ain’t promised him nothin’, have you?” “No, he hasn’t asked me. He’s taken it all for granted.” “Well, nobody’ll know how anybody votes.” “That’s true.” “And you ain’t got nothin’ ag’inst Sergeant ’Cormack?” “No; he’s a fine fellow, and he’ll make a splendid officer.” “Then vote for him. I ask you.” Again young Lewis was silent. Evidently he was weighing the matter in his mind. “Chick,” he said at last, “can you keep a secret?” “I didn’t say nothin’ ’bout the letter, did I?” “No, that’s right. Well, I’ll tell you what I’ll do. I won’t promise you a single thing. Mind you, not a single thing. But, Chick, Halpert McCormack is going to get one vote to-morrow that he’s not expecting. Do you get me?” “I got you.” “All right! Here’s my hand on it. And, Chick, it’s _our_ secret.” “Criss-cross my heart,” replied Chick. There was a long hand-clasp, a cheery good-night, and the boy turned his face toward home. As he went down the hill, and struck into the deserted Main Street, the clock in the City Hall tower tolled the hour of twelve. CHAPTER XII