“Shure, sir, Oi’d not have yez do any thin’ else. It’s yezself knows better than me. Oi was only tellin’ yez what the Justice—” A knock at the door interrupted him. It proved to be Gallagher, who greeted them both in a hearty, friendly way. Peter brought another chair from his bedroom. “Well, Mr. Stirling, that was a fine contest we had last night,” said his honor. “It seemed to be earnest,” said Peter. “It’s just as well our friend here sprang your nomination on us as a surprise, for if we had known, we should not have put up an opposition candidate. You are just the sort of a man we want to represent us in the convention.” “I have never met my colleagues,” said Peter. “What kind of men are they?” So he got Gallagher’s opinion, and Dennis’s opinion. Then he wanted to know about the candidates, asking questions about them at considerable length. The intentions of the other city delegates were next introduced. Finally the probable planks of the platform were brought up. While they were still under discussion Gallagher said the sitting of his court compelled him to leave. “I’ll come in some time when I have more to spare.” Gallagher went to his court, and found a man waiting for him there. “He’s either very simple or very deep,” said Gallagher. “He did nothing but ask questions; and try my best I could not get him to show his hand, nor commit himself. It will be bad if there’s a split in a solid delegation!” “I hope it will be a lesson to you to have things better arranged.” “Blunkers would have it that way, and he’s not the kind of man to offend. We all thought he would win.” “Oh, let them have their fights,” said the man crossly; “but it’s your business to see that the right men are put up, so that it doesn’t make any difference which side wins.” “Well,” said Gallagher, “I’ve done all I could to put things straight. I’ve made peace, and got Moriarty on our side, and I’ve talked to this Stirling, and made out a strong case for Catlin, without seeming to care which man gets the nomination.” “Is there any way of putting pressure on him?” “Not that I can find out. He’s a young lawyer, who has no business.” “Then he’s a man we don’t need to conciliate, if he won’t behave?” “No. I can’t say that. He’s made himself very popular round here by that case and by being friendly to people. I don’t think, if he’s going into politics, that it will do to fight him.” “He’s such a green hand that we ought to be able to down him.” “He’s new, but he’s a pretty cool, knowing chap, I think. I had one experience with him, which showed me that any man who picked him up for a fool would drop him quick.” Then he told how Dennis’s fine had been remitted.