Undisturbed, the Judge repeated all his arguments. "I really think you must see this as I do," he concluded. "And all we want is the letters——. By the way, Mr. Huber, I congratulate you on getting hold of them. That was a clever piece of work. How did you manage it?" Luke grinned. "I found them growing on an apple tree in Madison Square," he said. The Judge nodded a smiling approval. "At any rate," he submitted, "you will not mind telling me if any other person knows of their existence?" "No, I don’t mind. Except you and your friends and me and the apple tree, there is only one other person that knows as yet, and he’s in no position to mention them." Luke rose as if to end the interview. "I’ve told nobody because I keep my bargains, Judge. But I do keep my bargains to the letter. You haven’t convinced me, and you can’t. I’ve given your clients——" "My friends," Stein suavely corrected. "Your friends, then; I’ve given them one month. If they don’t do as I’ve suggested——" The judge raised a hand gravely. "I think you mean ’ordered,’ Mr. Huber," said he. "Thank you. Yes, of course, I meant ’ordered.’ If they don’t begin to do as I’ve ordered by one month from to-day, and do it in a way that convinces everybody of their intention to finish the job—yes, and their consciousness of guilt—I’ll make those letters public." The Judge remained seated. He looked at Luke sadly, and his voice rang true as he said: "I wonder if you have fully considered, I shall not say the dangers, but the difficulties and annoyances your course may expose you to—may very well expose you to?" "No," said Luke shortly. "I’m too busy." "A great many men have tried what you are trying," the Judge went on, "and they have all failed. I tried it once myself. None has succeeded; not one. Some of them, of course, entirely through their own faults, were ruined by it, Mr. Huber." "I dare say," said Luke, unmoved. "And you," warned the Judge, "have the success of a new and valuable political movement in your hands. You are responsible for it and to it. This might end by losing you the nomination." "I can stand that." "It might even hurt the men in the movement that have trusted you." "I sha’n’t blame myself for it, if it does." "And if it did not do these things, it would surely wreck the faction at the polls—a faction that you believe in and that, if successful, could do such a wide public good." Luke was standing above his caller, his hands deep in his pockets. "Look here, Judge," he drawled, "are you by any chance threatening me?"