The Southerner took a step forward, leaned over and glared angrily at Haines.  His face whitened.

“You don’t mean that you could swing Langdon into Gulf City?” he gasped.

Haines smiled.

“I can’t say that, Norton, but I guess people interested in Altacoola would hate to have me try.”

“I didn’t know you were that kind, Haines,” said Norton, his virtue aroused at the thought of losing his money.  “So you’re playing the game like all the rest?”

“Why shouldn’t I?” shrugged the secretary.  “I guess perhaps I’m a little sore because the Altacoola people haven’t even paid me the compliment of thinking I had any influence, so they can’t expect me to work for them.  The Gulf City people have.  As things stand, Gulf City looks pretty good to me.”

“Is this straight talk?” exclaimed Norton.

“Take it or leave it,” retorted Bud.

The Mississippian leaned with his hands on the desk.

“Well, Haines, if you’re like the rest and are really interested in Altacoola, I don’t know that you’d have to go very far to talk.”

“You know something of Altacoola lands, then, Norton?” said Robert, tingling with suppressed excitement.  He felt that he was getting close to real facts in a colossal “deal.”

Norton was sure of his man now.

“Well, I am in touch with some people who’ve got lands and options on more.  I might fix it for you to come in,” he whispered.

Haines shook his head.

“You know I haven’t much money, Norton.  All I could put in would be my influence.  Who are these people?  Are they cheap little local folks or are they real people here who have some power and can do something that is worth while?”

“Do I look like I’d fool with cheap skates, Haines?  They’re the real people.  I think, Haines, that either Senator Stevens or Senator Peabody would advise you that you are safe.”

“Ah!  Then Stevens and Peabody are the ones.  They’ll make it Altacoola, then sell to the Government at a big advance and move to ’Easy Street.’”

“That’s right,” agreed Norton.

Bud Haines straightened abruptly.  The expression on his face gave Norton a sudden chill—­made him tremble.

“Now I’ve got you,” cried the secretary.  “You’ve given yourself dead away.  I’ve known all along you’re a d—­d thief, Norton, and you’ve just proved it to me yourself.”

“What do you mean?” Norton was clenching his fist.  “Words like that mean fight to a Southerner!”

“I mean that before Senator Langdon goes one step further in this matter he shall know that his colleagues and you are thieves, Mr. Norton, trying to use him for a cat’s-paw to steal for them from the Government.  I suspected something this morning when Gulf City tried to bribe me and a visitor from there gave me what turns out to be a pretty good tip.”

“So that was your dirty trick,” exclaimed the Congressman as he regained his composure.