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.

“Oh, my dear sir! must we put it upon the ground of a quid pro quo?  Rather let us say that we shall help each other.  You are in a position to assist me very materially:  I may be in a position to serve your turn.  Come to my office to-morrow morning prepared to do your duty as an honest, loyal citizen, and you will find me quite willing to meet you half-way.”

Kent rose and opened his watch.

“Mr. Meigs, I have given you your opportunity, and you have seemed to give me mine,” he said coolly.  “Will you pardon me if I say that I can paddle my own canoe—­if I ask you to assure his Excellency that one more device of his to escape punishment has been tried and found wanting?”

For a flitting moment the cast-iron smile faded from the impassive face of the attorney-general and an unrelenting devil came to peer out of the colorless eyes.  Then Meigs rose cat-like and laid his hand on the door-knob.

“Do I understand that you refuse to move in a matter which should be the first duty of a good citizen, Mr. Kent?” he asked purringly.