“My reason is not hard to divine.  It is not you whom I am working for; it is the people.

“In you I find the proper agent to fulfil the mission of a leader in an hour of grave importance.

“Older men lack the power of attracting the masses.  Of the young men whom I have studied, none has the ability, the needed environment that you have.

“Men are creatures of circumstances only when they permit themselves to drift.  If one cannot propel himself to a given haven of success he should at least anchor in a place of safety.

“With you it is only necessary that you give me the sign, and you will become the master of circumstances.  You will be the man to lead the people to the plane of high civilization that their government makes it possible for them to attain.”

For three hours Nevins continues to unfold in detail the plan he has for accomplishing the nomination of Trueman at the coming convention.  He shows his prospective candidate letters pledging the support of a majority of the State delegations to the man whom he should designate.  In explanation of his power as a leader Nevins states that he has been the secret agent of the Allied Unions for three years, that he has been deputized to select a man to be presented to the convention as a possible candidate.  If the man proves acceptable the delegates representing the unions will support him.

“The Committee of Forty is working for you,” he says in conclusion.  “Their work will bring them in all sections of the country and they will be able to influence a great number of the people.”

He gives no hint of the true mission of the committee.  He knows that Trueman would repudiate the party that would resort to so drastic a means of rescuing the people.

“Have I your consent to bring about your nomination?” he asks.

“I shall have to give this matter much thought.  You shall have my answer—­

“To-morrow night,” Nevins interjects.  “Delays are dangerous.  The convention meets in two weeks time.”

“To-morrow night, then,” assents Trueman.

Nevins leaves abruptly.  He does not wish to weaken the effect he has produced on Trueman by further discussion.

When he finds himself alone Trueman walks back and forth in the cramped room.  He is weighing a question that has never before been put to a man.

There is no doubt in his mind as to the sincerity of Nevins.  It is clear that this strange man, who, in a matter-of-fact way, asserts that he holds the power of a great convention in his grasp, could have used it for base ends; he could have chosen a man of less inflexible character than Trueman.

“If I can bring myself to believe that it is because of my honesty that Nevins has selected me, I shall give him my consent.”

Trueman makes this mental reservation, then turns to the table and writes a long letter to Martha.  He sets the matter before her, tells her he will enter politics, and asks for her advice.  Regarding the Committee of Forty, he tells her all he knows, which is to the effect that it has been appointed to investigate the work of the Trusts and to make a full report at the next Anti-Trust Conference.