Harlan, at the door, younger than the rest, found a suggestion of humor in what the orator was saying compared with what the party managers had met to hear.  But there were no smiles on the faces of the group.  The demeanor of the stricken Spinney, anger fairly distilling in his sweat-drops, hinted the truth to Presson.  Thelismer Thornton tried to get near Spinney, understanding it all even better than the State chairman, but the plain and stolid men flanked their captive with determination.

“I have here five affidavits from eye-witnesses, swearing that Arba Spinney was bribed to sell out his faction at the last moment to-day, leaving only David Everett in the field.  I have no time to waste in giving the details of that transaction to men who know them just as well as I do.  And I want no interruption, sir!” He brandished the papers under the nose of Presson, who attempted to speak.  “I do not propose to have my intelligence insulted by denials from you or any one else.  If you don’t believe I have full proof of what I charge, you walk out of that door and put the matter to the test!  And I hasten to assure you, sir, that you’ll be eternally disgraced!”

He waited a moment, because a roar of applause that greeted one of Senator Pownal’s utterances resounded even in the remote anteroom.

“It all means, gentlemen, that I’m to be the nominee of this convention to-day.  It’s time for a clean-up, and I’m going to start one.  The men who are running our party are not fit to be in charge of it.  The voters deserve a better show.  I’ve called you here to give you an opportunity to save yourselves, personally.  I’m willing to submit to a little by-play for that purpose.  You are to allow Spinney’s name to go before the convention, according to the regular programme.  That’s to divert the attention of the convention and the State-at-large from what otherwise would seem a split in the recognized management of the party.  Spinney has been only a rank outsider, politically considered.  We have to consider the campaign, gentlemen, and the material we may furnish our friends, the enemy.  Then, you gentlemen of the State Committee, each in his county delegation, are to start a demonstration in my behalf.  This is no time for me to be mock-modest.  On the heels of that demonstration Everett’s name is to be withdrawn with the explanation that such an apparently spontaneous demand from the voters should be recognized.  Mr. Everett is to declare that under the circumstances he does not wish to stand in the way of popular choice, and he is to announce that much and present me to the convention.  I assure you, Mr. Everett, that I ask this last with no intent of wounding your feelings or indulging in cheap triumph—­it is necessary in order that the mouths of political gossips may be shut.”

A rather stupid silence followed that declaration of programme.  The voice of the Senator rose and fell without.

The General met their staring eyes calmly.  “It may be a rather surprising development of the convention,” he said.  “But as soon as the surprise is over it will commend itself as a perfectly natural and graceful concession to public opinion—­as public opinion can be set in motion by the members of the State Committee on the floor of the convention.  In fact, the plan commended itself to my friend Thelismer, here, and Chairman Presson some weeks ago.”