“Yes, I dropped in about that,” repeated Galt, his gaze returning to the rugged features of the man at the desk.  “You’re not looking well, by the way.”

The other laughed.  “The office seekers have been at me,” he replied; “but I’m all right.  What were you going to say?”

His large, muscular hand lay upon the desk, and as he spoke he fingered an open pamphlet.  His penetrating eyes were on Galt’s face.

Galt lifted the list of names and read it in silence.

“A-ahem!” he said at last and laid it down; then he took it up again.

“I have given a good deal of attention to the educational boards,” continued the governor slowly.

“I do not think it is sufficiently realised that only men of the highest ability should be placed in control of institutions of learning.”

“Ah, I see,” was Galt’s comment.  In a moment he spoke abruptly: 

“I say, Nick, has it occurred to you to ascertain the direction in which the influence of these men will go in the next senatorial election?”

The other hesitated an instant.  “Frankly, I have done my best to put such questions aside,” he answered.

Galt squared round suddenly and faced him; there was a decisive ring in his voice.

“The next election comes in two years,” he said quietly.  “I have it on excellent authority that Withers will not seek to succeed himself.  His health has given out and he is going to the country.  Now, remove Withers, and there are two men who might take his place in the Senate.  You know whom I mean?”

“Yes, I know.”

Galt went on quickly: 

“You want the senatorship?”

“Yes, I want it.”

“Very good.  Now, Webb and yourself will run that race, and one of you will lose it.  It’s going to be a hot race and a hard winning.  There’ll be some pretty unpleasant work to be done by somebody.  You’ve been in the business long enough to know that the methods aren’t exactly such as you can see your face in.”

“All the more need for clean men,” broke in Nicholas shortly.

“Just so.  But the man who spends his days in the bathtub doesn’t walk about where mud is flinging.  I’m an honest man, please God.  You’re an honest man, and that’s why a lot of us are running you with might and main and money.  But there’s an honesty that verges on imbecility, and that’s the kind that talks itself hoarse when it ought to keep silent.  Save your talking until you get to the Senate, and then let fly as much morality as you please; it won’t hurt anybody there, heaven knows.  You are the man we need, and a few of us know it, though the majority may not.  But for the next two years give up trying to purify the Democratic Party.  The party’s all right, and it’s going to stay so.”

“It has been my habit to express my convictions,” returned the other quickly.