Hendricks drew back a step and his face paled.

“By God!” he exclaimed in a voice of betrayed bitterness.  “There is only one name for this—­sheer blackmail.”

“In that case,” warned Burton ominously, “I would, in your position, refrain from using any name.  I have neither the time to bargain nor the inclination to plead.  The bull that charges my railroad train must take his chance.  The engine will not stop.  You can rise with me to power and rely on my stanch friendship, or—­well, there won’t be much left to go down with Malone.”

The two men stood facing each other, one implacably resolute, the other in a torture of quandary.  At last, Burton added: 

“You may believe me when I tell you that I cannot be legally touched in this matter and that you can be sent to Sing Sing.  Choose your course—­and choose quickly.  I offer you a fair chance between uniting your fortunes with a rising dynasty and shackling them to one which is tottering.”

Hendricks took a step in the direction of the door.  “From here,” he said, “I go direct to the district attorney.”

Burton stretched a hand toward the telephone and smiled as he suggested.  “Whom you will find so busy with preparations for prosecuting you that he will not at once find leisure to prosecute for you.”

Hendricks sought to veil his terror under a seeming of bluster.

“Will you buy the district attorney, too?  Some men are not purchasable.”

“That may resolve itself into a matter of price.  I am not shopping in ten-cent stores, Mr. Hendricks.”

The politician had been thinking fast as he talked.  Suppose Burton had the strength of which he boasted?  His own interest was to stand with winners, not losers, but before he changed flags he wished to be sure that he jumped toward victory.  That determined, the rest was expediency.

“Let’s come to a decision.”  Hamilton Burton showed just a glow of brick red on his cheekbones that argued an early break in his over-strained temper.

“If I am a tyrant at least I do not call myself a lord-protector.  Will you sell at your own price and go with me to the top—­or refuse and take your chances on substituting the state-prison for the bench?”

An abrupt change came over Mr. Hendricks.  He smiled through his pallor.  “Are you prepared to show me that if I make common cause with you, there is no chance of defeat?”

“I offer you my personal and positive assurance—­and access to my papers within an hour—­during which time you will not be bound.”  The reply was prompt; the voice hypnotic in its persuasiveness.

Hendricks lighted a cigar, and nodded.  “Very well,” he announced slowly.  “But understand this.  If I jump to you I jump with all four feet.  It happens that certain other proxies have been put into my hands—­by Malone interests.  Had I not come to town I should have mailed them today—­as it is I still have them.  I shall vote them as you direct.”