“That’s all right,” he said, “if the lad asked you to meet us here it can mean only one thing—­that at last he has made up his mind to this marriage.”

“That’s what I thought,” replied the senator, breathing more freely.  “I was sorry to leave Washington at such a time, but I’m a father, and Kate is more to me than the Rossmore impeachment.  Besides, to see her married to your son Jefferson is one of the dearest wishes of my life.”

“You can rest easy,” said Ryder; “that is practically settled.  Jefferson’s sending for you proves that he is now ready to meet my wishes.  He’ll be here any minute.  How is the Rossmore case progressing?”

“Not so well as it might,” growled the senator.  “There’s a lot of maudlin sympathy for the judge.  He’s a pretty sick man by all accounts, and the newspapers seem to be taking his part.  One or two of the Western senators are talking Corporate influence and Trust legislation, but when it comes to a vote the matter will be settled on party lines.”

“That means that Judge Rossmore will be removed?” demanded Ryder sternly.

“Yes, with five votes to spare,” answered the senator.

“That’s not enough,” insisted Ryder.  “There must be at least twenty.  Let there be no blunders, Roberts.  The man is a menace to all the big commercial interests.  This thing must go through.”

The door opened and Jefferson appeared.  On seeing the senator talking with his father, he hesitated on the threshold.

“Come in, Jeff,” said his father pleasantly.  “You expected to see Senator Roberts, didn’t you?”

“Yes, sir.  How do you do, Senator?” said the young man, advancing into the room.

“I got your letter, my boy, and here I am,” said the senator smiling affably.  “I suppose we can guess what the business is, eh?”

“That he’s going to marry Kate, of course,” chimed in Ryder Sr.  “Jeff, my lad, I’m glad you are beginning to see my way of looking at things.  You’re doing more to please me lately, and I appreciate it.  You stayed at home when I asked you to, and now you’ve made up your mind regarding this marriage.”

Jefferson let his father finish his speech, and then he said calmly: 

“I think there must be some misapprehension as to the reason for my summoning Senator Roberts to New York.  It had nothing to do with my marrying Miss Roberts, but to prevent her marriage with someone else.”

“What!” exclaimed Ryder, Sr.

“Marriage with someone else?” echoed the senator.  He thought he had not heard aright, yet at the same time he had grave misgivings.  “What do you mean, sir?”

Taking from his pocket a copy of the letter he had picked up on the staircase, Jefferson held it out to the girl’s father.

“Your daughter is preparing to run away with my father’s secretary.  To-morrow would have been too late.  That is why I summoned you.  Read this.”