Gradually she became aware of men’s voices, and turned with a start to perceive that the door of the library was open, and that Humphrey Crewe and another were standing in the doorway against the light.  With an effort of memory she identified the other man as the Mr. Tooting who had made himself so useful at Mr. Crewe’s garden party.

“I told you I could make you governor, Mr. Crewe,” Mr. Tooting was saying.  “Say, why do you think the Northeastern crowd—­why do you think Hilary Vane is pushing your bills down the sidings?  I’ll tell you, because they know you’re a man of ability, and they’re afraid of you, and they know you’re a gentleman, and can’t be trusted with their deals, so they just shunted you off at Kodunk with a jolly about sendin’ you to Congress if you made a hit on a national speech.  I’ve been in the business a good many years, and I’ve seen and done some things for the Northeastern that stick in my throat”—­(at this point Victoria sat down again and gripped the arms of her chair), “I don’t like to see a decent man sawbucked the way they’re teeterin’ you, Mr. Crewe.  I know what I’m talkin’ about, and I tell you that Ridout and Jake Botcher and Brush Bascom haven’t any more notion of lettin’ your bills out of committee than they have Gaylord’s.  Why?  Because they’ve got orders not to.”

“You’re making some serious charges, Mr. Tooting,” said Mr. Crewe.

“And what’s more, I can prove ’em.  You know yourself that anybody who talks against the Northeastern is booted down and blacklisted.  You’ve seen that, haven’t you?”

“I have observed,” said Mr. Crewe, “that things do not seem to be as they should in a free government.”

“And it makes your blood boil as an American citizen, don’t it?  It does mine,” said Mr. Tooting, with fine indignation.  “I was a poor boy, and had to earn my living, but I’ve made up my mind I’ve worn the collar long enough—­if I have to break rocks.  And I want to repeat what I said a little while ago,” he added, weaving his thumb into Mr. Crewe’s buttonhole; “I know a thing or two, and I’ve got some brains, as they know, and I can make you governor of this State if you’ll only say the word.  It’s a cinch.”

Victoria started to rise once more, and realized that to escape she would have to cross the room directly in front of the two men.  She remained sitting where she was in a fearful fascination, awaiting Humphrey Crewe’s answer.  There was a moment’s pause.

“I believe you made the remark, Mr. Tooting,” he said, “that in your opinion there is enough anti-railroad sentiment in the House to pass any bill which the railroad opposes.”

“If a leader was to get up there, like you, with the arguments I could put into his hands, they would make the committee discharge that Pingsquit bill of the Gaylords’, and pass it.”

“On what do you base your opinion?” asked Mr. Crewe.

“Well,” said Mr. Tooting, “I guess I’m a pretty shrewd observer and have had practice enough.  But you know Austen Vane, don’t you?”