The senior Senator from Mississippi shook his head.
"It's too risky. He's old-fashioned, you know--has about as much idea about practical politics as--well, as we have of the Golden Rule. Fact is, he rather lives by that antiquated standard. That's where we get him. He owes everything to me, you see, so naturally he'll do anything I want him to. By the way, there's Norton now. Perhaps he can tell us something."
Norton had been strolling about the lobby, hoping to be noticed. The flame had lured the moth, and it liked the manner of the singeing. The Congressman hurried precipitately across at Stevens' summons.
"I've been wanting to speak to you, gentlemen," said Norton, full of the good trick he had turned, "but I didn't like to interrupt you. I think I've done a big stroke for Altacoola to-day."
With a keen sense of the dramatic, the Congressman let his next words drawl out with full effect.
"I've got Senator Langdon interested--financially interested," he said.
His two hearers exchanged a significant glance.
"Well, I just let his son invest $50,000 of the Senator's money in Altacoola land. That ought to help some."
Stevens stared in amazement at his Congressman, his eyes threatening to bulge out of his head.
"What!" he gasped. "You got Langdon's money in Altacoola, through his son?"
"I sure have, Senator," chuckled Norton. "He's in to the extent of fifty thousand, and I've promised that the fifty shall make a hundred by spring."
"It'll make three hundred thousand at least," snapped Peabody. "Norton, you've done a good day's work. By the way, a New York client of mine has a little business that I cannot attend to handily. Doesn't involve much work, and a young, hustling lawyer like you ought to take charge of it easily. The fee, I should say, would be about $10,000. Have you the time to undertake it?"
The Congressman drew a long breath. His eyes beamed with gratitude.
"I should say I have, Senator. Of course, it won't interfere with any of my duties as a Congressman."
"Of course not, Norton. I see that your sense of humor is improving. If convenient, run over to New York the last of the week. I'll give you a card. My client's office is at 10 Broadway."
The ruler of the Senate nodded a curt dismissal.