第57章

``Victor Dorn's run up agin the law at last, and he ought to get the consequences good and hard.But----''

``Mr.Hastings,'' interrupted Davy eagerly--too fond of talking to realize that the old man was agreeing with him, ``Your daughter saw----''

``Fiddle-fiddle,'' cried the old man.``Don't bring sentimental women into this, Davy.As I was saying, Victor ought to be punished for the way he's been stirring up idle, lazy, ignorant people against the men that runs the community and gives 'em jobs and food for their children.But maybe it ain't wise to give him his deserts--just now.Anyhow, while you've been talking away like a sewing machine I've been thinking.I don't see as how it can do any serious HARM to stop them there indictments.''

``That's it, Mr.Hastings,'' cried Hull.``Even if I do exaggerate, as you seem to think, still where's the harm in doing it?''

``It looks as if the respectable people were afraid of the lower classes,'' said Hastings doubtfully.``And that's always bad.''

``But it won't look that way,'' replied Davy, ``if my plan is followed.''

``And what might be your plan?'' inquired Hastings.

``I'm to be the reform candidate for Mayor.Your son-in-law, Hugo, is to be the reform candidate for judge.The way to handle this is for me to come out in a strong statement denouncing the indictments, and the injunction against the League and the New Day, too.And I'll announce that Hugo Galland is trying to join in the fight against them and that he is indignant and as determined as I am.Then early to-morrow morning we can go before Judge Lansing and can present arguments, and he will denounce the other side for misleading him as to the facts, and will quash the indictments and vacate the injunctions.''

Hastings nodded reflectively.``Pretty good,'' said he with a sly grin.``And Davy Hull and my son-in- law will be popular heroes.''

Davy reddened.``Of course.I want to get all the advantage Ican for our party,'' said he.``I don't represent myself.Irepresent the party.''

Martin grinned more broadly.He who had been representing ``honest taxpayers'' and ``innocent owners'' of corrupt stock and bonds all his life understood perfectly.``It's hardly human to be as unselfish as you and I are, Davy,'' said he.``Well, I'll go in and do a little telephoning.You go ahead and draw up your statement and get it to the papers--and see Hugo.'' He rose, stood leaning on his cane, all bent and shrivelled and dry.``Ireckon Judge Lansing'll be expecting you to-morrow morning.'' He turned to enter the house, halted, crooked his head round for a piercing look at young Hull.``Don't go talking round among your friends about what you're going to do,'' said he sharply.

``Don't let NOBODY know until it's done.''

``Certainly, sir,'' said Davy.

``I could see you hurrying down to that there University Club to sit there and tell it all to those smarties that are always blowing about what they're going to do.You'll be right smart of a man some day, Davy, if you'll learn to keep your mouth shut.''

Davy looked abashed.He did not know which of his many indiscretions of self-glorifying talkativeness Mr.Hastings had immediately in mind.But he could recall several, any one of which was justification for the rather savage rebuke--the more humiliating that Jane was listening.He glanced covertly at her.

Perhaps she had not heard; she was gazing into the distance with a strange expression upon her beautiful face, an expression that fastened his attention, absorbed though he was in his project for his own ambitions.As her father disappeared, he said:

``What are you thinking about, Jane?''

Jane startled guiltily.``I? Oh--I don't know--a lot of things.''

``Your look suggested that you were having a--a severe attack of conscience,'' said he, laughingly.He was in soaring good humor now, for he saw his way clear to election.

``I was,'' said Jane, suddenly stern.A pause, then she laughed--rather hollowly.``Davy, I guess I'm almost as big a fraud as you are.What fakirs we human beings are?--always posing as doing for others and always doing for our selfish selves.''

Davy's face took on its finest expression.``Do you think it's altogether selfishness for me to fight for Victor Dorn and give him a chance to get out his paper again--when he has warned me that he is going to print things that may defeat me?''

``You know he'll not print them now,'' retorted Jane.

``Indeed I don't.He's not so forbearing.''

``You know he'll not print them now,'' repeated Jane.``He'd not be so foolish.Every one would forget to ask whether what he said about you was true or false.They'd think only of how ungenerous and ungrateful he was.He wouldn't be either.But he'd seem to be--and that comes to the same thing.'' She glanced mockingly at Hull.``Isn't that your calculation?''

``You are too cynical for a woman, Jane,'' said Davy.``It's not attractive.''

``To your vanity?'' retorted Jane.``I should think not.''

``Well--good-by,'' said Davy, taking his hat from the rail.

``I've got a hard evening's work before me.No time for dinner.''

``Another terrible sacrifice for public duty,'' mocked Jane.

``You must be frightfully out of humor with yourself, to be girding at me so savagely,'' said Davy.

``Good-by, Mr.Mayor.''

``I shall be--in six weeks.''

Jane's face grew sombre.``Yes--I suppose so,'' said she.``The people would rather have one of us than one of their own kind.

They do look up to us, don't they? It's ridiculous of them, but they do.The idea of choosing you, when they might have Victor Dorn.''

``He isn't running for Mayor,'' objected Hull.``The League's candidate is Harbinger, the builder.''

``No, it's Victor Dorn,'' said Jane.``The best man in a party--the strongest man--is always the candidate for all the offices.I don't know much about politics, but I've learned that much....It's Victor Dorn against--Dick Kelly--or Kelly and father.''