Here was a great and mysterious affair, but he was going to have admittance to the heart of it.

He walked to the window, lifted the curtain and looked out.
A slender erect figure was already coming up the walk, and he recognized Travers.
Travers knocked at the door and was received cordially.

Colonel Kenton introduced Bertrand, saying: "The messenger from the South." Travers shook hands and nodded also to signify that he understood.
Then came Culver, the state senator from the district, a man of middle years, bulky, smooth shaven, and oratorical.

He was followed soon by Bracken, a tobacco farmer on a great scale, Judge Kendrick, Reid and Wayne, both lawyers, and several others, all of wealth or of influence in that region.

Besides Harry, there were ten in the room.
"I believe that we are all here now," said Colonel Kenton.