His lieutenants were prominent business men who went into politics as a light diversion, young men of aristocratic families who were ambitious to go to Albany or Washington, and lawyers.

The senator was a shrewd politician, with an unreadable face, clean-shaven but for a stubby mustache, and keen blue eyes that saw everything.

He was loyal to his party and above dishonesty.
This was the political situation in Herculaneum.
One May evening the senator called up Warrington.

He was told that Mr.
Warrington was at the club.

The senator drove to the club forthwith.
He found the dramatist in the reading-room, and greeted him pleasantly.
"My boy, I want half an hour of your time." "You are welcome to an hour of it, Senator," replied Warrington, curious to know what the senator had to say to him.
"Come into a private dining-room, then." Once seated at the table, the senator reached over and touched Warrington mysteriously on the arm.
"Young man, I heard you speak the other night at the Chamber of Commerce banquet.