No wonder, seeing that to win I must put to my credit thirty-two of the forty remaining papers, which seemed a thing impossible.
The counter went on counting aloud and dealing down the papers as he counted.

One, two, three, four, and straight on up to ten for Therne, when he paused to examine a paper, then "One for Colford." Then, in rapid successful, "Five, ten, fifteen for Therne." Now the hum of conversation died away, for it was felt that this was becoming interesting.

Of course it was practically impossible that I should win, for there were but fourteen papers left, and to do so I must secure eleven of them! "Sixteen for Therne," went on the counter, "seventeen, eighteen, nineteen, twenty." Now the excitement grew intense, for if the run held in two more votes I should tie.

Every eye was fixed upon the counter's hand.
To the right and left of him on the table were two little piles of voting papers.

The pile to the right was the property of Colford, the pile to the left was sacred to Therne.