"I'll find Mr.Bassett at the Whitcomb and I shan't have anything for you to-day." There had been a meeting of the central committee preliminary to the approaching state convention.

A number of candidates had already opened headquarters at the Whitcomb; members of Congress, aspirants for the governor's seat, to be filled two years hence, and petty satraps from far and near were visible at the hotel.

If Bassett's star was declining there was nothing to indicate it in the conduct of the advance guard.

If any change was apparent it pointed to an increase of personal popularity.

Bassett was not greatly given to loafing in public places; he usually received visitors at such times in an upper room of the hotel; but Harwood found him established on a settee in the lobby in plain view of all seekers, and from the fixed appearance of the men clustered about him he had held this position for some time.