CHAPTER LXVII.
WIRES.
General Belch was right.

Abel had to begin very soon.

The committee met and called the meetings.

The members of the committee, each in his own district, consulted with various people, whom they found generally at corner groceries.

They were large, coarse-featured, hulking men, and were all named Jim, or Tom, or Ned.
"What'll you have, Jim ?" "Well, Sir, it's so early in the day, that I can't go any thing stronger than brandy." "Two cocktails--stiff," was the word of the gentleman to the bar-keeper.
The companions took their glasses, and sat down behind a heavy screen.
"Well, Sir, what's the word?
I see there's going to be more meetin's." "Yes, Jim.