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 his bag and linen duster to a bell-boy, was removing his big felt hat to mop his wet brow.

"I'm afraid he won't be able to stand the strain of a campaign," said Carroll.

"Stand the strain! Him?" exclaimed Harkness. "Why, he'll be alive and drawing pay when they're referring to Si Warren as ex-senator!"

"I hate to have them say such mean things about him," Carroll persisted, thinking of the interview.

"If they think they kin say any meaner things 'bout him than he kin 'bout them, jes' let 'em lam in," chuckled Mosely, of Alexander.

"Yes," mused Harkness, "it'll be the greatest fight we've had in Illinois since Logan's time. We've got a leader now."

There was an echo of the old days in his voice, which, with its gentle hint of regret, was lost on Carroll, who had not known the colonel in the old days.

They found the colonel in his room, sitting by an open window, his Panama hat on his head, his cigar in his teeth, and his walking-stick twirling in his long fingers. The room did not present that orderly and cool appearance it had on the few occa