Page:The gold brick (1910).djvu/58

 Holman sauntered carelessly around to the side on which Bemis sat, caught the old man's eye and beckoned.

"I thought they'd get that bill up," said Holman, "and I'd see a little fun; but there seems to be no chance of that. Reckon I'll go."

"There's been a hitch," said Bemis in a low tone.

"Has, heh?"

"Yes," said Bemis; "the boys thought they had it fixed, but Wimbleton switched; told O'Leary so at noon. Either the governor got around him or he got scared."

"Need only one vote?" surmised Holman. Then Bemis, as if a thought had struck him, drew close and put his lips to Holman's ear:

"You know that young McCray from your district?"

"Sure."

"Well, now, Jim, if you could fix him—you might get in on this thing. He won't do business with any of us. I don't know exactly, but I should think there'd be for you and him at least—" He put his lips quite into Holman's ear, and Holman bent lower; and Bemis whispered again. Holman did