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 sheets and their ballot boxes and surrendered both to the City Clerk.

By half-past ten Commissioner Sloan's defeat was a certainty. The horn blowing had become a raucous din. Above the heads of the press of people Praska saw the tall form of Carlos Dix.

"Mr. Dix!" he shouted. "Mr. Dix!"

The lawyer looked about him, doubtfully.

"Mr. Dix!" Praska waved a frantic hand.

The lawyer saw them then, and forced his way through the crowd. One look at his face, and Praska read the story of victory.

"The field will win by six or seven hundred votes," Carlos Dix said. "Your meeting last night just about put it through. Praska, I'm proud of you. I look upon this as a big thing."

"It's certainly a big thing for Northfield," said Perry.

"It's a big thing in many ways," Carlos Dix said gravely.

Bristow flashed Praska a wise, knowing look. And at that moment Praska's taste of triumph slowly turned to a taste of ashes.