There are a good many people in our neck of woods who would like mighty
well to know. It will make all the difference in the world when it comes
to a show-down."
"Why will it?"
"Because, apart from the railroad and the anti-railroad factions, there
is a very complete and smoothly running machine organization."
"And my father is identified with the machine?"
Again Gantry choked over the singular lack of information discovering
itself in Blount's question.
"Land of glory!" he ejaculated. "Where have you been burying yourself,
Evan? Didn't I just tell you that he is the biggest man in the State?
Oh, no"--with heavy irony--"he isn't identified with the machine--not at
all; he merely owns it and runs it. We may think we can swing a safe
majority in the legislature, and the 'antis' may be just as firmly
convinced that they can. But before either side can turn a wheel it will
have to walk up to the captain's office and get its orders."
"Ah," said Blount, and a little later: "Thank you, Dick, I am pretty
badly out of touch with the Western political situation, as you've
discovered." Then he changed the subject abruptly. "How long will your
traffic meeting last?"
"We practically finished to-day. An hour or two on Monday will wind it
up."
"After which you'll go West?"
"After which I shall go West by the Monday noon train if I can make it.
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