CHAPTER XXI.
A POLITICAL DINNER.
Peter had only a month for work after reaching his own conclusions, before the meeting of the convention, but in that month he worked hard.
As the result, a rumor, carrying dismay to the party leaders, became current.
"What's this I hear ?" said Gallagher's former interviewer to that gentleman.

"They say Schlurger says he intends to vote for Porter, and Kennedy's getting cold ?" "If you'll go through the sixth you'll hear more than that." "What do you mean ?" "There was a torchlight last night, of nearly every voter in the ward, and nothing but Stirling prevented them from making the three delegates pledge themselves to vote for Porter.

He said they must go unbound." The interviewer's next remark is best represented by several "blank its," no allusion however being intended to bed-coverings.

Then he cited the lower regions to know what it all meant.
"It means that that chap Stirling has got to be fixed, and fixed big.

I thought I knew how to wire pull, and manage men, but he's taken hold and just runs it as he wants.