Pettit had changed his manner and stood rocking himself slowly on his heels.

He had been a good deal at the capital of late, and this, together with his visit to Thatcher's house, aroused Harwood's curiosity.

He wondered whether it were possible that Pettit and Thatcher were conspiring against Bassett: the fact that he was so heavily in debt to the senator from Fraser seemed to dispose of his fears.

Since his first visit to Fraserville Dan had heard many interesting and amusing things about the editor.

Pettit had begun life as a lawyer, but had relapsed into rural journalism after a futile effort to find clients.