And there came another day when they returned.

They brought a brass band with them; and Willets closed its doors and went out into the street--and crowded the station platform, where the band was playing, and where the returned delegates, frenzied with joy, were shrieking above the din: "Hurrah for Kane Lawler! Lawler--our next governor! Hip, hip--HOORRAY!" "We swamped 'em!" howled a crimson-faced enthusiast; "there was nothin' to it! Unanimous after the first vote! HOORRAY!" In his office, Gary Warden heard the shouting; saw the crowd, and listened to the cheers.

He stood at one of the windows, balefully watching; sneering at the delegates who had returned, flushed with victory.

Singleton, scowling, stood beside Warden.
They saw half a dozen men draw apart from the others.

Later the men--delegates, from the gay badges appended to them--rode out of town, southward.
"Reception committee," sneered Warden.