That personage was still unable to meet them; however, he sent Richard with written excuses for his absence and the suggestion that Richard, speaking in his place, would put them in possession of his wishes.
"Mr.Gwynn desired to say," observed Richard, "that Anaconda Airline interests deeply depend upon Mr.Frost for Speaker." "What we've said from the beginning!" remarked the President to the General Attorney.
"Precisely what we've said!" observed the General Attorney.
They had said nothing on that point; but they were too well drilled in their own interests to fail of complete coincidence with a gentleman who could call a special shareholders' meeting, elect a new directory, and revise the entire official family of the Anaconda Airline within any given thirty days.
"Mr.Gwynn asks you, then," said Richard, "since you and he agree on the propriety of Mr.Frost for Speaker, to consult with Senator Hanway." And now the Anaconda Airline was in the war for the House gavel.

Under the supervision of Senator Hanway, it brought its whole smothering weight to bear upon the Hawke twenty of those twenty-three whose districts it dominated.

The Hawke twenty wriggled and writhed, but in the end gave way--all save a rock-ribbed quartette.

They must stay by the standards of Mr.Hawke.
"Our constituents will destroy us if we don't," said they.
"The Anaconda will destroy you if you do," was the blunt retort of the General Attorney.
The four stood firm, and were blacklisted for slaughter at the polls a year away, at which time they were faithfully knocked on the head.
Sixteen of the twenty went over to Mr.Frost; the President of the Anaconda Airline came out in an interview in the _Daily Tory_ and said that the shift of the excellent sixteen was a popular victory.
It was two days before the caucus.

The line-up of forces, Frost against Hawke, Hanway against Obstinate, under able captains went vigorously forward.