Part 22 (2/2)
”He's here now.”
”Then he hasn't got my letter yet. I sent him a note and signed your name, Senator, to the effect that the Gulf City claims have been brought before you so strongly that you might vote for Gulf City.”
Langdon was amazed.
”You sent that note,” he exclaimed, ”when you know Altacoola is the only proper place and Gulf City is a mud bank?”
The newspaper man smiled.
”Of course,” he agreed, ”but I had to get a rise out of Peabody. This will show where he stands.”
”Oh,” said Langdon, ”I understand. Thanks, boy.”
A servant entered with a note.
”For Senator Peabody, sir, marked 'Urgent.' The messenger's been hunting him for some hours.”
Langdon looked shrewdly at Bud, then turned to the servant.
”You keep that note until I ring for you, then bring it to Senator Peabody. Understand? No matter how urgent it's marked.”
The man bowed.
”Yes, sir.”
”Now tell Mr. Norton, Miss Langdon and Mr. Randolph to come here.”
The Senator turned back to his secretary.
”I expect I'm going to be pretty busy the rest of the evening, Bud, so in case I forget to mention it again, remember to show up at your old desk in the morning.”
”I will. Thank you, sir.”
”You sent for us, Senator,” said Norton, approaching with his two dupes.
”You are interested in Altacoola lands,” the Senator angrily charged.
”I am, sir,” he said.
”And you told Mr. Haines that I was interested in Altacoola lands?”
The schemer hesitated, and the Senator broke in on him in rage.
”Speak out, man! Tell the truth, if you can.”
”I did,” admitted the Congressman finally.
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