Who will pick a flaw in the character of the Honourable Giles Henderson?  Let that man now stand forth.

The news of the probable advent of Mr. Giles Henderson on the field, as well as the tidings of his actual consent to be a candidate, were not slow in reaching Leith.  And—­Mr. Crewe’s Bureau of Information being in perfect working order—­the dastardly attempt on the Honourable Adam B. Hunt’s coat-tails was known there.  More wonders to relate:  the Honourable Adam B. Hunt had become a reformer; he had made a statement at last, in which he declared with vigour that no machine or ring was behind him; he stood on his own merits, invited the minutest inspection of his record, declared that he was an advocate of good government, and if elected would be the servant of no man and of no corporation.

Thrice-blessed State, in which there were now three reform candidates for governor!

All of these happenings went to indicate confusion in the enemy’s camp, and corresponding elation in Mr. Crewe’s.  Woe to the reputation for political sagacity of the gentleman who had used the words “negligible” and “monumental farce”!  The tide was turning, and the candidate from Leith redoubled his efforts.  Had he been confounded by the advent of the Honourable Giles?  Not at all.  Mr. Crewe was not given to satire; his methods, as we know, were direct.  Hence the real author of the following passage in his speech before an overflow meeting in the State capital remains unknown: 

“My friends,” Mr. Crewe had said, “I have been waiting for the time when St. Giles of the Blameless Life would be pushed forward, apparently as the only hope of our so-called ‘solid citizens.’ (Prolonged laughter, and audible repetitions of Mr. Henderson’s nickname, which was to stick.) I will tell you by whose desire St. Giles became a candidate, and whose bidding he will do if he becomes governor as blindly and obediently as the Honourable Adam B. Hunt ever did. (Shouts of “Flint!” and, “The Northeastern!”) I see you know.  Who sent the solid citizens to see Mr. Henderson? ("Flint!”) This is a clever trick—­exactly what I should have done if I’d been running their campaign—­only they didn’t do it early enough.  They picked Mr. Giles Henderson for two reasons:  because he lives in Kingston, which is anti-railroad and supported the Gaylord bill, and, because he never in his life committed any positive action, good or bad—­and he never will.  And they made another mistake—­the Honourable Adam B. Hunt wouldn’t back out.” (Laughter and cheers.)

CHAPTER XXII

IN WHICH EUPHRASIA TAKES A HAND