“I’ve heard of that commission,” said Langdon.

“Well, Senator Peabody has the naming of two Senators who will go on that commission, and I suggested that your character and ability would make you—­”

“Good glory!” exclaimed Langdon.  “You mean that my character and ability would make me something or other if I kept my mouth shut in the Senate this afternoon!  Stevens, I’ve been surprised so many times since I came to the capital that it doesn’t affect me any more.  I’m just amused at your offer or Senator Peabody’s.

“I want to tell you two Senators that there’s only one thing that I want in Washington—­and you haven’t offered it to me yet.  When you do I’ll do business with you.”

“What’s that?  Speak out, man!” said Peabody, quickly.

“A square deal for the people of the United States.”

“Good Lord!” exclaimed “the boss of the Senate.  Is this Washington or is it heaven?”

“It is not heaven, Senator,” put in Haines.

“Man alive!” cried Peabody, “I’ve been in Washington so long that—­”

“So long that you’ve forgotten that the American people really exist,” retorted Langdon; “and there are more like you in the Senate, all because the voters have no chance to choose their own Senators.  The public in most States have to take the kind of a Senator that the Legislature, made up mostly of politicians, feels like making them take.  You, Peabody, wouldn’t be in the Senate to-day if the voters had anything to say about it.”

The Pennsylvanian shrugged his shoulders.

“And now I’ll tell you honorable Senators,” went on Langdon, thoroughly aroused, “something to surprise you.  I have discovered that you were not working for yourselves alone in the Altacoola deal, but that you intend to turn your land over to the Standard Steel Company at a big profit as soon as this naval base bill is passed.  Then that company will squeeze the Government for the best part of the hundred millions that are to be spent.”

The Senator sank back in his chair and gazed at his two opponents.

Those two statesmen jumped to their feet.

“Come, Stevens, let him do what he will.  We cannot stay here to be insulted by the ravings of a madman,” cried the Pennsylvanian.  But he brought his associate to a standstill midway to the door.  “By the way, Langdon, what is it you are going to do in the Senate this afternoon?” he asked, “You said you were going to make us honest against our will.  You know you can’t do anything.”

Bud Haines turned his face toward the speaker and grinned broadly, to the Senator’s intense discomfort.

“I’ll do more than that,” announced Langdon, rising and pounding a fist into his open hand.  “I’ll make you and Stevens more popular than you ever were in your lives before.”

“Bah!” shouted Peabody.

“I’ll do even more yet.  I’m going to make you generous—­patriots.  And, I regret to say, I’ll give you the chance to make the hits of your careers.”