“But it’s such foolishness.”

“And so harmless!  While he’s talking, look over this.”  Peter produced an outline of action which he had drawn up, and having written it in duplicate, he passed one draft over to Mr. Pell.

They all let the speech go on, Peter, Mr. Pell and the chairman chatting over the plan, while the contractor went to sleep.  The agitator tried to continue, but as the inattention became more and more evident, his speech became tamer and tamer.  Finally he said, “That is my opinion,” and sat down.

The cessation of the oration waked up the contractor, and Peter’s outline was read aloud.

“I don’t move its adoption,” said Peter.  “I merely submit it as a basis.”

Not one of the members had come prepared with knowledge of how to go to work, except the chairman, who had served on other commissions.  He said: 

“I think Mr. Stirling’s scheme shows very careful thought and is admirable.  We cannot do better than adopt it.”

“It is chiefly copied from the German committee of three years ago,” Peter told them.  “But I have tried to modify it to suit the different conditions.”

Mr. Pell objected to the proposed frequent sittings.  Thereupon the agitator praised that feature.  The hour of meeting caused discussion.  But finally the scheme was adopted, and the date of the first session fixed.

Peter went downstairs with Mr. Pell, and the latter offered to drop him at his office.  So they drove off together, and talked about the Commission.

“That Kurfeldt is going to be a nuisance,” said Pell

“I can’t say yet.  He evidently has no idea of what our aim is.  Perhaps, though, when we really get to work, he’ll prove useful.”

Peter had a call the next day from Rivington.  It was made up of thanks, of college chat, and of inquiry as to duties.  Peter outlined the preliminary work, drafted the “Inquiries” and other printed papers necessary to be sent out before the first meeting, and told him about the procedure at the meetings.

“I know I shall get into all kinds of pickles,” said Ray.  “I write such a bad hand that often I can’t read it myself.  How the deuce am I to take down evidence?”

“I shall make notes for my own use, and you will be welcome to them, if they will help you.”

“Thanks, Peter.  That’s like you.”

The Commission began its inquiry, on the date fixed, and met three times a week from that time on.  Peter did not try to push himself forward, but he was by far the best prepared on the subject, and was able to suggest the best sources of information.  He asked good questions, too, of the various witnesses summoned.  Finally he was the one regular attendant, and therefore was the one appealed to for information elicited at previous meetings.  He found the politician his best helper.  Pell was useful when he attended, which was not very often, and even this intermittent