Waterbury evening Democrat., 1907-07-08


 his winnings. Then his features shadowed, darkened, and I had my first view of the scar terrible. He shook his big head and big shoul- ders, reused himself. made ready to take drink, noticed me, and said: Wont you join mel" His look was most engaging.
 accepted, and we were soon so- ciable, each taking an instinctive lik- ing to the other. We talked of the business situation, of the news in the papers and then of political af- fairs. Each of us saw that there he, was at the others keenest interest in, life. He knew the game-practica politics as distinguished from the pol itics talked by and to the public. But he evaded, without seeming to do so, all the ingenious traps I laid for drawing from him some admission that would give me a clew to where he fitted in." l learned no more about him than thought he learned about me.
 'T hope we shall meet again" said I cordially as we parted at the cab stand.
 Thank you" he answered. and aft ,erward I remembered the faint smile in his eyes.
 I, of course, knew that Roebuck was greatly interested in my project for putting political business on a business basis; but not until he had Iexplained why he sent for me did l lsee how it had fascinated and ab- Isorbed his mind. You showed me" he began. "that you must have under you practical man to handle the money and do the arranging with the heelers and all that sort of thing"
 "Yes," said I; tits vital part of the plan We must find man who Is perfectly trustworthy and discreet. Necessarily, he'll know or suspect something-not much. but still some thing-of the inside workings of the combine"
 Well. I've found him." went on Roebuck, in triumphant tone. Hes a goddess person, with no character to lose, and no conception of what character means. But he's straight as a string. Providence seems to have provided such men for just such situations as these, where the devil must be fought with fire, I've been testing him for nearly 15 years. But you can judge for yourself"
 was the reverse of pleased. It was not in my calculations to have a creature of Roebuck's foisted upon me. perhaps-indeed. probably-a spy. I purposed to choose my own man; and l decided while he was talking. that I would accept the Roebuck se- lection only to drop him on some plausible pretext before we began op. erations. I was to meet the man at dinner, Roebuck had engaged a suite at the auditorium. Tt wouldn't do to have him at my house or club" said he: neither do we want to be seen with him."
 . Coincidence Is so familiar part of the daily routine that I was not much surprised when my acquaintance. the astute poker player with the scar. walked in upon us at the Auditorium. Roebuck was both astonished and chagrined when we shook hands and greeted each other like old friends. :: How do you do. Mir. Sayler?" said Woodruff.
 Glad to see you. Dr. Woodruff" l replied. Then you knew me all the time? Why didn't you speak out? We might have had an hours business talk in the train"
 {; If I'd shown myself as leaky as all that. guess there'd have been no business to talk about" he replied. Anyhow. didn't know you till you took out your watch with the mono gram on the back. just ns we were pulling in. Then remembered where I'd seen your face before. was up at your state house the day that you threw old Dominick down That's been good many years ago."
 That chance. easy. smoking.compart- ment meeting. at which each had stud. fed the other dispassionately. was most fortunate for us both.
 The relation that was to exist be- tween us-more. much more, than that of mere employer and employee made fidelity. personal fidelity. imper. ative; and accident had laid the foundation for the mutual attachment without which there is certain to be, sooner or later. suspicion on both sides. and cause for it.
 The two hours and half with Woodruff. at and after dinner. served to reinforce my first impression. saw that he was a thorough man of the world. that he knew politics from end to end. and that he understood the main weaknesses of human nature and how 10 play upon them for the ad- vantage of his employers and for his own huge amusement. He gave small exhibition of that skill at the expense of Roebuck. He appreciated that Roebuck was one of those uncon- scious hypocrites who put conscience out of court in advance by assuming that whatever they wish 10 do is right or they could no; wish to do it. He led Roebuck on to show on this beculiarity of his-a jumblIng. often la the same breath. Of the most sonorous piety and the most shameless business perfidy. All the time woodruf-s face was perfectly grave-ihere are some men who refuse 10 waste any of their f-to~raH arSovr,ors 4r. ,wt.~-.t .Az--