The truth was that Andres Garavel had not hesitated long after
that memorable night at the Tivoli before accepting the brilliant
prize which the Cortlandts had dangled so alluringly before his
eyes, and, the decision once made, he had entered into the scheme
with all his soul. He was wise enough, however, to leave his
destiny largely in their hands. This meant frequent councils among
the three, a vast amount of careful work, of crafty intrigue, of
untiring diplomacy, and, although his candidacy had not as yet
been more than whispered, the purple robe of power was daily being
woven, thread by thread.
It was not long after Kirk's visit to the bank that Garavel,
during one of these conferences, took occasion to bring up the
young man's name. Cortlandt had been called to the telephone, and
Edith was left free to answer without constraint.
"I have seen you and him riding quite frequently," her guest
remarked, with polite interest. "Is he, then, an old friend?"
"Yes, we are very fond of him."
"Your Mr. Runnels believes him most capable; we were speaking of
him but yesterday."
"Oh, he will be successful, if that's what you mean; I shall see
to that. He has his father's gift for handling men---"
"You know his father?"
"Not personally, only by reputation.
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