“Just an hour ago.”

“When are you intending to leave?”

“For New York tomorrow evening—for San Francisco next morning.”

“Just so.... What are you going to do tomorrow?”

“Do! Why, I’ve got to go to the President with the petition and the delegation, and get the appointment, haven’t I?”

“Yes ... very true ... that is correct. And then what?”

“Executive session of the Senate at 2 P.M.—got to get the appointment confirmed—I reckon you’ll grant that?”

“Yes ... yes,” said Riley, meditatively, “you are right again. Then you take the train for New York in the evening, and the steamer for San Francisco next morning?”

“That’s it—that’s the way I map it out!”

Riley considered a while, and then said: