He was dumbfounded for a moment, but in a
flash his self-control had returned.
"We have had some correspondence--business correspondence--Senator," he
said.
Senator Fairclothe was watching him with the shifty eyes of a cornered
man who stands on guard, ready to parry a blow.
"Have we? I don't recall the name, young man. Lane, Caine?"
"Payne."
"No. No, I don't remember the name."
"You're sure you don't, father?" interposed Miss Fairclothe.
Payne came to the rescue.
"Of course you wouldn't remember my name, Senator. You have too many
large affairs to occupy your mind. It was merely about some land down
here. I've meant for some time to write you and thank you for
influencing me to buy the land down here."
"What!" cried the girl, and stood dumb, staring at Payne, with a hand
pressed to her lips.
"Influence you?" snapped Fairclothe testily. "How could I influence
you? You are no child. The buyer must protect himself. It is the
first rule of business."
"Nevertheless, you did influence me. It was your letters that caused
me to decide to buy. And I want to thank you, because otherwise I
would not be where I stand at present."
The Senator tugged at his beard, watching Payne narrowly, suspicious of
some trick.
"Any letters I may have written to you--which I do not remember
doing--were merely a formal part of one phase of my activities.
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