He did not stir while Ames repeated the story. Charley's eyes blazed.
When Ames finished, Charley started to speak but the young reporter
interrupted.
"Mr. Secretary, I want you to let me tie up the loose ends for you.
We've got to put the screws on Luigi and I'll take another trip West."
"Wait a bit!" exclaimed Charley. "Mr. Secretary, I'm going to claim
that long deferred vacation. Let me spend it with Ames clearing this
matter up for you."
Enoch drew a quick breath. "When could you begin, you two?"
"Now!" the two young men said together.
Enoch smiled. "Wait until to-morrow. I've more important work
to-night, and I want to go over every detail with you before you start
out. In the meantime, Abbott, guard this envelope as you would your
life."
"What won't we do to Brown!" exclaimed Charley.
"I've punished Brown," said Enoch. "He'll never hurt me again. As
soon as this thing is cleared, we'll forget him."
Again Ames laughed. "Believe me, he's going to be good the rest of his
life. Think of your reading that stuff about little Hunt, Mr.
Secretary, and never realizing its import!"
"God knows, I didn't want to read the story of another man's ignominy!"
said Enoch, earnestly, "and I never would have, had not--" he paused,
then said as if to himself, "God moves in a mysterious way, His wonders
to perform!"
The two younger men stood in silence.
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