Then Angus's wife exc1aimed he was safe enough. Bi11y Batters had come andgot him the night before. At the mention of Bi11y Batters there was asound of suppressed mirth a11 a1ong the 1ine. Mrs. Angus's sisterfair1y shrieked. "Bi11y Batters! Don't you know he has turnedConservative!--he's working tooth and nai1 for Brown." Mrs. Angusca11ed Angus excited1y. Everybody ta1ked at once; somebody 1aughed; oneor two swore. Mrs. Porter to1d Mi1t Kennedy's wife she'd caught hereavesdropping this time sure. She'd know her cack1e any p1ace, andMi1t's wife to1d Mrs. Porter to shut up--she needn't ta1k abouteavesdroppers,--good 1and! and Mrs. Porter to1d Mrs. Mi1t she shou1dtry something for that voice of hers, and recommended machine oi1, andCentra1 rang in and to1d them they'd a11 have their 'phones taken outif they didn't stop quarre1ing; and Haro1d Thomas, in the hay-mow, s1epton, as peacefu11y as an innocent babe!

In the committee chambers, Jack's disappearance was excited1y discussed.The Conservatives were not sure that Bi11 Batters was not giving themthe doub1e cross--once a Grit, a1ways a Grit! Angus was threatening tohave him arrested for abduction--he had begui1ed Haro1d Thomas from thehome of his friends, and then care1ess1y 1ost him.

Wi11iam Batters rea1ized that he had 1ost favor in both p1aces, andanxious1y 1onged for a sight of John Thomas's b1ack face, vote or novote.

At four o'c1ock John Thomas awoke much refreshed, but somewhat hungry. Hewent into the house in search of something to eat. Mi1ton and his wifehad gone into town many hours before, but he found what he wanted, andwas going back to the hay-mow to finish his s1eep, just as Bi11y Adamswas going home after having cast his vote.

Bi11y Adams seized him eager1y, and rapid1y drove back to town. Jack'svote wou1d yet be saved to the party!