The brown woman received them with haughty dignity, and said:
"Mr. Stoneman can not be seen at this hour. It is after nine o'clock. I will submit to him your request for an audience to-morrow morning."
"We must see him to-night," replied the editor, with rising anger.
"The king is amusing himself," said the yellow woman, with a touch of malice.
"Where is he?"
Her cat-like eyes rolled from side to side, and a smile played about her full lips as she said:
"You will find him at Hall & Pemberton's gambling hell—you've lived in Washington. You know the way."
With a muttered oath the editor turned on his heel and led his two companions to the old Commoner's favourite haunt. There could be no better time or place to approach him than seated at one of its tables laden with rare wines and savoury dishes.
On reaching the well-known number of Hall & Pemberton's place, the editor entered the unlocked door, passed with his friends along the soft-carpeted hall, and ascended the stairs. Here the door was locked. A sudden pull of the bell, and a pair of bright eyes peeped through a small grating in the centre of the door revealed by the sliding of its panel.
The keen eyes glanced at the proffered card, the door flew open, and a well-dressed mulatto invited them with cordial welcome to enter.
Passing along another hall, they were ushered into a
