Anything he could say against us
would simply have the effect of holding his son up to public
exprobration as a common campaign liar. I know David Blount pretty well;
he won't do anything like that."
Gantry bit his lip and a slow smile of respectful admiration crept up to
the Irish eyes.
"When it comes to the real fine-haired work, you have us all feeling for
hand-holds, Mr. McVickar," he said. "Now I know why you made a place for
Evan Blount, and why you have been giving him a free hand on the
whitewashing. It's the biggest thing that has ever been pulled off in
Western politics!"
"It hasn't been pulled off yet," was the quick reply. "We are holding
old David in a noose that may turn into a rope of sand at any minute;
don't forget that. During the few days intervening before the election
we must preserve the present status at any cost. Young Blount is the
only man who may possibly disturb it. Keep him out of the way. If he
doesn't have speaking invitations enough to busy him, see to it that he
gets them. As long as you can keep him talking he won't have any time
for side issues. Now about this Gryson business: you want to handle that
yourselves, and I don't want any more telegrams like the one you sent me
last night, Gantry. What's the condition?"
Gantry outlined the Gryson "condition" briefly. The man Gryson, who had
developed into a heeler of sorts, had been growing restive, wanting more
money.
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