"Mr. Griscom," said Marriott, wondering if that were the right question, longing for some inspiration that would be the one infallible test for this situation, "did you report to the authorities these remarks of Koerner's at the time he made them?"
Griscom hesitated.
"No, sir," he answered.
"Why not?"
"I didn't think it necessary."
"Why didn't you think it necessary?"
"Well--I didn't."
"Was it because you didn't think Archie was in earnest--because his words were not serious?"
"I didn't think it necessary."
Marriott wondered whether to press him further--he was on dangerous ground.