A pause, then Armstrong: "Still, it might be better to have an investigation."
"What!" exclaimed Fosdick.
"You say we've nothing to conceal. Why not show the public so?"
"Of course we haven't got anything to conceal," cried Fosdick defiantly. "At least, I haven't."
"Why not have an investigation, then?"
That reiterated word "investigation" acted on the old financier like the touch of a red-hot iron. "Because I don't want it!" he shouted. "Damn it, man, ain't I above suspicion? Haven't I spent my life in serving the public? Shall I degrade myself by noticing these lying, slandering scoundrels? Shall I let 'em open up my private business to the mob that would misunderstand? Shall I let them roll me in the gutter? No—sir—ree!"
"Then, you are against a policy of aggression? You intend simply to sit back and content yourself with ignoring attacks."
Fosdick subsided, scowling.
"Suppose you allowed an investigation——"
"I don't want to hear that word again!" said Fosdick between his teeth.